A Tale Of Two Networks (1)

Long Distance Luxury???

But first, some geography! The States or territories of Australia have a significant amount of self governance, somewhat like the "nations" of the UK. The slight anomaly is ACT ...

... totally surrounded by New South Wales.

Most of the population of Queensland lives on or near the coast.

Brisbane, the state capital, is big and fght at the sou.thern border ..

... whereas the northernmost big city is Cairns ...

... at the eastern base of the triangular sticky-up bit. Distances are huge. From Brisbane to Cairns is 1250 miles. That is TWICE the straight line distance between Lands End and John'o'Groats.

You could almost fit FOUR mainland Britain's into Queensland - Hmmm - perhaps nearer three and a half,

Off the coast of Queensland you will find the Great Barrier Reef ...

... in desperate need of greater protection from the warming sea and dying coral.

The two Q R "networks" are, therefore, the "local' rail system centred on Brisbane and the longer distance passenger trains elsewhere.

Here we see the busiest section of the interurban routes  ...

... between Brizzy and Rockhampton, where sat the gorgeous chocolate coloured Beyer-Garratt in yesterday's  blog.

Note the blue line on the nap.

From the capital, the brown line to the west ...

... carries the appropriately named 'Westlander' train ...

... which runs for a modest 460 miles. It takes 17 hours!

From Rockhampton we might take 'The Spirit of the Outback' ...

... an 823 mile jaunt bit that includesb through running from Brisbane. This short jaunt will take you just 26 hours.

From Townsville we have the Inlander ...

.... chugging along for 607 miles ...

.... but taking 21 hours to do the trip. This is how one YouTubet describes the experience.

Hmmm??

Don't  expect Poirot style luxury on any of these.

But the daddy if them all is 'The Spirit of Queensland' at 1045 mikes and a high speed  (?) 25 hours ...

... which we will experience in more detail tomorrow.

But, dear reader, do not go away with the idea that these are anything like the UKs intercity routes, e.g. every 20 min to Manchester, even 30 to York etc.

Here is the Tilt Train schedule north from Brizzy.

P

And the Westlander from the capital.

Then the Spirit of the Outback from Brisbane via Rockhampton.

The Inlander from Townsville.

As far as fbb can discern, the most you get in the way if passenger comforts is a Buflet car and, possibly, reclining seats in First Class.

You have to be a brave and determined rail passenger to cope with a full length trip. And possibly take a well -stocked picnic hamper?

CORRECTION : fbb has just fund a picture of the dining car on 'Thei Spirit of the Outback'. The car is called "The Tuckerbox" but the meal looks a little better than outlined in Waltzing Matilda.

The "Outback" tra7in also has sleeping cars.

Best check before you go!

Is it any better on 'The Spirit of Queensland'?

  Next 'Two Networks' blog : Tues 3rd March