Nice photos! And I spy a familiar dynamic brake blister on Vline N472... Looking forward for more from Down Under!
If you're interested a lot of my photos are posted on the trains for Australia / NZ at https://trainreview.com/region/australia-nz - But I will keep posting the best ones on TB!!
I'd be interested to know as well? Since Australia and the US lower 48 are about the same size, I wonder how it will compare to an Amtrak cross country time.
Something caught my eye in your story about your trip on the Great Southern. In the dining car photo, up above the windows, there's an illuminated strip with some interesting calligraphy on it - it's exactly the same style as seen on some Canadian Northern (Canadian National predecessor) dinnerware (cups, dishes, saucers, etc.)! A fascinating coincidence... Big Thanks for sharing your photos!
There are actually two transcontinental passenger trains in Australia - the Indian Pacific from east to west (Sydney to Perth) which is 4,352km or about 72 hours with stops and tours. The second, the Ghan runs from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north - 2,979km or about 54 hours (again with stops for tours)... The trains run a little slower than Amtrak, but not much as they're on busy freight lines - what adds to the overall time is the stops they make for off-train touring - for example they take passengers wine tasting in the Barossa Valley, on a boat tour of Natmiluk Gorge, stop for outback BBQ's etc - which drags it out! I'm not sure where the model for the Queen Adelaide Restaurant cars came form - I'm going to do some digging!!!
That is cool. Thank you for the info. I so wish I had the time and extra funds to make both of those journeys.
They're really amazing if you ever get a chance!! I'll try and find some good pics of both quickly and post!
The Great Southern's first journey from Adelaide to Brisbane. This train was 28 cars and is roughly the trains limit for the yard in Brisbane. Journey Beyond's other trains are typically longer. I'm told the longest Ghan consist was 44 cars.