Visiting Peterborough Steamtown Railway Museum, South Australia

[@olspanner]

Brought back fond memories of several visits to Peterborough in past years when traveling through SA.by caravan.

[@robertbatty3521]

I was a volunteer Consulting Engineer at Steamtown just before it stopped running trains to Euralia. I took one trip to Euralia and was surprised at the lack of participation of local people. There was no-one at Peterborough station to see the train off, no stalls selling local wares, no band. Similarly at Orroroo , not a soul. The train stopped at Black Rock and everyone got off and spent money there in the pub. Travellers were seated on splintery timber seats (old rail sleepers) to eat a bbq lunch. Steamtown could not maintain the track due to inability to obtain labour and the track had to close which was a shame because combined with the Pichi Richi experience it would have been a great outing for rail enthusiasts. It is good to see that all has not been lost and I wish Steamtown all the best.

[@bas4903]

Lived in Peterborough about 30 something years ago. Always wondered why they couldn't team up with Pitchi Richie. Pirie to Peterborough. Sad it's not running now, used to when I was there

[@shanemills3879]

The reason was that the infrastructure (line) was shot, and potentially dangerous. A foot survey of the line from Peterborough to Eurelia showed many places where the sleepers had completely rotted and the rail itself was sitting on it's bed unsupported. The cost of repair was simply far too high, and the Steamtown Society was largely made up of ageing volunteers who, despite the best intentions, weren't capable of doing the repairs...largely due to physical limitations and lack of numbers. The State Government, at the time, decided that the only Heritage rail lines they'd permit to operate was Pichi Richi and Steam Ranger.

[@MartintheTinman]

Used to visit Steamtown regularly thirty five years ago. Was driving H-Type Trams for the STA at the time too

[@MartintheTinman]

From what I remember there was only rotten sleepers (no rails) between Quorn and Euralia

[@MartintheTinman]

​@@shanemills3879I'd actually seen sleepers replaced back when I used to visit Steamtown and remember we went one time because the track from Orroroo to Euralia had been fixed. Prior to that we could only go to Orroroo

[@allenhall4689]

My wife and I spent 5 nights in Peterborough looking around. It is well worth a trip the night show is amazing and the whole town is full of history. Then, we went and did the Pichirichi was definitely worth it

[@ComengProductions]

Such a shame it is only static now, still looks awesome. I'll have to go some time.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Got to support these places when they are running or else this happens unfortunately!

[@BaiocoIslandFilms]

I made the trip back in 2019 while I was on my way to Victor Harbour, Had just toured the NRM at Port Dock and spent a week at Quorn riding every service they had, to make the drive out to Peterborough after that was a bit of a shock to the senses but like you, had a great guide who told me what the area was like to live in back in it's heyday, what it was like to be one of the few non railways employed families in the town and how they all watched the railways change. A great museum that tells so many different stories of a railway town trying to keep the lights on.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Excellent!

[@hugomick9975]

You will not see a weigh bridge like theirs anywhere else, love Steamtown , got to go back next year ❤

[@CalebsRailFilms]

Great production, Will! Though, I hate to be stickler, but 199 isn’t an Rx Class it’s a narrow gauge 4-8-0 T Class locomotive. Rx’s are broad gauge and are a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement. Though, interestingly some T’s were converted to broad gauge to run on the Southeast Division of the SAR when that network was broaden to 5 foot 3in in the 1950s and subsequently those T’s became known as the Tx Class. But other than that, a great video as always. I’m always happy to help you out with the history as many regard me as a walking encyclopaedia of information on our railways. Not my words by the way, I never claim to know everything but I do know a fair few things hehe 😉. You’re always welcome to Quorn, my friend. Do tell me when you’re going to be up there and I’ll make sure I’m on your train. Stunning scenery and beautiful steam locomotives, you can’t deny that the Pichi Richi Railway is the place to be to experience not only our state history but our national history too! Being the direct link to the famous Ghan train and the story of countless troops who made they way North via Quorn to defend against the Japanese when the same carrier fleet that attacked Pearl Harbor three months earlier launched their first of 68 raids on the top end. You know, they dropped more bombs on Darwin then they did Pearl Harbor? Hence the amount of trains on the Old Ghan line increased ten-fold overnight, and little Quorn yard saw over 40 trains a day pass through. One word… Crazy! Most passengers are bewildered to learn how crucial Quorn was to the war effort and so much so that the servicemen’s history lives on with Car 5, the little green and cream coach that was built in 1905 and which I had part in restoring too! Throughout restoration we discovered markings or inscriptions by soldiers during the war. I bet after almost eighty years since the end of the Second World War they wouldn’t of imagined that their sacrifice and memory still lives on till this day. Sorry, for that essay, my friend. We might that have the grandest of a railway network anymore but the history still lives on. Endlessly fascinating by far and one I hope I can teach you a little about, always happy to share my knowledge. Keep well. Regards, Caleb

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Great town and excellent museum, I enjoyed my five day stay in Peterborough, lovely people in the town which has fallen on hard times back in 2019. There is a mini coach road service to Peterborough from Adelaide too.

[@andrewmcculloch6955]

Will Great video full of great info and history of this wonderful place. We will never have place like these again. People like yourself kept the wonderful history alive many thanks for This Andrew

[@Rheilffordd]

Wonderful, I am glad someone has come up and made a good decent production of Peterborough and the wonderful railway history of this town!

[@holidaymail]

What a well timed video - I was just looking into this place last night to visit after Christmas

[@michaelimpey1407]

Will, thank you for sharing the details on such an intersting train museum. Sounds like it is well worth a visit. Cheers, and stay safe, Michael

[@Bradleystrains]

Sometimes when I used to go to the dirt circuit at black rock they would stop the train on the bridge there and we'd all look or take photos. Wish i had a camera back then . Good video mate

[@ericcollier7120]

Will, you have to go back for the Steamtown Sound and Light Tour - it's a "not to be missed" experience. Also, you need to make a short side trip to Terowie, which has a fascinating railway history of its own as a trans-shipping station between two gauges. It was at Terowie Station where General Douglas MacArthur made his famous statement "I will return" after he evacuated from the Phillipines via the Central Australian railway during WW2.

[@MartintheTinman]

After he ran away and left Australia to the Japanese. Thankfully the Diggers on the Kokoda Track felt differently

[@MartintheTinman]

I remember Steamtown well. Was great fun going for a ride on the old Train except when you stick your head out the window and got a partical in your eye. I was driving H-Type Trams for the STA at the time too

[@johnwoodall3791]

Hey Will. Just how cold has it been down there.. One Cool Video for sure.. Just viewed it again for the fourth time, Great old Machinery.. Stay Safe & Stay Well my Friend..

[@josefbuckland]

Always solid content. The chaps up here are working on an exceptional archive regarding Farina an absolute must visit some of the historical images are something else. Anyway be sure so swing in Melrose on your way over to Quorn check out the old Wilmington line. Stay safe

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

Thanks for vids you do on channel thanks lee

[@johnwoodall3791]

Hello Will. Always a pleasure looking in on your Videos. Really Informative & Educational as well, Be it Actual Heavy Rail or that of Model Railways. Thankyou for another Great Video. Cheers...

[@tonyosborne2080]

Interesting, thanks.

[@RealHooksy]

There’s also a pretty cool motorcycle museum in Peterborough. Worth a look whilst you’re there

[@WillJamesRailways]

Maybe next time!

[@kclassproductions]

Thanks for a wonderful report Will, they seem to have a wonderful collection of locomotives.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Many thanks!

[@xavs_rails]

Thankyou Will for this video. I always smile when I see you've posted a new video. Great to see you've visited one of railway icons here in sa.

[@WillJamesRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@C2Baird]

As usual Will, great content, filming, editing, script and narration. The 3 x gauge syndrome is so politically hilarious and yet it it stills go on!🙄Great locomotives at this museum, thanks for the find, shall add it to the bucket list.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Qld is narrow guage,, they have not discovered std guage yet. As is Tassy. SA is still broadguage, too stupid to standardise though I guess I would sooner be on broadguage that narrow guage. Except where there is a LOT of tight corners and elevation change. England had the same issue, and sometimes worse. There is sections of narrower line there. Mainlines came in all 3 guages and they have the turntable there as well.

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video Will. Great museum they have up there with a great variety of locomotives and rolling stock. The triple gauge turn table is very interesting never heard of such thing before!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks mate

[@kenfowler1980]

Thanks Will

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thank you!

[@FogartyAvenue]

Fabulous.

[@VT29steamtrain]

Great video!

[@michaelhall8586]

Great video Will!

[@WillJamesRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ldnwholesale8552]

There is a 3 guage turntable in York UK. I visited Peterborough in 99. Hada one on one tour by a switched on local lady. They had two large problems, the volounteers were mostly retired rail workers who unfortunatly were dieing or going to Adelaide to fully retire. That and getting boilers built which had quadrupled in cost over a few years. They had running steam engines that would no longer pass steam inspections. When I was there they had a heavy diesel loco with the engine in bits,, for me used to larger car engines it was simple 6cyl pushrod engine but no comparison as they had bore and stroke in feet, not inches, A pity they could not continue running engines and track like SteamRanger and Pichi Richi. Just too isolated

[@Cullerin112]

the guide that I had said that they sadly don't have enough room to put 705 on diplay at present but hopefully they in future get funding for some more shed space to be built

[@Cullerin112]

This is ironic I was up there on Thursday at the museum To any who haven't been and want to I do recommend it

[@archmcdonald6170]

I do have been privileging of standing on that turntable

[@dangerboy1111]

how many people live peterborough at the moment?

[@aussietrainlover]

What do you film with?

[@WillJamesRailways]

A camera! Never a phone. They’ll be a series coming on camera gear and railway photography soon.

[@aussietrainlover]

@@WillJamesRailways what camera?

[@trainhornsyt]

cool

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks!

[@NR17_lover]

The steam locomotive is t199 not rx199

[@WillJamesRailways]

My mistake! I have been thinking about killing off the weekly videos to make better ones, and I think this kind of error is another good example why I should! Thank you!

[@NR17_lover]

@@WillJamesRailways no problems, it is entertaining watching your videos and i just wanted the classification to be correct for the rest of the ordinance😉

[@goofygoober2382]

OMG DarkViper visited SA?

[@WillJamesRailways]

DarkViper?

[@goofygoober2382]

@@WillJamesRailways DarkViperAU

[@trainman9024]

That’s not a Rx that’s T199

[@WillJamesRailways]

Yeah I know I made a mistake, and it is being constantly pointed out in the comments and via messages. Unfortunately it wasn’t picked up in editing and review. I know this is potentially an unforgivable mistake but it is too late to pull the video down and re-edit it. I will consider the future of weekly videos.

[@trainman9024]

@@WillJamesRailways that's alright mate mistakes happen

[@mt14l]

Eurelia = two pronunciations - you-really-ah, or your-a-liar - you -really-ah the more common one

[@WillJamesRailways]

Thanks for that!