Seasons Greetings and a great 2014!

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Media release 20th December 2013



SEQ:  Thanks to all involved with public transport for a great year!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has thanked all bus drivers, train crew, ferry crew, and the many and important support crews and staff for all public transport operators for their great efforts in 2013!

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Public transport runs around the clock, 365 days a year.  Thank you to the many bus drivers, train crew, ferry crew, all operational and the behind the scenes staff that keep the wheels turning through the day and night."

"Staff at TransLink and Department of Transport and Main Roads  have been constructively engaging the community and steering changes. We thank them for their ongoing commitment to public transport, and look forward to further improvements in 2014!"

"2014 will be a very significant year for public transport. Sector 2 rail timetables, bus changes in many regions, commencement of light rail on the Gold Coast.  We are also hopeful for a new fare structure being developed as the previous five year fare path has now finished."

"We don't always see eye to eye with Government or the Opposition on public transport issues. But we appreciate the constructive dialogue and the opportunities to put our point of view, and the support received from the media.  Thank you!"

"On behalf of RAIL Back On Track Members we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a great 2014!"

References:

1. Year 2013 in public transport http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10404.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org



http://backontrack.org/images/cmas/2013s.jpg

[ozbob]

A train for Christmas ..

In 1971 New Zealand Railways re-introduced two 'Ab' class4-6-2 locomotives of the 1920's to haul a vintage tourist train in Southland. Ever since, the 'Kingston Flyer' has attracted over 25,000 passengers each season. The film evokes nostalgia for the colourful 1920's period and sets the mood of the country branchline train

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Ricki-Lee Coulter and Santa on Outback Christmas Train

EARLY on a Friday morning at Watson near the old Maralinga nuclear test site in South Australia, about 100 Aboriginal people who had camped under the stars by the remote railway siding were awaiting the event some had driven up to eight hours to see.

There was little but desert and saltbush, a fleet of battered cars and 4WDs, a couple of dogs, a half-dead tree festooned with tinsel, a solitary tattered lounge chair plonked among the saltbush and an aura of patient expectation.

Watson was one of six stops where the 13th Indian Pacific Outback Christmas Train paused on its yuletide pilgrimage across the continent from Sydney to Perth to entertain and thank the communities that support the rail service throughout the year and to help raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Joining the regular passengers were Santa Claus (Adelaide-based mining equipment sales manager Bill Jones), singer-songwriter and TV presenter Ricki-Lee Coulter and her guitarist Luke O'Dea to help spread Christmas cheer at five free railside concerts singing Christmas carols and some of her favourite hits.

With community concerts and Santa appearances planned for Bathurst, Broken Hill, Watson, Rawlinna and Kalgoorlie, the 4352km rail journey had begun at 3pm in Sydney two days earlier ...

More --> here!

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2013/12/17/1226785/217690-549ab696-61f5-11e3-8bef-f68fbd62ade2.jpg