Australia trip

[theageofthetra]

To celebrate passing out as a driver I am planning to go to Australia for 3 weeks from 20/-10/10. Whilst there I would like to visit the main preserved lines plus any steam railtours if they are any on. In particular I would like to see the recently overhauled Garrett. As the time I am going is well out of season am I likely to find nothing running? I would prefer to fly into Sydney or Cairns and out of Perth, but can flip order if necessary. Thanks for any advice.

 

[DownSouth]

The Steamranger preserved line outside Adelaide has their schedule up at http://steamrangerheritagerailway.org

The Southern Encounter (first and third Sunday of each month) is their flagship train, running the full length of their 77km line from Mount Barker to Victor Harbor and return. This should be steam-hauled.

They also run the Cockle Train on the shorter segment between Goolwa and Victor Harbor, the oldest railway alignment on mainland Australia. This runs at least three times a day during the school holidays, which in spring this year run from 25 Sep to 12 Oct.

 

[theageofthetra]

Oh that could be a pain if its school holidays does that make it busy everywhere?

 

[DownSouth]

I think it would probably be more of an opportunity than an annoyance, because more of the preserved railways will run on weekdays than they normally do.

I don't know much about preserved railways in the other states, but Steamranger only see a surge in school holidays on the Cockle Train because it's the perfect length for families (30 minutes each way) with their longer trains being no different to normal. Pre-booking for the Southern Encounter is a must all the time, Sunday 4 October will be no different to normal just because of the school holidays.

The National Railway Museum (located at Port Adelaide) sometimes puts on extra events and activities for families during the school holidays, but nothing is shown for the October school holidays other than the Port Festival on the 10th/11th when their heritage diesel railcars will run on the mainline and the museum will have free entry. The NRM is open on most public holidays, so you could do that on Monday 5 October (Labour Day public holiday).


The Overland takes a full day to cover Adelaide-Melbourne and runs twice a week in each direction, Monday/Friday to Melbourne and Tuesday/Saturday to Adelaide. This could be a good one to do from Melbourne to Adelaide on Saturday 3 October, before doing the Southern Encounter on the Sunday, then on the Monday the National Railway Museum and perhaps a trip to the Adelaide Hills (to see 1500 metre long freight trains working hard on a 2.2% grade) before flying on towards Perth after that.

 

[theageofthetra]

Great advice. Thx

 

[Agent_c]

Does Puffing Billy still run on the outskirts of Melbourne?

 

[DownSouth]

I believe so, but Victoria is not my area of expertise

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The Steamranger preserved line outside Adelaide has their schedule up at http://steamrangerheritagerailway.org
The Southern Encounter (first and third Sunday of each month) is their flagship train, running the full length of their 77km line from Mount Barker to Victor Harbor and return. This should be steam-hauled.
They also run the Cockle Train on the shorter segment between Goolwa and Victor Harbor, the oldest railway alignment on mainland Australia. This runs at least three times a day during the school holidays, which in spring this year run from 25 Sep to 12 Oct.

I'd just caution that the Steamranger/Cockle Train operation (and no doubt other lines) can be subject to a steam ban if the fire risk is high.
I visited the line last month, on a weekend without scheduled trains.
But it was the Goolwa Wooden Boat Festival weekend so the line was operating specially - but without steam because of the fire ban.

I also visited Canberra Railway Museum where Garratt 6029 is based, but it was away at a festival weekend.
The museum is quite small but has very friendly and informative staff.
http://canberrarailwaymuseum.org/

 

[Polarbear]

Does Puffing Billy still run on the outskirts of Melbourne?

Oh yes, it's still running. Can't link to a the website at the moment but I think it's a fairly regular service for most of the year.

It's been many years since I last did Puffing Billy but it was probably what got me into railways & trains.

 

[theageofthetra]

I would presume that early spring when I plan to go would be a low bush fire risk time of year?

 

[Groningen]

http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/

 

[ian959]

Hotham Valley Tourist Railway south of Perth operates their Steam Ranger every Sunday and some Wednesdays during September and October.

http://www.hothamvalleyrailway.com.au/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
There is also the Pichi Richi Railway in Quorn, South Australia to be considered.

http://www.pichirichirailway.org.au/index.php


If you decide on the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway in Perth, I can probably give you a lift down there as it is not the easiest place to get to without a car

 

[Mojo]

Have you considered one of the major long distance trains across the Country? There's the Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide, and also the Indian Pacific from Perth to Adelaide and on to Sydney. There's also a few other trains but primarily designed as a mode of transport rather than a "land cruise" experience. It also helps cut down the length of the flight! I'm doing the Ghan in the first week of October.

 

[Pakenhamtrain]

The Garrett will be spending this year in NSW.

There's the ARHS Museum at North Williamstown:
http://www.arhsvic.org.au/index.php/museum

As for mainline tours. Steamrail, 707 operations and SRHC run mainline tours in Victoria.

 

[DownSouth]

I would presume that early spring when I plan to go would be a low bush fire risk time of year?

Correct.

The fire season does not start until the middle of November, and even then steam bans only apply on days of Severe fire danger ratings* or where temperatures above 35°C are forecast. You won't have a problem travelling in the middle of spring when a day rated at Very High* would be rare.



* fire danger ratings are Low-Moderate, High, Very High, Severe, Extreme, Catastrophic.

 

[theageofthetra]

Thanks for the tips. I wonder if I could get a Priv/fip fare from Adelaide to Perth?

 

[DownSouth]

Thanks for the tips. I wonder if I could get a Priv/fip fare from Adelaide to Perth?

No. Great Southern Rail is a private business, not a government rail operator.


Last time I checked on it a few years ago, CountryLink in NSW (now NSW Trainlink) and QR TravelTrain were the only government rail operators still offering concessionary rates to international rail industry cardholders. Even then, it was only upon application rather than simply by showing the card.

The Overland (Adelaide-Melbourne) can be had for just $69 one way though, which is not bad for a journey covering almost as much variety of terrain and scenery in one day as the Indian-Pacific does in over three days for the Adelaide-Perth leg.

As in Japan, the USA and some European countries, there is the Ausrail Pass available only to foreign visitors. This may be of value to you depending on which services you want to use, but individual tickets would probably turn out to be better.

 

[Agent_c]

Correct.

The fire season does not start until the middle of November, and even then steam bans only apply on days of Severe fire danger ratings* or where temperatures above 35°C are forecast. You won't have a problem travelling in the middle of spring when a day rated at Very High* would be rare.



* fire danger ratings are Low-Moderate, High, Very High, Severe, Extreme, Catastrophic.

And unlike terrorism warnings, the full spectrum of ratings are used, rather than just sitting on Severe for years on end.

 

[theageofthetra]

As a driver (albeit a very new one!) Am I likely to find a more flexible attitude to a footplate visit at preserved lines in Aus compared to the UK?

 

[Clip]

I was going to suggest the Valley Rattler if you were up in QL but it says it isnt running at the moment due to a derailment so this post doesnt help you at all

But on a sunday in the far north ( I noted you said Cairns) then you could try the sugar cane railway http://qldrailheritage.com/ascr/schedule.htm only on a sunday

 

[Stonesourscotty]

I Had a 42 Degree day in Sydney in November my google weather warnings even kicked in warning of Forest Fires in the Blue Mountains!

 

[LesS]

Firstly, you should have no problems with "fire bans" at the time of your visit. It is possible at those times, but unlikely.

For the Garret, keep looking at the 2 websites quoted in earlier posts. The loco, 6029, lives in Canberra. It spent March at the Rail Transport Museum at Thirlmere. It worked trains up from Canberra; stayed a month; and worked trains back on 28th March. This constituted the first mainline workings since the loco was restored. During its stay at Thirlmere there was a special night for photographers when it was given a ride on the turntable, under floodlights. Having been a volunteer car conductor on several tours with it I can assure you it is in excellent condition and sounds magnificent.

For steam and heritage tours out of Sydney see www.heritageexpress.com.au
This website will also have a link to the RTM website. At this time I only have a tours list until the end of July. Watch the website. Bookings can be made online. If you would like some specific advice please send me a PM.

While in Sydney there are several day trips which can be easily taken using the regular services of Sydney Trains and NSW Trainlink. The routes can be seen on the website www.sydneytrains.info