The Museum
Located at 3 Trussell Terrace in Cobdogla, the Cobdogla Irrigation and Steam Museum is full of interesting exhibits, engines and pumps, tractors and machinery from a past era. (Note, Trussell Terrace is an extension of Park Terrace.)
A passionate group of volunteers assist with keeping the Museum and it's machinery in good order and providing a welcoming and fun environment for visitors.
The museum holds five major operating days each year, featuring Steam Train and Traction Engine rides, Operating Stationary Engines, the National Trust dioramas and special operating exhibits. Also showing are videos about the Humphrey Pump, (please note the pump is currently not operating),
A programme of Diesel Train Rides on Saturday nights or Sundays is scheduled.
See right for operating times and visit the 'Coming Events' page for more information.
Train Rides
- Take a 30 minute Train Ride through the vineyards behind one of our Simplex Diesel Locomotives. Loco 7369 - 'Farleigh' built 1939 or Loco 9861 'Peter' built 1953. Cost is $5 head for people over 5 years of age.
Tours
- A tour guide can show you through the museum. The Humphrey Pump DVD is shown during the tour. Cost is $5 head for people over 5 years of age.
Grounds Hire
- The Museum can be hired as a venue for special events, including weddings and family function etc. Steam or Diesel locos can be hired to take your guests for a train ride or have the Bridal Party arrive by train. See the booking form on the Tours page.
Some of the features of the Museum are listed below.
Humphrey Pump
The World's ONLY working Humphrey Pump with charcoal fired gas producers.
Please note that due to safety concerns regarding the Producer Gas used as fuel, the Humphrey Pump is currently not operating while a solution is being investigated. In the interim, tours of the pump, including a DVD, can be arranged.
Please check this page to confirm when the Pump will be operating or visit the Cobdogla Museum Facebook page.
Bagnall Steam Loco - Simplex Diesel Locos
A 2 foot gauge light railway operated with a 1906 vintage Bagnall Saddle Tank Steam Loco and/or Simplex Diesel Locomotives.
Museum DVD’s
Two DVD’s are now available. One shows the Humphrey Pump operations along with the railway, Ploughing engine and other exhibits. $15 plus postage.
The newer DVD is an 80 minute explanation of the Humphrey Pump by Doug Fieldhouse who was the former Pump Station Superintendent. Each part of the operation is explained in detail from the gas producers to the delivery of water into the channel. $20 plus postage.
Coming Soon. A DVD showing the working engines in the engine shed.
Irrigation History Book
A 390 page soft cover book 'Irrigation Settlement on the River Murray in South Australia - 1838 - 1938' is available for $20.
Note, we are almost out of these books. Now only available at the museum.
Vintage collections
Scattered throughout the complex is an impressive collection of vintage engines, pumps, tractors and machinery many which were used in the early settlement of the district.
Some of the engines include Steam Traction & Ploughing Engines, Portable Steam Engines, Steam Pumps and Ancillary equipment. A steam roller is nearing the end of a long restoration period.
The Vintage Internal Combustion Engines include three Blackstones, a rare Southern Cross, a three cylinder Mirrlees and a Crossley Suction Gas Engine.
Fascinating History
The National Trust displays include Dioramas depicting the development of the area from pre white settlement to the 1930's, plus a photo wall, interactive displays, models and maps.
Loveday Internment Camp
The history of the Loveday Internment Camp from World War II is on display inside the National Trust building.
The National trust building is up and running again following the return of the exhibits which were being displayed in Barmera during its Centenary
Regular Diesel Train Rides
Train Rides are offered at 2 pm on Sundays and Tuesdays.
$5 per ride Children under 5 years free
These train rides must be pre-booked using the booking form or by phoning the museum on 04 0303 6949.
Tours of the Museum and Train Rides by arrangement
Special Interest Groups, Schools, Social Events, Weddings, Parties, etc.
To make an enquiry regarding a tour of the Museum please go to the Tours & Bookings page.
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Open Days.
On our Open Days we feature working steam engines, tractors and the steam hauled railway is operating.
Open Days are from 11 am to 4.30 pm. Scheduled open days for 2022 are October 2nd. and in 2023 march 12th, April 8th and 9th, June 11th, July 16th and October 1st.
Prices are; Family $50, Adult $20, 5 to 15 years $10 and pensioner $15. Children under five are free entry.
Twilight Trains.
Our popular Twilight Trains Summer season commences on the 17th December, followed by Saturday nights in January, on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.
Mother's Day and Father's Day
Train Rides are offered on Mother's Day and Fathers Day from 1.00 pm. to 3 pm.
Please note: The times and prices are subject to alterations or cancellations without notice. The Cobdogla Irrigation & Steam Museum will make every reasonable effort to conform to the programme. Patrons traveling from outside the district are advised to contact the Museum prior to traveling to confirm the event will take place as scheduled. The Museum reserves the right to replace the Steam Locomotive with a Diesel Locomotive if operational circumstances dictate.
The History of the Irrigation & Steam Museum
The Museum was established by the then Engineering and Water Supply Department (now SA Water Corporation) as a major project commemoratng the South Australian Sesquicentenary in 1986.
Departmental employees overhauled the Humphrey Pump, landscaped and fenced the grounds and assisted with the restoration of the Fowler Traction engine and Bagnall locomotive.
The Museum is now operated by the Volunteers of the Cobdogla Steam Friends Society Inc and of the Barmera Branch of the National Trust.
With the focus on Irrigation History in general and the unique Humphrey Pump in particular, the Museum also concentrates on the early development of the Irrigation Areas of the Riverland and the machinery used in that developmental stage.
Where is the museum located?
3 Trussell Terrace, (off Park Terrace) Cobdogla SA 5346