National Railway Museum (Port Adelaide)

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The National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, South Australia, is the current site of the Port Dock Station Railway Museum's vast Australian Railway Collection. Previously, the collection was housed in the open air at Mile End, Adelaide's then locomotive depot. The effects of weather took their toll on the exhibits, and with Australia's bicentennial and several grants becoming available, the site of the old Port Dock Station was made available for the collection, and the new museum was made here in 1988.

[edit] Collection

The museum, now called the National Railway Museum (NRM) currently houses their large static collection in two pavilions and the historical goods shed at the site of Port Dock. On the site, all three gauges of Australia are represented, these being Narrow (3' 6" or 1067mm), Standard (4' 8 1/2" or 1435mm) and Broad Gauge (5' 3" or 1600mm). Operational locomotives and railcars on these gauges respectively are Steam locomotive Peronne (1918 Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive), DE 507 (South Australian Railways) and 801 (SAR), Redhen Railcars 400, 321 and trailer 863. The museum also operates a number of 18" gauge (457mm) equipment, mainly steam locomotives Bub (0-4-2T) and Bill (2-4-0 with 4 wheel tender).

[edit] Operations

The museum operates the full size locomotives for shunting purposes and special events where large passenger numbers are applicable, in lieu of this, the 18" gauge steam locomotives and a diesel operate rides of 1.2km around the museum. In 1992, the museum, in co-operation with the local council, built a 2km line along the beach from Semaphore to Fort Glanville. This is operated from October to April, weekends, public holidays and school holidays when temperatures are below 35 degrees celsius. The line travels along the coastline, through the sand dunes and the Fort Glanville conservation park, with the engine being turned and run around at each end of the line, which is a delight for tourists who enjoy the beachside trip.