The South Australian Heritage Council has rejected an application to preserve the buildings at Kilburn.

The workshops were used to make aircraft components during World War II and to train railway workers.

The president of the National Trust of South Australia, David Beaumont, says they should be turned into a museum.

“I think the buildings were looked at individually and Islington should have been looked at as a complex,” he said.

The State Government wants to rezone the 38-hectare industrial area for residential, retail, commercial and light industrial use.

The Mayor of Port Adelaide Enfield, Gary Johanson, says a compromise should be reached.

“Preserve the history while going forward into the future so that it becomes a really unique experience for people shopping there if you could incorporate some of these buildings into the process,” he said.

Several other buildings on the site that date back to the 19th century are already protected, while the Heritage Council is yet to consider an application to protect the rest.

via ABC News

SteamRanger Heritage Railway

SteamRanger Heritage Railway are operating daily Cockle Train services between Goolwa and Victor Harbor throughout the school holidays. The 30 minute trip takes passengers on a journey from Lake Alexandrina, through lush fields and along the pristine sand dunes of the south coast.

Other SteamRanger services operating these school holidays include the Highlander and Southern Encounter, both of which currently have a special 2-for-1 ticket deal.

Pichi Richi Railway

The Pichi Richi Railway will be operating Pichi Richi Explorer services each Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the school holidays. The scenic 2½ hour return journey between Quorn and Woolshed Flat takes passengers through deep rock cuttings, over superb stone wall embankments and spectacular iron bridges.

On Saturday, July 17th, an Afghan Express service will operate between Port Augusta and Quorn in place of the Explorer.

National Railway Museum

A little closer to home, the National Railway Museum at Port Adelaide is holding its annual Thomas the Tank Engine event between July 10th and 18th. There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained with amusement rides, face painting, games, train rides and more.

St Kilda Tramway Museum

Just north of Adelaide, the St Kilda Tramway Museum will open it’s doors each Wednesday and Sunday during the school holidays.

The museum has a number of historic Australian electric trams, trolley buses and horse drawn vehicles on display. Tram rides also operate between the museum and St Kilda adventure playground each open day.

Miniature railways

If you’re looking for something a little bit simpler, we have a list of miniature railways, museums and plenty of other helpful information in our tourism section.

Mount Barker JAZZfest

SteamRanger Heritage Railway will be operating special services during the Mount Barker JAZZfest between Mount Barker railway station and the picturesque Bugle Ranges. The one hour ‘Redhen’ railcar trip will depart on both Saturday and Sunday at 1:00pm and 3:00pm, with an extra morning service at 11:00am on Sunday. The popular and talented ‘Peter Hooper Trio’ will provide jazz entertainment aboard the train.

When: May 22nd and 23rd.
Where: SteamRanger Heritage Railway – Dutton Road, Mount Barker.
Website: www.steamranger.org.au
 

85 Years of Urban Railcar Transport in South Australia

As part of History Week, the National Railway Museum will be celebrating 85 Years of Urban Railcar Transport in South Australia. The weekend will include a new photographic display, ‘Redhen’ railcar rides and the display of two Adelaide Metro ’2000 class’ railcars, which celebrate 30 years of service this year.

When: May 22nd and 23rd.
Where: National Railway Museum – Lipson Street, Port Adelaide.
Website: www.natrailmuseum.org.au
 

Launch of tram E118

The St Kilda Tramway Museum celebrates the restoration and return to service of former Adelaide tram E118 this weekend, with the official launch set to take place at 2:00pm on Sunday. The museum will be open from 10:00am.

When: May 23rd.
Where: St Kilda Tramway Museum – St Kilda Road, St Kilda.
Website: www.trammuseumadelaide.com.au
 

Pichi Richi Explorer

The Pichi Richi Railway will be operating a diesel-hauled Pichi Richi Explorer service through the beautiful Flinders Ranges on Sunday, May 23rd. The service will depart Quorn railway station at 10:30am.

When: May 23rd.
Where: Pichi Richi Railway – Railway Terrace, Quorn.
Website: www.prr.org.au
 

Although mechanically quite sound, the loco requires some $80,000 to purchase and install new boiler tubes and flues.

He suggests that it would not be a good use of these resources, which SteamRanger do not currently have, if the loco is only going to be used on the ‘Southern Encounter’ between Mt Barker and Victor.

Running the Southern Encounter, he states, can only earn around $120,000 annually above direct running expenses, and specifically will not even cover track maintenance between Mt Barker and Goolwa, let alone pay for loco and carraige maintenance and repair.

He asks, “would it be better to have 621 as a museum piece until the Society is in a better financial position. Should we devote all our income into operating smaller locos Rx224 (soon to return to service with new tyres) and now sidelined F251?”.

SteamRanger is seeking feedback from the public on the matter.

SteamRanger Heritage Railway

Parked in the locomotive depot between Webb Street and the Mount Gambier High School, the old section car with its two-speed gearbox and a two-stroke engine, is still in working condition.

Bill Towner, from the Limestone Coast Railways, expects to get at least $1000 for it.

“Collectors or clubs that restore vintage cars like these might be interested in buying it,” he said.

“It could also be a tourist attraction if parked in the right place.”

The section car with its heavy iron wheels, runs on rails.

It was used to check railway lines for falling branches or other obstructions and to do safety maintenance on tracks.

Limestone Coast Railway hopes to sell the section car along with four heritage rail cars for a total of $32,000 to cover the maintenance costs since the rail cars stopped operating three years ago.

Phone Mr Towner on 0417 837 656 for more information.

Border Watch