m. Peterborough Division

23rd April 2007

The South Australian Railways was well known for its big American styled locomotives, introduced on the broad gauge network by Commissioner Webb in 1926. But much of the SAR's bread and butter came from the narrow gauge line that crossed the dry country from the copper mines of Broken Hill to the smelter at Port Pirie. Webb feared the ore would be exhausted, and refrained from investing in the line. So old 4-8-0's soldiered on, assisted from the mid Fifties by ten striking Garratts. Division headquarters were at Peterborough, where a delightful collection of rollingstock was to be found. There was more and bigger steam elsewhere, but steam on the fringes of the South Australian desert had a very special charm, and the SAR iced the cake with delightful railmotors and carriages. The show was directed by train orders, a novelty to Eastern enthusiasts accustomed to electric staff and double line block. Other American touches were ground level platforms and kerosene end maker lamps. And what an orchestra of whistles had the SAR!

Peterborough Loco	Preparing for Battle	Brill	Look What Was In The Garage!
Kind Mechanic	One Survives!	The Attack Begins	French Garratt
Over The Road From The Pub	Big Engine Small Place	Early Brills catch the 'Bird	Motorman
Give Way Or Else	Right In the CBD	We Know Where You Are	If You Have To Ask, You Will Not Understand
No Need To Buy A Trailer	Warm Spot On A Cold Morning	Into The Loop	My Tender Overfloweth