“French Connection” SA steam loco turns 100!
National Railway Museum Port Adelaide - Sat & Sun 27/28 April 2019
The National Railway Museum is proud to announce a very special birthday event – when steam locomotive PERONNE celebrates its 100th birthday during the weekend of Saturday and Sunday 27 and 28 April.
One of the oldest operational steam locomotives still in service in Australia today, PERONNE will take pride of place taking visitors for rides at the Port Adelaide site.
PERONNE was built by Andrew Barclay Locomotive Builders in Scotland for the new smelters located at Port Pirie, but its construction was delayed due to World War I raging in Europe at the time. PERONNE was not commissioned until 1919, after the end of that War, and it was finally shipped to Australia to work at the Broken Hill Associated Smelters at Port Pirie, where it remained in faithful service until 1964.
The name PERONNE was bestowed on it after the huge efforts made by Australian soldiers with their successful defense of the village of Peronne, in France.
“The fight included battalions from every Australian state. British Commander General Lord Rawlinson remarked that this feat by the Australian troops under Monash's command was the greatest of the war.” - AWME 03183
Eventually PERONNE was saved from being scrapped, and it arrived at the railway museum in February 1966, to become a wonderful exhibit. It was fully restored by volunteers and re-entered service at Port Adelaide in December 1988.
In conjunction with annual ANZAC commemorative events, the railway museum believes that PERONNE’s connection to World War I and due to its wonderful birthday turning 100 years old deserves a genuine celebration.
NRM Executive Officer Bob Sampson said: “We are so pleased to have this magnificent steam engine, maintained in operational condition, as part of our huge collection at Port Adelaide today.”
“Visitors will be able to experience a ride behind PERONNE over the two days of our special birthday celebration weekend – and as a special treat all children under 15 years of age can have a ride at no cost” he said.
Normal museum entry fees will apply.
Contact: Bob Sampson NRM Executive Officer 0417 800 224
NRM General Meeting
7.30pm Friday 24 May 2019
West Adelaide Football Club
Milner Road Richmond
Following the business session, Geoff Turner will present a 35 minute film he produced of Yx141 on Pichi Richi Railway last year, plus a selection of about 150 images depicting SA rail action from the 1960s through to the 1980s.
All members, non-members and friends are all welcome to attend.
Why not come for a meal first, the Bistro opens at 6pm with a wide variety of good meals.
Please see the dates and times for special tours at the museum in 2019. Bookings not required.
March
Woodville Cabin – Wed 6th (one tour, 10:30am), Sun 10th (tours between 10am and 3pm)
April
Budd car – Wed 3rd (one tour, 10:30am), Sun 7th (tours between 10am and 3pm)
June
Kanni – Wed 5th (one tour, 10:30am), Sun 9th (tours between 10am and 3pm). Due to the fragile nature of some of the items, tours are restricted to people age 15 and over.
August
Wegmann lounge carriage – Wed 7th (one tour, 10:30am), Sun 11th (tours between 10am and 3pm)
October
Dynamometer Car – Wed 2nd (one tour, 10:30am), Sun 6th (tours between 10am and 3pm)
November
Onkaparinga carriage – Wed 6th (one tour, 10:30am), Sun 10th (tours between 10am and 3pm)
Book release: Railway Track & Signalling - Tasmania 2018
A new publication is available, featuring details of the current track and signalling infrastructure of TasRail and the tourist railways of Tasmania. Please be advised, this book is not available from the National Railway Museum shop. The below PDF is an order form which shows postage details to order the book directly from the author.
Railway Track & Signalling - Tasmania 2018 order form