Steamranger Heritage Railway, South Australia

17/06/2024

Coming up this weekend is our first Bugle Ranger service!
Tickets available via our website or on the day of travel.

https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/our-trains/the-bugle-ranger/

🚞 The Bugle Ranger 🚞
Looking to scratch that train itch? Then the Bugle Ranger is a perfect 45min round trip to do just that! Our Red Hen railcar will take you up to the highest point of the line at Philcox Hill to the once busy station yard of Bugle Ranges.
# Tickets will be available in advance via our website or at the station on the day of travel, unless sold out prioir #

14/06/2024

🎄Christmas in July | Departing July 27th 🎁

Come and celebrate Christmas six months early with a twilight train ride through the Adelaide Hills!

Your Journey begins in Mount Barker, where your train will set off into the Adelaide Hills, lit up by the the warm glow of the setting sun.

Upon arrival In Strathalbyn, be guided by our volunteers crew to your hotel where you will be treated to a delicious 3 course Christmas themed meal.

After dinner, wonder back to the platform where you train will be ready to take you back up the hill to Mount Barker.
Have a post meal nap, or crack open the window and listen as our locomotive tackles the steep grades through the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges.

Ticket for this experience will only be available via our website prior to the date of travel. Book online through our website to secure your seat onboard!
When making your booking, please note in the comments any dietary requirements.

We look forward to welcoming you on board!

https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/event-services/dinner-excursions/

13/06/2024

🚞 The Bugle Ranger 🚞
Looking to scratch that train itch? Then the Bugle Ranger is a perfect 45min round trip to do just that! Our Red Hen railcar will take you up to the highest point of the line at Philcox Hill to the once busy station yard of Bugle Ranges.
# Tickets will be available in advance via our website or at the station on the day of travel, unless sold out prioir #

13/06/2024

🚂 Take trip through the Adelaide Hills on board The Highlander! 🚂

Watch the rolling hills sweep past your carriage window as our locomotive tackles the grade to Philcox Hill before gliding down into the town of Strathalbyn, which celebreates 185 years, this year!
A brief stop in Strathalbyn to stretch your legs and visit the bakery before hoping back on board for the return journey to Mount Barker.

Why not spend the afternoon in Strathalbyn? There is plenty to see and do!
Take a stroll down the main streets exploring the various retail and antique shops, a visit to the Heritage Center and Collectable Classic Cars museums, before dining in one of the towns hotels or having a picnic in the park!

Trains depart twice daily from Mount Barker, which is just a short 30minute trip up the South Eastern Freeway from the Adelaide CBD.
You may also begin your journey in Strathalbyn and take a return trip to Mount Barker.
*Please note the 4pm departure from Strathalbyn is one way and does not return*

There are a limited number of tickets available on each return service, so best to book your tickets in advance via our website to secure your seat onboard!
*Tickets will be available in advance via our website and on the day aboard the train, unless sold out prior*

We can not wait to welcome you on board!

07/06/2024

The Cockle Train will be running all long weekend, with Diesel Loco 844 taking charge!
Departure times and ticket prices can be found on our website.
There is no need to pre book your tickets, just turn up to one of our South Coast stations on the day of travel and see our Ticket Officers.

07/06/2024

🚂 If you are going to the Adelaide Model Railway Show this long weekend, then come and find out Stall in the traders section of the event!

📚 We will have lots more books and memorabilia for sale so if you missed out on a bargain at RailFest, or having second thoughts on what you didn’t get, then this is your chance to sn**ch up a piece of history!

04/06/2024

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Cockle Trains on Wednesday 5/6/2024 have been cancelled.

We apologies for any inconvenience this causes and hope to resume services on Saturday for the June Long Weekend.

Send a message to learn more

31/05/2024

This weekend we begin offical operations of our new “The Highlander” services between Mount Barker and Strathalbyn.

Spend a day exploring all that the Adelaide Hills has to offer and it’s only a 30 minute drive up the freeway from the CBD!

Get your tickets now at steamranger.org.au

27/05/2024

That’s a wrap on RailFest 2024!

What a great way to end National Volunteer week by showcasing just what our dedicated hard working volunteers can do!
The organisation, preparation and operation of the days events would not have been possible without the donated time and effort across not only the operational side you see on the day, but all the behind the scenes organisation, planning and preparation from every department of our Heritage Railway!

We would like to thank everyone who joined us today and hope you enjoyed a look behind the scenes of our workshop and or taking a trip onboard on of our shuttles.

If you missed out, don’t fret, cause in September we’ll be celebrating 140 years of railways in Strathalbyn as part of Strathalbyn 185th celebrations. Further details on this event will be coming soon but it’s definitely not one you’ll want to miss!

25/05/2024

🎟️ EXTRA TICKETS ADDED 🎟️

Due to overwhelming demand, extra seats have been added to all shuttles for Rail fest tomorrow.

These will be available until midnight tonight unless sold out prior.
Any remaining tickets will be available to purchase on the day, from our ticket officers.

steamranger.org.au

23/05/2024

Stay up to date with all the latest on our RailFest event by following the event page!

Tickets are still available to buy online for the last shuttle train of the day at 2:30pm.
There will be limited walk up tickets available for each of the shuttles through the day and will be sold on a first come first served basis.

Send a message to learn more

20/05/2024

Yesterday we invited guests from Local Council, Parliment, TiCSA, Channel 9, Mix FM, Southern Argus and The Courier, to be some of the first to experience our new “The Highlander” journey through the Adelaide Hills!

Morning tea was served as they sat comfortably in their seats, taking in all the sights and sounds the Highlander has to offer.
Thanks to the Strathalbyn Tourism Association, our trains welcomed into the town by members of the information centre and bagpipes, thanks to Caitlin from Baile Books. Guests were also treated to rides round town in horse and cart, thanks to Carriage of Occasion.

Highlanders will begin regular operation on the First, Third & Fifth Sunday of the month starting on June 2nd and through till November.
Tickets for all journeys are now available via our website.

But if you can’t wait that long, then why not join us this weekend for our RailFest in Mount Barker! Come and get a behind the scenes look at where we maintain our heritage fleet and what we have currently under restoration.
Steam Shuttle services will also be operating throughout, giving you a taste of SteamRanger on the short trip over the highest point of the line and return. Tickets for the morning trains are selling quick but there are still plenty of tickets left for the afternoon shuttles.

Of course, none of this would be possible without our dedicated volunteers!

14/05/2024

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Saturday for our Teddy Bears picnic Train!

It was great to see so many of you with your Teddy Bears out on a picnic in the park, enjoying the face painting and animal farm.

Don’t worry if you missed out this year, plans are already underway for a bigger and better event for next year!

10/05/2024

🚈 Looking to scratch that train itch? Then the Bugle Ranger is a perfect 45min round trip to do just that! Our Red Hen railcar will take you up to the highest point of the line at Philcox Hill to the once busy station yard of Bugle Ranges.
# Tickets can be bought online from our website prior to departure date and at the station on the day of travel #

10/05/2024

🚂 Only 30 minutes from the Adelaide CBD! A nice day trip through the Adelaide Hills from Mount Barker to Strathalbyn. Have some morning tea at the local bakery before your return trip or spend the afternoon exploring the towns rich history and antique shops.

# Tickets must be bought online from our website prior to departure date. Tickets will not be available at the station on the day of travel #

09/05/2024

Some good news from our Mount Barker depot team yesterday.

Steam Locomotive 621 underwent a steam test to check that components and appliances, such as safety valves, tubes and superheater elements, were in working order after a long period of dry storage and maintenance.

The steam tests were a success and now the next step in the process to returning The Duke to the rails will be putting the pistons back in and performing track tests!

27/04/2024

Happy 109th Birthday to steam loco Rx224!

23/04/2024

📚There are still plenty of books, magazines, photos and other railway related items for sale down in our Victor Harbour Station!
Come down, see for yourself and grab a bargain!

18/04/2024

👏 Thanks to our hard working Workshop Manager, Oliver, Rx224s ash pan has been repaired and will return to Cockle Train duties from April 19th!

🧐 For those of you who are curious, have a look in the photos below to see the damage to the ash pan and the amazing repair work undertaken!

🕙 First train will depart Goolwa at 10am.

🎟️ Tickets are only available at the station on the day of travel.

18/04/2024

Taking a trip on The Cockle Train these school holidays? Then check out our book shop in the Victor Habour station!

📚 We have lots of memorobilia, books, photos, magazines, DVDs, notices and bulletins from all eras of South Australian Railway history. So come and grab yourself a piece of history!

Can't make it to Victor Habour? Not to worry, we will be bringing this large collection of items up to our Mount Barker Rail Fest this year!

16/04/2024

Before we can begin repairs on Rx224 the boiler must be cold enough for our volunteers to work safely on it. This process can take a day or two.

In the mean time 844 will take charge of today’s Cockle Trains.

We apologise for any inconvenience

Due to a mechanical issue with Rx224's ashpan, diesel locomotive 844 will take charge of todays Cockle Trains.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

16/04/2024

Due to a mechanical issue with Rx224's ashpan, diesel locomotive 844 will take charge of todays Cockle Trains.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

13/04/2024

🚂 April School Holidays Cockle Trains 🚂

The school holidays are once again upon us and that means there will be extra Cockle Trains operating along the South Coast.

⏱️ We will be running to our regular blue time table, with 3x return journeys pe day between Goolwa and Victor Harbor, with the first train departing Goolwa at 10am.

🎟️ Tickets for all trains can only be bought at the station on the day of travel. If you would like join the train at Middleton, please purchase tyour tickets at your destination station before your return journey.

⚠️ Remember to always stay rail safe. If you see tracks, think train and obey all road signs!

10/04/2024

🎟️ TICKETS ON SALE NOW 🎟️

That’s right, tickets are now on sale for our Journeys and Experiences in May and June!
For more information on the below services or to book your tickets, visit our website steamranger.org.au
We look forward to welcoming you on board!
--------------------------------------------

Teddy Bears Picnic!
🧸Back by popular demand! Take teddy on a day out they’ll never forget. Take the train from Mount Barker to Strathalbyn and have a picnic in the park. See the cute animals in the petting zoo or maybe get your face painted?
# Tickets must be bought online from our website prior to departure date. Tickets will not be available at the station on the day of travel #

RailFest 2024
🏠Take a look behind the scenes on what’s goes in to keeping our Heritage Railway operating. There will be lots happening with Train shuttles to Bugle Ranges, Heritage locomotives and Carriages on display, food stalls, market stalls and shunting demonstrations.
Admission in to the depot will be paid at the gate on the day.
# Train Tickets must be bought online from our website prior to departure date. Tickets will not be available at the station on the day of travel #

Highlander - NEW!
🚂 Only 30 minutes from the Adelaide CBD! A nice day trip through the Adelaide Hills from Mount Barker to Strathalbyn. Have some morning tea at the local bakery before your return trip or spend the afternoon exploring the towns rich history and antique shops.
# Tickets must be bought online from our website prior to departure date. Tickets will not be available at the station on the day of travel #

Bulge Ranger
🚞 Looking to scratch that train itch? Then the Bugle Ranger is a perfect 45min round trip to do just that! Our Red Hen railcar will take you up to the highest point of the line at Philcox Hill to the once busy station yard of Bugle Ranges.
# Tickets can be bought online from our website prior to departure date and at the station on the day of travel #
----------------------------------
Tickets and Information: steamranger.org.au

28/03/2024

☀️ The weather this long weekend looks to be in our favour this time, so if you are looking for something to do down south why not take a trip aboard The Cockle Train!

📅 Over Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend, we will introduce our new Green Timetable, which now has an early morning service departing from both Goolwa and Victor Harbor, crossing at Middleton en-route.

🚊 Train One, operated by our RedHen Railcars will operate the following trains:
From Goolwa: 8:55am | 11am | 1:25pm
From Victor Harbor: 9:55am | 12:05pm | 2:35pm

🚂 Train 2, operated by Steam Locomotive Rx224 on Friday and Saturday & Diesel Locomotive 844 on Sunday will operate the following trains:
From Goolwa: 10am | 12:15pm | 2:45pm
From Victor Harbor: 11am | 1:30pm | 4:00pm

On Monday, services will resume back to our regular Blue Timetable with our Steam Locomotive.

🎟️ As always, tickets are only available at Goolwa, Port Elliot or Victor Harbor stations on the day of travel.
If you wish to join the train at Middleton, please see the ticket officer at your destination station, before your return journey.

🪺 If you are travelling on Sundays early morning trains, keep your eye out for the Easter Bunny, handing out chocolaty goodness!

18/03/2024

🐰 Easter is just around the corner, so why not hop down south and take a ride on The Cockle Train!

🗓️ Over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend we will introduce our new Green Timetable, which now has an early morning service departing from both Goolwa and Victor Harbor, crossing at Middleton en-route.
These 6 return trips will be made up using our Redhen Railcars and Steam Locomotive Rx224.

🐓 The RedHen Railcars will operate the following trains:
From Goolwa: 8:55am | 11am | 1:25pm
From Victor Harbor: 9:55am | 12:05pm | 2:35pm

🚂 Steam Locomotive Rx224 will operate the following trains:
From Goolwa: 10am | 12:15pm | 2:45pm
From Victor Harbor: 11am | 1:30pm | 3:45pm

On Monday, services will resume back to our regular Blue Timetable with our Steam Locomotive.

🎟️ As always, tickets are only available at Goolwa, Port Elliot or Victor Harbor stations on the day of travel.
If you wish to join the train at Middleton, please see the ticket officer at your destination station, before your return journey.

👀 Oh and keep an eye out, you may catch a glimpse of the Easter Bunny hopping around the place handing out some chocolatey goodness!