Choo Choo! South Australia’s beloved Cockle Train line has just received a fresh new upgrade as it prepares to step into a new, much cooler (literally) era. On Thursday, November 27th, more than 100 guests had the chance to explore the newly refurbished and air-conditioned Tourist Train for its first official outing, marking the moment the long-anticipated H-Cars were finally unveiled to the public. Departing from the historic Goolwa Railway Station, the train rolled along the stunning coastal stretch to Victor Harbor, offering a first glimpse of what passengers can expect when the carriages enter service in the coming weeks.
The road, or rather, rail, here has been anything but simple. The H-Cars began their life in Victoria, where the state government had invested heavily in upgrading them before putting them into storage. When the SteamRanger volunteers and the team over in Victoria got connected, the wheels were set in motion, and 18 months later, the project was well underway.
But delays were inevitable. Extensive documentation, rewriting, legislation and accreditation were needed to allow the trains to operate in South Australia. And just when the launch neared, graffiti vandals struck, damaging part of the set and pushing the timeline back by about two months. Despite that setback, the Victorian Government’s support and the hard work of the locals here in SA meant the project could stay on track.
The result is a modernised, air-conditioned tourist fleet designed for flexibility and future growth. Each H-Set is a three-car configuration capable of seating around 180 passengers, with the option to expand into a six-car set when needed. The upgrade is expected to significantly boost capacity while giving the organisation operational breathing room, particularly for services out of Mount Barker, which don’t currently operate year-round. The new additions will allow summer operations, with the first full season set to kick off early next year.
Known as the Tourist Train to distinguish it from SteamRanger’s heritage collection, this will be a great addition not just for tourists but locals, too. Plus, with future enhancements, including a buffet, bar and lounge already in planning and repaint to remove original Victorian livery, the future is only looking more exciting.
Before full rollout, the trains will undergo a few live test runs to make sure everything is perfected before the summer rush.
The new H Cars will be used on the Cockle Train with diesel loco 844 on December 6th, 7th, 14th and 17th as part of crew training, with three return departures from Goolwa to Victor Harbor at 10am, 12:15pm and 2:45pm, and tickets available only on the day from Goolwa, Port Elliot or Victor Harbor Stations, while passengers boarding at Middleton must purchase their ticket at their destination station before returning.
With the launch complete and the future firmly on track, the new SteamRanger Tourist Train enters its next phase as it prepares for it’s public debut and delivers a refreshed, flexible and future-proofed experience for locals and visitors alike.
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