News articles and media releases

Railway at the "Centre of the Universe" remembers its champion

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The contribution made to the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society by the late Joy Baluch AM, former Mayor of Port Augusta, will be formally acknowledged with the naming of the Joy Baluch AM Memorial Operations Centre.

Double header, double the fun

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Passengers on board the June long weekend train experienced an event that only occurs twice a year: the double header, where two trains meet in the heart of the Pichi Richi Pass. The Afghan Express departed Port Augusta while the Pichi Richi Explorer departed Quorn, and both trains joined together at Woolshed Flat for a train ride with twice the steam.

"New Ghan" meets "Old Ghan"

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During the Anzac Day weekend, Pichi Richi Railway welcomed the team and passengers of the "New Ghan" to the "Old Ghan" line as part of the Ghan's ANZAC Tribute Journey. It was a delightful experience for the Ghan passengers, including many veterans, who boarded a specially chartered train hauled by Pichi Richi Railway's NM25: one of the steam locomotives that travelled the original Ghan line.

Railway heritage worth the trip

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David Palmer crossed the Nullabor last week, fulfilling a long-held ambition to see the Flinders Ranges while completing a special mission that ties together two historic railways.

"This was my first trip to the Flinders Ranges, but I’m already planning a second one", said David. "There’s no way to describe it really, turning around the bend and there in front of you there’s this ancient landscape".

Australia Post Historic Railway Station Stamp Series

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Stand clear! Historic railway stations fast-tracked onto new stamp issue

Australia Post is featuring four historic Australian railway stations—Maryborough, Victoria; Quorn, South Australia; Hay, New South Wales and Normanton, Queensland—in a new stamp issue. The stamp issue comprises four domestic base-rate (60c) stamps.

Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said, "We are pleased to release this second stamp issue in a series on Australian historical architecture. We trust these stamps have captured the beauty of these distinctive and historic buildings."

Childhood steam train dream comes true

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Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society member David Heah, 21, realised a childhood dream recently when he became the organisation’s youngest-ever qualified steam locomotive driver.

David’s journey began as a child when, like many kids, he developed a strong interest in trains and the engineering technology that drives them.

'Heritage heroes' of Pichi Richi preserve the past, train future tradies

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Volunteers working along what was once the ‘Great Northern Railway’ have been honoured multiple times at this year’s Heritage Heroes Awards.

The Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society (PRRPS) has been recognised twice: once for preserving a significant piece of South Australian history, and again for helping the region’s youth develop trade skills for the future through its contributions to the Pichi Richi Trade Training Centre.

Pichi Richi Railway featured on My Australia

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Get behind the scenes with Australia Network’s My Australia and check out Natsumi’s visit to Pichi Richi Railway.