Steamranger is a successful and wonderful railroad that has suffered from some misfortunes in recent years. They lost their trackage rights into Adelaide proper, so now one must drive to Mt. Barker, some 30 minutes away, to board. Their prize locomotive, a high wheeled pacific, burst its superheater header when some condensation in it froze (front end throttle of course) and they need au $30K to replace it. Then, the winner of a footplate trip was severely burned when a fusible plug unscrewed and dropped blowing steam and fire back through the firedoor into the cab.
All the more reason to make a visit. They are probably the most regulated volunteer tourist railroad in Australia now as a result of these occurrances, so visitors may not be allowed access to all parts of the enginehouse, or on the footplates of live locomotives. Still, the trip down to the beach resort town of Victor Harbor is most pleasant. A horse drawn tramway runs from there over a causeway to an island which should not be missed.
Their current power is a streamlined 4-8-4 which looks very much like the PRR T1 and doesn't even work hard climbing back to Mt. Barker (although she did slip convincingly a time or two).
The spoked wheels of the carriages, and work in progress in the shops at Mt Barker are extremely interesting. The fine wine country which makes the Napa Valley pale in comparison is nearby as well. This is another trip for everybody, whether they are interested in steam or just like nice scenery. Thanks to Ian for letting me explore as much as he could.
The Port Dock Railway Museum in Adelaide is reminiscent of the Railway Museum of Pa. Many locomotives of different types are well preserved under climate controlled conditions. There is a lot of equipment stored in outdoor sheds as well, including a Brill gas mechanical car I climbed all over as part of a consultation for a US client. A steam narrow gage line circles around the museum. Find a working volunteer if you want to get into the restoration shop and talk trains.
Railfans can spend all day in a place like Port Dock, and return for more the next day. There is a lot to see and do in the adjacent Port area for their families. I was on short time and didn't have much opportunity to do justice to the collection. Another reason to return.
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