Pichi Richi Explorer

Pichi Richi Explorer

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Posted 2017-02-17 by Steve Hudsonfollow

Sun 15 Oct 2017

The band of volunteers gather early in the morning. The weather is checked, instructions are issued, supplies loaded, uniforms dusted off, and the team all head off in different directions. We are at Quorn, and today a steam train trip on the world famous beckons.



Arriving at lovingly restored Quorn Railway Station, we purchase our tickets before wandering the historic station noting the photos of years gone by, the restoration efforts and the Souvenir Shop. But our wander is cut short by the sound of the as it makes its way to the Station in readiness for its departure.



Like shoppers at the Boxing Day sales we await the instruction that the doors are open, and on board we rush to grab our preferred window seat in our favourite carriage. Our bags are parked alongside, and the camera is readied and we await the departure.



The historic bell in the Railway Station courtyard sounds, and we know that we are only minutes away. The horn on the engine sounds and movement is noticed, and we are now on our way on a trip that has been a Flinders Ranges tradition since 1974.



Our friendly conductor offers us a few safety instructions, and arranges for the clipping of tickets, much to the amusement of the younger members of the carriage. We now leave the township of Quorn, pass the railway workshops on the south with glimpses of the various engines and carriages and commence the journey alongside the long distance Heysen Trail through the Pichi Richi Gorge.



With the windows down, and the heads and cameras hanging out, the views through the Gorge are second to none as we pass over gum lined creeks, through saltbush country, and alongside some ancient rocky outcrops on this rail line that first saw rail traffic in 1879.



Before we know it, we have arrived at the turnaround point of Woolshed Flat, and all passengers disembark and make their way to the facilities or the canteen where hot drinks and food beckons. Our conductor doubles as a waiter in the tea rooms, while the Driver and his immediate crew disconnect the engine from the carriages and commence the process of turning the train around for the return journey back to Quorn.



Returning to our carriage we change sides for the return journey, and it is not long before the whistle shrills, the horn sounds, the green flag falls and we are off again on the slow and steady climb past the old stations of Pichi Richi, Willows Halt and up to the place known as Summit, being the highest point on the line.



From this point it is all downhill back to Quorn, and the gathers some speed as it descends for the final few kilometres. Arriving back at the Station now, it is time to hop down from the carriage and make our way inside to the Souvenir Shop to grab a few items as mementos, and to show our appreciation to the volunteers for another great trip.



The is run by the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society with trips on most weekends between April and October, and other selected days during school holidays. Trips to and from Woolshed Flat take around 2.5 hours. Booking details and prices are available from the Pichi Richi Railway website or from their facebook page .



The Pichi Richi Preservation Society also run other trips through the Pichi Richi Gorge on various other trains throughout the season. For further details, times and booking information refer to their website .

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#april
!date 15/10/2017 -- 15/10/2017
%wnadelaide
130744 - 2023-06-13 07:05:14

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