Train Working at Minnipa

The decade from 1961 to 1970 saw some dramatic changes in train operations on Eyre Peninsula. The Port Lincoln Division was transformed entirely, the major changes being:

the last Fageol railcar ran in 1961
the last mixed train was withdrawn
bulk haulage of grain replaced bagged handling
diesels were introduced in 1962
all main lines were rebuilt with heavier rails, proper ballast and regrading
passenger services (railcars) were withdrawn completely in 1968
the last steam locomotives were withdrawn in 1969

Train Order for #190 up goods (loco T214) at Minnipa, Tuesday 9 Feb 1965.
Courtesy: Mark Wilson

1961 was a particularly interesting year. Not only were different trains scheduled on each day of the week, but the makeup of each passenger working was different. Ignoring seasonal workings, the regular trains at Minnipa were as follows:

Day	Train	Times	Details
Monday	#110 Up Psgr Motor	Dep 6:45am (to Pt Lincoln)	Model 75 motor, bogie Fageol trailer
Monday	#123 Down Goods	Arr 9:47pm (from Pt Lincoln)	T class
Tuesday	#104 Up Mixed	Arr 3:29pm Dep 4:10pm (Thevenard - Pt Lincoln)	T class, loading, 'Short Tom' coach, 'Short Tom' brakevans 127 & 132 Detach coach, continue as Up Goods
	#171 Down Psgr Motor	Arr 4:04pm Dep 4:19pm (Pt Lincoln - Thevenard)	Model 75 motor, long passenger brake 205
	#193 Down Psgr Motor	Arr 6:15pm (from Pt Lincoln)	Model 75 motor, two bogie Fageol trailers
Wednesday	#136 Up Psgr Motor	Dep 8:15am (to Pt Lincoln)	Model 75 motor, two bogie Fageol trailers
Wednesday	#141 Down Goods	Dep 8:35am (to Thevenard)	T class
Thursday	#307 Down Goods	Arr 9:40am (from Pt Lincoln)	T class
	#223 Down Psgr Motor	Arr 7:59pm (from Pt Lincoln)	Fageol motor, bogie Fageol trailer
	#188 Up Goods	Arr 8:00pm (from Thevenard)	T class
Friday	#76 Up Psgr Motor	Arr 8:26am Dep 8:41am (Thevenard - Pt Lincoln)	Model 75 motor, long passenger brake 205
	#158 Up Psgr Motor	Dep 9:45am (to Pt Lincoln)	Fageol motor, bogie Fageol trailer
	#166 Up Goods	Dep 10:15am (to Pt Lincoln)	T class
	#175 Down Psgr Motor	Arr 5:12pm (from Pt Lincoln)	Model 75 motor, 'Short Tom' brakevans 127 & 132, bogie Fageol trailer (two brakevans transferred to #301 Mixed)
	#301 Down Mixed	Dep 5:30pm (to Thevenard)	T class, loading, 'Short Tom' coach, 'Short Tom' brakevans 127 & 132

One curious piece of timetabling was that on Thursdays, after a break of 10 hours with no trains running, two trains were scheduled to arrive, from different directions, one minute apart! That was the theory, anyway.

In addition to these regular workings, there were also seasonal grain and fertiliser trains. The main line upgrading program was also getting under way, and work trains of prefabricated track panels as well as ballast trains were running.

Finally, two occasional workings added further variety to the mix. They were the weed spray train, and the Commissioners' inspection train. Interestingly, both these workings were often hauled by a Model 75 railcar, as the railcars were allowed a higher track speed than steam engines.

Railcar departure board, Port Lincoln, at the end of passenger workings in 1968.
Photo: Peter Knife, image enhanced by John Dennis