Past events

HERITAGE WEEKEND

Featuring the Coffee Pot and other unique treasures of the Pichi Richi Railway

23–24 April 2016

Quorn, Flinders Ranges, South Australia

This April the volunteers of the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society will throw open the doors of its Quorn workshops, to share rarely-seen treasures from its extensive railway heritage collection. Be welcomed in the historic outback railway town of Quorn, at the heart of the stunning Flinders Ranges. Stay a night or two and enjoy the many historic pubs, cafés and other nearby attractions.

From The Railway Children and Thomas the Tank Engine to Chuggington and beyond, steam trains have fascinated and delighted generations.

Like living machines, steam engines once snorted, puffed and chuffed all over South Australia and right into the heart of the outback. Today's kids can still experience a real outback railway on the iconic Pichi Richi Railway—restored and run by volunteers since 1973.

Free colouring-in book

Introduce the next generation to the wonder of steam railways on the Kids’ Special!

All kids travelling on the Kids’ Special receive a free Pichi Richi Railway colouring-in book.

Departs Quorn Railway Station 2.30pm Sunday 4 October

This Father's Day, reignite warm memories by treating Dad to a ride to remember.

Whether it's a trip back in time to recall the steam trains of his youth, or a chance to relive and share his own childhood memories of riding the Pichi Richi Railway, dads of all ages will love a half-day adventure aboard the Pichi Richi Explorer.

All dads riding the train on 6 September will receive a complementary cup of tea or coffee and a cake at Woolshed Flat.

The Pichi Richi Explorer departs Quorn at 10.30am, Sunday 6 September, returning at 12.15pm.

Remembering the Central Australia Railway's troop trains and their people

On Anzac Day join us as we commemorate the troop trains, their soldiers and the community who supported them.

Saturday 25 April 2015

  • Discover original "troop train" carriage Car 5 on public display at Quorn station (FREE!)
  • Enjoy an authentic "troop train" meal served by the Country Women's Association (bookings essential)
  • Ride into the past aboard our $10 railcar shuttle to the Pichi Richi Workshop for a behind the scenes tour. Departs Quorn station at 12pm and 1pm.

For the first time in 70 years, the Pichi Richi Railway and the Country Women's Association (CWA) join together to commemorate soldiers' journeys to war.

All aboard the Teddy Train!

Hop aboard the Teddy Train on a return trip from Quorn to Woolshed Flat, and bring along your favourite teddy for a picnic with our very own “Richie” the life-sized teddy bear!

Two steam locomotives mean double the fun!

On Saturday 3 October 2015, two steam-hauled trains will meet in the heart of the Pichi Richi Pass in a spectacle that happens only twice each year: the June and October long weekends.

Two steam locomotives mean double the fun!

On Saturday 4 October 2014, two steam trains will meet in the heart of the Pichi Richi Pass in a spectacle that happens only twice each year: the June and October long weekends.

Delighting kids young and old since 1974, the Pichi Richi Railway celebrates forty years of heritage train operations on 9-10 August with a Family Fun Fair at its home in the heart of the timeless Flinders Ranges.

Originally opened in 1879 and once stretching all the way to Alice Springs, the oldest remaining section of the narrow-gauge Central Australia Railway—the “Old Ghan” line—was returned to life in 1974 by the volunteers of the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society.  Since its formation in 1973, the Society has restored the line between Port Augusta and Quorn, as well as returning a significant collection of steam and heritage diesel locomotives and antique carriages to working condition.