Indian Pacific

The Indian Pacific is a long-distance train in Australia, linking Perth with Sydney. The scheduled travel time for the 4352 km long route is around 65 hours.

History

The first connection was possible, in 1917 the Transaustralische Railway was opened. At that time, but the track has not been consistently traveled with a train, as they consisted of technically not compatible with each other Sections:

  • Perth - Kalgoorlie, Western Australian Railways, Cape gauge ( 1067 mm)
  • Kalgoorlie - Port Augusta, Commonwealth Railways / Transaustralische Railway, standard gauge ( 1435 mm)
  • Port Augusta - Terowie, South Australian Railways, Cape gauge. 1937, this compound was replaced by a standard gauge route to Port Pirie. This saved the passengers a Umsteigevorgang.
  • Terowie (from 1937: Port Pirie ) - Adelaide - Melbourne - Albany (with changes), South Australian Railways and Victoria rail, 1600 mm broad gauge
  • Albany - Sydney, New South Wales Railway, standard gauge

In the section that the Transaustralische Railway sailed, provided the Commonwealth Railways to the Trans - Australian. The route has been shortened more than once, was run from 1937 through Broken Hill. For further details see: here

It was not until 1969, the entire connection between Perth and Sydney was umgespurt to standard gauge, a through train service was possible, and the Indian Pacific furnished. The first Indian Pacific leaving Sydney on 23 February 1970 and reached Perth on 27 February 1970.

Current operation

The train is now operated by the railway company Great Southern Railway. He needs for 1693 km from Sydney to Adelaide around 24 hours. There he makes head and then moves the 2659 km from Adelaide to Perth in about 41 hours. In between, there are countries with several breakpoints. The train serves almost exclusively tourists today. He also supplied after the Tea and Sugar Train has been set, the isolated railway personnel and towns along the route of the Trans Australian Railway with the fast moving consumer goods and mail.

The train has two locomotives, is 403 m long ( as a " double move ": 687 m) and weighs - without the locomotives - 747 tons ( as " double move ": 1326 tons). Most trains are called " double moves" down. The Indian Pacific is usually formed from the following cars:

Luxury

  • A coach of the " Platinum " class, with compartments twice the size, arranged side by side twin beds and superior service
  • In addition, a number of saloon cars are available that can be privately rented and attached to regular trains.

First Class

  • Five sleeper class " Gold Service " ( " double move ": eleven). There are those with Einbettabteilen which are arranged on both sides of the aisle, and sleeper with double compartments, the transverse to the direction of the vehicle are located on a side corridor
  • A dining car ( " double move ": two ) (the " Gold Service " includes meals )
  • A saloon car ( " double move ": two)

Second class

  • A coach class " Red Kangaroo ", high capacity wagon with seats
  • A sleeper of the class " Red Kangaroo " with small compartments disposed on either side of a center aisle and can accommodate up to two people.
  • A buffet car of the class "Red Kangaroo "

Service

  • A generator car ( " double move ": two)
  • A van
  • A sleeping cars for personnel ( " double move ": two)
  • If needed, the train operates car carriers on which cars and motorcycles can be taken.

The fares are (converted ) at about 300 euros for the class "Red Kangaroo " and at 1,000 euros for "Gold Service".

Trans-Australian Railway Port Augusta, South Australia Albany, Western Australia Trans-Australian Broken Hill, New South Wales Northam (Western Australia) Merredin, Western Australia Southern Cross (Western Australia) Rawlinna, Western Australia Cook (South Australia) Tarcoola, South Australia Central Darling Shire Lachlan River Parkes Shire Orange (New South Wales) Bathurst (New South Wales) Lithgow (New South Wales) City of Penrith Great Southern Rail (Australia) Passenger car (rail)
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