Cobdogla Steam Friends Society

30/08/2026

🔥🚂 THREE HISTORIC STEAM ENGINES. TWO FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCES. AND STEAM ROLLER RIDES! 🚂🔥

Cobdogla Steam Friends is heading to the 2026 Riverland Field Days, and we’re bringing some serious steam power with us!

For the first time, we’ll be showcasing three of the engines our volunteers have been working with over the past 12–18 months.

🔥 1928 Aveling & Porter ‘H’ Type Steam Roller

Originally supplied new to the Adelaide City Council, our Aveling & Porter has undergone an extensive restoration and will make its first public appearance since restoration at the Riverland Field Days.

And it won’t just be sitting there looking pretty…

🚜💨 We’ll be offering rides behind the steam roller throughout the Field Days!

A great opportunity for young and old to experience a little piece of living steam history.

🚂 Fowler B6 Crane Engine “Douglas” (THE BIG HOOK)

Our much-loved Fowler B6 will also be coming along. Douglas recently made the long trip to the National Historical Machinery Association Rally at Kingsthorpe, Queensland, where it was awarded Best Non NHMA Exhibit.

🔥 Ruston Proctor Traction Engine

Owned by the Franklin Harbour Agricultural Museum at Cowell, this engine has been undergoing restoration at Cobdogla by our volunteers.

The Riverland Field Days will be its first public appearance since restoration, before it eventually heads back home to Cowell.

It’s been a massive effort by our volunteers to get these machines to this point, and we can’t wait to have them together, in steam and on display for the public.

📅 Riverland Field Days – September 18 & 19 2026

Come and find the Cobdogla Steam Friends display, have a look over the engines, talk to the crew and jump aboard for a ride behind a genuine 1928 steam roller!

There’s nothing quite like the smell of wood smoke, the sound of a steam whistle and the beat of a working steam engine — and you’ll be able to experience it all at the Riverland Field Days. 🔥💨

Come and see history in steam!

26/08/2026

10/06/2026

🚂 Ever Wanted to Drive a Train? 🚂

Well??

The Cobdogla Steam Friends Society Inc. is looking for new members to help preserve and operate one of Australia's most unique collections of steam and railway heritage.

Whether you're interested in trains, steam engines, machinery, history, engineering, welding, mechanics, or simply want to be part of a great team, we'd love to hear from you.

What can you do as a member?

🚂 Learn to operate and drive heritage railway trains

🔧 Help restore and maintain steam engines and historic machinery

🛠 Learn new practical skills from experienced volunteers

🚜 Work with vintage tractors, engines and equipment

☕ Assist with museum events and public open days

🤝 Meet great people and make lasting friendships

No Experience Required

You don't need to be a tradesperson or have any railway experience.

If you're willing to learn, we'll help teach you.

Many of the skills needed to keep this machinery operating are becoming rare. By joining today, you'll help preserve an important part of not just South Australian history but Australia's history while learning skills that few people have the opportunity to experience.

The museum is home to an incredible collection of steam engines, heritage railway equipment & vintage machinery.

The future of the museum depends on the next generation of volunteers.

Come along, meet the team, and see what it's all about.

🔥 Keep the Steam Alive! 🔥

📍 Cobdogla Irrigation & Steam Museum

📩 Message us for membership information or to arrange a visit.
(Temporarily working out of our Loveday workshop)

🚂🔥

14/04/2026

We cant wait to be doing this again!

07/04/2026

Built in South Australia in 1938, this little cane locomotive worked the Queensland sugar fields before being left to rust away.

Now it’s come home.

We’ve taken on the challenge of bringing Chiverton back to life at the Cobdogla Steam Museum and getting her back in steam where it belongs.

This isn’t just a Dulux overhaul.
This is a full restoration of a piece of Australian history.

We’ve already made a strong start but we need your help to continue the restoration.

👉 Every dollar gets us closer to seeing & hearing her run again.

If you can, chip in or share it all helps.

Chiverton is a '0-6-2' cane train, built in South Australia by Perry Engi… Damien Osborne needs your support for Help Bring Chiverton Back to Life