Travelling the Ghan

[justinc]

Can anyone here share any experiences travelling from Adelaide to Alice on the Ghan?

Thanks,

JC:)

[p38arover]

We've travelled it (and the Indian Pacific) a few times in the past 5 years. Being a railway employee, I only paid 30% of the full fare when travelling Gold Kangaroo.

What do you want to know, Justin?

[justinc]

Hi Ron, hope you are well:).

The better half and I were considering a trip from Adelaide to Alice with the 110, and then back home on the road via all sorts of interesting places, may even spend a few days around the Alice etc first, then slowly south. We would like to be away 2 weeks in Sept '12.
Mainly need to know if those who have travelled enjoyed the trip/ surroundings/ atmosphere etc. Wishing it was steam though, but being this will be one of my very few ever train journeys I am just after some 'tales' of this particular route.

Thanks:)(Any chance of borrowing your old employee card....the Platinum class cabins look good:o)

JC

[p38arover]

We did one trip without the car to Darwin and flew back. The second trip was to Katherine with the Disco. We then drove to Derby to leave the Disco there with our daughter. (We met up with BigJon for few minutes in Alice).

The first class section is filled with old farts as they are the only one who can afford it (We thought they were old and you know how old I am!).

The food and service is excellent.

Get a cabin in the centre of the carriage if you can. If you are in a cabin at either end of the car, then you will be thrown around as you try to sleep. The track is quite rough (sideways motion).

Can I ring you - it's much easier on the phone? I've got a VoIP phone so it costs very little.

[big guy]

Done it twice and as said, cabin is only way to go.
Food is quite good, drinks are cold and people are wicked, well the once I met anyhow.
One guy who has travelled on almost every railway in the world-Retired petro chemical engineer. Wow, two ladies who worked on the aerodynamics for formula 1 cars and a wine maker from france who was the funniest bloke I ever met. Lots of others too but none that stood out.

Only problem was that if you have ever travelled on german/english,french rails than you may well be dissappointed because at times the train is so slow, you can actually probably walk faster and the tracks are not very smooth but just for the journey and experience, I am glad I did it.

[justinc]

We did one trip without the car to Darwin and flew back. The second trip was to Katherine with the Disco. We then drove to Derby to leave the Disco there with our daughter. (We met up with BigJon for few minutes in Alice).

The first class section is filled with old farts as they are the only one who can afford it (We thought they were old and you know how old I am!).

The food and service is excellent.

Get a cabin in the centre of the carriage if you can. If you are in a cabin at either end of the car, then you will be thrown around as you try to sleep. The track is quite rough (sideways motion).

Can I ring you - it's much easier on the phone? I've got a VoIP phone so it costs very little.

Just PM'd my number Ron, ring away:D

JC

[dullbird]

Me Ian and phil were all talking about this yesterday as me and Ian really want to do it, but currently cant justify the price:(

[Narangga]

Only been Alice to Adelaide in sitting up so can't really help.

That was in 1999 with the boys as children which was interesting. If just the two of you then go for a cabin.

[jerryd]

It's definitely on my "Things To Do" list, but I'm not sure what year :D I recently sent for their booklet and purchased a dvd about "The Ghan" which is quite interesting.
Need to sell up and downsize the house first to pay for the trip :angel:

[Tombie]

The 110 won't be able to go!
Too tall..
Looked into trains and none of our 4wds can ride the rail due to height.

[p38arover]

The 110 won't be able to go!
Too tall..
Looked into trains and none of our 4wds can ride the rail due to height.

I saw a 110 being checked in Adelaide when we loaded the Disco (or was it the Forester). They let some air out of the tyres so it would pass under the bar.

[Narangga]

Only been Alice to Adelaide in sitting up so can't really help.

That was in 1999 with the boys as children which was interesting. If just the two of you then go for a cabin.


The 110 won't be able to go!
Too tall..
Looked into trains and none of our 4wds can ride the rail due to height.

We had a 75 series Troopcarrier running 31x10R15's that went on the train in 1999.

Don't know if they've changed the requirements since then.

[miky]

2m maximum height.
This may help. (http://www.gsr.com.au/site/the_ghan/taking_your_car.jsp)

[weeds]

so the ad's during the tennis are working....

[Tombie]

2m maximum height.
This may help. (http://www.gsr.com.au/site/the_ghan/taking_your_car.jsp)

Thanks mate..

Yeah, a dead stock Landy might fit...

But a lifted Defender wont and my lifted Disco 2 wont either.



Note: Rates for unaccompanied vehicles available on request. As of 1 April 2009 unaccompanied Motorail cannot be booked from one train to the other. Unaccompanied Motorail can only be booked on the same train on an entire journey with no stopovers.
Maximum width 2.2m.
Maximum height Sydney – Adelaide/ Melbourne – Adelaide 1.57m;
Adelaide – Darwin 2.00m.
Roof racks, wind deflectors, louvers etc must be removed before loading.
The length of any towbar should be included. Caravans, including pop tops and boats are not able to be conveyed by Motorail. Vehicles must be roadworthy at time of loading and capable of being driven onto carrier.

[isuzurover]

Thanks mate..

Yeah, a dead stock Landy might fit...

But a lifted Defender wont and my lifted Disco 2 wont either.

My 110 was shipped Bris-Perth by autotrans - it went almost the whole way on rail. It was ~2100 high when shipped. Of course different train(s).

[strangy]

Drop us a line if you end up coming to the Alice.
My Dad came up last year on The Ghan and loved it.
Though he is a train buff and wishes it was steam also:)


Cheers

[Narangga]

We had a 75 series Troopcarrier running 31x10R15's that went on the train in 1999.

Don't know if they've changed the requirements since then.


2m maximum height.
This may help. (http://www.gsr.com.au/site/the_ghan/taking_your_car.jsp)


Thanks mate..

Yeah, a dead stock Landy might fit...

But a lifted Defender wont and my lifted Disco 2 wont either.

Troopy was about 2.1 so wouldn't be allowed on now. :o :mad: