Railway Digest Magazine October 2017 Back Issue

Rails around the Spencer Gulf
During mid-August, Chris Walters spent a few days touring the eastern and western shores of South Australia’s Spencer Gulf, and brought back some fascinating snapshots of the region’s ‘rail hot spots’, including Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Whyalla and the Eyre Peninsula.

The Silver Star
In Port Hedland, next to the Tourist Information office, and only a block from the harbour, is a stainless steel observation car, partly obscured by trees, which serves as a popular cafe. Peter Clark tells the intriguing story of how an observation car built in 1939 for an iconic American diesel train found its way to the Pilbara.

Cairns to Forsayth and return on the Mixed, June 1993
There were many rumours in the early 1990s that QR train number 7A 90 would shortly cease to make its weekly run from Cairns to Forsayth and return. The rumours were so strong that Graham Crichton and his wife decided to fly to Cairns and book two return tickets on this slow train to the Savannahland before it was too late. So, on the evening of Wednesday 16 June 1993, the intrepid couple arrived at Cairns Station with enough food, water, sleeping bags and blankets for the next three days.

QPSR returns M Series ‘Lander cars to service
On 22 July, Swanbank-based Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway operated a sold-out dining and murder mystery evening themed train, operated in conjunction with the Inside Outside Theatre Company, using three recently-restored M Series cars, hauled by PB15 4-6-0 No. 448. Long-time ‘Lander enthusiast James Chuang was there.