Steaming back from the past

["Bill McNiven" <wmcniven@gunzel.ozemail.com.au>]

>From http://www.news.com.au today …

Steaming back from the past
By BELINDA HUPPATZ
25oct99
A PLUME of smoke heralded the arrival of a grand old tribute to South
Australia's rail history yesterday.
Amid the dry plains of the mid-north, the Pichi Richi steam train rolled
along 17km of restored track from Woolshed Flat to Stirling North on Port
Augusta's outskirts.
It was the first time the section of the former Ghan track had been used in
about 40 years.
<snip>
It has taken the volunteer-run Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society 27
years of hard work and lobbying for funds to get the track re-opened this
far. Members first re-opened a section from Quorn in the Flinders Ranges to
Summit in 1974, then another to Woolshed Flat in 1979. During the past 19
months they have spent almost $2 million of federal funds and donations
extending the line the extra 17km - along with overhauling a W-class steam
locomotive and restoring four original Ghan carriages.
And yesterday 14 carriages carried about 400 passengers into a makeshift
station at Stirling North for the official opening.
<snip>
Port Augusta Council yesterday committed itself to half the cost of
extending the line 7km into Port Augusta.
Former deputy prime minister and National Party MP Tim Fischer said he would
lobby for more funds from the Federal Government. He believed "sentimental
railway tourism" was an ideal opportunity for South Australia.