When compared to other states in Australia, S.A doesnt have a great deal of tourist attractions, sure we have some great wineries, yet they are really only accessable by car or private bus tour. They are however a great tourist attraction if you get the chance to organise your own or to go on a tour - on a non footy weekend of course!
We do however have some of the best railways in Australia, the Pichi Richi Railway in Port Augusta gets tourists from all parts of the globe, that is a great day out with the family albeit a fair drive to get there.
Yet what concerns me greatly is that the Steam Ranger which currently goes from Mt Barker to Victor is left maroond up at Mt Barker with no access to the city. I have travelled on it many times as I like going steam train riding both here and interstate. When it was located at Keswick railway station, every Sunday morning the Steam Ranger had a full compliment of carriages and was booked out for several months in advance. The then State Government ripped out the third rail and it was relocated to Mt Barker and like other things massive insurance premium rises have helped rip the guts out of one of our best tourist attractions.
I would like to call on the State Government to consider seriously reparing this situation. We could do so much more with the Steam Ranger as a tourist attraction. We are prepared to throw millions into the Clipsal as it is well accepted that it brings a return of tourist dollars. The same is the case with the Steam Ranger Railways if it is given the resources to be run to its potential.
What is needed is the laying of a third rail to Mt Barker from Keswick and allowing Steam Ranger to be based at Keswick for promotion to tourists. Funds to restore another Steam Engine would be great as well, Steam Ranger have access to several different Steam Train Locomotives that could be refurbished and set up as tourist attractions.
When the Flying Scotsman was brought out into Adelaide in the late 1980's, all the hotels were full and people packed the lines to get a look at her, thousands more paid significant dollars for tickets to ride the Flying Scot, Steam Trains are a huge drawcard for Tourism and really the cost of the third rail on the inside of the existing track is not a great cost for the return that it could bring in. It would also give the White Elephant that is the Keswick terminal a good purpose to justify the cost of building it.
Anyway just a few thoughts on the Steam Ranger, if you have never been on for a trip check out their website below, the refurbished Red Hens certainley look differnet!
http://users.tpg.com.au/adsla3f6/market ... _first.htm
