Century of Minnipa Hill Rail LinePrint Page

28-January-2022

Photographs supplied by Stephen Warren

The plaque commemorates the century of the Minnipa Hill Railway Line which commenced on the 5th May 1913. It depicts a representation of a W-class locomotive, laser cut from stainless steel and is located on the front street near the rail-yard gardens.

An interesting date that passed recently was the opening of the Yeelanna to Minnipa Hill Line, as it was called at the time, on Monday 5th May 1913. As was the custom when opening a new line, the first train was provided free of charge. It departed from Port Lincoln at 8:30am, travelling at between 20 and 30 miles per hour (32-48 kilometres per hour), and arrived at Minnipa after nightfall. The two hundred passengers camped at the Minnipa Terminus, since there was very little of the town built, and only some ucompleted railway structures and a couple of tents. The passengers had a large ‘bonfire’, and there were speeches to mark the event. For the return trip, the train departed the following day from Minnipa at 8.30am and reached Port Lincoln at 7pm.

Many of Minnipa’s railway buildings, including the station building, engine shed, coal stage, accommodation barracks and two residences, weren’t completed until 23rd August 1913. The Minnipa Railway Station for a short time was the rail line terminus, with work starting on extensions to Wirrulla at the end of 1913, then on to Nunjikompita with the ultimate terminus in Thevenard completed in 1915.

Minnipa continued to be a very important ‘through’ station, with triangle as well as having both a passing and a goods siding. The railway was an essential link from Port Lincoln up the Eyre Peninsula to the Far West, whether bringing mail, fertiliser, farm equipment and goods up the line to Minnipa and beyond or carrying grain, livestock or eggs and cream to Port Lincoln. As well, it provided a passenger service, including railcars (Fageol and Brill cars) up until 1968. (excerpts from P. Knife, Peninsula Pioneer, 2006, pp. 23-25.) The railway line has had a truly great role in the settlement and development of our region.

The Minnipa Community are celebrating this historically significant event with a small celebration to mark the occasion on Sunday, July 28 at the Railyard Garden near the Barracks. Celebrations begin with a plaque unveiling at 10.30am at the Railyard Garden (Railway Terrace), with a tour of the significant sites in the railyard with Peter Knife (Rail expert), culminating in a barbecue lunch (at a small cost) at the Minnipa Sports Clubrooms at approximately 12.30pm. Everyone with an interest in Minnipa rail and history are welcome.
West Coast Sentinel, 24th July 2013.

Location

Address:	Railway Terrace, Railyard Garden, Minnipa, 5654
State:	SA
Area:	AUS
GPS Coordinates:	Lat: -32.855494 Long: 135.154861 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

View Google Map

Details

Monument Type:	Plaque
Monument Theme:	Government
Sub-Theme:	State
Actual Event Start Date:	05-May-1913
Actual Event End Date:	05-May-2013

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:	Sunday 28th July, 2013

Front Inscription

A century of rail

Commemorating the Minnipa Hill line

5th May 1913

Source: MA

Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au

Contact Monument Australia