Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre

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Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre logo STeamtown heritage logo.jpg
Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre logo

The Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre ("Centre") is a static railway museum based in the former railway workshops located in Peterborough, South Australia.

Contents

Peterborough was the administrative and service centre for the Peterborough Division of the South Australian Railways, [1] employing up to 1,500 people in the workshops during its heyday. The railway workshops covered an extensive area mainly to the west of the township, and it is in these original buildings that the exhibits are displayed.

The turntable and roundhouse are the main features of the exhibit.

The turntable is unusual in that it accommodates three rail gauges: Narrow gauge (1,067 mm or 3 ft 6 in), standard gauge (1,435 mm or 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) and broad gauge (1,600 mm or 5 ft 3 in). In Australia there were only two similar turntables (located at Port Pirie and Gladstone); all three were on the same line, with the one at Peterborough the only one remaining. This unique situation arose from the standardisation project of the late 1960s. [1] At this time the broad gauge line was extended from Terowie to Peterborough and the Port Pirie to Broken Hill section (passing through Peterborough) was replaced by standard gauge line. The Peterborough to Quorn section remained narrow gauge.

The turntable, with its three rail gauges Carriage on turntable at steamtown Heritage Rail Centre, Peterborough, South Australia.jpg
The turntable, with its three rail gauges

History

Switch using 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) / 1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8+1/2 in) track, between the roundhouse and the Peterborough West washout facilities MgtrackpeterboroughSA.jpg
Switch using 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) / 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) track, between the roundhouse and the Peterborough West washout facilities

Prior to the cessation of railway operations by Steamtown Peterborough Railway Preservation Society in June 2002, a steering committee, made up of the Federation of North East Councils, the Northern Regional Development Board, and the Flinders Ranges Area Consultative Committee, as well as Society representatives, was established. This led to a project to formalise development of the workshops precinct, which in turn led to the development of the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre. [2]

Development

Part of the roundhose, showing some of the more interesting carriages South Australian Railways work train carriages at Peterborough roundhouse.jpg
Part of the roundhose, showing some of the more interesting carriages
Inside the diesel shed: The bogie drop pit Inside the Diesel shed showing the bogie exchange mechanism.jpg
Inside the diesel shed: The bogie drop pit

Considerable effort was put into improving the grounds and the presentation of the displays, including interpretive signage.

It was hoped that Garratt 402 could return from the Zig Zag Railway in Lithgow; however, negotiations were discontinued. Garratt 402 was the only member of its class which travelled the entire Quorn Line. [3] [4]

A reception centre, which includes offices, a souvenir shop and a cafe, was built just off Main Street, at the north-eastern corner of the 1960s-vintage diesel workshop.

Opening

Inside the diesel shop: Fairmont section car and, behind it, NSU 55 Dieselshopstp.jpg
Inside the diesel shop: Fairmont section car and, behind it, NSU 55

The Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre was officially opened on 29 November 2009 to much fanfare from the South Australian premier, Mike Rann. [5]

Services

Part of the roundhouse, showing some of the engines on display Part of the Roundhouse at the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre - showing some of the engines on display at the museum.jpg
Part of the roundhouse, showing some of the engines on display

The centre is open seven days a week; an entry fee is charged. [6]

Guided tours, lasting about an hour and a half, provide a narrative of the equipment displayed, the infrastructure on site and its social history as well as exploring amusing railway anecdotes and experiences. [6]

After the centre's opening, technical difficulties limited the availability of the planned sound and light show; but after considerable work to resolve the issues the show is now considered a huge success, operating most nights, dependent only on bookings. The sound and light show has contributed to an increase in the number of overnight stays in the town, which benefits the other tourist attractions and the town in general. [7]

The centre had accreditation as a rail-transport operator to run its motor inspection car, MIC 127, between the centre and the former goods platform in Peterborough yard, though this is rarely done. [8]

Operation

The sheep car that local high school students restored Here you can see the sheep-cattle car that the local High School students are working on at Steamtown Peterborough.jpg
The sheep car that local high school students restored

The centre has been operated by a staff of volunteers sourced from the local community in conjunction with a paid manager and a receptionist.

Through a skills-development program run in association with the local high school, students assisted with the refurbishment of a sheep wagon and a miniature train. [9] One of these students, Ben Graefe, who also runs tours at the centre, won a Rotary Pride in Workmanship 2010 Award for his efforts. [10]

The centre was planned to be cost-neutral to the council within seven years; however, attendances to both tours and its Sound and Light show were such that it was expected to break even within two to three years. It was expecting to achieve a visitation rate of 15,000 by the end of the 2011-2012 financial year. [11]

As of August 2025 the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre and Peterborough Visitor Centre are closed owing to the District Council's financial position. It is hoped that they will be reopened in time for the 2026 tourist season, under a new operating model. [12]

Radium Hill Museum

The historic Radium Hill mine site near Olary is closed to the public, but the Radium Hill Museum was relocated to the rear of the Peterborough Steamtown Heritage Centre. [13]

Awards

October 2010 the Centre won an Advantage SA award, in the Regional Tourism category for Yorke and Mid North Region During October 2012, the Centre won an Advantage SA award, in the Regional Tourism category [14] 2014 Steamtown won the SA Regional Award for Tourism 2015 Steamtown won the Hall of Fame Award for Tourism in the region of Yorke and Mid North

Closure

Mounting debt and limited funding sources contributed to the Centre closing its doors in August 2025. The District Council is proposing to reopen Steamtown for the 2026 Tourist season [15]

References

  1. 1 2 Fitch, R. J. (1989). Making Tracks: 43 years in Australian Railways. Kangaroo Press. ISBN   0-86417-270-2
  2. ↑ Workman, C. (Summer 2003). "President's Report, 26th October 2002". Steamtown Partyline Newsletter 78.
  3. ↑ Milne, Ian (March 2008). "Big Redevelopments at Steamtown". Catchpoint. National Railway Museum. pp. 30-31.
  4. ↑ Redwin, R. (25 March 2009) "Letter from the Chairman of the Board". Zig Zag Railway Coop.
  5. ↑ Mills, S. (3 December 2009). "Huge Celebrations for Steamtown Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine ". The Flinders News. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  6. 1 2 Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre Tour Brochure Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  7. ↑ "Steamtowns Visitations Booming". The Informer, May 2010.
  8. ↑ Chandler, D. (2009). Post to South Australia forum Archived 2 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine . Railpage Australia. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  9. ↑ Peterborough High School 2009/2010 Archived 18 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine . p. 3. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  10. ↑ "Congratulations" Peterborough High School Newsletter, 14 May 2010. p. [1]. Retrieved 21 July 2010
  11. ↑ Sampson R - "Rising from the ashes". Catchpoint, January 2012, pp28
  12. ↑ "Temporary closure of Steamtown and Visitor Information Centre". Steamtown Heritage Railway. 21 July 2025. Archived from the original on 5 July 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  13. ↑ "Radium Hill Historical Association". Radium Hill Historical Association. 23 January 2025. Archived from the original on 16 March 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  14. ↑ Mayfield, G 2012 "A full head of steam for Steamtown" Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Flinders News accessed 11 November 2012
  15. ↑ Media Release - Temporary Closure of Steamtown and Visitor Information Centre

Further reading

32°58′30″S138°49′34″E / 32.9751°S 138.8261°E / -32.9751; 138.8261

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