Iconic South Australian attraction SteamRanger heritage railway route deteriorating

Deterioration along the heritage railway from Mount Barker to Victor Harbor is putting the line’s future at risk – and advocates are calling for help.

SteamRanger president Peter Charlson said the route between Victor Harbor and Mount Barker needed maintenance in the near future work to continue operating. Picture: SteamRanger Heritage Railway

The iconic SteamRanger Heritage Railway route needs repairs for it to continue to be a tourist attraction in the Adelaide Hills, according to advocates.

A series of bridges along the line – including the historic Currency Creek viaduct, built in 1869 – are in poor condition and the heritage railway requires funding to keep its line operating from Mount Barker to Victor Harbor.

Currently all bridges are deemed safe to operate, but the deterioration means repair work would be required within three years and SteamRanger president Peter Charlson said the railway needed funding.

A steam hauled Cockle Train running between Goolwa and Victor Harbor. Picture: SteamRanger Heritage Railway

“We need to partner with the State Government to ensure our existing bridges do not fall further into disrepair and threaten the line,” Mr Charlson said.

“Despite being a very significant tourism operation, we receive no government funding.

“Instead, we support our local communities in the Hills and Fleurieu through the volunteer efforts of our team.”

Member for Kavel Dan Cregan said the state government needed to make an investment to protect SA’s industrial heritage.

“The state government needs to repair these critical bridges,” Mr Cregan said.

“Unless the repair work is undertaken, there is the very real risk SteamRanger’s depot and yards in Mount Barker will eventually be cut off from its operations in Victor Harbor.

“SteamRanger is part of our industrial heritage and one of the most significant tourist railways in Australia.”

A government spokesman told The Messenger SteamRanger was an “important South Australian tourist icon” and work was being done to the route.

“Work has recently been undertaken to upgrade some bridges in order to keep the trains running,” the spokesperson said.

“The government is, however, aware of longer-term and more substantial challenges in line maintenance and is working through options.”

The SteamRanger Heritage Railway has been a South Australian tourist icon for years and operates heritage trains between Mount Barker, through the southern Mount Lofty Ranges, to Strathalbyn, Goolwa, Port Elliot through to Victor Harbor.

Trains are manned by the Australian Railway Historical Society, who are responsible for maintenance of the rail line.