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Pichi Richi Explorer

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

2012

DayDateTimeDeparts from
April
Sunday8 April10:30 AMQuorn
Monday9 April10:30 AMQuorn
Tuesday10 April10:30 AMQuorn
Thursday12 April10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday15 April10:30 AMQuorn
Tuesday17 April10:30 AMQuorn
Thursday19 April10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday22 April10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday29 April10:30 AMQuorn
May
Sunday13 May10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday27 May10:30 AMQuorn
June
Saturday9 June10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday10 June10:30 AMQuorn
Monday11 June10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday24 June10:30 AMQuorn
Saturday30 June10:30 AMQuorn
July
Sunday1 July10:30 AMQuorn
Tuesday3 July10:30 AMQuorn
Wednesday4 July10:30 AMQuorn
Thursday5 July10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday8 July10:30 AMQuorn
Tuesday10 July10:30 AMQuorn
Wednesday11 July10:30 AMQuorn
Thursday12 July10:30 AMQuorn
Saturday14 July10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday15 July10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday29 July10:30 AMQuorn
August
Sunday12 August10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday26 August10:30 AMQuorn
September
Sunday2 September10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday23 September10:30 AMQuorn
Tuesday25 September10:30 AMQuorn
Thursday27 September10:30 AMQuorn
Saturday29 September10:30 AMQuornDouble header from Woolshed Flat to Quorn
Sunday30 September2:30 PMQuornTeddy Bear's Picnic. Bring your favourite bear. Returns approx. 5pm.
October
Monday1 October10:30 AMQuorn
Tuesday2 October10:30 AMQuorn
Thursday4 October10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday7 October10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday14 October10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday28 October10:30 AMQuornMay be diesel-hauled subject to fire risk

Timetable - Diesel

2012

DayDateTimeDeparts from
March
Sunday4 March10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday11 March10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday18 March10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday25 March10:30 AMQuorn
April
Sunday1 April10:30 AMQuorn
May
Sunday6 May10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday20 May10:30 AMQuorn
June
Sunday3 June10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday17 June10:30 AMQuorn
July
Sunday22 July10:30 AMQuorn
August
Sunday5 August10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday19 August10:30 AMQuorn
September
Sunday9 September10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday16 September10:30 AMQuorn
October
Sunday21 October10:30 AMQuorn
November
Sunday4 November10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday11 November10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday18 November10:30 AMQuorn
Sunday25 November10:30 AMQuorn

Fares - Steam and Diesel

Adult return$47.00
Concession return$44.00
School child return$16.00
Family return (2 Adults, 2 children)$110.00

Bookings

Bookings page.