A gallop on The Ghan

[Melburnian1]

One disadvantage can be that they allocate off-train tours that convey limited numbers on a chronological basis based on when one booked, though from memory Platinum class travellers have first pick.

By the way, the railway term in Oz for your sleeping berth is a 'roomette'. Twinettes (for two: upper and lower berths in 'Gold' as Journey Beyond calls it) are typically transverse whereas roomette cars have longitudinal berths. 'Platinum' class is different, and naturally, more spacious.

 

[henleybeach]

The chariot.

View attachment 279328

Ahhh the memories!
Spent many hours inside NR74!

 

[JohnM]

Ahhh the memories!
Spent many hours inside NR74!

Onya, mate!

 

[Melburnian1]

Onya, mate!

JohnM, sometimes on Journey Beyond long distance trains, lounge car(s) with included alcohol don't seem to attract many in between or after meals.

Maybe this reflects the typical demographic of older than me at 70-75+, and so 'early to bed' and sitting in one's compartment is favoured.

May I please request that you more than make up for this lack of interest by others, and report the good and bad of beverages on offer? There are also snacks available from the barman.

 

[JohnM]

JohnM, sometimes on Journey Beyond long distance trains, lounge car(s) with included alcohol don't seem to attract many in between or after meals.

Maybe this reflects the typical demographic of older than me at 70-75+, and so 'early to bed' and sitting in one's compartment is favoured.

May I please request that you more than make up for this lack of interest by others, and report the good and bad of beverages on offer? There are also snacks available from the barman.

There has been plenty of activity in the lounge car before meals. I was in the last sitting for dinner last night at 8pm. The lounge was fairly empty when we came out but several of us kicked on for a while. I think it was approaching 1030pm when the last of us bailed. I got the impression that the bar doesn’t have a specific close time but it is generally about 1030 by natural attrition.

I posted a pic of the bevy list earlier. Wines are generally pretty good IMO; can’t comment on beers or spirits as they aren’t my thing. Bar snacks last night were chips and pretzels.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I want to see a picture of you IN BED - I just cant figure out how you fit - the room looks too small !

 

[Melburnian1]

.I got the impression that the bar doesn’t have a specific close time but it is generally about 1030 by natural attrition.

I believe that's correct, as barmen have previously said to me 'we can stay open longer if you wish'. I don't know if eventually they call stumps at say midnight as they need to sleep.

 

[Melburnian1]

I want to see a picture of you IN BED - I just cant figure out how you fit - the room looks too small !

While roomettes (for solo passengers) are 'cosy', berths on trains worthwhile are more comfortable and spacious than airline business class beds, and lack the annoying joins in the latter (given not all airlines provide mattress toppers).

Each to their own, but I find it easy to sleep on trains but sometimes challenging on aircraft, as too many lights and activity with crew and passengers walking up and down in the latter.

 

[JohnM]

I want to see a picture of you IN BED - I just cant figure out how you fit - the room looks too small !

On my to-do list tonight.

 

[TheRealTMA]

On my to-do list tonight.

Make sure you post it after dark! After the kiddies have gone to bed!

 

[JohnM]

It’s not every day a strange woman asks me to send her a picture of me in bed.

 

[TheRealTMA]

It’s not every day a strange woman asks me to send her a picture of me in bed.

I get Russian blond email requests several times a week!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

It’s not every day a strange woman asks me to send her a picture of me in bed.

Hey, I am not strange - and I can get a doctor's certificate to prove it !

 

[Hvr]

I want to see a picture of you IN BED

So do you want the photo now or for 'ron.

 

[JohnM]

Been on outings in and around Alice Springs since our 0900h arrival. Back on board for an hour to freshen up before a BBQ dinner at the old telegraph station, then resuming the journey.

As I came aboard, a Gold twin cabin door was open, so I took a quick pic. Usual arrangement of a transverse settee that converts to a lower bunk, with another above. Twin cabins have an en-suite.



There is a two-train tango going on as both S & N bound are in ASP, so they have to shunt them in and out of the main platform several times. I’m sure @henleybeach, who used to drive them, could elaborate if anyone is curious.

 

[love_the_life]

Been on outings in and around Alice Springs since our 0900h arrival. Back on board for an hour to freshen up before a BBQ dinner at the old telegraph station, then resuming the journey.

As I came aboard, a Gold twin cabin door was open, so I took a quick pic. Usual arrangement of a transverse settee that converts to a lower bunk, with another above. Twin cabins have an en-suite.

View attachment 279400

There is a two-train tango going on as both S & N bound are in ASP, so they have to shunt them in and out of the main platform several times. I’m sure @henleybeach, who used to drive them, could elaborate if anyone is curious.

We have done the Gold twin a few times - quite cosy but having the ensuite makes a big difference (and anyway I always get the lower bunk).

 

[henleybeach]

From the archives

A young Henleybeach In NR75 on the Ghan.
These locomotives were the best built loco in Australia and still remain the blueprint for new locomotives to be built.
It was the biggest single order of locomotives in Australia and I think still is. 120 were built from 1996 to 1998 and 119 are still in service to date, although with new engines, and livery.
The NR class have 4000hp each and the Ghan only requires one loco for horsepower, however two locos are allocated in case one fails. It’s very remote from Tarcoola to Darwin and if the loco fails, there is limited opportunity to “pinch” a loco from freight crossing/passing by.
The


Some of the best views from the front - entering a storm
Sometimes nature hinders the view !

 

[JohnM]

From the archives

A young Henleybeach In NR75 on the Ghan.
These locomotives were the best built loco in Australia and still remain the blueprint for new locomotives to be built.
It was the biggest single order of locomotives in Australia and I think still is. 120 were built from 1996 to 1998 and 119 are still in service to date, although with new engines, and livery.
The NR class have 4000hp each and the Ghan only requires one loco for horsepower, however two locos are allocated in case one fails. It’s very remote from Tarcoola to Darwin and if the loco fails, there is limited opportunity to “pinch” a loco from freight crossing/passing by.
The
View attachment 279420

Some of the best views from the front - entering a storm View attachment 279425
Sometimes nature hinders the view !
View attachment 279426

Thanks for contributing, mate.

I wondered whether the second loco was a spare. Cool.

 

[JohnM]

Right now taking in the excellent band after dinner at The Old Telegraph Station.



Sweet!

 

[RooFlyer]

Only one carriage is Single Gold.

You mean one whole carriage is devoted to Single Gold cabins? How many per shared bathroom/toilet?

Bit disappointing (for me) that they don't have satellite wi-fi, even paid Yes, I know one can get-away-from-it-all but those that want to can turn off