Orroroo – Quorn – Farina Railway

Now…..

After serving residents of the Orroroo district as a means of communication, passenger transport, a common carrier and tourist attraction for over 120 years it seems that the remaining section of the ‘Quorn line’ emanating out of Peterborough will be ‘ripped up’ in the latter part of 2008. The removal of the narrow gauge railway will end Peterborough’s days as a railway junction town and remove any future hopes of a train running through the region ever again.

…..and then…..

8 September 1880

Terowie and Pichirichi railway

On Monday seven tenders, of which Messrs. C.& E. Millar’s was the lowest (£116,248 7s. 6d.) were received for the construction of the second section of the Terowie and Pichirichi Railway, being that portion which extends from Orroroo to Quorn. The length of the line is about 58 miles. It commences at the township of Quorn [should read Orroroo], passes at a distance therefrom of 13 miles close to the township of Eurelia, nine miles

Opening of the Orroroo to Quorn, and Quorn to Farina railways

The joint opening of the Orroroo to Quorn, and Quorn to Farina (Government Gums) railways on Wednesday 17 May 1882 was a grand occasion, with many newspaper reports in the days and weeks leading up to, and following ‘the day’. On Saturday 20 May Adelaide the Observer had a dedicated three-page story, with other reports in the South Australian Advertiser, the Register, the Northern Argus, and the Australian Sketcher. It is not possible to include the entire stories of the time, however some relevant details are printed below.

Northern Argus 19 May 1882

NORTH MIDLAND ROAD BOARD – The monthly meeting of the board was not held on Thursday, May 18, the day intended, but was adjourned on account of the opening of the Quorn and Farina railways to Monday May 29.

OPENING OF THE QUORN AND FARINA RAILWAYS – The Parliamentary party for Quorn and Port Augusta left Adelaide by special train at 9 o’clock on Tuesday morning last, and the guests of the Commissioner of Railways numbered nearly 300. The train on reaching the Burra made a brief halt, and Terowie, the terminus of the broad gauge, was reached at 2 o’clock. Luncheon was partaken of in the Terowie goods shed, after which the train started on the narrow-gauge line drawn by two engines. On arriving at Orroroo, there was an accession to the party, and Quorn was reached at about 7.30. There was a large crowd at the station, the town being also thronged, and flags were flying in all directions. The dinner was provided in the goods shed, and was served up in a most sumptuous style. After the repast Mr. E.T. Smith M.P. (the Mayor of Adelaide), proposed the health of the Chairman, (the Hon. J.G. Ramsay), and referred to the capital arrangements that had been made for the comfort of his guests.

NORTHERN JOTTINGS
The members of the Port Augusta Corporation are cross because the Commissioner of Public Works did not invite them to the opening of the Quorn railway. I think Mr Ramsay did quite right, because if he asked one corporate body to share the festivity he would out of common courtesy have to do the same to all the Councils in the colony. The train could not hold them all.

NORTHERN JOTTINGS (Cont.)
“The opening of the Quorn Railway on the 17th intst. is a day to be remembered in the history of the colony. The terminus of line is situated about 25 miles north of the Government Gums in the centre of a desert. If the line stays there the returns cannot be at all remunerative, as the country being of a sterile nature the product is of a very unreliable character. There have been no minerals of any kind found, so that the iron way will be principally used for stock and merchandise. However, in the course of time when the line is extended and the population more numerous it will be of great benefit to the colony.”
While the opening of the railway was heralded as being of benefit to the colony, the Farina locals could not see it at the time.

NORTHERN ARGUS 30 May 1882

FARINA TOWN, 23 May.
Refreshing showers of rain fell here last night and nearly all today. If frosty nights do not follow too soon we shall soon have plenty of grass and herbage.
The opening of the Port Augusta and Government Gums Railway took place on the 18th instant. The Parliamentary train arrived between 10 and 11 a.m., bringing upwards of 60 persons, consisting of members of the Ministry and both Houses of Parliament, and other persons of influence. There was no demonstration on the part of the Farina people, owing to there being no certain intimation given them as the time the opening ceremony would take place, and on account of their not being receiving some official intimation they are (and very naturally) indignant. The affair as seen from the township seemed very shabby. All their refreshments were bought with them, and the township did not derive the slightest benefit from their visit. As a contrast to the foregoing, upon the arrival of the first ordinary train at 10 o’clock the same night it was received with cheers, fireworks, and anvil explosions. Buggies were in waiting to convey the visitors to the hotels, where supper was waiting for them, which they did ample justice to. Afterwards they were invited to a meeting in Wyly & C.’s Assembly Room, where all the usual toasts were drunk and responded to, the meeting closing at about 3 a.m. Amongst the visitors there were no less than five different representatives of the Press, besides persons representing all parts of the colony. The party left after partaking of breakfast by the 6.30 a.m. train.
A banquet was given on the 6th instant to Mr. F.S. Andrews, J.P., who has held the position of post and telegraph master at Farina ever since and previous to there being a township here. He left next morning on a visit to Melbourne,”