Pichi Richi Railway

Pichi Richi Railway
Two of Pichi Richi Railway's preserved locomotives (NM25 and W916) with a special-event train at Quorn station
Overview
Status	Working heritage railway
Owner	1879–1911: South Australian Railways 1911–1926: Commonwealth Railways (operated by SAR) 1926–1973: Commonwealth Railways 1973–present: Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society
Locale	Flinders Ranges, South Australia
Termini	Quorn Port Augusta
Stations	Woolshed Flat and Stirling North
Website	www.pichirichirailway.org.au
Service
Type	Heritage railway
System	Section of the former Central Australia Railway
Rolling stock	Locomotives and carriages of: South Australian Railways Commonwealth Railways Western Australian Government Railways Silverton Tramway
History
Opened	1879
Closed	1957
Reopened	1974 as heritage railway
Technical
Line length	39 kilometres (24 mi)
Track gauge	1067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Highest elevation	Quorn: 293 m (961 ft) Summit: 406 m (1332 ft) Port Augusta: 14 m (46 ft)
Route map Pichi Richi Railway (narrow gauge) standard gauge km Central Australia Railway 39.8 Quorn Quorn Pichi Richi Depot 32.4 Summit siding 23.6 Woolshed Flat 18.2 Saltia siding to Bungala Solar Plant Adelaide–Port Augusta line Northern Power Station 0.0 Port Augusta Pichi Richi Depot to Perth & Darwin This diagram: view talk edit

Pichi Richi Railway is a 39 kilometres (24 miles) narrow-gauge heritage railway in the southern Flinders Ranges of South Australia between Quorn and Port Augusta. For much of its length the line lies in the picturesque Pichi Richi Pass, where the line was completed in 1879 as work proceeded north to build a railway to the "Red Centre" of Australia – the Central Australia Railway.

The Commonwealth Railways ran trains through the pass until 1970, when it ceased services. There were proposals to demolish the line including the bridges and dry stone walls, but the Quorn Progress Association recognised their heritage value and significance. Lobbying by local and distant supporters reached Mr. Keith Smith, Commissioner of the Commonwealth Railways.

On 22 July 1973, the not-for-profit Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society Inc. was incorporated, initially to ensure conservation of the 1878 dry stone walls and the bridges in the Pichi Richi Pass. It became evident that the prospect of operating heritage trains was possible and after undertaking restoration of deteriorated sections of the line, the Society operated its first trains to Summit, just 12 months later.

Following further track repairs, trains were able to travel to Pichi Richi, and later to Woolshed Flat. After relaying, the line was restored to Stirling North – at that time the western terminus of the line.

A newly built extension to Port Augusta was opened in 2001.

The Society continues to be completely managed and staffed by its volunteer members and operates its own restored steam and diesel hauled trains on a variety of services between March and November each year.^{[1]: 8–9, 51–56, 60  [2]: 13  [3]}