Pichi Richi Railway invites you to celebrate the New Year in style, aboard the Afghan Express. Pichi Richi Railway's popular New Years' Eve train is running again this year, with a few variations on past events.

Using an historic diesel locomotive, built to haul traffic on the original narrow gauge Ghan line, our train will depart from Platform 1 at Port Augusta station at 6:00pm on Tuesday 31 December 2002. We will gently roll through Port Augusta, past the netball courts, under the Highway One overpass, and out across the Bird Lake towards Stirling North.

An increase in the burbling from the locomotive indicates we are beginning the long climb to our first stop, Woolshed Flat, where hors d'ouvres, and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or orange juice, will be served. With the sun getting low in the sky, and about to disappear behind the Dutchman's Stern range, we will reboard the train, and continue our journey to Quorn.

Here, in a change from previous years' trains, we will stroll across Railway Terrace to the historic Transcontinental Hotel (named for the railway that helped establish Quorn), and enjoy a sumptuous smorgasbord main course in the beer garden. A band will keep us entertained with live music, and the bar will be open for a full drinks service. The Transcontinental Hotel will also serve dessert followed by tea/coffee.

After eating and drinking our fill, we will sit back and enjoy the company, or find a quiet spot to breathe in the country air and gaze at the stars above, while we welcome in the New Year.

We rejoin our train in time for a 12:30am departure. An express run from Quorn will have us back at Port Augusta station at 2:20am, and no doubt looking forward to a nice long sleep in. Sadly, the event will all too soon be a memory. There's alway's next year, of course!

Due mainly to the high fire risk in the area, we intend to run the train with our freshly repainted NT class diesel electric locomotive, the sole surviving member of its class. If, however, circumstances allow, we may operate the train as in previous years with steam locomotive T186.

Return tickets, without the meal option, are available. Please contact our Booking Officer for more details.

If you want to bring your own food and just go for the train ride, you can join the train either in Quorn (3:00pm or 12:30am), or Port Augusta (6:00pm only) and travel at regular Afghan Express fares.

Alcohol may be consumed on this service, but please drink in moderation, both for the enjoyment of fellow passengers, and for your own safety.

Bookings are strictly limited to 150 passengers, so please book early. Tickets must be booked and paid for in advance, and will not be available on the day of travel. Booking details below.
65 seats are already booked, so be quick!
Concession fares are not available for this train.

When booking, please indicate your boarding location (Quorn or Port Augusta).

Car parking is available at Port Augusta Station, although we remind you not to drink and drive.

Service details

  • Quorn to Port Augusta, or Port Augusta to Quorn, and return.
  • 5 hours 30 minutes (Quorn–Port Augusta–Quorn)
  • 8 hours 20 minutes (Port Augusta–Quorn–Port Augusta)
  • No drinks provided (except as mentioned at Woolshed Flat)
  • Capacity: strictly 150

Timetable

Times in bold are p.m. and times in italicsare a.m.
LocationArriveDepart
Quorn - 3:00 pm
Port Augusta 5:00 pm 6:00 pm
Woolshed Flat 6:50 pm 7:45 pm
Quorn 8:30 pm 12:30 am
Port Augusta 2:20 am 2:50 am
Quorn 4:30 am -

The intermediate location times are indicative only.

Fares

 Return Journey
(including dinner)
Return Journey
(excluding dinner)
Adult $80 $48
School Child $48 $16