News articles and media releases
Coffee Pot boiler update
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Another major milestone for the project has been achieved with the verification and registration of the boiler design having occurred in late December 2011.
On board with SA Life
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SA Life’s Peter Michell enjoys a 'feast for the senses' on board the Austral's luncheon car on the Pichi Richi Explorer. Departing the last Sunday of the month, this is a rolling feast filled with breathtaking sights.
Coffee Pot models
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---- SOLD OUT ----
Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society's Marketing Department wish to announce the sale of high-quality models of the Coffee Pot.
All profits go towards the Coffee Pot’s replacement boiler.
The "Hand Ghan" reunion
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Thirty years ago the new standard gauge railway to Alice Springs was under construction. Foundation member Jeremy Browne, having organised the Peterborough Centenary Trips with T186 in 1976, was keen to do something special to mark the end of the old Ghan.
A plan was formulated to run the last narrow gauge Ghan as a steam hauled special. Powered by T class and NM class steam locomotives double-heading, the train would take four days for the Marree to Alice run, stopping overnight en-route. The narrow gauge Ghan would follow for meals and beds for 150 first class passengers, with tents for 100 economy class passengers.
Coffee Pot boiler update
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Coffee Pot has been out of action now for a couple of years, and with some successes in moving the new boiler project forward, it is pleasing to report some progress.
A request for a commercial budget price for design and build of a new boiler resulted in a quote of $140,000. As a result a decision has been made to attempt to do it for substantially less than that if at all possible.
SA's heritage railways move a steam train to Rundle Mall
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From Friday April 11 to Saturday April 13 2008, Rundle Mall will be alive with the sights and sounds of steam, as South Australia’s Heritage Railways combine forces to bring a full sized steam engine into the Mall.
Coffee Pot update
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Noted Australian businessman Mr Dick Smith AO has recently donated $5,000 to the Society, to assist with the project to replace the Coffee Pot's boiler, which is currently underway. The Society has sent a formal letter of thanks to Mr Smith.
The latest donation follows on from an earlier donation of $3,000 made by Mr Smith while the Coffee Pot lottery was in progress during 2007.
Coffee Pot lottery
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The Coffee Pot Lottery, launched in April 2007, generated over $9,000.00 in ticket sales towards fundraising for a new boiler for the Coffee Pot.
The Coffee Pot is one of the most historic vehicles in Pichi Richi Railway's collection, a direct link with the early part of last century. Design work and engineering certification is currently underway for the construction of an all-steel welded boiler.
First prize was a finely detailed model of the Coffee Pot, handmade by the late Pichi Richi Railway member Mr Geoff Horne. These models are highly prized by collectors and train lovers, and this model was independently valued at $2,000.