International Railroad Discussion > Last Pinnaroo Grain

Hi all,

The other GWA Mallee branch line, the one to Pinnaroo also saw its last train in July. On 7/31/15, 2216 and 703 hauled 1351 out to Pinnaroo where they loaded at the township silos (Viterra). The return train, 3152 had the old Alco 703 on the point. GWU004 was added at Tailem Bend as the banker through the Adelaide Hills.

1. A full moon overlooking Lameroo yard.

2. The moon is about to set as it overlooks the train at Pinnaroo.

3. The headlight from 703 lights up the old weighbridge hut at Pinnaroo.

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Next lot.

1 & 2. 703 and 2216 wait to start loading their train at Pinnaroo.

3. A view of the old Pinnaroo yard showing the old goods shed and crane.

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Next lot.

1. Lined up near the old station prior to departure for the last time.

2. Goodwin/ Alco 703 by the old station which is hidden by the shed in front.

3. Departing Pinnaroo

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Next lot.

1. Not far out of Pinnaroo, the train finds a wide open space in the scrub.

2. And a kangaroo....

3. 703 leaves its trademark Alco sign at Chandos.

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Next lot.

1. The train makes a smokey arrival at Parilla.

2. A small headboard the occasion.

3. The train crosses the Mallee Highway between Parilla and Lameroo.

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Next lot.

1. Passing through the avenue of pine trees at Lameroo.

2. Passing through Wilkawatt.

3. A marker celebrating the centenary of the line stands idle at Parrakie as the train passes through.

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Next lot.

1. Passing the silos at Geranium.

2. Passing through Jabuk.

3. Heading through Peake.

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Next lot.

1. Passing Buccleuch.

2. Passing Sherlock.

3. Passing Moorlands.

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Last lot.

1. Passing the locality of Elwomple.

2. Arriving at Tailem Bend.

3. The sun has set as 3152 now with banker unit GWU004 on the lead as it climbs around Callington curve.

I will post up a video of both this and the Loxton lines when I get a chance.

Enjoy,
Justin

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Hi all,

The video from the last Pinnaroo grain.

Cheers,
Justin

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Great shots again.  Picture #1 could be another IOTD
 Robert 

Many thanks for the phots - and the news which is quite depressing!! I am planning an Oz trip, which was to take in these branches. I now need a rethink. Chris, uk

Really good but bad news that the shippers are turning to trucks

As a Canadian, I can relate to grain branches being abandoned in favour of road transport.

Here the small wooden elevators are replaced by huge concrete silos.  In some cases, the villages surrounding the elevators vanish too.

I'm a USA Genessee & Wyoming stockholder. I thought the purpose of this USA gonglomerate was to promote rail transport on railroad lines that other entities had forsaken. Why is GNWR giving up on this ? 30 cars of grain how often? Please explain why this line cannot survive. The pics are great, and tell a story, one which questions why this is a 'last train'. Thanx. JL in Wilm, DE

Thanks everyone.

The reason for the trains stopping is the grain handler wanted to shift to road transport as it was a cheaper option. This local community wanted the trains to stay and not extra trucks on the average roads out there.

Cheers,
Justin