Rolling – on the Indian Pacific from inSYDnificant to PERfection

[JohnM]

Correction - I have just figured that the lunch in the Eternity bar/resto at SYD Central is the normal procedure. It would explain the 2h checkin time.

Lunch is done and this would be about normal boarding time.

 

[JohnM]

OK, now aboard and rolling.

The coach trip to Lithgow stopped briefly at Katoomba for a quick comfort and photo stop at the Three Sisters and Echo Point.

While waiting to load at Lithgow I pinned down one of the staff and got the full drum on the SYD end.

The turn-around in SYD is very tight, arriving about noon and departing at 1355h. On top of that, they have to break the train into three sections to fit at Platforms 1-3. This has become more problematic with the recent lengthening of the train to meet demand.

(In contrast, in PER it arrives 1500h Saturday and leaves about 1000h on Sunday and stays as a single unit at East Perth station.)

This has apparently caused most recent trains to be subject to the current experience of slot restriction and bussing to Lithgow. Seemingly the new normal.

If the train had left from Central, it would carry on straight through to Broken Hill. So no stop at Katoomba.

In addition, the Eternity cafe at Central actually went broke during Covid, so it is exclusively used by the IP for the pre-departure lunch.

Previously, they walked people after checkin to a nearby hotel. So I was right about the process of lunching off-train before departure, save for a little detail.

 

[NM]

OK, now aboard and rolling.

The coach trip to Lithgow stopped briefly at Katoomba for a quick comfort and photo stop at the Three Sisters and Echo Point.

While waiting to load at Lithgow I pinned down one of the staff and got the full drum on the SYD end.

The turn-around in SYD is very tight, arriving about noon and departing at 1355h. On top of that, they have to break the train into three sections to fit at Platforms 1-3. This has become more problematic with the recent lengthening of the train to meet demand.

(In contrast, in PER it arrives 1500h Saturday and leaves about 1000h on Sunday and stays as a single unit at East Perth station.)

This has apparently caused most recent trains to be subject to the current experience of slot restriction and bussing to Lithgow. Seemingly the new normal.

If the train had left from Central, it would carry on straight through to Broken Hill. So no stop at Katoomba.

In addition, the Eternity cafe at Central actually went broke during Covid, so it is exclusively used by the IP for the pre-departure lunch.

Previously, they walked people after checkin to a nearby hotel. So I was right about the process of lunching off-train before departure, save for a little detail.

Interesting. Does Lithgow station have a 1km long platform? Or do they split the train acrosss multiple platforms there? Or do they load part of the train, move it along a bit and load some more carriages as many times as needed?

Do you know how many passengers/guests are on the 1km long IP?

 

[JohnM]

Just a reminder of the single cabins.

And, with that, I’ll sign off until after I return home.

 

[JohnM]

Interesting. Does Lithgow station have a 1km long platform? Or do they split the train acrosss multiple platforms there? Or do they load part of the train, move it along a bit and load some more carriages as many times as needed?

Do you know how many passengers/guests are on the 1km long IP?

They step it through in about 4-car increments. I’m in Q which was in the last of 4 increments.

No idea about total number of pax, sorry, Will endeavour to find out and report.

 

[OATEK]

The Indian Pacific can be so long, that very often they cannot manage it within the Sydney yard. So they have to run it into sidings near Clyde (between Parramatta and Strathfield) and split it into sections and move them separately into Central Station. Quite an operation.

 

[Gladstone Tim]

Really enjoying the insights.

 

[JohnM]

Interesting. Does Lithgow station have a 1km long platform? Or do they split the train acrosss multiple platforms there? Or do they load part of the train, move it along a bit and load some more carriages as many times as needed?

Do you know how many passengers/guests are on the 1km long IP?

Pax number is 240.

Just about to arrive at Broken Hill 0700h CDST.

Off-train excursion here, then through to ADL for another excursion this afternoon and evening, including dinner off-train, to re-board at 2100h.

 

[JohnM]

We’re running 1h behind schedule, so normal arrival in Broken Hill would be 0600h. It seems like the excursions here have a duration of about 2h.

 

[UP4014]

I can see the IP on GPS sitting at Broken Hill, looks like you have one opposing movement to cross, Perth to Sydney intermodal which is just about at Crystal Brook about to turn towards Broken Hill. After you depart The Hill a loaded lead/zinc train will follow you out to Port Pirie.

The daylight run to Adelaide is very relaxing, make yourself comfy in the lounge and enjoy the view.

4SA8 is the train number, S for Sydney and A for Adelaide, Locos NR27 and NR59.

NR27 - 4SA8

StoppedLast Updated20/10/2022 08:44:37 Vehicle Description NR Class, "Indian Pacific MkIII" Livery Timetabling Expected to depart Ivanhoe @ 3:09 AM [62 minutes late] Service Description4SA8 - JBR Indian Pacifc

 

[UP4014]

And you're off.....look to the left for the lead train.

 

[JohnM]

Just passed it.

Pea soup fog here is limiting overall visibility to barely 100m.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Those cabins look nice! As much as Frequenty Flying is fun, nothing beats a good overnighter on a train!

Looks very similar to the Sleeperettes on Amtrak, this was a fortnight ago on Washington to Chicago:

 

[UP4014]

Doing 112km/h at the moment approaching Olary.

 

[VPS]

Beautiful day in perfect Adelaide for your wine tasting

 

[JohnM]

It’s been 10/10 low cloud all the way but now 5/10 near Crystal Brook and lifting.

 

[craven morehead]

OK, now aboard and rolling.

The coach trip to Lithgow stopped briefly at Katoomba for a quick comfort and photo stop at the Three Sisters and Echo Point.

While waiting to load at Lithgow I pinned down one of the staff and got the full drum on the SYD end.

The turn-around in SYD is very tight, arriving about noon and departing at 1355h. On top of that, they have to break the train into three sections to fit at Platforms 1-3. This has become more problematic with the recent lengthening of the train to meet demand.

(In contrast, in PER it arrives 1500h Saturday and leaves about 1000h on Sunday and stays as a single unit at East Perth station.)

This has apparently caused most recent trains to be subject to the current experience of slot restriction and bussing to Lithgow. Seemingly the new normal.

If the train had left from Central, it would carry on straight through to Broken Hill. So no stop at Katoomba.

In addition, the Eternity cafe at Central actually went broke during Covid, so it is exclusively used by the IP for the pre-departure lunch.

Previously, they walked people after checkin to a nearby hotel. So I was right about the process of lunching off-train before departure, save for a little detail.




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1981 was the last time I viewed the 3 Sisters from that lookout

 

[craven morehead]

Just a reminder of the single cabins.

And, with that, I’ll sign off until after I return home.

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Any requests yet for Pyjama shots?

 

[JohnM]

Any requests yet for Pyjama shots?

The Stalker has gone quiet this time round…

Errr… what is this ‘pyjamas’ thing?

 

[UP4014]

Coming up on Two Wells at 30 km/h, you'll have the SCT intermodal yard on the left in about 15km and next door after that Edinburgh RAAF.