Cobdogla Irrigation And Steam Museum
The Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museum was originally built as the pumping station for the district's vineyards and horticultural crops, has housed four generations of water pumps, three of which are still on display. Other pumping equipment and all manner of the machinery used in the development of the irrigation districts has been collected on site and a number of these have been restored to working order, or are in the process of being restored.
As a major contribution to South Australia's Jubilee 150 year, the then Engineering and Water Supply Department, (now SA Water) refurbished one of the world famous Humphrey Pumps and the Pumping Station grounds to form the Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museum. While still owned by SA Water, the volunteers of the Cobdogla Steam Friends Society Incorporated and the Barmera Branch of the National Trust run the Museum. The mighty Humphrey Pumps are the only remaining examples in the world. One of these is demonstrated during the four main open days during each year, often attracting visitors from the United Kingdom where these pumps were designed and built.
The pump is powered by producer gas on a four-stroke cycle in a chamber, which uses the water being pumped as a piston. A viewing platform enables you to watch the rise and fall of the column of water in time with each power stroke as the water is delivered to the channel. Intrigued? You really need to see the pump in action to see how it works.
On the fully accredited railway, both steam and diesel locomotives pull the train on a 30 minute trip through the museum grounds along the channel and out through the vineyards, while elsewhere in the museum you may see a huge steam traction engine, smaller steam engines, stationary IC engines, and special displays at work. Take time to view the dioramas and old photos while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee in the National Trust building, which originally housed that missing first generation steam pump. Nearby Loveday was the home to thousands of Internees during the Second World War, and a number of artefacts from the camp are also on display at the Museum.
In addition to the open days, twilight trains and Sunday trains, the museum may be booked for special interest static or working operating days, bus and school tours, car club tours and as a venue for private functions such as weddings and parties. Prices vary with the attractions on offer. A static tour with a diesel train ride will take two hours at AUD5.00 per person. Enquires can be made at the Barmera Visitor Information Centre, telephone during business hours 08 8588 2289, after hours telephone numbers 08 8588 7186, or 08 8588 2323, or 08 858 2879 or 08 8582 2603 or e-mail austeam@riverland.net.au.
The museum holds four major operating days each year, featuring the Humphrey Pump, Steam Train Traction Engine, Stationary Engines, the National Trust dioramas and special operating exhibits. These major operating days and times will be 9am to 4.30pm on 23 March 2008, 20 April 2008, 22 Jun 2008, 13 July 2008 and 5 October 2008. The Twilight Train will operate on most Saturday nights at 7pm to 10pm during the Christmas Holidays and 1 November 2008 for Halloween. In addition, train rides are usually on offer from 1pm to 3pm on Sundays.
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