Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer

An unused train previously sitting on a Riverland property has been relocated to its historical home on the Yorke Peninsula.

The 406 Red Hen train that had previously been located near the Big Orange, between Berri and Renmark, was on Monday re-located to Bute, as part of the ‘Get the 406 to Bute’ community project.

Bute Community Men’s Shed treasurer Greg Dermody said the train had considerable historical value to the area.

“Originally it was a Red Hen, which is an iconic South Australian train,” Mr Dermody said.

“When they upgraded the Superchooks in Adelaide, the Northern Yorke Penninsula purchased the Ren Hens to run on the line there.

“People would do a day trip, have a lunch at Bute, and go back. It was used quite a bit, but then they shut the railway down.

“We’ll restore it over the next five to 10 years, and then turn it into a museum and interpretive centre.”

It is understood Riverland man Fred Vallelonga, who owns the Big Orange property, negotiated with Bute community representatives for the train to be moved.

A letter of support for the relocation project – written by the Bute History Group – stated the town “has a rich heritage associated with the railways, dating back to the laying of the railway line in 1878 to reach the copper mines at Wallaroo”.

Mr Dermody said the train’s addition would attract increased tourism activity to the town.

“Eventually it will be moved to the rail site in Bute, and it will complement our award-winning silo art,” he said.  

This article appeared in the  Murray Pioneer,  20 November 2024.