Balhannah to Mount Pleasant Railway
Balhannah to Mount Pleasant Railway
The first meeting in reference to a railway was in 1858 at Macbeath’s Inn, Mount Pleasant, but it would take another 56 years and many discussions before the railway was agreed to.
RAILWAY DISCUSSIONS
In the 1880s there were many meetings and deputations to politicians about routes and prices; the original proposal in 1858 described a line to come from Gawler through Mount Crawford and thence onto the River Murray. The Government however, wasn’t interested.
Discussions were still being had in 1891, when during a meeting of over 100 gentleman Mr. H. Giles moved ‘That this meeting favours the construction of a branch line of the railway from Balhannah to Mount Pleasant by the most desirable route.’ Again this meeting was ignored.
A similar proposal was made in 1896 but a week later at a meeting organized by the Onkaparinga District Council, a Mr. Charles Dunn moved against the railway and another 10 years lapsed before meetings were held again.
In 1910 and 1911 more rail routes were proposed. One suggestion was to take the line through the Gorge to Gumeracha and Mount Pleasant. Another considered a railway to the Murray Flats through Angaston and another via the Murray Flats to Birdwood. A meeting held at Springton considered the railway from Mount Pleasant to Sedan, descending from Mount Pleasant to the ranges through a corridor such as Milendella Creek to Murray Flats, and then heading off to Sedan.
FINALLY, A RAILWAY IS ESTABLISHED
Act 1180 of 1914 finally authorized the building of the Balhannah to Mount Pleasant line. Initial work was started in 1915 by the South Australian Railways and then taken over by contractor H. Teasdale-Smith.
The line was finished in September 1918. The people of Mount Pleasant were disappointed to find that there was to be no official opening because the Government didn’t want any more expense.
A newspaper of the day reported...The railway from Balhannah to Mount Pleasant was opened for traffic last Monday. There was no official ceremony, but in order that the school children resident at stations traversed by the new line should not be deprived of the free ride which it has of late been the practice of the Government to give at such openings, arrangements were made by which the children from Balhannah, Oakbank, Woodside, Charleston, Tweedvale, Mount Torrens, Birdwood, and Mount Pleasant were conveyed along the line by special trains yesterday. About 800 children participated in the trip, exclusive of their teachers. The outing was confined to the scholars.
HOW THE RAILWAY RAN
The line was 21 miles 17 chains long and 5’3″ gauge. It was originally planned for a turntable at Mount Pleasant but these were abandoned in late 1918, in favour of the two spurs of a triangle which curved towards the river and met at an apex. A locomotive shed was built for housing overnight, and this allowed for the turning of a second locomotive if needed. Water was available for the steam engines from a dam nearby.
The train left Balhannah at 9.30 am arriving at Mount Pleasant at 11.05 am. The return trip from Mount Pleasant was at 3.00 pm and arrived at Balhannah at 4.45 pm. Passenger trains used 75 old railcars and came down at 5.30 pm for the city and returned in the morning.
The main stations were constructed of timber at Oakbank, Woodside, Charleston, Mount Torrens, Birdwood and Mount Pleasant with a number of small sidings where the train might stop, at Mappinga, Riverview, Kayannie, Muralappie, Milkappa Road, Crane Road, and Narcoonah.
MOUNT PLEASANT RAILWAY STATION
This was officially 1,410 feet altitude, had a passing siding, passenger platform and station building adjacent to the River Torrens.
Freight and livestock was the major use for the line, with the passenger service a secondary use.
SPECIAL USES
Special train journeys were available for Mount Pleasant Show.
Mount Pleasant - Thursday, March 20th, 1919
In connection with the above a Special Passenger Train will leave Adelaide at 7.0 a.m. for Mount Pleasant, reaching there at 10.7 a.m., leaving Mount Pleasant on return at 5.20 p.m., arriving Adelaide at 8.32 p.m.
EXCURSION FARES.
C. J BOYKETT,
Secretary Railways Commissioner.
On March 20 the exposition of 1919 was held, and the executive of the society had the satisfaction of welcoming a far greater number of patrons than usual. Previously everyone who attended the show from beyond the limits of the pretty little town had to travel thither by road, but on this occasion, for the first time, hundreds of visitors from Adelaide and other places along the new railway were carried to Mount Pleasant in two long trains, the total number thus
added to the crowd being about 800. This was a substantial increase in the attendance, and the show was generally considered the most successful in the history of the society.
In 1923 an article in the newspaper stated... Special attention is directed to the train arrangements for the day. A goods train will leave Mile End for Mount Pleasant at 3.45 a.m. on show day, picking up entries en route, and arriving at its destination at 9.35. The passenger arrangements are well catered for and the first train from Adelaide will leave the City at 7.35 a.m., reaching Mount Pleasant at about half-past ten. This train will also pick up all passengers between Balliannah and Mount Pleasant. Travellers from the south and from the Murray Bridge lines, will join this train at Balhannah. The return journey commences at 5.30 p.m. A second train leaves Adelaide at 9.30 a.m., reaching Mount Pleasant at 12.20 and leaves again for Adelaide at 5.50 p.m. Excursion fares rule on all trains. A thoroughly enjoyable day's outing is assured patrons, nothing being left undone by the committee and secretary to make the event a great success.
Up to 19 trains would take race goers to the Easter Oakbank Races, with the last Easter train running in 1962.
Troops were carried to Woodside Army Camp with their siding called ‘Riverview’.
News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Monday 2 September 1940, page 8
1,500 Leave Tomorrow For Woodside
Special trains will take militia trainees to camp at Woodside tomorrow to begin a 70-day training period. Carrying more than 900 members of the 27th and 43rd Battalions and the 4th Remount Troop. the main train will leave Adelaide at 9.10 a.m. It will pick up men at Mile-End, Keswick, Goodwood, and Mitcham, and is due at Riverview Siding. Woodside, at 11.24. The men will then form up and march into the camp. Drawn from the Port Pirie, Moonta, Wallaroo, and Kadina districts. 260 other men belonging to these units will arrive by ordinary passenger train at 1.12. p.m. They will have lunch at the Cheer-up Hut, and leave by special train for Woodside at 2 p.m. Headquarters and batteries of the 13th Field Brigade except the 48th and 51st Batteries will also begin their training at Woodside, but they will travel from Keswick in their own mechanised conveyances. About 350 men will go.
National Service Trainees
All of the trainees for these camps. like those who went into Warradale, Keswick, Fort Largs, and Largs Drill Hall last week. are national service men aged from 20 to 24 who have been called up for 70 days' continuous camp training, and volunteers who have not previously attended a camp. After 58 days in camp they will be joined by the other members of the units who have already done a three months' camp. The present series of camps, carrying more than 4,500 men, will be complete on Wednesday week, when medical units go to Gawler Racecourse. Officers and N.C.Os. are already undergoing a refresher course there.
THE END IS NIGH
During 1962 3,700 tons and 33,000 head of livestock wasn’t enough to justify a twice weekly service. Road transport had taken over and an order was made to close the line.
The South Australian Railways Historical Society ran two farewell trains on 2nd February 1963 and one train on Sunday 3rd March. That was the end of the line.