BREAKING NEWS – MARCH 8, 2022
One of Europe’s major train manufacturers has announced that it willing to fund a $2.5m trial which is likely to see a return of train services to Mount Barker.
One of Europe’s major train manufacturers has announced that it willing to fund a $2.5m trial which is likely to see a return of train services to Mount Barker.
TALGO – a rail-vehicle manufacturer based in Spain and with a long history of supporting the development of train services worldwide, says it is working in partnership with former SA transport department chief Luigi Rossi and aerospace engineer Edwin Michell – and says it will fund the viability trial at no cost to the State Government.
According to The Advertiser late in the afternoon of March 8, TALGO’s Head of Business Development Jesus Rodriguez said the funds for the trial would be obtained via Fondo para la Internacionalización de la Empresa, a grant scheme managed by the Spanish State Secretary for Trade.
Mr Rodriguez said however that the SA Government would need to provide written support for the trial – and with the State election just around the corner, SARRA notes that Labor’s Transport Shadow Minister Tom Koutsantonis said Labor would back the trial if elected to government.
The current Liberal Transport Minister Corey Wingard – whose wild over-the-top and discredited - costings on the return of rail passenger services to the Adelaide Hills is, according to The Advertiser, waiting for ….a detailed proposal [which] had not yet been received….
SARRA’s Convenor Paul Henley said: “This announcement is a major step forward and is good news for regional rail in SA.”
“TALGO is a strategic global thinker when it comes to rail services and we can see the company also looking at other regional rail opportunities in SA as well,” Mr Henley said.
He praised Labor’s Tom Koutsantonis for backing the trial.
“In all reality, the Marshall Government is about to lose office and its total disregard for regional rail and regional development will be relegated to the political waste-paper bin.”
“This is a game-changer, and we welcome TALGO’s interest and support,” Mr Henley said.
According to The Advertiser late in the afternoon of March 8, TALGO’s Head of Business Development Jesus Rodriguez said the funds for the trial would be obtained via Fondo para la Internacionalización de la Empresa, a grant scheme managed by the Spanish State Secretary for Trade.
Mr Rodriguez said however that the SA Government would need to provide written support for the trial – and with the State election just around the corner, SARRA notes that Labor’s Transport Shadow Minister Tom Koutsantonis said Labor would back the trial if elected to government.
The current Liberal Transport Minister Corey Wingard – whose wild over-the-top and discredited - costings on the return of rail passenger services to the Adelaide Hills is, according to The Advertiser, waiting for ….a detailed proposal [which] had not yet been received….
SARRA’s Convenor Paul Henley said: “This announcement is a major step forward and is good news for regional rail in SA.”
“TALGO is a strategic global thinker when it comes to rail services and we can see the company also looking at other regional rail opportunities in SA as well,” Mr Henley said.
He praised Labor’s Tom Koutsantonis for backing the trial.
“In all reality, the Marshall Government is about to lose office and its total disregard for regional rail and regional development will be relegated to the political waste-paper bin.”
“This is a game-changer, and we welcome TALGO’s interest and support,” Mr Henley said.
There's been a lot happening in the 'train' space in Spring 2019, including a plan by the State Government calling for Expressions of Interest for the future of the Barossa rail corridor - and the SALE of Genesee Wyoming Australia, which has long-lasting implications for all of regional and rural rail corridors in SA...(see details below) - and there's more to come! Come back here often to see out latest news!
CHANNEL 7's 'TODAY TONIGHT' SHINES A LIGHT ON REGIONAL AND RURAL RAIL
One of South Australia's most experienced television journalists, Hendrick Gout, explored the vexed issue of regional and rural rail in South Australia in a special report on Seven's 'Today Tonight' on Wednesday October 23, 2019.
(see the video below) As part of his investigation, he interviewed South Australian Regional Rail Alliance's media spokesman about the lack of State Government interest in SA's regional rail infrastructure. While his report brought exposure to the issue, SARRA is quick to point out that we do not want to see a return to historic rail carriages in rural SA. Instead, we're calling for the revitalisation of regional rail based on modern railway sets, like the Vlocity trains used in Victoria (seen in our 'mock up', at left). SARRA believes there is a place for SA's 'antique' trains - like the National Rail Museum at Port Adelaide, or the StreamRanger lines on the south Coast - or the Pichi Richi Rail service out of Quorn in the Flinders Ranges. Nevertheless, the story was valuable as it shone a light again on the need for regional and rural rail services - and it continues to bring pressure on politicians to hold Genesee Wyoming Australia accountable for its contractual failures over line maintenance - and it brings the issue to public prominence again at a time when the major parties are beginning to look at policies and promises to woo us at the next State Election. To both Labor and Liberal, SARRA says -- BRING ON REGIONAL TRAINS! |
![]() SARRA'S EFFORTS TO BRING BACK RAIL TO THE MID NORTH AND THE EYRE PENINSULA IS GAINING ATTENTION
SARRA's Convenor Paul Henley appeared on Seven Nightly News Spencer Gulf on Sept 20 after the news service contacted him to explain what was happening with rail issues in the Mid North - and it's interesting to see that Seven didn't get a response from Transport Minister Stephan Knoll - just like us, here at SARRA! Thanks for raising the issue, Seven Spencer Gulf! (to see the story, click here: https://youtu.be/RjrRRK_GDM4) |
BIM’s BATTY BAROSSA BUS - OR RAIL REALITY?
[Sept 2019] The Barossa Valley Council Mayor Bim Lange has mused that 'autonomous' (AKA 'driverless') bus services may be the future for the Valley, instead of reinstating rail services.
The Mayor's comments follow Transport Minister (and Barossa MP) Stephan Knoll calling for 'Expressions of Interest' for ideas to re-purpose the Barossa rail corridor (see our earlier story below) - a move by Knoll, we believe, which would remove an 'ongoing political sore' for him, by seeing the Barossa rail line removed forever.
Sucked into this vortex, Mayor Lange has set out his ideas for the way forward, in a 'think piece' published in the Barossa Herald (see here: https://www.barossaherald.com.au/story/6377390/opinion-mayors-vision-for-rail-replacement) - but SARRA says the Mayor's thinking plays into Knoll's hands and as a result could put the corridor at greater risk as the critical ‘backbone’ of passenger and tourist rail services into the Barossa into the future.
SARRA says that while the contribution to the rail-corridor debate by Mayor Lange is welcome, his proposal for a part-rail, part ‘autonomous vehicle’ solution goes against proven public-transport solutions which have stood the test of time.
SARRA says Barossans have an absolute gem in a rail corridor which is in place, is a publicly-held asset, and only needs moderate investment to re-introduce much-needed rail passenger and tourist services to the Barossa.
For our full comments on the Barossa Mayor's thinking, download the PDF below!
The Mayor's comments follow Transport Minister (and Barossa MP) Stephan Knoll calling for 'Expressions of Interest' for ideas to re-purpose the Barossa rail corridor (see our earlier story below) - a move by Knoll, we believe, which would remove an 'ongoing political sore' for him, by seeing the Barossa rail line removed forever.
Sucked into this vortex, Mayor Lange has set out his ideas for the way forward, in a 'think piece' published in the Barossa Herald (see here: https://www.barossaherald.com.au/story/6377390/opinion-mayors-vision-for-rail-replacement) - but SARRA says the Mayor's thinking plays into Knoll's hands and as a result could put the corridor at greater risk as the critical ‘backbone’ of passenger and tourist rail services into the Barossa into the future.
SARRA says that while the contribution to the rail-corridor debate by Mayor Lange is welcome, his proposal for a part-rail, part ‘autonomous vehicle’ solution goes against proven public-transport solutions which have stood the test of time.
SARRA says Barossans have an absolute gem in a rail corridor which is in place, is a publicly-held asset, and only needs moderate investment to re-introduce much-needed rail passenger and tourist services to the Barossa.
For our full comments on the Barossa Mayor's thinking, download the PDF below!

batty_barossa_bus.pdf | |
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TRAIN....or Track?
[Aug 2019] SARRA has cautiously welcomed the announcement by Transport Minister Stephan Knoll to seek ‘expressions of interest’ via tender for the future use of the Barossa rail corridor - but warns that the line must be utilised only for rail-passenger purposes.
SARRA's, Convenor, Paul Henley, says the Barossa rail corridor, while currently dormant, is a vital tourism and rail-passenger train link into the heart of South Australia’s premier tourist region and must not be given over to other uses. |
Would you like to see commuter and tourist train services returned to the Barossa Valley? |
“SARRA has long campaigned to reinstate rail services along this corridor to serve the growing public transport needs of the Barossa - and to provide tourist access to the wineries and other delights of the Barossa Valley,” Mr Henley said.
“While the Minister is to be commended at finally looking at options for the corridor, we remind him that as the Lower House Member for Schubert (which takes in the Barossa), his constituents have long and loudly called for a return of rail services to the Valley.
“In the few days since his announcement of this latest initiative, Mr Knoll’s own social-media page and those of the Barossa’s local media have been bombarded with Barossans calling for a return of rail to the region.
“To echo that iconic TV series ‘Yes Minister’, it would be very ...brave... of Mr Knoll to ignore his electorate’s wishes.
“The alternative hinted at by Mr Knoll - that of selling off sections of the line piece-meal - or to turn it into trendy ‘multi-use tracks’ (whatever that means) - cannot be allowed to happen," Mr Henley said.
Want to know more? Download our PDF Media Release on this subject below....
“While the Minister is to be commended at finally looking at options for the corridor, we remind him that as the Lower House Member for Schubert (which takes in the Barossa), his constituents have long and loudly called for a return of rail services to the Valley.
“In the few days since his announcement of this latest initiative, Mr Knoll’s own social-media page and those of the Barossa’s local media have been bombarded with Barossans calling for a return of rail to the region.
“To echo that iconic TV series ‘Yes Minister’, it would be very ...brave... of Mr Knoll to ignore his electorate’s wishes.
“The alternative hinted at by Mr Knoll - that of selling off sections of the line piece-meal - or to turn it into trendy ‘multi-use tracks’ (whatever that means) - cannot be allowed to happen," Mr Henley said.
Want to know more? Download our PDF Media Release on this subject below....

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SOLD - but has South Australian taxpapers been SOLD-OUT?
[Aug 2019] SARRA reports that Genesee Wyoming Australia (the current owner of the State’s regional rail infrastructure) is being sold as part of an international deal which will see its parent company Genesee Wyoming (GW) passed to the Canadian investment group Brookfield Investment Partners (BIP).
SARRA’s Convenor, Mr Paul Henley, says the sale of GW to BIP (for a reported $8.4 billion) has required GW to clean up its ‘rats and mice’ holdings in other parts of the world.
“As part of that clean-up, GWA is to be sold to the Dutch investment group PGGM which will hold 51.1% of (the former) GWA’s assets, while its ‘minor’ shareholder, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA), will continue to hold its (current) 48.9% stake in GWA.
“This means that South Australia’s non-metropolitan rail infrastructure will be owned and controlled by a pensioner investment company in the Netherlands - a company with no experience in rail operations - and to be frank, no apparent interest in SA’s regional rail assets.
“This is just a ‘paper’ financial transaction with no thought to the impact on or improvement of South Australia’s rural rail network," Mr Henley said.
Want to know more? Download our PDF Media Release on this subject below....
SARRA’s Convenor, Mr Paul Henley, says the sale of GW to BIP (for a reported $8.4 billion) has required GW to clean up its ‘rats and mice’ holdings in other parts of the world.
“As part of that clean-up, GWA is to be sold to the Dutch investment group PGGM which will hold 51.1% of (the former) GWA’s assets, while its ‘minor’ shareholder, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA), will continue to hold its (current) 48.9% stake in GWA.
“This means that South Australia’s non-metropolitan rail infrastructure will be owned and controlled by a pensioner investment company in the Netherlands - a company with no experience in rail operations - and to be frank, no apparent interest in SA’s regional rail assets.
“This is just a ‘paper’ financial transaction with no thought to the impact on or improvement of South Australia’s rural rail network," Mr Henley said.
Want to know more? Download our PDF Media Release on this subject below....

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