Thanks for this. A few years ago, I did the day train from Sydney to Melbourne. 10 hrs 50 mins. Obviously a long time on a train but I had a window seat and enjoyed it. Not expensive - $72 as I remember. Was tickled that the buffet offered a "Devonshire tea" around 11 00. It was indeed a cream tea with hot scones. Hope to do it again one day.
Here's the timetable
https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/93-621-Southern-NSW-20190907.pdfFascinating. In another era I spent a few winter days in Adelaide, in the process visiting the Belair National Park - by train, the station being at the edge of Adelaide's suburban network. Forthcoming travels involved various ticket transactions both local and long distance as one of us was headed for the 'Ghan' at least one of the tickets had been booked and needed collecting. I recall a conversation at the ticket counter which involved the ticket person raising an eyebrow at our almost straightforward request, looking at paperwork, and responding, not unkindly, 'Well, since you're a pom we've *probably* f**ked it up'.
Then, alone, a day marked by cold and occasional torrential rain, but an enjoyable explore of the national park - the line that carries the suburban trains has more distant ambitions as it's also the route to far-away Melbourne, winding away across and eventually through the hills to the south east of Adelaide.
I walked as far as one of the tunnels, damp in the hills among the leaf-drooping eucalyptus. Returning to Belair station, which is thoroughly heritage, the trip back to Adelaide gave the opportunity to check out the various points at which the first iteration of the line had been improved by the easing of curves, new bridges and at one point I seem to recall a tunnel abandoned by the railway.
At that time there was no through service to Melbourne, so when the time came to make the journey it was on to a coach for the first half of the trip to a small town called Dimboola, then at the outer reach of services from Melbourne, and basking in crisp cool winter sunlight. Ample time for the connection, so I walked up to Dimboola's main street as I needed a bank. While at the counter, a resident came in and slapped down a sheep's hide as though going to deposit it, which felt far too stereotypical for words.
Back to the station, onto the train, and the journey to Melbourne continued, though not without incident as miscreants from Ballarat lobbed a brick at one of the carriage windows, breaking it. A quick inspection from the train crew, and on we went. On arrival at Melbourne, a team was waiting on the platform with a replacement window, so it can be said that Spencer Street Station people are well prepared for such happenings.
Mark
