Horses boarding a historic train in the Flinders Ranges might sound like a scene from another era, but it became a very real sight in Quorn earlier this month.
The Pichi Richi Railway hosted a group of horse filled carriages for a private riding event, where there traveled by cart from Quorn to Woolshed Flat.
The horses and their riders then disembarked to continue on their journey on horseback through the ranges, including along sections of the Heysen Trail.
While the unique journey captured the attention of visitors and horse lovers, the history behind horses sharing the rails is coming to the forefront.
Horses were once an important means of transporting people and goods across regional South Australia, and later worked alongside the railways to move freight between depots and remote properties.
The Pichi Richi journey offered a glimpse of this history, with horses travelling aboard historic stock carriages before their riders continued the adventure by trail.
Volunteer Marketing Coordinator with Pichi Richi Railway, Julie Johnson said it was quite a unique experience.
“I think it’s a feel-good story… something different.”
“We were getting people just going to Quorn specifically for the train… and then stay overnight and things like that, which is great for the town.”
For horse group organiser Jenny, the idea began around two years ago when she took a similar trip with friends.
Since then, the concept has grown, and the recent trip saw more riders and horses taking part while spending several days exploring the Quorn area and supporting local businesses.
This year’s journey also had a special connection to the railway’s ongoing restoration work, with the horses loaded from Quorn’s historic goods shed.
Dating back to the 1800s, the shed has been undergoing restoration by the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society, with its updates allowing the horses to be loaded within the station precinct this year.
Julie said the journey generated some of the strongest social media interest she had seen for the railway, with a post announcing when the horses would travel attracting more than 40,000 views.
People even travelled to Quorn specifically to watch the horses board, while the train service itself was full.
“We drew a lot of attention from people coming into town, specifically coming into town to Quorn to actually watch the horses,” Julie said.
Families gathered around the station taking photos, with children perched on shoulders to get a better look as the horses and train made their way through town.
At Woolshed Flat, volunteers were also kept busy preparing scones, food, coffee and refreshments for passengers and the extra visitors drawn by the rare spectacle.
This community involvement is at the heart of Pichi Richi Railway.
Established in the 1970s, the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society came after community members rallied to preserve the railway through Pichi Richi Pass, with heritage train operations beginning soon after.
Today, the railway continues to be restored and operated by volunteers.
Horse-and-rail adventures have actually taken place on the railway before, including in 2001, 2003 and 2011.
For more on Pichi Richi Railway, click here.
