EXCURSION SUNDAY JUNE 29th
GEOLOGY BY TRAIN: THE BELAIR RAILWAY LINE
Leader: Frances Williams
Assistant leader: Steve Elsby
in conjunction with the Friends of Belair Station
The Belair Railway line traverses the Eden fault scarp and provides a unique opportunity to observe a significant geological episode, namely the transition from pre-glacial shales and quartzites of the Belair Subgroup to ice-rafted boulders and outwash clays of the Sturtian glaciation, from the comfort of a rail car. Not to mention great views of fault scarps and even a glimpse into the Tertiary. 
This excursion will start at Belair Station at 10.00 am, where the Friends of Belair Station will give us a guided tour of the historic station. We will then take the train from Belair to Torrens Park, pointing out geological features along the way. On the return trip we will stop at Eden Hills to examine the ca. 700 million-year-old Sturt Tillite. Following a picnic lunch (BYO) back at Belair station we will drive to Watiparinga Reserve and walk into “Viaduct Gully” to observe some spectacular structures in the Belair Subgroup shales and quartzites and explore the old viaduct remains, railway cutting and abandoned tunnel. The walk is short but steep with a bit of a scramble at the end. The excursion will end at around 3.30 pm.
The first part of this excursion (the train trip) will be accessible to members with mobility issues, but not the walk into Viaduct Gully. There will be a small charge of $10 per person as a contribution to the Friends of Belair Station.
It is essential to register for this excursion, either by signing the list at the June FGC meeting, or by contacting Frances Williams (frances.williams@adelaide.edu.au). For logistical reasons the number of participants will be limited to 20. In the event of there being an overflow we will arrange to re-run the trip at a later date.
Excursion notes and further details will be sent nearer the time to those who have registered.