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Monday, April 24, 2017

The Ghan; The train

Thank you for all those lovely comments and well wishes on my previous blog post. Last night (Sunday), DH and I arrived home from Darwin after a lovely holiday. I thought that I would write about the train in which we travelled over 2900 kilometres right through the centre of Australia, from south (Adelaide) to north (Darwin).
The train is run by a private company (Great Southern Rail), and everything about their operation, impressed me. From when I got out of the car at the station and DH unloaded the luggage on to the footpath beside me, and then went to park the car, GSR staff were there to help. A staff member loaded the luggage on to a trolley and insisted on wheeling it into the station for me...
 
 
 


The luggage was checked in and I was invited to sit down and have a drink while DH was parking the car...I thought the occasion called for some 'bubbly' but when DH arrived, he preferred coffee.
 
 
There was entertainment too!


 
 
Time went quickly and it wasn't long before we got our boarding call. This Ghan was 1200 metres long and was broken into two parts, on two different platforms, for boarding. Then when all passengers were on board ( as well as the vehicles on the car carriers) , the train parts were joined up and off we set at 12.15 pm. Each carriage had a staff member in charge and this staff member visited every cabin to talk to passengers. We had a late lunch sitting at 2.15, but time went quickly. We had to walk through 3 carriages to get to the lounge car and then the next car was the dining car.
 
 
( there were 100 passengers from Gold Class using the same dining facilities as DH and I. The other 200 passengers had other facilities)
 
 
The restaurant manager liked passengers to wait in the lounge car where she would come and personally take them through to the restaurant car.
 
 
The meals were wonderful! The menu reflected local produce too but there were lots of choices really.
 
 
 
 
 
Here are some photos of our cabin...daytime...
 
 
 
We had our own bathroom; it was small but it was so wonderful not having to share!
 
 
Then while we were at dinner, a little 'magic' happened! Well it was magical to me whose long distance train travel had always been 'sitting up all the way', no sleeper for the young Maria when I did that sort of travel!
 
 
 
We enjoyed looking out the window watching the scenery flash past. DH also caught up on some reading and I found time to knit...of course!
 




We had 3 off train experiences/excursions which I found to be rather wonderful, but I'll write about them in other posts.
 
(DH and I travelled Gold class and all our food, drinks, and quite a few excursion choices were included in our fare. Platinum Class has larger cabins and a double bed whereas we had bunks and of course food, drinks and a selection of off train excursions are included in their fare.There is a Red Class which has just seating and the food,beverages and excursions are not included.
The walk to the dining car could be challenging for some, but a narrow wheelchair is available in each carriage and room service can be organised if necessary. If booking early enough, a cabin in a carriage closer to the dining car could be organised too I'm sure.There are cabins designed for those with mobility/disability issues. )
 
 
 
 


 

10 comments:

Cynthia said...

What a wonderful way to travel. Like the young Maria, I've never had a sleeper room before, and I would love to try it. I think the motion of the train would make for a nice sleep. It was interesting to know that this train is owned privately and obviously making money. Maybe privatizing will bring back train travel. I would be very happy to see that.

Nanette said...

I travelled to Alice Springs Gold class years ago to take up a job there, courtesy of my employer. I did have to share a cabin, but that was ok, as you say, it was luxurious to have a bed and not have to sit up. I always love the glimpses of backyards from the train, so different to the front of people's houses. My most recent train trip was from Kolkata north to West Bengal, and although I had my own bunk, it was a very different experience to yours.....5 people + me in our section, and no doors, only curtains....just as much fun though. Look forward to hearing about the rest of your rail adventures.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Sounds wonderful! Loved seeing your Ghan adventure xx

Nanna Chel said...

Maria, that sounds like a wonderful trip. A colleague of mine went on the Ghan a few years ago and told me about it. I would definitely need a bunk or bed too at my age. LOL!

angela said...

Sounds wonderful.
Getting spoilt is always nice
I look forward to more posts

Chookyblue...... said...

I would love to do this one day...........

margaret said...

sounds like a great trip look forward to reading more about it in your next blog, food looks so tasty. It can`t be much fun going all that way if you do t have a bed/bunk for the night

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I have always wanted to go on a train trip. I'm pretty sure we don't have anything in my area such as the trip you took.
xx, CArol

Sue (this n that) said...

You're a fabulous holiday narrator Maria, thank you! I'd have had that bubbly to start too ;D) beaut accomm and so cool to see all the details even down to the menu... the food looks wonderful. Am following with great interest!

Kaisievic said...

Wow! It looks so exciting, Maria. It reminds me of some classic stories like North by North West, Murder on the Orient Express, The woman on the train and the Silver Streak - what fun!