Spirit of the Outback - SOTO

[SurfRail]

Currently on a northbound trip to Longreach just departing Nambour.

Interestingly my allocated dining mate (there being only 2 people in 1st travelling alone) is Jim Madden MP - we had a good natter over dinner about rail among other things.  Reiterated that we were pretty sanguine about CRR and other things.  (He expressed a fair degree of frustration with DTMR.)

[ozbob]

Jim is a decent bloke I have found.  Enjoy the trip SurfRail!

DTMR is on everyone's nose ...   

[SurfRail]

It has been a decent trip.  Despite QR's many and numerous failings I've always enjoyed the onboard service on long distance trips.  Having said that I'm not in a rush to ride the 2 remaining Lander trains again.

Bit late getting in (a few hours) due to speed restrictions on account of heat.  The crew and my hosts here in town tell me  my train was "early" by summer standards.

Only a one way trip for me by train, I'll be flying back on the winged roo due to lack of Branson-affiliated fares.

[ozbob]

 

I have always enjoyed long distance passenger rail in Queensland since the late 1960s. 

Consider myself very fortunate to have experienced the great days .... dining cars, buffets, convivial chats over an ale or two as we meander past cane-fields or outback expanses ...

Not much left today.  Enjoy what we have we you can ..

[ozbob]

First Class Spirit of the Outback train Brisbane to Longreach review

[ozbob]

A real pleasure taking the Spirit of the Outback to Barcaldine with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Yvette D'Ath MP...

Posted by Mark Bailey MP - Labor for Miller on Saturday, 1 May 2021