Farewell: Don Snow

On the 22nd July Don Snow called into the Victor Harbor Station for a chat and a “Key Hand Over” ceremony.

It was great to see Don with his wife Joan and Don was only too happy to pass on his trusty keys to Danny. It was Danny’s first day solo and it gave Don a chance to reminisce about the good old days and how well his keys worked.

Left to Right ; Danny, Dave Linke, Billy Morgan, Don Snow, Bill Lewis, Joan Snow, Haydon Hill and Peter Schneider.

We wished Don all the best for the future and asked him to drop in from time to time.

Newly Qualified Guards and Station Masters

Danny Kovacevic successfully passed his Assessment day as a Station Master on Saturday the 15th July 2017. Hamish Camens also successfully passed his assessment day as a Guard between Goolwa Depot and Victor Harbor on Friday 21st July 2017.
Well done to you both!

Left: Hamish Camens is congratulated by trainer Grahame Strudwick, and Right: Danny Kovacevic is congratulated by Operations Manager Trevor Blight.

South Australian Wooden Boat Festival

L – R: Alan Potter (Goolwa SM), and Ned Freary (PA) at Goolwa. Brad Turner (PA) and Sarah Michalak (Marketing/Pirate Trail at Goolwa).

The South Australian Wooden Boat Festival was held over the weekend of the 22nd – 23rd April 2017, and saw trains operating to an intensive six-train schedule, and requiring a full compliment of crews, for two train consists, and station staff for both Goolwa and Victor Harbor.

Easter 2017 – The Easter Bunny joins the Cockle Train

Easter Sunday saw a visit to the Cockle Train by the Easter Bunny – the Bunny suit was provided by Helen Bradbury, and ‘crewed’ by Sam Cole and Billy Morgan. The bunny was snapped by Alan Potter posing with the crew at Goolwa, and handing out some tasty chocolate eggs, which were kindly sponsored by Foodland Goolwa, Woolworths Victor Harbor, Coles Victor Harbor, Bendigo Bank (Goolwa Branch), Haighs Chocolates and a number of south-coast volunteers.

The promotion was well received by all.

Left: The Easter Bunny and the Cockle Train Crew at Goolwa on Easter Sunday L-R: Alan Potter, Hamish Camens, Sam Cole, Easter Bunny (Billy Morgan), James Andropolous, David Linke, and Ian Johnston (on loco). Right: The Easter Bunny hands out chocolate eggs to some passengers en-route. Both photos: Alan Potter.

SteamRanger Awards

Dale Patyi


Dale Patyi is pictured receiving his “Certificate Of Appreciation” for his 4 years of Loco Service to SteamRanger.

Dale had arranged time off from work to help on the 11th October CockleTrain service and is pictured with fellow volunteers at the Goolwa Station prior to the 3551 service.

It speaks volumes when we know that dedicated volunteers need to apply for leave from work and use up their holiday leave to help keep us running. In particular we thank Dale and Peter Brown on this particular day, however we acknowledge all the other workers who also go the extra mile to take leave to keep us on track.

Congratulating Dale are

L to R: Dale Patyi ; Fireman, Peter Brown ; Driver, Andrew McDonough ; Guard, Hamish Camens ; Passenger Attendant, David Linke ; Passneger Attendant & Trainer, Pam Sullivan ; Ticket Officer, David Voysey ‘ Trainee Passenger Attendant.

Rylee Uhl

Rylee started with SteamRanger as a Work Experience student and enjoyed the work so much that he continued as a Trainee Junior Passenger Attendant.

He is receiving his competency award from the HR Manager Andrew McDonough on the 31st December at the Goolwa Depot upon the completion of a days work. His Trainee David Linke was present along with work mates Billy Morgan and Hamish Camens who called in to see Rylee receive his award. Julie Hille was also present to ensure things went smoothly.

Well done Rylee and thankyou for your efforts to obtain your certificate.

Volunteers in Training

Operations and Shop Staff

New Passenger Attendant Alan Foster (Left) under the watchful eye of Trainer Dave Linke on the CockleTrain Sunday the 4th Dec. Alan has worker with us for a couple of days is getting the hang of things. The passengers seem to have something to smile about.

Sue Cook (Right) who has been with us for some time is multi skilling and learning the ropes of the Shop at Victor Harbor. She had a good day under the supervision of Rosemary Kelly on Sunday the 4th of December. She is busy selling chocolates to this lovely passenger. I am told the till balance at the end of the day was also spot on. No doubt thanks to Sue’s skill and Rosemary’s teaching.

Railcar Drivers

Trainee 300/400 class driver John Mere was under the watchful eye of SteamRanger Assessor Peter Charlson at Victor Harbor Station on Saturday the 27th January.

There to wish Dad and Papa John all the best on his assessment day was son Phillip and two very robust Grandies.

Steam Loco Crew

Ben Greeneklee was on a “Training Day” with Brenton Job as his trainer, clocking up his training hours on the Rx. In the cab of Rx207 on Saturday 21st January, Andrew McDonough caught Ben Greeneklee, Matthew Job and Brenton Job during the layover in Goolwa.