Penrice Stonie

[smitho]

Saw the Penrice-Outer Harbor 'Stonie' train at Gawler Oval station earlier this month hauled by 830 class Alcos, 844 (in Genessee & Wyoming Railroad livery) and a 2nd 830 class unit, still in faded looking Australian National green & gold livery.

This is the only rail freight service currently operating through the Barossa; passenger services were withdrawn in 1969 although a tourist-oriented 'Wine Train' was run on weekends by a private outfit until about 8 years ago. They used a 3 car ex-SAR 'Bluebird' set (now in storeand up for sale at Islington yard).

[smitho]

Forgot to mention that the Stonie will not run for some time from July due to the Salisbury-Gawler line being upgraded in preparation for electrification by around 2013. There has been speculation the the Stonie traffic will be permanently diverted to road trucks, leaving the Barossa lines totally without traffic.

Adelaide's sprawl is gradually swallowing up parts of the Barossa leading to calls to re-introduce the passenger service.