Australian Railways Named Trains

The Ghan (Standard Gauge)

The famous Ghan now runs from Alice Springs on Tuesdays at 13-00 to Adelaide (1559km) arr 07-40 Wednesday and Melbourne (2387km) 21-05 Wednesday and also from Alice on Fridays at 13-00 to Sydney (3250km) via Adelaide, arriving on Sunday at 09-15. The train has full facilities, and I found "Holiday Class" the best value sharing a twin sleeper was no problem especially if you had it to yourself! The trains are now showing their age and are probably due for a complete refurbishment as if compared with the Queensland trains they seem very old fashioned and a bit tatty. The best part as with many train journeys is not so much the scenery, which can seem to go on for ever, as the people you meet! The food in the restaurant is good value and the bar adequate with helpful staff. As with all Australian long distance trains you must book well in advance.

The "Australia Rail Pass" includes seats on all named trains and is great value, you need only pay a small supplement for a sleeping berth. A number of different period/types of pass are available but they must be purchased before arrival in Oz and do shop around as I found "Leisurail" quoted me £320 for a any 15 day in 6 months "Flexipass" where as "Thomas Cook" was charging £280 ! In the end my local travel agent got it even cheaper! I suspect the exchange rate fluctuations were partly to blame.

The Sunlander (3'6" Gauge)

From Brisbane to Townsville and Cairns on the narrow gauge tracks of  "Queensland Railways" this train has an amazing standard for such a narrow gauge railway, indeed is in many ways far superior to it's standard and broad gauge neighbours. On this train there is the usual dining car, lounge car and also a video car.

The 1680km journey from Brisbane to Cairns takes nearly 31½ hours the coastal route does not in fact afford many views of the sea but you do see lots of sugar cane fields and many 2' gauge crossings on the level which does seem very dodgy. One driver did recount a tale of a cane train being chopped in half by the Sunlander! so they are now installing a "draw bridge" type of crossing gradually over the system.

"3801 Ltd" (Standard Gauge)

This Company operates out of the old loco shed/works at Everleigh in Sydney and run regular trains on the NSW rail system, both steam and diesel. The train here is about to depart Sydney Central for Maitland near Newcastle. This 4-6-2 was capable of some spirited running on this hilly route and looks most impressive chasing the suburban electrics through the suburbs on their tight schedule. The footplate ride was equally impressive, view right at high speed and you can see the speedo behind the regulator and it was well into 3 figures of kph most of the time. This is a very modern loco built in New South Wales in the 40's and 3801 was the first steam loco to cross the Australian continent when in 1972 it went to Perth. The crew recounted the time they ran it with 4472 Flying Scotsman and how unimpressed they were with our high speed loco compared with theirs, you have to get used to this sort of thing over there! But a fine ride all the same - many thanks chaps.

The Indian Pacific (Standard Gauge)

 Running from Sydney via Adelaide twice a week to Perth covering 4,352 kilometers this is the longest train journey in Australia taking 65 hours from Sydney and includes the crossing of the famous Nullabor Plain with some 478 kilometers of dead straight track - very interesting to "see" from the train.

Stopping at Cook one of the most isolated locations you will ever see this train is like a traveling island in a flat sea of scrub and dirt. Cook itself is like a ghost town with now only a handful of inhabitants in what was once a thriving railway community. The old hospital and the his and her "Jail" cells are worth a visit whilst you wait for the train to be refueled and possibly also a train to cross. Then it's back onboard and straight to the bar car for an ice cold tinny and a chat with your fellow travelers on the remainder of this long journey to Perth.

Perth to Bunbury (3'6" gauge)

"Australind"

The "Australind" runs twice a day each way from Perth, Western Australia, to Bunbury 187 km south and takes about two and a quarter hours in a modern diesel railcars operated by "Westrail". These narrow gauge trains leave Perth City Station, which is the main suburban station, as opposed to East Perth station where the Interstate standard gauge trains operate, typical of many Australian cities and towns where the main station is some way out of town. Bunbury station is also some miles from the town center as the original terminus is now the tourist information office and an industrial estate now covers the original lines course for some miles into the town, a connecting bus now gets you between the two.

The 1680km journey from Brisbane to Cairns takes nearly 31½ hours the coastal route does not in fact afford many views of the sea but you do see lots of sugar cane fields and many 2' gauge crossings on the level which does seem very dodgy. One driver did recount a tale of a cane train being chopped in half by the Sunlander! so they are now installing a "draw bridge" type of crossing gradually over the system.

Perth to Kalgoorlie (4'8½" gauge)

"Prospector"

The Prospector runs between East Perth and Kalgoorlie, the gold mining town, some 655 km east. This standard gauge train takes nearly 8 hours for the trip so a day trip to see the massive gold mines is not on. Anyway spend just one night in this town is quite an experience as it is very much like an old wild west atmosphere!

Victor Harbor Tourist Railway (5'3" gauge)

"Cockle Train"

Loco Rx 207 is a 4-6-0 NB of 1913 on the 5'3' gauge heads the regular Sunday "Cockle Train" from Victor Harbor to Goolwa  which is on the coast south of Adelaide. The train follows the coast and other less frequent trains continue on to Mount Barker a total of 80km but check the timetable as these are few of these trains and non run on fire ban days, that is when the temperature exceeds 35°C.

TAILPIECE

Victor Harbor Horse Tram (5'3" Gauge)

If there are no trains running on the Goolwa line then the Victor Harbor Horse Tram is certain to be "running" to Granite Island, well worth a trip on this "broad gauge" tram, and if you go in the evening you may see the little penguins marching home! This is a popular holiday destination with the Adelaide folk at weekends so can be quite busy by Ozzy standards so you may have to stand in a queue for the tram for a few moments. From the upper deck you get a splendid view and can really appreciate the speed pick up as the driver shifts gear up from the walk to the trot and you feel the wind tear at your hair - a real white knuckle ride - I recommend a few beer first.

Link Sites with more details:

Return to My Home Page

Updated 1st May 2003 © Brian Tucker 2003