Spirit of the Outback - service alterations

[ozbob]

Spirit of the Outback  service alterations

--> http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Pages/spirit-of-the-outback.aspx

Factsheet from 3 Jan 2015 >  here!

Factsheet from 14 Apr 2015 > here!

[petey3801]

Went for a run on the SOTO this week! Was a fantastic run, but will be a bit better once the first class club car is added back in to the consist.
Flew out to Longreach on Saturday morning and spent Sat arvo doing the Stockmans Hall of Fame and did the Qantas Founders Museum on Sunday (very, VERY well worth the money to do the Platinum tour, which includes the full jet tour of the 747 and 707, well worth it!).
After the SOTO arrived around 1hr45min late in to Longreach on Sunday afternoon (presumably due to heat related speed restrictions), we departed right on time at 10:00 on Monday morning. Only myself, my partner and another gentleman in first class/sleepers, with a few onboard in the sitters departing Longreach. Ended up the three of us were the only ones in First /Sleepers throughout the journey, with another three possibly joining at Emerald not eventuating. Amount of people in the sitters ebbed and flowed, with a total of 22 pax on board departing Gympie.

We were on time/early through to Emerald and Blackwater before I went to bed. Woke up as we departed Rocky around 30' late, with a partial loco change (changed 1720s) at Rocky. Slightly late departing Mary West, ran on greens basically straight through with an early arrival and departure at Caboolture. Managed an awesome run right in to town, even with the dewirement at Bowen Hills and arrived in to Roma Street around 35' early.

Meals were absolutely brilliant on board. I had grilled barra and veges for lunch with apple pie and ice cream for dessert, Rib Fillet steak and apple/rhubarb pie for dessert, all made freshly by the on board chef and a continental breakfast for brekky. Staff on board were very friendly and helpful, with nothing being too hard for them! All round it was a brilliant trip, well worth it and would very much do it again.

[ozbob]

 

[techblitz]

but of a cheapie so i opt for a pie and soft drink...decently priced 
my main method of getting to blackwater for the weekend is now premier motor service bus to rocky then greyhound bus out west.....but only due to that s.o.t.o tuesday/wednesday arr/departure ex brisbane...means im sitting around for 3 days
But if im up for an extended stay...always take the spirit as it is hands downs the best value/cheapest/most convenient way to get to blackwater.....hop on roma st-hop off blackwater.....how simple is it?....avoiding high flight costs to emerald and 5 hour bus connections at rocky.....with the state of the economy and employment in the region etc....we are very lucky to still see it in service......hopefully it can keep going for a long time to come....