CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | Contact
Some overseas train enthusiasts have discovered that Australia doesn’t really champion the romance of rail in the same way they do elsewhere in the world.
Swiss-Austrian tourists, Jonas Gruber (56) and his wife Lea have travelled on trains right around the world. Their highlights include Japan, Turkey and Sri Lanka.
After landing in Brisbane International, it didn’t take them long to see enough of Queensland’s natural beauty.
The white whale for overseas ‘Trainiacs’ is the iconic passenger service known as The Ghan, that operates between the northern the cities of Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin.
Named after the famous Afghan cameleers that first charted the great Australian interior for the British settlers, The Ghan has become a reliable way for elderly domestic tourists to see the desert. With a tea cart, a dining carriage, and three classes of comfort – The Ghan very much competes with the standards of European and Asian services. If you can afford a ticket.
But first, the Grubers must get south. And as railway enthusiasts, they refuse to travel domestically by an form except for trains. This means they now have a rare insight into the disparity between premium Australian rail travel, and standard Australian rail travel.
At 2:30pm yesterday arvo, it became abundantly clear that the overnight Brisbane to Sydney XPT is no Hogwarts Express.
In fact, with bolt upright seats and hospital lighting until nearly midnight, it can’t even be compared to the Ghan. Especially given the fact that they have to travel by Greyhound coach for the first 5 hours of the trip, because of course Queensland uses a different rail gauge to New South Wales.
Arriving at the otherwise bypassed northern NSW town of Casino at 630pm, the tourists then boarded what is effectively a commuter train for 12 hours.
However, as optimistic rail hobbyists, the Grubers insist that it was the greatest cup of Earl Gray and most delicious packet of Lays Salt and Vinegar chips that they’ve ever had.
“We’ll definitely do this again” says Jonas.
“The screeching sounds of brakes pumping as you arrive at Grafton is surprisingly soothing. I slept very well!”
