SteamRanger's Festival of Steam happens in 10 days time - looks like great fun! Their website is a little short on detail at present.
You can find out more here.

I wish the junction jogger was running up to mount barker junction!!!

Details are online on our website - both under Special Events>Mt Barker Festival of Steam and on our news page.

For those unaware - I've snipped my spiel from our website and dropped it below:




































Cheers,
Peter Michalak
SHR Marketing Webmaster

I wish the junction jogger was running up to mount barker junction!!!

Section car rides to Littlehampton depart regularly during both days from Mt Barker Station at the bargain fare of $2 per person.

You can go part way Heath!

That's interesting. When I last saw the area a few months ago the couple of level crossings along the route didn't really look they were going to take rail traffic anytime soon...

That's interesting. When I last saw the area a few months ago the couple of level crossings along the route didn't really look they were going to take rail traffic anytime soon...

Like it says- To Littlehampton which means going under the freeway and you are technically in Littlehampton. The last time I looked there wasn't even lanterns on the Crossbucks.

If the section car rides are just to the other side of the freeway and back then it's only one level crossing. You could protect this with a flagman if required. As for the track, it's only a section car so it doesn't need to be in great condition.

Cameron Road will be protected by a crossing keeper. Section Car rides will work through the Tunnel, to around the brickworks - not crossing the old Princes Hwy level crossing

well I was told that the junction jogger services had stopped due to the track becoming so bad that the speed limit was 20kph and in some parts 10 to 15kph and it was potentially dangerous for passengers. the only rail vehicles to visit the line now is the track machines that run up to the junction twice a year that carry volunteers to clear weeds and vegetation away. steam ranger did a study and found that most of the sleepers would need replacing and that would cost $200,000 and would be $250,000 in todays dollars which steam ranger do not have available that is spare right now. I was told that the wig wag signal was taken down at Cameron road soon after the last junction jogger service so that it would not get stolen as it is state rail heritage as the only remaining operational wig wag signal in the state. I was told that the other level crossings have had signs installed saying railway line not in use so that motorists know not to stop and look for trains. the steam ranger person I spoke to told me that the track circuits have been disconnected so that people placing steel of similar shape and size to railway wheel flanges do not set the gongs off and create a neighbourhood disturbance as has happened on their line before. I was told that the lanterns are still there in case the line has been upgraded. what level crossing was it where the lanterns have been removed?

well I was told that the junction jogger services had stopped due to the track becoming so bad that the speed limit was 20kph and in some parts 10 to 15kph and it was potentially dangerous for passengers. the only rail vehicles to visit the line now is the track machines that run up to the junction twice a year that carry volunteers to clear weeds and vegetation away. steam ranger did a study and found that most of the sleepers would need replacing and that would cost $200,000 and would be $250,000 in todays dollars which steam ranger do not have available that is spare right now. I was told that the wig wag signal was taken down at Cameron road soon after the last junction jogger service so that it would not get stolen as it is state rail heritage as the only remaining operational wig wag signal in the state. I was told that the other level crossings have had signs installed saying railway line not in use so that motorists know not to stop and look for trains. the steam ranger person I spoke to told me that the track circuits have been disconnected so that people placing steel of similar shape and size to railway wheel flanges do not set the gongs off and create a neighbourhood disturbance as has happened on their line before. I was told that the lanterns are still there in case the line has been upgraded. what level crossing was it where the lanterns have been removed?

Heath a Gangers quad giving these rides can be moved if required by 4 people they are not using a railcar or something similar. At the most you might get 8 people on one if you are lucky. Also a track gang quad will in most instances not operate a track circuit either they are not made to in most cases. Gangers would stop before a level crossing and one of them would flag the quad across the road to continue on. If you want to see one up close and personal check the ones at the NRM on Display in the Goods shed at the Southern end of it. Or Check this website to see one.

http://www.natrailmuseum.org.au/rollingstockexhibit.php?exhibitID=113

There is a fully restored and operational wig wag at the NRM near the gate by the back door of the Fitch pavilion. It works as any train 18 inch or 3ft 6 inch goes past it. So that one is not the last operational one in SA.

well I was told that the junction jogger services had stopped due to the track becoming so bad that the speed limit was 20kph and in some parts 10 to 15kph and it was potentially dangerous for passengers. the only rail vehicles to visit the line now is the track machines that run up to the junction twice a year that carry volunteers to clear weeds and vegetation away. steam ranger did a study and found that most of the sleepers would need replacing and that would cost $200,000 and would be $250,000 in todays dollars which steam ranger do not have available that is spare right now. I was told that the wig wag signal was taken down at Cameron road soon after the last junction jogger service so that it would not get stolen as it is state rail heritage as the only remaining operational wig wag signal in the state. I was told that the other level crossings have had signs installed saying railway line not in use so that motorists know not to stop and look for trains. the steam ranger person I spoke to told me that the track circuits have been disconnected so that people placing steel of similar shape and size to railway wheel flanges do not set the gongs off and create a neighbourhood disturbance as has happened on their line before. I was told that the lanterns are still there in case the line has been upgraded. what level crossing was it where the lanterns have been removed?

Heath. I think you have been led up the garden path about the state of the track to the Mt Barker Junction. I believe its only the top end
that is the problem. After Platform 1 stop. As for the cost, they are pulling your leg. As with other steam ups at Mt Barker, they have used their troupes and not gangers section cars. The wig wag at Cameron Rd would not comply to the Australian Standards form level crossings and I really don't believe that its state rail heritage listed. They are having a lend of you.

how far up the line are they really running with their section cars or whatever those things are they are using and how many people can they take?

how far up the line are they really running with their section cars or whatever those things are they are using and how many people can they take?

What did David say 2 posts before yours?

What did David say 2 posts before yours?

Heath just so you wont be put out they are running them to Littlehampton or there abouts and you might get 8 people on one depending on the size of the people. Really you want to learn to read the whole lot through and maybe write down the details instead of us having to repeat everything every second post on here for you. Your mouse on the computer will enable you to move what is on your screen up or down. All you need to do is read it.

and for the bargain price of $2,
why don't they run all the way to the junction?

and for the bargain price of $2,
why don't they run all the way to the junction?

Re read all the thread someone mentioned about only needing to go over one level crossing, unless you want to stand sentinel at one of the others. Heath if you want to stay on everyone's good side please read previous posts on here before typing in your next question, this goes for any thread not just this one. You are rapidly getting up everyone's lather a bit, no problem with answering questions  from you at all but when the answer is already there and in print it gets a bit much at times. Please take the time to read all the posts thanks.

An occasional thanks for when someone answers the question wouldn't go astray either...

just saying

ok. it should be good

Great day, managed to ride on the section car to Littlehampton & the 'Bugle Ranger'. The workshops were interesting as well.

There was an excellent turnout today, heard the first Bugle Ranger service had booked out, also a hundred or so would've rode the section cars.

More than that, greasy.
All the Bugle Range shuttles were booked out today. 5 carriages X 80-100 people per carriage is a lot of people carried.
And the section cars had a line up all day waiting for rides. Approx 10 people per trip, each trip approx 15 minutes apart equals a lot of people carried there as well.

All up, a very succesful day for Steamranger.
Heard some of the volunteers say that they had far more people than they anticipated.

More than that, greasy.
All the Bugle Range shuttles were booked out today. 5 carriages X 80-100 people per carriage is a lot of people carried.
And the section cars had a line up all day waiting for rides. Approx 10 people per trip, each trip approx 15 minutes apart equals a lot of people carried there as well.

All up, a very succesful day for Steamranger.
Heard some of the volunteers say that they had far more people than they anticipated.

The cars that ere used don't carry that number of people. Also SHR has a policy for the number of standing people. What I saw, The cars weren't that full. They were full, but not standing.