South Australian Railmotors

Steam Motor Coach

A 1905-vintage, British-built steam railmotor is operated on the Pichi Richi Railway. The former South Australian Railways Steam Motor Coach (SMC) no. 1. It is the only example of its type operating in the world, and represents the earliest incarnation of the railmotor in Australia. The engine unit, built by Kitson and Company of Leeds, England, consists of a small saturated locomotive-type boiler and a cab fitted on a four-wheel (720 mm diameter) underframe. Two outside cylinders delivering 2015 pounds (8.96k N) of tractive effort drive the rear axle, which is the only one powered; valve gear is Walschaerts. The coach unit, finished in dark oak-stained and varnished timber, was built by the Metropolitan Amalgamated Railway Carriage and Wagon Company of Birmingham.

The first class compartment has elaborate pressed ceiling patterns and carpeted floor; second class has a plain ceiling and linoleum flooring. Seating is upholstered with mock leather; nine first class seats and thirteen second class are in separate compartments. SMC no. 1 was nicknamed the "Coffee Pot" after railwaymen chalked "Coffee" and "Cocoa" on two water barrels that had been placed on the running boards on either side as a spare water supply; the term persists today.

The South Australian Railways inaugurated the vehicle in August 1906 on the narrow-gauge Great Northern Division; a similar unit went to the South East Division. Its regular duty was a weekly trip to Hawker, 65 km away, hauling a four-wheel van to carry parcels and mail. It was hired for charter on weekends, often by tennis and football clubs. It spent its entire working life operating out of the Quorn locomotive depot until 1932, when it was stored and, later, publicly displayed at Port Augusta and Alice Springs. In 1975 it was returned to Quorn for restoration to working order by the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society. After extensive work, it was returned to service in 1984 and now operates at regular intervals.

SAR Brill railcars

The South Australian Railways Brill railcars were two types of railcars operated by the South Australian Railways between 1925 and 1971. Introduced to run on country rail services, the "Barwell Bulls" serviced most of the state's railway lines until they were eventually replaced by both the Bluebird and Redhen railcars, with the last units withdrawn in 1971.

South Australian Railways operated twelve Model 55s and 35 Model 75s. The 55s and 75s worked on country lines around South Australia until their withdrawal from service, and originally featured a brown livery. Five Brills have been preserved. Railcars 8 (55) and 41 (75) are at the National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, 106 (75) and trailer car 305 are at the Pichi Richi Railway in operational condition. SteamRanger has 60 (75) which was converted from condemned Brill trailer 207 and also 43 (75).

SAR Motor Inspection Car

Pichi Richi Railway's MIC 126 (Motor Inspection Car), a 1937 Morris 25 Morris motor vehicle that runs on railway wheels, is available for Special hire. Travelling from Quorn to Woolshed Flat & return, and a picnic lunch. You can hire this vehicle for any occasion, whether it be a Wedding, Anniversary, or Birthday.

Rail Motors By State