Home Train services Pichi Richi Explorer
Pichi Richi Explorer Print E-mail

The Pichi Richi Explorer uses our historic Barwell Bull railcar, as well as steam services during school holidays and long weekends using genuine South Australian Railways carriages, some dating from the 19th century.

On Saturday 12 June 2010, the Pichi Richi Explorer will double head from Quorn to Woolshed Flat with the Transcontinental before returning to Quorn.

On Saturday 2 October 2010, the Pichi Richi Explorer will combine with the Afghan Express at Woolshed Flat and provide a rare double header back to Quorn.

Image
The Pichi Richi Explorer steaming out of Quorn

Online booking facility

Service details - Steam

The service enables travellers to experience train travel as it was 100 years ago on country lines. The carriages were used on narrow gauge trains such as the Great Northern Express, services in the South East of SA, the Ghan and the East-West Express.

  • South Australian timber bodied carriages - up to 115 years old
  • Quorn to Woolshed Flat and return (32km)
  • 2.5 hours

Service details - Diesel (Barwell Bull)

Barwell's Bulls were the former South Australian Railways' US-designed Model 75 Brill railcars.

For over 40 years, they serviced virtually all of SA's country lines - on both narrow and broad gauges. They were introduced from 1926 to provide faster, more economical services than steam locomotive hauled trains.

These railcars were dubbed Barwell's Bulls after State Premier Sir Henry Barwell and due to their distinctive air horn.

PRR's railcar 106, built in 1928, spent most of its working life based at Peterborough working services between Terowie and Quorn.

  • Quorn to Woolshed Flat and return (32km)
  • 2.5 hours
Image
The Barwell Bull railcar crossing an 1870s stone wall in the Pichi Richi Pass

 

Timetable - Steam

2010

DayDateTimeDeparts from
September
Sunday5 September10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday12 September10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday26 September10:30 AMQuorn
Tuesday28 September10:30 AMQuorn
Thursday30 September10:30 AMQuorn
October
Saturday2 October10:30 AMQuornDouble heading from Woolshed Flat with Afghan Express
Sunday3 October10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday3 October2:30 PMQuornTeddy Bear's Picnic - bring your favourite bear!
Monday4 October10:30 AMQuorn
Tuesday5 October10:30 AMQuorn
Thursday7 October10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday10 October10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday17 October10:30 AMQuorn

Timetable - Diesel

2010

DayDateTimeDeparts from
September
Sunday19 September10:30 AMQuorn
October
Sunday24 October10:30 AMQuorn
November
Sunday7 November10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday21 November10:30 AMQuorn

Fares - Steam and Diesel

Adult return$44.00
Concession return$41.00
School child return$15.00
Family return (2 Adults, 2 children)$104.00

Bookings

Bookings page.