Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre
Encyclopedia
The Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre (also just known as "Steamtown" or "Steamtown Peterborough") is a static railway museum based in the former railway workshops located in Peterborough, South Australia
.
Note: Though both the "Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre" and the "Steamtown, Peterborough Railway Preservation Society Inc." were and are known as simply "Steamtown" or "Steamtown Peterborough", the term "the Centre" will be used in referencing the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre on this page to clarify which organisation is being referred to.
Peterborough was the administrative and service centre for the Peterborough Division of the South Australian Railways
, 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 , standard gauge
and broad gauge
. 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. 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.
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.
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.
The Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre was officially opened on 29 November 2009 to much fanfare from the South Australian premier, Mike Rann.
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.
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.
The centre has accreditation as a rail-transport operator to run its motor inspection car
, MIC 126, between the centre and the former goods platform in Peterborough yard, though this is rarely done. It has also sourced a miniature train to run in the facility; and although it is sorting out registration as an amusement ride, it hopes to have this service available shortly.
Through a skills-development program run in association with the local high school, students have been assisting with the refurbishment of a sheep wagon and a miniature train. One of these students, Ben Graefe, who also runs tours at the centre, recently won a Rotary
Pride in Workmanship 2010 Award for his efforts.
Peterborough, South Australia
Peterborough is a town in the mid north of South Australia, in wheat country, just off the Barrier Highway. At the 2006 census, Peterborough had a population of 1,689....
.
Note: Though both the "Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre" and the "Steamtown, Peterborough Railway Preservation Society Inc." were and are known as simply "Steamtown" or "Steamtown Peterborough", the term "the Centre" will be used in referencing the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre on this page to clarify which organisation is being referred to.
Peterborough was the administrative and service centre for the Peterborough Division of the South Australian Railways
South Australian Railways
South Australian Railways built and operated railways in South Australia from 1854 to the incorporation of its non-urban railways into the Australian National Railways Commission in 1975, together with the former Commonwealth Railways and the former Tasmanian Government Railways...
, 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 , standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
and broad gauge
Irish gauge
Irish gauge railways use a track gauge of . It is used in* Ireland * Australia where it is also known as Victorian Broad Gauge* Brazil where it is also known as Bitola larga no Brasil....
. In Australia there were only two similar turntables (located at Port Pirie
Port Pirie, South Australia
-Transport:Port Pirie is located off National Highway One. It is serviced by an airport five minutes out of the city.- Railways :The first railways in Port Pirie were of the narrow [3' 6"] gauge....
and Gladstone
Gladstone, South Australia
Gladstone is a small rural town in the Mid North of South Australia in the approach to the lower Flinders Ranges. At the 2006 census, Gladstone had a population of 629....
); all three were on the same line, with the one at Peterborough the only one remaining. This unique situation arose from the standardisation project
Gauge conversion
In rail transport, gauge conversion is the process of converting a railway from one rail gauge to another, through the alteration of the railway tracks...
of the late 1960s. At this time the broad gauge line was extended from Terowie
Terowie, South Australia
Terowie is a small town in the mid-north of South Australia located north of Adelaide. It is located in the Regional Council of Goyder. Terowie retains a number of authentic and well preserved 1880s buildings, and has been declared a "historic town". It also remains a town of interest to those...
to Peterborough and the Port Pirie to Broken Hill section (passing through Peterborough) was replaced
Gauge conversion
In rail transport, gauge conversion is the process of converting a railway from one rail gauge to another, through the alteration of the railway tracks...
by standard gauge line. The Peterborough to Quorn section remained narrow gauge.
History
Prior to the cessation of railway operations by Steamtown, Peterborough Railway Preservation Society Inc 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 the establishment of a project to formalise development of the workshops precinct, which in turn led to the development of the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre.Development
Considerable effort has been put into improving the grounds and the presentation of the displays, including some interpretive signage.It was hoped that Garratt 402 could return from the Zig Zag Railway
Zig Zag Railway
The Zig Zag Railway is a heritage railway at Lithgow in New South Wales, Australia on the site of the famous Great or Lithgow Zig Zag which operated between 1869 and 1910. As built, the line formed part of the Main West line from Sydney across the Blue Mountains and served to lower the line from...
in Lithgow; however, negotiations were discontinued. Garratt 402 was the only member of its class which travelled the entire Quorn Line.
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
Services
The Centre is open seven days a week; an entry fee is charged.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.
After the Centre's opening, technical difficulties limited the availability of the planned sound and light show
Son et lumière (show)
Son et lumière , or a sound and light show, is a form of nighttime entertainment that is usually presented in an outdoor venue of historic significance....
; 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.
The centre has accreditation as a rail-transport operator to run its motor inspection car
Speeder
A speeder is a maintenance of way motorized vehicle formerly used on railroads around the world by track inspectors and work crews to move quickly to and...
, MIC 126, between the centre and the former goods platform in Peterborough yard, though this is rarely done. It has also sourced a miniature train to run in the facility; and although it is sorting out registration as an amusement ride, it hopes to have this service available shortly.
Operation
Today the Centre is 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 have been assisting with the refurbishment of a sheep wagon and a miniature train. One of these students, Ben Graefe, who also runs tours at the centre, recently won a Rotary
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
Pride in Workmanship 2010 Award for his efforts.
Further reading
- McNicol, S.; Mannion, J. (2006). Peterborough 125: Celebrating 125 years of Railways in Peterborough Elizabeth, SA: Railmac Publications. ISBN 978-1-86477-054-6
- Evans, J. (2009). Proceed to Quorn: An Operational History of the Last Years of the Terowie–Peterborough–Quorn Railway Line, in Particular the Years 1957 to 1987. Elizabeth, SA: Railmac Publications. ISBN 978-1-86477-066-X
External links
- Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre official site
- Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre at the Peterborough, South Australia, website
- Museums in South Australia