Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society Incorporated South Australia Australia

Pichi Richi Railway operates between Quorn and Port Augusta in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges region. Trains operate from Quorn or Port Augusta using steam locomotives or historic diesels and genuine timber-body carriages up to 115 years old. A variety of hire options are also available for your special requirements.

The Pichi Richi Railway is narrow gauge and is the last remaining operating portion of the famous Ghan railway. Built in the 1870s featuring deep rock cuttings, superb stone wall embankments and spectacular iron bridges.

The Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society is a volunteer group, which has progressively restored and operated the railway as a working museum. The society has also preserved a large collection of historical locomotives and goods and passenger vehicles, restoring many to working order.

Touring Options

Wizards Explorer – PR04

Calling all wizards and witches. Prepare yourself for a "wizards and witches" experience on the special school holidays "wizards and witches" theme train, especially for children. Come dressed as your favourite wizard or witch (parents too) and win a prize for the best costume. Plus other prizes and giveaways. Ghostly, ghouly food will be available on the train, and food is also available at Woolshet Flat.

. Operates:
. Departs Quorn Railway Station or Port Augusta Railway Station at 1600.
. Departing Quorn on Sunday 23 April 2006 and Sunday 16 July 2006.
. Departing Port Augusta on Sunday 8 October 2006.

Coffee Pot Luncheon Special – PR02

Travel the Coffee Pot to the beautifully restored Old Willows Brewery Restaurant in the Pichi Richi Pass for a delicious lunch, then continue on to Woolshed Flat before returning to Quorn.

. Operates:
. Departs Quorn Railway Station at 1130.
. Departure dates Saturday 13 May 2006, Sunday 14 May 2006, Saturday 10 June 2006, Sunday 11 June 2006, Monday 12 June 2006, Saturday 23 September 2006, Sunday 24 September 2006, Saturday 30 September 2006, Sunday 1 October 2006, Monday 2 October 2006.

Christmas in July Lunch – PR07

Celebrate Christmas in July. Enjoy a train trip departing from the Port Augusta Railway Station travelling to the Old Willows Brewery Restaurant in the Pichi Richi Pass where we stop for a three course traditional Christmas feast. Then its back onboard the train for your return journey to Port Augusta.

. Operates:
. Departs Port Augusta Railway Station at 1030 and returns at 1630.
. Departure date Saturday 29 July 2006.

Outback Dinner – PR06

The Outback Dinner is a new train service powered by an historic Old Ghan diesel locomotive. Departing from Port Augusta Railway Station (Stirling Road) the Outback Dinner allows you to enjoy a pleasant evening of railway travel and a meal at the Old Willows Brewery Restaurant in the Pichi Richi Pass, or at one of Quorn’s four hotels – all within easy walking distance of Quorn Railway Station. The train departs Port Augusta for an evening run into the Pichi Richi Pass. Watch as the setting sun paints the hills in the ochre colours of the outback. The train stops at the Old Willows Brewery Restaurant, and Hotels in Quorn. Enjoy an Outback Dinner (please make your own arrangements.) Then board the train again for a night time return to Port Augusta. Trains includes genuine timber bodied carriages, including those of the 1930s Ghan, hauled by a vintage diesel locomotive. Port Augusta to Quorn (or Willows) and return train journey of 78 kilometres.

. Operates:
. Departs Port Augusta Railway Station at 1700.
. Departure dates Saturday 2 December 2006 and Saturday 9 December 2006.

Afghan Express – PR01

Step aboard the historic "Afghan Express" at the Port Augusta Railway Station for a fabulous train experience from Port Augusta to Quorn. Enjoy the magnificent scenery as the train slips past blue bush flood plains and through the Pichi Richi Pass in the Flinders Ranges. The railway line enters the Pichi Richi Pass amd emerges at the historic town of Quorn, where you can spend time relaxing over lunch or exploring the many shops, galleries and historic buildings.

. Operates:
. Afghan Express (steam) Port Augusta to Quorn departs Port Augusta Railway Station at 1030, arrives Quorn at 1215. Return journey departs Quorn at 1445, arrives Port Augusta at 1630.
. Departure dates:
. April 2006 – Saturday 15.
. May 2006 – Saturday 6, Saturday 20.
. June 2006 – Saturday 3, Saturday 17.
. July 2006 – Saturday 1, Saturday 15.
. August 2006 – Saturday 5, Saturday 19.
. September 2006 – Saturday 2, Saturday 9, Sunday 10 September 2006 (Quorn Show special), Saturday 16, Saturday 23, Saturday 30.
. October 2006 – Wednesday 4, Saturday 7 (Pichi Richi Explorer steam train joins the Afghan Express and double-head back to Quorn), Wednesday 11, Saturday 14, Saturday 21, Saturday 28.

Diesel Diner – PR05

The Diesel Diner is a new train service powered by an historic Old Ghan diesel locomotive. Departing from Port Augusta Railway Station (Stirling Road) the Diesel Diner is a travel and meal package, allowing you to enjoy a pleasant evening of railway travel and a three course meal at the Old Willows Brewery Restaurant in the Pichi Richi Pass. The train departs Port Augusta for an evening run into the Pichi Richi Pass. Watch as the setting sun paints the hills in the ochre colours of the outback. Enjoy a three-course meal in the stunning "Willows" restaurant, rebuilt from a ruin by Rob and Wendy Brown. Then board the train again for a nighttime return to Port Augusta. Train includes genuine timber bodied carriages, including those of the 1930s Ghan, hauled by a vintage diesel locomotive. Port Augusta to Willows and return train journey of 59 kilometres.

. Operates:
. Departs Port Augusta Railway Station at 1800.
. Departure dates Friday 1 December 2006 and Friday 8 December 2006.

Pichi Richi Explorer – PR03

Experience a steam train journey from Quorn to Woolshed Flat and return. Steam through rolling farmland and up the steep grades of the Pichi Richi Pass. The rock ramparts of the majestic Flinders Ranges pass high above as this steam adventure winds through the Pichi Richi Pass. Sharp curving tracks and spectacular scenery make this steam journey a memorable encounter with bygone days.

. From Quorn Railway Station at 1030, returns to Quorn Railway Station at 1230, excluding Tuesday 25 April 2006 departs at 1430.
. Steam trains on school holidays and long weekends, other regular services using the heritage diesel Barwell Bull throughout the year.
. Departure dates:
. March 2006 – Saturday 11 (Barwell Bull) Quorn Art and Craft Fair, Sunday 12 (Barwell Bull).
. April 2006 – Sunday 16 (steam), Monday 17 (steam), Tuesday 18 (steam), Thursday 20 (steam), Saturday 22 (steam), Sunday 23 (steam), Tuesday 25 (steam) late departure 1430, Thursday 27 (steam), Saturday 29 (steam).
. May 2006 – Sunday 14 (Barwell Bull), Sunday 28 (Barwell Bull).
. June 2006 – Saturday 10 (steam), Sunday 11 (steam), Monday 12 (steam), Sunday 25 (Barwell Bull).
. July 2006 – Saturday 8 (steam), Sunday 9 (steam), Tuesday 11 (steam), Thursday 13 (steam), Sunday 16 (steam), Tuesday 18 (steam), Thursday 20 (steam), Saturday 22 (steam), Sunday 23 (steam).
. August 2006 – Sunday 13 (Barwell Bull), Sunday 27 (Barwell Bull).
. September 2006 – Sunday 3 (steam), Sunday 10 (Barwell Bull), Sunday 17 (steam), Sunday 24 (steam).
. October – Sunday 1 (steam), Monday 2 (steam), Tuesday 3 (steam), Thursday 5 (steam), Saturday 7 (steam), Sunday 8 (steam), Tuesday 10 (steam), Thursday 12 (steam), Sunday 15 (steam), Sunday 22 (Barwell Bull), Sunday 29 (Barwell Bull).
. November 2006 – Sunday 5 (Barwell Bull), Sunday 12 (Barwell Bull).

Website: www.prr.org.au