Railfest 2024 FILM TRACKS
RailFest Film Tracks: Celebrating Half a Century of Pichi Richi Railway Heritage in a Unique Silo Projection Film Festival on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th July 2024. (Wet Weather Extra night option Sunday 28th July)
Quorn, South Australia – July 2024: The historic town of Quorn is set to host an extraordinary celebration as Pichi Richi Railway marks a significant milestone with RailFest. This event commemorates the remarkable achievements of volunteers who, half a century ago, successfully repaired the railway line and operated the very first passenger train, just one year after the Society’s establishment.
RailFest will run from Friday 26th to Saturday 27th July 2024, featuring a variety of events, with a special highlight on the Quorn Silo Light Show.
Quorn Silo Light Show is a captivating free tourist attraction that projects art, moving image and stories about the region onto the town’s grain silos. As a key attraction alongside the award-winning Pichi Richi Railway, these nightly projections bring to life the rich history and fascinating stories of the area.
On the 26th and 27th of July 2024 , After the regular award winning tourism show which commences at 6:15pm the Quorn Silo Light Show will project a special film festival called RailFest Film Tracks.
This two night film festival, commencing at approximately 6:45pm both nights, will showcase a curated selection of railway films that illustrate the vital role of railways in expanding regional areas and connecting outback Australia. The films are to be introduced by Lisa Southon, local community historian, providing a fascinating context for each story.
Rug up and bring your chair and popcorn for a steamy selection of train stories that reflect the great heritage of the Flinders Ranges region. The show can also be enjoyed from your car parked on Railway Terrace, and tune into 87.6 FM
We are playing all films on both nights, commencing after the Quorn Stories show, and will swap the order so that Part 2 plays first on the second night. This means that if its too cold or wet on either night, you have a chance to see the films again.
This program has been sponsored by illuminart stories in light, curated by the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society, and supported by the Flinders Ranges Council and the National Film and Sound Archive.
Film Screening Schedule:
Friday, 26 July 2024
Regular Stories: 6:15pm
RailFest Part 1: 6:45pm (Total Screening Time: 55.34 minutes, followed by part 2 – 42.58 minutes)
- British Rail – Britannia Under Her Own Steam (1951) – 4.10 minutes
- Australian Diary – New Standard Gauge railway Links Marree and Port Augusta (1958) – 5.51 minutes
- Rail Town (1953) – 10.14 minutes
- All Manner of Trains (1962) – 35.59 minutes
Saturday, 27 July 2024
Regular Stories: 6:15pm
RailFest Part 2: 6:45pm (Total Screening Time: 42.58 minutes, followed by Part 1 – 55.34 minutes)
- Tea and Sugar Train (1954) – 7.51 minutes
- Enterprise in Steam (1980) – 14.07 minutes
- Local and International Found Footage (various) – 21.00 minutes
Regular Stories: 6:15pm
RailFest Part 1 then 2: 6:45pm (Total Screening Time: 55.34 minutes, followed by part 2 – 42.58 minutes)
These films provide a poignant look into the history and significance of railways.
Highlights:
Railway Town: Discover the last major town before heading north or west, a crossroads of Australia where stockmen, travellers, tourists, and locals converge for essential services and vibrant community life.
The Tea & Sugar Train: Learn about the iconic train that provided vital supplies and news to isolated communities from Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie.
The Commonwealth’s Trans Australian Railway: Celebrate the world record achievement in constructing this vast track, a testament to the ingenuity and determination of early 20th-century engineers.
Australian Diary – New Standard Gauge: See how the introduction of a standard gauge railway transformed freight and passenger journeys across Australia.
All Manner of Trains: Travel back to 1962 and experience the luxurious and essential services provided by the Australian railway network.
Enterprise in Steam: Explore the rich history of the Pichi Richi Railway through the eyes of dedicated volunteers who have preserved this vital link to Australia’s past.
RailFest promises to be a memorable event, honouring the dedication of Pichi Richi Railway’s volunteers and celebrating the profound impact of railways on Australia’s development. Join us in Quorn for this unique celebration of history, culture, and community.