The Only Way To Go.

It appears that private enterprise has it's act together far better than Government operated railways. Although the Indan Pacific was delayed on it's arrival into Sydney, Great Southern Railways (who operate this service plus The Ghan and The Overland) pulled out all stops and had the train fully serviced and re-stocked ready for an "on time" departure from Central railway station at 2:55pm Saturday.
Everything went smoothly with checking the car into the Motor rail receiving yard. Our vehicle is one of only eight accompanying us to Perth on the train.
Upon boarding The Indian Pacific Gail and I were shown to our "Gold Kangaroo" twin berth cabin. Although rather compact it has all the facilities we require for this 3 day/night trip, including private shower and toilet, forward facing day lounge (which is converted to a single bed by our cabin attendant while we are at dinner each evening), plus a second bunk bed above. Two hanging wardrobes, a fold down table and piped music. All in all quite comfortable considering that we will spend a large amount of time in the adjoining Lounge Car. This is beautifully set up with plenty of lounge chairs and lounges plus small round tables, magazines, books, a bar and coffee/tea available. The Dining Car is the next carriage along, also tastefully furnished with full silver service for three meals a day. The beauty of rail travel (in 1st class at least) is the total feeling of relaxation and the ability to be able to move around as you wish and never miss a moment of the ever changing m!
agnificent scenery through the panoramic windows.
The Indian Pacific on this trip has 28 carriages including a crew car, a power car, a double deck motor rail car, 2 dining and 2 lounge cars - all up it is 612 metres long - quite a spectacular sight on bends. It weighs 1,292 tonne all up, with a maximum quoted speed of 115 km/h.
There are two sittings for meals, with each Dining car having a seating capacity of 48 people.

Our first night was quite good once we had sorted out an annoying squeak in the lower bed and adjusted to the slight sideways pitching. An early morning wake-up announcement had everyone up just prior to arrival in Broken Hill at 6:40am local time. An optional whistle stop one hour bus tour of Broken Hill is offered, however Gail and I went for a nice long walk instead as we feel we know the major tourist sights there because of our may previous caravan stops in Broken Hill, particularly the 5 days in October 2005.
All aboard at 8:20am and departure again right on time. As soon as we got under way, the first siting for breakfast was called, to be followed an hour later by the second sitting. This gave us time to relax in our cabin as we took in the vast red earth ad spinifex expanses of far western NSW.
Our next scheduled stop is Adelaide around 3pm local time. We have a 3 hour stop there, optional whistle stop bus tour again available, while the train crew change over and the train is fully serviced in preparation for the remaining 3,500 km crossing to Perth.
Kevin & Gail.
www.alaska-2006.blogspot.com

------------------------------
Sent via PocketMail
Email Anywhere
www.pocketmail.com