Is the whistling kite the only bird sound that can be heard from the train?

I couldn’t hear any bird sounds from inside the train. It’s a rattly thing.

buffy said:

I couldn’t hear any bird sounds from inside the train. It’s a rattly thing.

That it is.

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

I couldn’t hear any bird sounds from inside the train. It’s a rattly thing.

That it is.

I don’t remember and bird sounds on the Sydney to Broken Hill leg of the journey. So the whistling kite may be it.

Having a peep at this now, on Viceland.

Bubblecar said:

Having a peep at this now, on Viceland.

That is a flaaaat landscape.

Now in the Nullarbor and it’s living up to its name in terms of absence of trees, but looking surprisingly green. Last time I ventured into eastern SA it was all red sand and stone.

They must be using silent helicopters as well.

Woodie said:

They must be using silent helicopters as well.

Yes, you get the distant sound of the train. Clever mixing or somesuch.

This is what most of Australia is like, folks. It’s a huge, flat, endless desert.

Bubblecar said:

Bubblecar said:

Having a peep at this now, on Viceland.

That is a flaaaat landscape.

It is all the same out north of here or west of here.

I spy with my little eye, something beginning with nothing.

I think when I read about the TV version that the cameras are mounted on the outside of the train. Which is why I commented earlier about not being able to hear what is going on outside above the clickety clack when you are inside. Are there aerial shots too?

buffy said:

I think when I read about the TV version that the cameras are mounted on the outside of the train. Which is why I commented earlier about not being able to hear what is going on outside above the clickety clack when you are inside. Are there aerial shots too?

Yes. occasional helicopter views.

roughbarked said:

Bubblecar said:

Bubblecar said:

Having a peep at this now, on Viceland.

That is a flaaaat landscape.

It is all the same out north of here or west of here.

Yep. You are on the edge of deep space.

Bubblecar said:

I spy with my little eye, something beginning with nothing.

But also, when you are on the train, you can alleviate the nothing by sitting in the lounge car with the overseas tourists. Who get insanely excited when there is a camel. Or and emu. Or a kangaroo out there. OK, camels are not usual for us, but the others are.

should come to WA, here even the hilly bits are flat.

Bubblecar said:

Woodie said:

They must be using silent helicopters as well.

Yes, you get the distant sound of the train. Clever mixing or somesuch.

The whistling kite replaces the helicopter.

Bubblecar said:

This is what most of Australia is like, folks. It’s a huge, flat, endless desert.

Shock horror. Is it really?

JudgeMental said:

should come to WA, here even the hilly bits are flat.

That’s why they pretend by calling everything Somethingup.

Peak Warming Man said:

JudgeMental said:

should come to WA, here even the hilly bits are flat.

That’s why they pretend by calling everything Somethingup.

The up suffix means a place where water is.

Peak Warming Man said:

JudgeMental said:

should come to WA, here even the hilly bits are flat.

That’s why they pretend by calling everything Somethingup.

the only way is up…

roughbarked said:

Peak Warming Man said:

JudgeMental said:

should come to WA, here even the hilly bits are flat.

That’s why they pretend by calling everything Somethingup.

The up suffix means a place where water is.

nah, just means “place of”.

Trees appearing now.

Bubblecar said:

Trees appearing now.

Ents, just act naturally but stay vigilant.

If I were ad person I’d put them in this show.
People will be hanging out for the next ad.

Trees gone again.

Peak Warming Man said:

If I were ad person I’d put them in this show.
People will be hanging out for the next ad.

They put ads in at night time last week. Not much to see in the dark, so they put some ads on instead.

Now they’re back.

Bubblecar said:

Bubblecar said:

Having a peep at this now, on Viceland.

That is a flaaaat landscape.

Heh… Errrmmmm… Are you doing a joke?

JudgeMental said:

roughbarked said:

Peak Warming Man said:

That’s why they pretend by calling everything Somethingup.

The up suffix means a place where water is.

nah, just means “place of”.

well sometimes it may be of water? ;)

Damn, they’re speeding through the 700km of night footage. I wanted the night footage.

Bubblecar said:

Trees appearing now.

Once my mother was on a bus tour and one of the other ladies said, “there are lots of trees. Don’t know why they say we have cut them all down”. Mum looked at er and said, “We are in a forest that hasn’t been cut down. There is ample space with no trees at all”.

Peak Warming Man said:

Bubblecar said:

Trees appearing now.

Ents, just act naturally but stay vigilant.

Some call me treebeard.

Rule 303 said:

Bubblecar said:

Bubblecar said:

Having a peep at this now, on Viceland.

That is a flaaaat landscape.

Heh… Errrmmmm… Are you doing a joke?

I laughed. Hope you did.

There was the Expurgated IP trip.. 1 hr?.. the other night. I tuned in late and caught about 20 mins which was more than enough for me.

Bubblecar said:

Damn, they’re speeding through the 700km of night footage. I wanted the night footage.

THey don’t want you to count how many owls they splatter.

Rule 303 said:

Bubblecar said:

Bubblecar said:

Having a peep at this now, on Viceland.

That is a flaaaat landscape.

Heh… Errrmmmm… Are you doing a joke?

No, I was struck by the contrast, having watched a few hours of Norwegian railway footage prior to turning this on.

I have done a road trip down that way (as a passenger) so was well aware of how flat and featureless it is, but it’s still very striking when you watch it on footage like this.

Ian said:

There was the Expurgated IP trip.. 1 hr?.. the other night. I tuned in late and caught about 20 mins which was more than enough for me.

Linky?

Bubblecar said:

Damn, they’re speeding through the 700km of night footage. I wanted the night footage.

Just record those bits and put it on slo mo.

Peak Warming Man said:

If I were ad person I’d put them in this show.
People will be hanging out for the next ad.

Quick, Mr Man. Quick quick quick or you’ll miss them. Ads are on now.

roughbarked said:

Ian said:

There was the Expurgated IP trip.. 1 hr?.. the other night. I tuned in late and caught about 20 mins which was more than enough for me.

Linky?

SBS TV

Ian said:

There was the Expurgated IP trip.. 1 hr?.. the other night. I tuned in late and caught about 20 mins which was more than enough for me.

3 hour abridged version. Mr Ian. Last Sunday night.

Have to admit they do a good job at making an utterly boring trip slighty interesting..

..for 20 mins

Ian said:

Have to admit they do a good job at making an utterly boring trip slighty interesting..

..for 20 mins

Sounds like Waiting for Godot.

Ian said:

Have to admit they do a good job at making an utterly boring trip slighty interesting..

..for 20 mins

The flat and featureless landscape is an epic in itself. You have to go out there for days on end for its grandeur to seep in.

Bubblecar said:

Ian said:

Have to admit they do a good job at making an utterly boring trip slighty interesting..

..for 20 mins

The flat and featureless landscape is an epic in itself. You have to go out there for days on end for its grandeur to seep in.

I don’t agree and I’ve driven across the Nullarbor. It’s alright to experience once.

I think even under the best of conditions it would be hard to hear a bird from a moving train.

dv said:

I think even under the best of conditions it would be hard to hear a bird from a moving train.

Fun fact, to some people, the whistle on the Indian Pacific sounds like a whistling kite.

Ian said:

Bubblecar said:

Ian said:

Have to admit they do a good job at making an utterly boring trip slighty interesting..

..for 20 mins

The flat and featureless landscape is an epic in itself. You have to go out there for days on end for its grandeur to seep in.

I don’t agree and I’ve driven across the Nullarbor. It’s alright to experience once.

Watching this journey, I must admit it’s easy to sympathise with the astronauts who say that Australia is a bloody boring country to view from space.

Ian said:

Bubblecar said:

Ian said:

Have to admit they do a good job at making an utterly boring trip slighty interesting..

..for 20 mins

The flat and featureless landscape is an epic in itself. You have to go out there for days on end for its grandeur to seep in.

I don’t agree and I’ve driven across the Nullarbor. It’s alright to experience once.

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

dv said:

I think even under the best of conditions it would be hard to hear a bird from a moving train.

On our road trip (in my late teens) we didn’t get far across the Nullarbor. But I remember much of the journey there (from the Adelaide direction) being very red sand with lots of boulders and stones.

This is what they passed through on the 700km night journey which we didn’t get to see in this footage.

Ian said:

Ian said:

Bubblecar said:

The flat and featureless landscape is an epic in itself. You have to go out there for days on end for its grandeur to seep in.

I don’t agree and I’ve driven across the Nullarbor. It’s alright to experience once.

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

I’ve always wanted to go on the Indian Pacific.

When I was a kid, our house was next to the rail line in the Blue Mts and I always saw the I-P heading westwards every Friday afternoon (back then it was Fridays).

Nowadays, I realise I would be terribly bored on the journey. I get motion sickness, so I would be unable to read, play games, write or watch movies.

Arts said:

Ian said:

Ian said:

I don’t agree and I’ve driven across the Nullarbor. It’s alright to experience once.

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

go by train. the coach is terrible. by boat was ok too.

Arts said:

Ian said:

Ian said:

I don’t agree and I’ve driven across the Nullarbor. It’s alright to experience once.

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

I rode a bicycle across it about ten years ago (from Melbourne to Perth.) Took me a couple of weeks (camping every night, occasional stops to look at interesting things.)

Arts said:

Ian said:

Ian said:

I don’t agree and I’ve driven across the Nullarbor. It’s alright to experience once.

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

Can’t any of the sprogs steer a car yet?

btm said:

Arts said:

Ian said:

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

I rode a bicycle across it about ten years ago (from Melbourne to Perth.) Took me a couple of weeks (camping every night, occasional stops to look at interesting things.)

Pfft, overachiever.

btm said:

Arts said:

Ian said:

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

I rode a bicycle across it about ten years ago (from Melbourne to Perth.) Took me a couple of weeks (camping every night, occasional stops to look at interesting things.)

How many km a day?

Bubblecar said:

The flat and featureless landscape is an epic in itself. You have to go out there for days on end for its grandeur to seep in.

I

So much for the so called round earth theory

btm said:

Arts said:

Ian said:

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

I rode a bicycle across it about ten years ago (from Melbourne to Perth.) Took me a couple of weeks (camping every night, occasional stops to look at interesting things.)

Did you not have motorised transport?

JudgeMental said:

Arts said:

Ian said:

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

go by train. the coach is terrible. by boat was ok too.

boat seems to defeat the purpose…

my real concern is that I don’t know enough about how to fix minor car things, and should the car break down past anything more than a flat tyre, I would be screwed.. I don’t much fancy having the kids stuck in the middle of nowhere…

btm said:

Arts said:

Ian said:

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

I rode a bicycle across it about ten years ago (from Melbourne to Perth.) Took me a couple of weeks (camping every night, occasional stops to look at interesting things.)

about ten years ago I was considering the same, but I am too old for those shennanigans now and the kids too young…

Ian said:

Arts said:

Ian said:

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

Can’t any of the sprogs steer a car yet?

not legally

Ian said:

Bubblecar said:

Ian said:

Have to admit they do a good job at making an utterly boring trip slighty interesting..

..for 20 mins

The flat and featureless landscape is an epic in itself. You have to go out there for days on end for its grandeur to seep in.

I don’t agree and I’ve driven across the Nullarbor. It’s alright to experience once.

It can be different every time.

btm said:

I rode a bicycle across it about ten years ago (from Melbourne to Perth.) Took me a couple of weeks (camping every night, occasional stops to look at interesting things.)

Divine Angel said:

Pfft, overachiever.

:P
Witty Rejoinder said:

How many km a day?

Dunno. Probably about 200-250.
Ian said:

Did you not have motorised transport?

No, but I did it to prove to myself that I could. (It wasn’t the destination, it was the journey :)

Arts said:

JudgeMental said:

Arts said:

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

go by train. the coach is terrible. by boat was ok too.

boat seems to defeat the purpose…

my real concern is that I don’t know enough about how to fix minor car things, and should the car break down past anything more than a flat tyre, I would be screwed.. I don’t much fancy having the kids stuck in the middle of nowhere…

the sea is a dessert with the life underwater…

the road is well travelled. help is never far away. BU used to work out there, though that probably doesn’t assuage the fear…

JudgeMental said:

Arts said:

JudgeMental said:

go by train. the coach is terrible. by boat was ok too.

boat seems to defeat the purpose…

my real concern is that I don’t know enough about how to fix minor car things, and should the car break down past anything more than a flat tyre, I would be screwed.. I don’t much fancy having the kids stuck in the middle of nowhere…

the sea is a dessert with the life underwater…

the road is well travelled. help is never far away. BU used to work out there, though that probably doesn’t assuage the fear…

LOL desert not dessert.

btm said:

btm said:

I rode a bicycle across it about ten years ago (from Melbourne to Perth.) Took me a couple of weeks (camping every night, occasional stops to look at interesting things.)

Divine Angel said:

Pfft, overachiever.

:P
Witty Rejoinder said:

How many km a day?

Dunno. Probably about 200-250.
Ian said:

Did you not have motorised transport?

No, but I did it to prove to myself that I could. (It wasn’t the destination, it was the journey :)

Fairy nuff :)

Witty Rejoinder said:

btm said:

Arts said:

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

I rode a bicycle across it about ten years ago (from Melbourne to Perth.) Took me a couple of weeks (camping every night, occasional stops to look at interesting things.)

How many km a day?

Roughly 100 miles per day is average speed. Might depend on time of year.

JudgeMental said:

the road is well travelled. help is never far away.

Yeah but do mobile phones work out there? You’d have to wait for someone to show up and hope they know more about cards than you do.

btm said:

Arts said:

Ian said:

That said, I wouldn’t mind spending some time exploring around Cocklebiddy or Eucla or taking to the air over the Bight.

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

I rode a bicycle across it about ten years ago (from Melbourne to Perth.) Took me a couple of weeks (camping every night, occasional stops to look at interesting things.)

Well done.

:)

JudgeMental said:

Arts said:

JudgeMental said:

go by train. the coach is terrible. by boat was ok too.

boat seems to defeat the purpose…

my real concern is that I don’t know enough about how to fix minor car things, and should the car break down past anything more than a flat tyre, I would be screwed.. I don’t much fancy having the kids stuck in the middle of nowhere…

the sea is a dessert with the life underwater…

the road is well travelled. help is never far away. BU used to work out there, though that probably doesn’t assuage the fear…

There is water under the ocean..

Divine Angel said:

JudgeMental said:

the road is well travelled. help is never far away.

Yeah but do mobile phones work out there? You’d have to wait for someone to show up and hope they know more about cards than you do.

telstra coverage is just about all the way.

Divine Angel said:

JudgeMental said:

the road is well travelled. help is never far away.

Yeah but do mobile phones work out there? You’d have to wait for someone to show up and hope they know more about cards than you do.

Her indoors were travelling accross and a wheel dislodged from the roof of a car up ahead. MiL just drove straight at it mesmerised. It stove the radiator in. The car that lost the wheel then arrived after the wheel and got help sent out.

JudgeMental said:

Divine Angel said:

JudgeMental said:

the road is well travelled. help is never far away.

Yeah but do mobile phones work out there? You’d have to wait for someone to show up and hope they know more about cards than you do.

telstra coverage is just about all the way.

Really? What an age we live in.

JudgeMental said:

the sea is a dessert with the life underwater…

hmmm tasty

Must be in SA now as there are hills with wind farms.

Arts said:

Ian said:

Arts said:

I was thinking of driving the kids across the Nullabor just so they could experience how desperately wide and nothing there is… they would like to finish with a trip to the snow.. so it’s totally possible, though I am thinking that I would instead like to do a train or bus trip, since I don’t really want to drive all that way by myself…

Can’t any of the sprogs steer a car yet?

not legally

No need. Just point the car in the right direction, bolt the steering wheel down, brick on the accelerator, have a nooze and wake up two days later. It’s not as if you’re gunna hit anything. There’s nothing there.

Woodie said:

Arts said:

Ian said:

Can’t any of the sprogs steer a car yet?

not legally

No need. Just point the car in the right direction, bolt the steering wheel down, brick on the accelerator, have a nooze and wake up two days later. It’s not as if you’re gunna hit anything. There’s nothing there.

Far from exact and nowhere near good OH&S.

The Indian Pacific seems to fly along the tracks. Nothing at all similar to the old South West Mail.

The Ghan and the Indian Paicific both have 30 carriages on average and both travel at an average speed of 85 km/hour (reaching maximum speeds of 115km/hour).

It’s bloody hoofin’ it along now.

roughbarked said:

The Indian Pacific seems to fly along the tracks. Nothing at all similar to the old South West Mail.

The Ghan and the Indian Paicific both have 30 carriages on average and both travel at an average speed of 85 km/hour (reaching maximum speeds of 115km/hour).

It doesn’t count as a very fast train, by any standards. The VFT planned for Australia has a speed of 350 km//hr. And if you hadn’t noticed, 350 km/hr is faster than 85 km/hr.

The current Melb-Syd average speed is 92 km/hr and Syd-Bris speed is 73 km/hr.

The definition of “high-speed” for trains is > 250 km/hr on new tracks, and > 200 km/hr on old tracks.

I was working alongside someone in CSIRO who was running route-planning software for the VFT back in the late 1980s.

The “regional fast rail project” in Victoria is operating and runs at 160 km/hr. Nearly twice as fast as the Indian Pacific.

mollwollfumble said:

roughbarked said:

The Indian Pacific seems to fly along the tracks. Nothing at all similar to the old South West Mail.

The Ghan and the Indian Paicific both have 30 carriages on average and both travel at an average speed of 85 km/hour (reaching maximum speeds of 115km/hour).

It doesn’t count as a very fast train, by any standards. The VFT planned for Australia has a speed of 350 km//hr. And if you hadn’t noticed, 350 km/hr is faster than 85 km/hr.

The current Melb-Syd average speed is 92 km/hr and Syd-Bris speed is 73 km/hr.

The definition of “high-speed” for trains is > 250 km/hr on new tracks, and > 200 km/hr on old tracks.

I was working alongside someone in CSIRO who was running route-planning software for the VFT back in the late 1980s.

The “regional fast rail project” in Victoria is operating and runs at 160 km/hr. Nearly twice as fast as the Indian Pacific.

Did anyone suggest very fast of slow TV?

the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

Bogsnorkler said:

the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

Eggsackerly.

Bogsnorkler said:

the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

And just as well. Could have flown Perth – Sydney in less time than this show.

Ian said:

Bogsnorkler said:

the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

And just as well. Could have flown Perth – Sydney in less time than this show.

and back.

OK, I.ve been watching it on viceland for half an hour now.

I’m really enjoying the backing music.
And I’ve never heard a better laughter track.

roughbarked said:

Bogsnorkler said:

the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

Eggsackerly.

No. It’s an absolute lie that tourist trains don’t need to go fast.

mollwollfumble said:

roughbarked said:

Bogsnorkler said:

the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

Eggsackerly.

No. It’s an absolute lie that tourist trains don’t need to go fast.

LOL, your “opinion”.

Bogsnorkler said:

mollwollfumble said:

roughbarked said:

Eggsackerly.

No. It’s an absolute lie that tourist trains don’t need to go fast.

LOL, your “opinion”.

In my whole life, some scores of tourist trains, Australia, Europe, SE Asia, USA, there has only been one that I didn’t want to go faster. That was the train to Flam fiord in Norway, because the scenery was spectacular. See below. The bullet train in Japan is one of the very best tourist trains I have ever travelled.

By the way. The windows of trains in Australia, Indian-Pacific included, are filthy. And Australian trains are invariably extremely noisy, with a noise level that would be illegal in much of Europe and SE Asia. No self-respecting tourist would come to Australia in order to ride a train.

I also noted that the sleepers on parts of the Indian Pacific are wood. Wood rots, causing sagging and unevenness of the track. Not what is wanted on a tourist train.

mollwollfumble said:

Bogsnorkler said:

mollwollfumble said:

No. It’s an absolute lie that tourist trains don’t need to go fast.

LOL, your “opinion”.

In my whole life, some scores of tourist trains, Australia, Europe, SE Asia, USA, there has only been one that I didn’t want to go faster. That was the train to Flam fiord in Norway, because the scenery was spectacular. See below. The bullet train in Japan is one of the very best tourist trains I have ever travelled.

By the way. The windows of trains in Australia, Indian-Pacific included, are filthy. And Australian trains are invariably extremely noisy, with a noise level that would be illegal in much of Europe and SE Asia. No self-respecting tourist would come to Australia in order to ride a train.

I also noted that the sleepers on parts of the Indian Pacific are wood. Wood rots, causing sagging and unevenness of the track. Not what is wanted on a tourist train.

like i said, your “opinion”.

I think the reason people take tourist trains these days is to look at the scenery and to get that ‘old timey’ feel .. necessitating a slower run.. if you want to just get somewhere, you can catch a plane… way faster and cheaper…

Arts said:

I think the reason people take tourist trains these days is to look at the scenery and to get that ‘old timey’ feel .. necessitating a slower run.. if you want to just get somewhere, you can catch a plane… way faster and cheaper…

well yeah. More or less by the definition of tourist train.

Arts said:

I think the reason people take tourist trains these days is to look at the scenery and to get that ‘old timey’ feel .. necessitating a slower run.. if you want to just get somewhere, you can catch a plane… way faster and cheaper…

It has been this way for about 50 years now.

dv said:

Arts said:

I think the reason people take tourist trains these days is to look at the scenery and to get that ‘old timey’ feel .. necessitating a slower run.. if you want to just get somewhere, you can catch a plane… way faster and cheaper…

well yeah. More or less by the definition of tourist train.

why is this not obvious to everyone?

Arts said:

dv said:

Arts said:

I think the reason people take tourist trains these days is to look at the scenery and to get that ‘old timey’ feel .. necessitating a slower run.. if you want to just get somewhere, you can catch a plane… way faster and cheaper…

well yeah. More or less by the definition of tourist train.

why is this not obvious to everyone?

I’m not a psychologist.

Arts said:

dv said:

Arts said:

I think the reason people take tourist trains these days is to look at the scenery and to get that ‘old timey’ feel .. necessitating a slower run.. if you want to just get somewhere, you can catch a plane… way faster and cheaper…

well yeah. More or less by the definition of tourist train.

why is this not obvious to everyone?

Seems sensible. There are people who go on different rain journeys all over the world.

Which having read that and before posting realised that is a very ambiguous comment.

Arts said:

dv said:

Arts said:

I think the reason people take tourist trains these days is to look at the scenery and to get that ‘old timey’ feel .. necessitating a slower run.. if you want to just get somewhere, you can catch a plane… way faster and cheaper…

well yeah. More or less by the definition of tourist train.

why is this not obvious to everyone?

From: Bogsnorkler
ID: 1329323
Subject: re: Indian Pacific railway ride.
the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

Not that I am everyone of course.

Bogsnorkler said:

Arts said:

dv said:

well yeah. More or less by the definition of tourist train.

why is this not obvious to everyone?

From: Bogsnorkler
ID: 1329323
Subject: re: Indian Pacific railway ride.
the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

Not that I am everyone of course.

Seems like we’re all on board then. Figuratively.

there seems to be a whiff of agreement in this thread.

dv said:

Bogsnorkler said:

Arts said:

why is this not obvious to everyone?

From: Bogsnorkler
ID: 1329323
Subject: re: Indian Pacific railway ride.
the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

Not that I am everyone of course.

Seems like we’re all on board then. Figuratively.

all bound for mornington, many miles away. see you soon Rule.

dv said:

Bogsnorkler said:

Arts said:

why is this not obvious to everyone?

From: Bogsnorkler
ID: 1329323
Subject: re: Indian Pacific railway ride.
the thing with the IP and Ghan is that they aren’t really an alternative to air transport. they are more a tourist train. no need to go fast.

Not that I am everyone of course.

Seems like we’re all on board then. Figuratively.

To be fair to mollwoll, they do go pretty fast compared with walking, or even a bicycle.

party_pants said:

there seems to be a whiff of agreement in this thread.

That’s easily fixed.

Peak Warming Man said:

party_pants said:

there seems to be a whiff of agreement in this thread.

That’s easily fixed.

I call bullshit

> To be fair to mollwoll, they do go pretty fast compared with walking, or even a bicycle.

Not always.

Next on SBS’s Slow Summer – The Kimberley to Darwin by Saltwater Crocodile

Ian said:

Next on SBS’s Slow Summer – The Kimberley to Darwin by Saltwater Crocodile

Yes. Saw enough of that to be bored by the crossing of calm open water. And enough to see how they reduced the time between sunrise and sunset to about 5 minutes.

I like these programs. I just wish I’d seen the first half of the cruise rather than the second. We ought to export them to overseas, it might create a new craze. Documentaries are usually better, rather than worse, without a backing music track.

As for the speed of tourist trains. Name one (OK, two) trains that you’ve been in that you wished travelled more slowly.

As for the Indian-Pacific, hardly slept at all during the night and whole family was very grumpy the next day. It’s said about Mount Fuji, that whoever climbs Mt Fuji twice is a fool. The same could be said of the Indian-Pacific.

mollwollfumble said:

Ian said:

Next on SBS’s Slow Summer – The Kimberley to Darwin by Saltwater Crocodile

Yes. Saw enough of that to be bored by the crossing of calm open water. And enough to see how they reduced the time between sunrise and sunset to about 5 minutes.

I like these programs. I just wish I’d seen the first half of the cruise rather than the second. We ought to export them to overseas, it might create a new craze. Documentaries are usually better, rather than worse, without a backing music track.

As for the speed of tourist trains. Name one (OK, two) trains that you’ve been in that you wished travelled more slowly.

As for the Indian-Pacific, hardly slept at all during the night and whole family was very grumpy the next day. It’s said about Mount Fuji, that whoever climbs Mt Fuji twice is a fool. The same could be said of the Indian-Pacific.

surely you’d need to do it twice to get home again

Arts said:

mollwollfumble said:

Ian said:

Next on SBS’s Slow Summer – The Kimberley to Darwin by Saltwater Crocodile

Yes. Saw enough of that to be bored by the crossing of calm open water. And enough to see how they reduced the time between sunrise and sunset to about 5 minutes.

I like these programs. I just wish I’d seen the first half of the cruise rather than the second. We ought to export them to overseas, it might create a new craze. Documentaries are usually better, rather than worse, without a backing music track.

As for the speed of tourist trains. Name one (OK, two) trains that you’ve been in that you wished travelled more slowly.

As for the Indian-Pacific, hardly slept at all during the night and whole family was very grumpy the next day. It’s said about Mount Fuji, that whoever climbs Mt Fuji twice is a fool. The same could be said of the Indian-Pacific.

surely you’d need to do it twice to get home again

A friend of mine booked a return trip- Adelaide to Perth by bus.

First thing she did when she got to Perth was to cancel the return bus trip and book a return flight (she quite enjoyed Perth, though).

Neophyte said:

Arts said:

mollwollfumble said:

Yes. Saw enough of that to be bored by the crossing of calm open water. And enough to see how they reduced the time between sunrise and sunset to about 5 minutes.

I like these programs. I just wish I’d seen the first half of the cruise rather than the second. We ought to export them to overseas, it might create a new craze. Documentaries are usually better, rather than worse, without a backing music track.

As for the speed of tourist trains. Name one (OK, two) trains that you’ve been in that you wished travelled more slowly.

As for the Indian-Pacific, hardly slept at all during the night and whole family was very grumpy the next day. It’s said about Mount Fuji, that whoever climbs Mt Fuji twice is a fool. The same could be said of the Indian-Pacific.

surely you’d need to do it twice to get home again

A friend of mine booked a return trip- Adelaide to Perth by bus.

First thing she did when she got to Perth was to cancel the return bus trip and book a return flight (she quite enjoyed Perth, though).

yeah the bus trip is awful… cramped, long, not enough stops along the way.. you do feel like sardines in a can… we did it a couple of times as kids, then my mum put her foot down and said that she was never bussing again, so the next couple of Summers the whole family drove.. which was better – for the passengers, my dad didn’t seem to enjoy it as much. I do have vivid memories of laying in the aisle of the bus to stretch out and get some sleep… they probably wouldn’t let you get away with that these days.

Watching the Kimberley cruise, which seems to be on all day today. I started watching it before 7 am.

It prompted a lot of ideas. eg.

• Rougher at the southern end than northern.
• A lot of good natural harbours there.
• What is the longest length of unspoiled tropical coastline in the world? ie coastline with no towns or villages. Derby to Darwin is 1,000 km direct. Darwin to Cairns is 1,600 km direct.
• The cruise could be marketed for Japanese tourists.