When you know Adam is reviewing a train service, you know the video will be top quality with interesting, useful information accompanied by carefully selected, attractive footage to ensure the best digital travel experience for us at home! Very much appreciated!
As a Canberran, I like the train. Takes you right into Central, with more legroom, better toilets, and of course food, than on the bus. If they had power sockets and wifi they'd easily make it more popular.
Further evidence that we need a high speed rail option from Sydney to Melbourne via Canberra! Rail has not been properly integrated into Canberra, so a light rail link from the station to Civic is sorely needed.
We need a train station in Civic NOT a light rail to the current middle of nowhere. So you train from Sydney City to Canberra City directly. Canberra needs a central transport hub, possibly under City hill which could be transformed int the real heart of Canberra. ACT "Planning" having failed with sad, sad Civic.
I used to drive Taxies in Canberra, due to the Federal government you would get a lot of people making day or short trips plus people who live in Sydney and work in Canberra during the week . I would chat with my fares and more of them were using the Railway if their schedule permitted the reasons boiled down to 'It was cheap', 'It was less stressful than flying', 'They arrived rested which you wouldn't do driving' and 'they could get work done on the trip' many of them also liked being able to get up and walk around and you'd arrive in central Sydney. You may be able to drive to Sydney in 3 hours but there is no way your getting into central Sydney parking in three hours plus it will end up costing you as much to park as it does to take they train so it looks like a good deal to me.
Thanks Adam. The background music and history given are super professional. I like the speed ups and slowdowns. Your channel should have more subscribers as it is most enjoyable, in my opinion.
I am enjoying these videos very much. I am a huge fan of television rail journey shows, this is refreshing! Very well presented also. This area is familiar to me, as I have family in the Southern Highlands and have travelled Adelaide/Canberra/Bowral/Sydney by road many times. I love the idea of the train journey! Many years ago, when working as a flight attendant with TAA, pilot industrial action caused two of us to return Sydney to Melbourne on the Southern Aurora, much to the delight of the train crew who found it very funny that we were ‘grounded’! From memory it was a lovely trip!
I can remember catching the steam train to Goulburn from Sydney and then getting another steam train to Crookwell ( which no longer has a station ) it seemed to take forever especially in winter.
Hey Patricia I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
Love it! I travel to Canberra monthly from Sydney and take Murray's. About 3.5 hours and goes via Sydney Airport. Train looks good, but pity it doesn't terminate on the CBD. Top video and thank you!
@@FromtheWindowSeat It may be coming eventually but the priority after the current stage to Woden needs to be to Canberra’s extreme south as the area is open and doesn’t need major roadworks to implement. Specifically from Woden, to Erindale, Tuggeranong, Lanyon (Including an end of the line stop as far as Banks/Gordon). Not implementing that line will cause long term problems as people living that far south are not only driving further using more petrol, but also paying up to $30 or more in parking per day to park their cars in the city. Currently rapid bus services are not being utilised effectively as suburban bus services are not run frequently enough to connect to them, people who can drive save easily an hour or more per day by taking their cars instead of waiting 20-40 minutes between busses in the cold. After connecting the southern line it will likely be City to Belconnen direct, then possibly a direct service Belconnen to Gungahlin. After the major town centres are connected I admit will likely be City to Airport via Russell Offices as the airport and the city do need to be connected. Then there are still three more tram lines that should be prioritised before connecting Kingston. Tuggeranong to Airport via Calwell, Fyshwick. Belconnen to Woden via Denman Prospect and Weston Creek. Belconnen to Gungahlin via Strathnairn and Crace. Finally the Kingston line could connect to Fyshwick, Airport, and into the City/Woden Line. At the rate they are building, I give it about 60-90 years..
such an amazing video. The narration voice is interesting to listen, and the videos is not boring too. I think you do have a good voices as a youtuber. Keep up the hard work mate💪
Even if only 1% of people travel to canberra, the trains still have so many customers! I wasn't able to book a trip recently because it was fully booked😂
I've been watching a few Aussie train travel videos, and I must say production and information wise yours has been the best. Very wonderful job. You have a new subscriber!
I used to live near the Canberra region, so whenever we could afford it, we would go up to Sydney by taking this train and this train wasn’t really that bad, if it had Wifi and charging sockets, it might be more popular. Also, 2:00, I had no idea that they were replacing the regional trains with those ones shown, they look really nice! 😮
Yes, some modern amenities would certainly improve things. Unfortunately the replacement trains are severely delayed so the Xplorers will be running for a while yet. 🤔
That pic of the new Regional fleet is old and the mock train looks nothing like that and high chances the mock train that we have is going to change again.
Wonderful, just enough 'geek' to provide good background to the trip, and good camera work. I XPT'd to Melbourne some years ago, but only in economy, and I was nursing some broken ribs, so it was a less than fabulous trip. Also it was in the middle of a terrible drought and the dead sheep piled up against the fences and grey paddocks was pretty depressing! Your trip was done through some lovely green countryside.
Prime candidate for HST. Millions of trips between Canberra and Sydney per year, most by car and plane over a relatively short 275km. Car takes about 3.5 hrs with time wasted mostly in getting in and out of both cities and parking. particularly at the Sydney end. Planes take about 2.5 to 3 hours with waiting and boarding times plus transfers from airports and often flights to Canberra bumped for other flights. With only minor improvements to the track and a station actually in Civic in Canberra it would be possible to do the trip faster than both car and plane, much cheaper and using far less fossil fuels and pollution. Half a million people live in Canberra and another half a million live along the route, all potential customers. Unfortunately the NSW government is not interested as it does not see the potential, only the current sad state of the track and equipment. So it is replacing the current very old trains with almost identical trains, to repeat the same bad transport experience. Proigress seemingly impossible. We do not need a bullet train, Just a faster more convenient train that beats cars and planes.
I agree with you. They should improve or add a new rail, buy new trains to add services and expand the capacity of single services, and keep the ticket price reasonable. The Chinese/European high speed trains cost too much. The scenary along railway is really beautiful.
HST is useless, the rails can't take freight. HST relies on charging $350 for a one-way ticket to go 600kph from one city to another. Australian railway systems make their money moving freight, coal & grain. HST tracks can't handle containers & coal wagons. We can make the train services faster by upgrading the tracks & duplicating or quadrupiling tracks to allow passing/overtaking & allowing trains to do 160kph between Sydney to Canberra instead of 80kph between Sydney to Canberra. Putting Canberra on Opal Card Network would encourage more train use, rather than booking a seat online.
@@mrbillhilly343 One of the greatest practical options of building a HST in Aus is that unlike how trainline were upgraded by section in Europe, for Australia they would have to construct an entirely new passenger line start to finish which means it is a financially all or nothing approach. On completion there would there be a set of lines dedicated to freight and a set dedicated to passenger transportation. I say that is the greatest practical obstacle because the ideological "there would not be enough demand to make the plan financially viable" is what is thrown around the most. Australia is not interested in people opting for trains over cars. The lack of effective express trains within the Greater Sydney Area is enough proof of that. That it is more time efficient to drive from Wollongong, Campbelltown, Newcastle and Katomba rather than take the train for example.
Nice train trip, I did not know about the trains in Australia and I found them very nice (especially those double-decker units that crossed every so often hahaha). Many greetings from Chile!
I am slowly getting through your videos. I worked right next door to Central Station in the1990's. I thought the train announcer a bit gruff. But a great clip. Thanks Adam
Very nice video! I travel between Sydney and Canberra at least a couple of times a year and I always take the train if I can help it (with air as second option). Much better legroom, easy access to toilet, smoother ride, no congestion to worry about (Traffic accidents between two regional towns usually means hours of being stationary and they unfortunately happen too often). One more hour is totally worth it. The only complaint I have is the tray table is of a funny shape so it's hard to put a laptop or ipad flat, hopefully the new trains will rectify that.
Lovely video Adam. I've done the trip in 1987 while on holidays - my first time in Australia - and took the old Monaro Express from SYD to CBR. Thanks for sharing it .
Hey Maureen I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
In 1994 or 1995 I travelled from Central to Canberra on a faster tilt-train. (Queensland at the same time electrified the line to Rockhampton and introduced tilt-trains) Unfortunately the powers-to-be in NSW decided to stick with the older slower option and as this videos points keep railway passengers at 1% of travellers between Syd and Can. Perhaps the looming climate catastrophe will finally cause a re-think of transport options in Australia.
There is no climate catastrophe Only someone who blindly believes the authorities would think that. Think for yourself. Stop believing everything you get told.
@@jimcrawford5039 I know it was a Tilt train. I was on it in April 1995 as I working with the Navy In Sydney and travelled to Canberra for weekend leave. It was trialled for a few months but the option was not followed up. From memory carriages were on loan from somewhere else and pulled by a NSW engine.
Looking forward to the eventual connection via Light Rail to the CBD - then this could be a real winner to get to Canberra (although getting around without a car or bike is still a challenge).
Hey thanks for the review. Personally, I had a terrible experience - bought the VIP ticket, lesson learnt, get the standard ticket...the VIP cabin was so noisy I had to shield my ears but that didn't work because the chalkboard-like screeching and squeaking with every movement up & down of the suspension penetrated your soul for hours and hours. I asked train staff if I had any other option other than to absorb the endless screeching, they said "this is it". Transport NSW needs to sort that out. The view however was outstanding.
Thanks so much! Yes, the suspension on these units can be grating (I think some sets are worse than others). Thankfully the new regional trains should start to be introduced from 2023, so that should be a big improvement. 🤞
I recently took an Explorer train for the first time, travelling between Canberra and Goulburn as part of a both-ways daytime return trip to Melbourne - a journey that I have to repeat starting tomorrow morning and again in another three weeks. My first impressions were (a) the leisurely speed (at least along that section of track); (b) the constant squeaking of the suspension; and (c) the roar of the airconditioning. My understanding is that each carriage is fitted with two engines (one for traction and one for power generation), and yet the engines were almost inaudible for the suspension and the airconditioning.
Very well captured and explained the entire journey and other small details. Thanks for sharing looking forward to Perth to Sydney travel if there is one via rail line
Thank you so much! Yes, there is a train from Perth to Sydney called the Indian Pacific. Hopefully one day I'll be able to travel on it for the full length. :)
Been living in Sydney for so many many years travelling long distances by cars but never travelled in the train to coulburn or Canberra in trains hope one day I will try travelled on trains much cheaper thanks for sharing awesome 👌
Thank you! Enjoyed your journey. I wasn’t keen on the fisheye view or distracting music. (Not complaining; just my opinion.) I really liked your commentary. You explained it well for anyone who hasn’t made the trip yet. This subscriber used to travel from Sydney to Canberra by steam train 40+ years ago. Then 30 years ago moved to Canberra so would travel to Sydney and return a couple of times a year. Haven’t done the trip in about 20 months now. I usually travelled first class but, when no seats available there, I have travelled second class. Still a comfortable trip. While the high speed rail would be good for business folk going straight through I like the slower pace of a normal train and time to enjoy the scenery and, depending at which time your journey is, a meal or coffee and a snack.
Like the review. I have used XPT quite a few times travelling to Cootamundra & Albury. Mostly day trips. Went Economy for a few. Then changed to 1st Class. No difference. Only more leg room. And no crying babies & kids running up & down the aisle. But no real difference to Economy. Same Interior, seats, food etc. But they definitely need an upgrade. Even though there were a few slow areas (below 80kms) on way down & back. Didn't effect time arrival that much. I suppose it will be the same on my trip to Dubbo in September. Will definitely be different scenery. Can't wait.
Sometimes it’s worth paying the extra just to escape the crying babies and running kids. 🙊 I doubt they’ll upgrade the interiors given the new regional trains are meant to be introduced from 2023. Enjoy your trip to Dubbo!
@@FromtheWindowSeat Will do. Will be good to see some different scenery. Being a old school car person. I play Spotto what's in people's yards or farms. Thats the reason I go 1st Class. Had enough of screaming babies & kids running up the aisle.
That was a really enjoyable TR my friend , rail is a great way to get around any state , combine it with a return flight and it is the perfect journey.
Great video! I have fond memories of taking the train from Sydney to Griffith for a primary school exchange week way back in 1982. Maybe you could do that one? That would be awesome!
The prettiest country is between Goulburn and Canberra, especially in the Lake George region. However, the location of Canberra Station is part of why it is not a popular service. The station is essentially in the middle of nowhere, and a long way from anywhere a visitor might want to go such as art gallery, city center, etc. Canberra has to be the worst designed city on the planet, and the station location is further evidence of how the city is not public transport friendly for visitors. It is a city designed for private cars, and those who use the train are definitely disadvantaged.
Great commentary and extra information about trains and services. I am waiting for the bi-mode CAFs to arrive before making the trip, although even now it makes far more economic sense than flying
Full electrification and line upgrade could cut the 4:10hr journey to 3 hrs. That'll make the route competitive with driving. This is the most cost effective and practical option to increase ridership. The Government lack the vision for a semi high speed/tilting train let alone a true high speed connection. A true high speed rail connection extending the Sydney airport will be better than taking the flight.
It needs to be STAGE 1 of the VFT as per the Leighton’s Study waaaaaay back in 1989. Which was the TGV. 2nd was the German Maglev. Don’t stuff around with even a tilt train! Let’s future proof this route all the way to Brisbane. Also ONE stop up the coast at Coffs Harbour. City style trains can do the Grafton run north and port mac south.
Hey Kim I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
Great video. Professionally done. Looking forward to doing trips in NSW once that becomes a possibility. Greetings from cold, locked down Melbourne. Gary.
Its a good save on Carbon fuels of at least a 100 cars and 4 planes(each way and for each company ) worth of fuel . I dont know we have anything running to Country centres in South Australia ,like they used to but would be a good idea
Looking forward new trains as the old explorer squeal the whole way but still enjoy Food ok and instant coffee surprisingly nice. We ran over tree branch in big winds but all good . Some passengers got out to help haul branch off rail southern highlands.
Hi Adam. Thank you for the video. I'm thinking to go to Camberra by train. I was wondering about it. Now I have a good idea of the journey. God bless you
Viewing this video from Europe my impression was of a charming rail journey. However one fact you never mentioned was how the line becomes downgraded (single track ?) for the final leg to Canberra and that the capital city has that small one platform station. It feels like the capital lies at the end of a branch line ! Yes I realise there are few rail travellers (compared to air and road) but nevertheless I would have though for reasons of prestige the line ought to be double track for the final section.
Hi Alex. Yes, you're quite right - the last section from Goulburn to Canberra is essentially a single-track branch line. Unfortunately it just doesn't have the traffic to warrant duplication. Interestingly, even the main line between Sydney and Melbourne (Australia's two most populated cities) has sections that are single track. Generally speaking, Australians (a bit like Americans) value cars and consequently roads, more than rail - so the rail network is nowhere near as good as it could be. :(
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thanks for the reply. I never realised there would be single track sections on SYD-MEL. To be honest if would be better if the government spent money on upgrading the existing SYD-MEL rail route to a higher standard rather than discuss building a brand new high-speed line. Not only would it cost far less but the time scale would be faster.
Canberra as a city didn’t really get going until the 1950s when the golden age of rail had already finished 30 years before. Canberra is a branch of the Goulburn to Bombala branch. The branch begins at Queanbeyan. The line south from Queanbeyan to Bombala is effectively closed.
@@morganhitchcock Thanks for the comments. Here in the UK the golden age of rail ended in the 1970s ... it wasn't until the mid-1990s that it started to recover and in the following 20 years or so the number of passengers doubled. However ridership drastically declined during our pandemic and it has not yet fully receovered.
I used to do a round trip to Sydney on these services every weekend. The trick is you pay $550 for an unlimited 6 month pass. Make a seat reservation for free, specify what suburban station you want to travel to, and it costs nothing more. Or it’s $420 for 6 months if you don’t mind screaming kids class, err, Economy.
Considering, Each XPLORER carriage can carry 1600 litres of fuel, enough for a 1600km trip. And the distance between Sydney and Melbourne is around 866 Kilometres! may be they could replace the XPT (of season)? As to Sydney to Brisbane is around 988 Kilometres! Of course they would have to refuel!
i love watching Trains around the world , japan has beautiful trains. I find long range trains in Australia very embarrassing compared to Asian trains. 🙈
I think the issue is that Australia doesn’t have the population density to justify the networks of Asia and Europe. But we could certainly do a lot better.
I took the train in Feb this year. Not being one to be able to sit for long periods, I was very feverish. The toilets messy, the food wasn't tasty and very dry. Generally, while it is convenient, I think I'd prefer to drive or fly. Disappointing if you're accustomed to the European version.
Sorry to hear that. Yes, you can’t really compare Australian trains with Europe. A fairer comparison would be the US (sadly), where railways are also mostly about freight. 🤔
Hey Rosanna I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
A lot better than Canberra '68. Whilst serving at RAAF Base Fairbairn in '68, I went on my first leave to Perth for Christmas. At 6 pm we were driven to Yass where we waited until 1 am to catch the train. We had to sit up all night in a compartment that held up to 8 people, arriving in Melbourne at 9 am. We then had to wait until 9 pm that night for the train to Adelaide, arriving at 9 o'clock the next morning sitting up all night again. At least we had individual seats. After that it was luxury, only waiting about 90 minutes for the train to Port Pirie, then immediately boarding the Trans Australian to Kalgoorlie, then the old Prospector to Perth. The entire trip took four and a half days. I was an orderly room clerk and I did point out to my sergeant that it was cheaper to fly from Canberra to Perth. Whilst the plane fare cost more, we would be home in one day and would not be paid any travelling time.
Australian transport is still way behind england and Japan.. Alcohol i just think a separate cart for that would be appropriate.. Good vlog for ppl needng to know what our transport is like .
Hey Lisa I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
The good old Canberra pass - SP3* Crosses just after Golburn via Joppa Junction into UGL/ old John Holland country lol. You probably had a PN garbage train following you after the you left Golburn 122*.
Once a night out at the pubs in Sydney ended in me accidentally getting a Country train to Canberra. Cant understand how I did that as I didnt have a booking or ticket. Just drunk, wanted to get home, my express train home always leaves from the Terminal end of Central, the XPT was there just jumped on. My logic might have been that the XPT would stop at Blacktown and I'd get off. Wrong line lol. Obviously it wasn't fully booked and no one checked tickets luckily or I'd have copped a fine for fare evasion, no matter how unintended. Woke up as the train was going through Queanbeyan, the name of the place didnt ring any bells. But train then pulled into Canberra. Uh oh hahahahaha But the bonus was I just explored Canberra and got the evening train back to Sydney. Was 21 at the time, my parents thought it was hilarious, 15 yrs later I still havent lived that down
When you know Adam is reviewing a train service, you know the video will be top quality with interesting, useful information accompanied by carefully selected, attractive footage to ensure the best digital travel experience for us at home! Very much appreciated!
That is very kind of you to say. Thank you!
As a Canberran, I like the train. Takes you right into Central, with more legroom, better toilets, and of course food, than on the bus. If they had power sockets and wifi they'd easily make it more popular.
Yes, it was a really enjoyable trip. Hopefully the new trains that the NSW Government is buying will have at-seat power and wifi. :)
Who's going to enjoy of the view of the country side
Just drive
@@drpeppaerdrpeppaer5434 bog off
? I was sure you guys were call Canbears.
Further evidence that we need a high speed rail option from Sydney to Melbourne via Canberra! Rail has not been properly integrated into Canberra, so a light rail link from the station to Civic is sorely needed.
Yes, definitely. Sadly, I don’t see it happening.
Right, and it’ll only cost an extra $150-200 AU per ticket.
@@HAL-bo5lr try $500-$1000.
@@carisi2k11 Yeah that should do it.
We need a train station in Civic NOT a light rail to the current middle of nowhere. So you train from Sydney City to Canberra City directly.
Canberra needs a central transport hub, possibly under City hill which could be transformed int the real heart of Canberra. ACT "Planning" having failed with sad, sad Civic.
I used to drive Taxies in Canberra, due to the Federal government you would get a lot of people making day or short trips plus people who live in Sydney and work in Canberra during the week . I would chat with my fares and more of them were using the Railway if their schedule permitted the reasons boiled down to 'It was cheap', 'It was less stressful than flying', 'They arrived rested which you wouldn't do driving' and 'they could get work done on the trip' many of them also liked being able to get up and walk around and you'd arrive in central Sydney.
You may be able to drive to Sydney in 3 hours but there is no way your getting into central Sydney parking in three hours plus it will end up costing you as much to park as it does to take they train so it looks like a good deal to me.
Yes, you make a lot of good points there. 👍
I caught that train down and back from Canberra on Friday it's a pretty good service I also enjoyed the ride and the countryside
Glad to hear it. Cheers!
Thanks Adam. The background music and history given are super professional. I like the speed ups and slowdowns. Your channel should have more subscribers as it is most enjoyable, in my opinion.
Awww - thank you so much! Appreciate that!
I am enjoying these videos very much. I am a huge fan of television rail journey shows, this is refreshing! Very well presented also.
This area is familiar to me, as I have family in the Southern Highlands and have travelled Adelaide/Canberra/Bowral/Sydney by road many times. I love the idea of the train journey!
Many years ago, when working as a flight attendant with TAA, pilot industrial action caused two of us to return Sydney to Melbourne on the Southern Aurora, much to the delight of the train crew who found it very funny that we were ‘grounded’! From memory it was a lovely trip!
That’s so good to hear. Thank you!
Great Video Adam, I Quite love these trains as old & outdated they are.
Thanks so much! Yes, will be interesting to see how their replacements go when introduced. I don’t think most people are very optimistic. 🤔
I can remember catching the steam train to Goulburn from Sydney and then getting another steam train to Crookwell ( which no longer has a station ) it seemed to take forever especially in winter.
Wow. That would have been quite the experience!
Love Crookwell, a great part of the world.
Hey Patricia I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
Love it! I travel to Canberra monthly from Sydney and take Murray's. About 3.5 hours and goes via Sydney Airport. Train looks good, but pity it doesn't terminate on the CBD. Top video and thank you!
Thank you! Yes, hopefully they’ll build a tram extension to the train station in Kingston one day. 🤞
@@FromtheWindowSeat It may be coming eventually but the priority after the current stage to Woden needs to be to Canberra’s extreme south as the area is open and doesn’t need major roadworks to implement. Specifically from Woden, to Erindale, Tuggeranong, Lanyon (Including an end of the line stop as far as Banks/Gordon).
Not implementing that line will cause long term problems as people living that far south are not only driving further using more petrol, but also paying up to $30 or more in parking per day to park their cars in the city. Currently rapid bus services are not being utilised effectively as suburban bus services are not run frequently enough to connect to them, people who can drive save easily an hour or more per day by taking their cars instead of waiting 20-40 minutes between busses in the cold.
After connecting the southern line it will likely be City to Belconnen direct, then possibly a direct service Belconnen to Gungahlin. After the major town centres are connected I admit will likely be City to Airport via Russell Offices as the airport and the city do need to be connected.
Then there are still three more tram lines that should be prioritised before connecting Kingston.
Tuggeranong to Airport via Calwell, Fyshwick. Belconnen to Woden via Denman Prospect and Weston Creek. Belconnen to Gungahlin via Strathnairn and Crace.
Finally the Kingston line could connect to Fyshwick, Airport, and into the City/Woden Line.
At the rate they are building, I give it about 60-90 years..
@@joemoores1847 Wow. Yes, sounds like a lot to do. Thanks for the context.
@@FromtheWindowSeat hey nice! On the Murray's now x
such an amazing video. The narration voice is interesting to listen, and the videos is not boring too. I think you do have a good voices as a youtuber. Keep up the hard work mate💪
Thanks so much! Lovely to get that feedback. 😊
Even if only 1% of people travel to canberra, the trains still have so many customers! I wasn't able to book a trip recently because it was fully booked😂
Good to know! Another reason, to improve the service.
😂😂😂😂😂
You’ve done an amazing job on this video! So much information provided, educational and thoroughly enjoyable to watch! Thank you!
Thank you - really appreciate hearing that! 🙏
I've been watching a few Aussie train travel videos, and I must say production and information wise yours has been the best. Very wonderful job. You have a new subscriber!
Oh wow - thank you so much! Really appreciate that and plan to make more videos. 🥰
Making the trip to Canberra by train over the weekend to visit a girl and used your video for an idea of why the trip will be like I am very excited
Oh cool - happy to hear that. Let me know what it’s like and whether much has changed from when I filmed this. 😊
I used to live near the Canberra region, so whenever we could afford it, we would go up to Sydney by taking this train and this train wasn’t really that bad, if it had Wifi and charging sockets, it might be more popular. Also, 2:00, I had no idea that they were replacing the regional trains with those ones shown, they look really nice! 😮
Yes, some modern amenities would certainly improve things. Unfortunately the replacement trains are severely delayed so the Xplorers will be running for a while yet. 🤔
That pic of the new Regional fleet is old and the mock train looks nothing like that and high chances the mock train that we have is going to change again.
@@donoakes85 Ok 🤔
@@FromtheWindowSeat the whole project has come to a grinding halt for the new regional fleet.
@@DerickNeal-dj3te Um, ok?
Wonderful, just enough 'geek' to provide good background to the trip, and good camera work.
I XPT'd to Melbourne some years ago, but only in economy, and I was nursing some broken ribs, so it was a less than fabulous trip. Also it was in the middle of a terrible drought and the dead sheep piled up against the fences and grey paddocks was pretty depressing! Your trip was done through some lovely green countryside.
Wow. That sounds like quite the experience!
Thank you for your kind words. Cheers!
I enjoyed this presentation. Excellent Enterprising Endeavor. Hearty Greetings from Hyderabad, India 🇮🇳
Many thanks!
Prime candidate for HST. Millions of trips between Canberra and Sydney per year, most by car and plane over a relatively short 275km. Car takes about 3.5 hrs with time wasted mostly in getting in and out of both cities and parking. particularly at the Sydney end. Planes take about 2.5 to 3 hours with waiting and boarding times plus transfers from airports and often flights to Canberra bumped for other flights.
With only minor improvements to the track and a station actually in Civic in Canberra it would be possible to do the trip faster than both car and plane, much cheaper and using far less fossil fuels and pollution. Half a million people live in Canberra and another half a million live along the route, all potential customers.
Unfortunately the NSW government is not interested as it does not see the potential, only the current sad state of the track and equipment. So it is replacing the current very old trains with almost identical trains, to repeat the same bad transport experience. Proigress seemingly impossible.
We do not need a bullet train, Just a faster more convenient train that beats cars and planes.
Agreed. There’s lots of potential to improve passenger comfort and convenience while also helping the environment.
I agree with you. They should improve or add a new rail, buy new trains to add services and expand the capacity of single services, and keep the ticket price reasonable. The Chinese/European high speed trains cost too much. The scenary along railway is really beautiful.
HST is useless, the rails can't take freight. HST relies on charging $350 for a one-way ticket to go 600kph from one city to another. Australian railway systems make their money moving freight, coal & grain. HST tracks can't handle containers & coal wagons. We can make the train services faster by upgrading the tracks & duplicating or quadrupiling tracks to allow passing/overtaking & allowing trains to do 160kph between Sydney to Canberra instead of 80kph between Sydney to Canberra. Putting Canberra on Opal Card Network would encourage more train use, rather than booking a seat online.
@@mrbillhilly343 One of the greatest practical options of building a HST in Aus is that unlike how trainline were upgraded by section in Europe, for Australia they would have to construct an entirely new passenger line start to finish which means it is a financially all or nothing approach. On completion there would there be a set of lines dedicated to freight and a set dedicated to passenger transportation. I say that is the greatest practical obstacle because the ideological "there would not be enough demand to make the plan financially viable" is what is thrown around the most. Australia is not interested in people opting for trains over cars. The lack of effective express trains within the Greater Sydney Area is enough proof of that. That it is more time efficient to drive from Wollongong, Campbelltown, Newcastle and Katomba rather than take the train for example.
Nice cope
i have travelled from sydney to canberra, it is a great trip. they need powerpoints in each carriage so that you can charge your phone etc.
Agreed.
This brought back my first memories of Australia when I moved there for a year in 02. Thanks!
That's great to hear - glad you liked it! :)
@@FromtheWindowSeat poor guy I hate it now used to be great. Now the woke brigade are taking over
Why go to Canberra
Nice train trip, I did not know about the trains in Australia and I found them very nice (especially those double-decker units that crossed every so often hahaha). Many greetings from Chile!
Hola! Yes, Sydney’s double decker trains are great. Thank you for watching!
I am slowly getting through your videos. I worked right next door to Central Station in the1990's. I thought the train announcer a bit gruff. But a great clip. Thanks Adam
Great to hear. Cheers!
Very nice video! I travel between Sydney and Canberra at least a couple of times a year and I always take the train if I can help it (with air as second option). Much better legroom, easy access to toilet, smoother ride, no congestion to worry about (Traffic accidents between two regional towns usually means hours of being stationary and they unfortunately happen too often). One more hour is totally worth it. The only complaint I have is the tray table is of a funny shape so it's hard to put a laptop or ipad flat, hopefully the new trains will rectify that.
Thank you! Yes, good points.
Always enjoy the ride to Canberra.
Yes, it’s a pleasant trip.
great video thanks for showing this train journey
Glad you enjoyed it!
Lovely video Adam. I've done the trip in 1987 while on holidays - my first time in Australia - and took the old Monaro Express from SYD to CBR. Thanks for sharing it .
Oh cool. That would have been fun.
With bad road surfaces and roadworks everywhere, this train trip is more appealing!
Good point. Cheers!
That’s bad
Love this journey, I have done from Sydney to Canberra, but in December I will be doing from Canberra to Sydney.
Cool. Enjoy!
Hi. FYI Chatswood is on the north shore, rather than in the north west.
Oops - thanks! Being from Adelaide, I know roughly where things are but not always the specifics. ;)
Lived in Canberra 50 years, never seen kangaroos at the train station like that!
Oh right, well there you go. I got lucky! 🦘
Long live the memories of the Friday night Sunday evening return during the early 80s 😘
Yes, that would have been a good journey.
Hi Adam loved ur video my 2 sons travelled to Canberra on Tuesday in the train they loved it. Can't wait to go myself
So glad you liked it! Yes, you should go too! :)
Hey Maureen I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
In 1994 or 1995 I travelled from Central to Canberra on a faster tilt-train. (Queensland at the same time electrified the line to Rockhampton and introduced tilt-trains) Unfortunately the powers-to-be in NSW decided to stick with the older slower option and as this videos points keep railway passengers at 1% of travellers between Syd and Can. Perhaps the looming climate catastrophe will finally cause a re-think of transport options in Australia.
There is no climate catastrophe
Only someone who blindly believes the authorities would think that.
Think for yourself. Stop believing everything you get told.
@@thesatisfiedcustomer4869 Thanks, I needed a good laugh. The irony was wonderful. Cheers
We can certainly hope that governments will see the many benefits of investing in better public transport. 🙏
Tilt train in NSW? Never.
@@jimcrawford5039 I know it was a Tilt train. I was on it in April 1995 as I working with the Navy In Sydney and travelled to Canberra for weekend leave. It was trialled for a few months but the option was not followed up. From memory carriages were on loan from somewhere else and pulled by a NSW engine.
love your eloquence, informative content and your tone. gonna check out your other videos.
Thank you so much! Wonderful to hear!
Looking forward to the eventual connection via Light Rail to the CBD - then this could be a real winner to get to Canberra (although getting around without a car or bike is still a challenge).
Yes, that would be great!
Hey thanks for the review. Personally, I had a terrible experience - bought the VIP ticket, lesson learnt, get the standard ticket...the VIP cabin was so noisy I had to shield my ears but that didn't work because the chalkboard-like screeching and squeaking with every movement up & down of the suspension penetrated your soul for hours and hours. I asked train staff if I had any other option other than to absorb the endless screeching, they said "this is it". Transport NSW needs to sort that out. The view however was outstanding.
Thanks so much!
Yes, the suspension on these units can be grating (I think some sets are worse than others). Thankfully the new regional trains should start to be introduced from 2023, so that should be a big improvement. 🤞
It’s not better than paint drying.
I recently took an Explorer train for the first time, travelling between Canberra and Goulburn as part of a both-ways daytime return trip to Melbourne - a journey that I have to repeat starting tomorrow morning and again in another three weeks. My first impressions were (a) the leisurely speed (at least along that section of track); (b) the constant squeaking of the suspension; and (c) the roar of the airconditioning. My understanding is that each carriage is fitted with two engines (one for traction and one for power generation), and yet the engines were almost inaudible for the suspension and the airconditioning.
Very well captured and explained the entire journey and other small details. Thanks for sharing looking forward to Perth to Sydney travel if there is one via rail line
Thank you so much! Yes, there is a train from Perth to Sydney called the Indian Pacific. Hopefully one day I'll be able to travel on it for the full length. :)
@@FromtheWindowSeat thanks a lot happy travels to you
Been living in Sydney for so many many years travelling long distances by cars but never travelled in the train to coulburn or Canberra in trains hope one day I will try travelled on trains much cheaper thanks for sharing awesome 👌
Thank you so much. Happy I could share the experience. ☺️
Australia is so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to trains , if it was a lot quicker more people would catch them.
Unfortunately it’s not a political priority.
Thanks for showing us the Australian train journey, please show us more of these in coming days 😊
Thank you! Might take me a while - I don't have any other recorded train trips at the moment (only flights).
Thank you! Enjoyed your journey. I wasn’t keen on the fisheye view or distracting music. (Not complaining; just my opinion.) I really liked your commentary. You explained it well for anyone who hasn’t made the trip yet.
This subscriber used to travel from Sydney to Canberra by steam train 40+ years ago. Then 30 years ago moved to Canberra so would travel to Sydney and return a couple of times a year. Haven’t done the trip in about 20 months now. I usually travelled first class but, when no seats available there, I have travelled second class. Still a comfortable trip. While the high speed rail would be good for business folk going straight through I like the slower pace of a normal train and time to enjoy the scenery and, depending at which time your journey is, a meal or coffee and a snack.
Thank you for watching - appreciate it!
@@FromtheWindowSeat
No, again, thank you! 😊
Like the review. I have used XPT quite a few times travelling to Cootamundra & Albury. Mostly day trips. Went Economy for a few. Then changed to 1st Class. No difference. Only more leg room. And no crying babies & kids running up & down the aisle. But no real difference to Economy. Same Interior, seats, food etc. But they definitely need an upgrade. Even though there were a few slow areas (below 80kms) on way down & back. Didn't effect time arrival that much. I suppose it will be the same on my trip to Dubbo in September. Will definitely be different scenery. Can't wait.
Sometimes it’s worth paying the extra just to escape the crying babies and running kids. 🙊
I doubt they’ll upgrade the interiors given the new regional trains are meant to be introduced from 2023. Enjoy your trip to Dubbo!
@@FromtheWindowSeat Will do. Will be good to see some different scenery. Being a old school car person. I play Spotto what's in people's yards or farms. Thats the reason I go 1st Class. Had enough of screaming babies & kids running up the aisle.
That was a really enjoyable TR my friend , rail is a great way to get around any state , combine it with a return flight and it is the perfect journey.
Thank you so much! Yes, I flew home to Adelaide with Qantas. :)
Great documentary. Appreciate the intricate details and information.
Thank you so much!
A rail station befitting the capital city of a great country
Canberra train station isn’t too bad. But certainly not as impressive as Sydney. 😉
Excellent video. Thank you for posting. This makes me want to return to Australia for a second visit ( from Canada).
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Great video! I have fond memories of taking the train from Sydney to Griffith for a primary school exchange week way back in 1982. Maybe you could do that one? That would be awesome!
Thank you! Yes, will definitely consider Griffith. 🤔
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thank you!
Absolutely incredible. Awesome
Thank you!
The prettiest country is between Goulburn and Canberra, especially in the Lake George region. However, the location of Canberra Station is part of why it is not a popular service. The station is essentially in the middle of nowhere, and a long way from anywhere a visitor might want to go such as art gallery, city center, etc. Canberra has to be the worst designed city on the planet, and the station location is further evidence of how the city is not public transport friendly for visitors. It is a city designed for private cars, and those who use the train are definitely disadvantaged.
Yes, fair points. Hopefully the light rail expansions will improve things.
Great commentary and extra information about trains and services. I am waiting for the bi-mode CAFs to arrive before making the trip, although even now it makes far more economic sense than flying
Thank you so much. Yes, I’m looking forward to checking out the new trains too.
Full electrification and line upgrade could cut the 4:10hr journey to 3 hrs. That'll make the route competitive with driving. This is the most cost effective and practical option to increase ridership. The Government lack the vision for a semi high speed/tilting train let alone a true high speed connection. A true high speed rail connection extending the Sydney airport will be better than taking the flight.
That would be great.
It needs to be STAGE 1 of the VFT as per the Leighton’s Study waaaaaay back in 1989. Which was the TGV. 2nd was the German Maglev. Don’t stuff around with even a tilt train! Let’s future proof this route all the way to Brisbane. Also ONE stop up the coast at Coffs Harbour. City style trains can do the Grafton run north and port mac south.
Thanks again for your videos I didn’t know Australia had more train around Australia keep safe
Yes, there are a few. Thank you!
Great video. Good to see regional locations.
Thank you - glad you liked it!
Central Station in Sydney Opened 5th of August 1906 to Allow Trains going into the CBD.
Good to know. Cheers!
Thankyou you re good youtuber with great knowledge thankyou you are a great Australian
Thank you so much! :)
Whilst enjoying the images and your commentary, the music reminded me of my visit to the dentist this morning - dreadful. Still, a thumbs up !
Oh dear! Unfortunately I've found with any music choice, some people love it, others hate it. But thank you for the thumbs up!
Hey Kim I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
Very professional, interesting and informative video!
Thank you so much - really appreciate that. 😊
Great video. Professionally done. Looking forward to doing trips in NSW once that becomes a possibility. Greetings from cold, locked down Melbourne. Gary.
Thank you! Much appreciated. Excluding the lockdowns, you’re lucky to live in Victoria … you have lots of decent regional rail services. 👌
Yes it’s slow but, so relaxing and it goes straight into the CBD of Sydney
No fuss, no parking
So take a book
And let the Train take the strain
Agreed! 😊
Argh. So many memories, makes me wish I could return home to Australia!
Maybe one day!
Its a good save on Carbon fuels of at least a 100 cars and 4 planes(each way and for each company ) worth of fuel . I dont know we have anything running to Country centres in South Australia ,like they used to but would be a good idea
Yes, I’d love for regional trains to be reintroduce in SA.
These trips should really have been changed to High Speed Rail which our "esteemed" Government keeps dithering over.
Hopefully one day - though I fear it's likely to be in the very distant future.
Totally agree.
Oh is that the Bullet train Sydney to Canberra politicians keep promising 😂😂😂
Yep! Haha!
Apparently Goulburn has a railway museum and some really pretty hikes along the river. Be interesting for a visit.
Yes, definitely.
Awesome video and report!
Thanks a lot!
Ok good and thanks for your time
Thanks for watching!
Looking forward new trains as the old explorer squeal the whole way but still enjoy Food ok and instant coffee surprisingly nice. We ran over tree branch in big winds but all good . Some passengers got out to help haul branch off rail southern highlands.
Yes, will be good to have new trains. The suspension is what makes all the noise, I believe.
Hi Adam. Thank you for the video. I'm thinking to go to Camberra by train. I was wondering about it. Now I have a good idea of the journey. God bless you
Thank you! Happy to help.
The New Regional Trains are the Caf Civity made by Spanish Company Caf. Well trains need to test before entering revenue Service.
Yes, will be interesting to see what they’re like.
I had an overnight cabin from Brisbane to Canberra.... It was great . Mant times I have taken this train.. the explorer was relaxing ...
and you were spot on about the food...
pps ... thanks for the trp down amnesia lane
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the comments!
Viewing this video from Europe my impression was of a charming rail journey. However one fact you never mentioned was how the line becomes downgraded (single track ?) for the final leg to Canberra and that the capital city has that small one platform station. It feels like the capital lies at the end of a branch line ! Yes I realise there are few rail travellers (compared to air and road) but nevertheless I would have though for reasons of prestige the line ought to be double track for the final section.
Hi Alex. Yes, you're quite right - the last section from Goulburn to Canberra is essentially a single-track branch line. Unfortunately it just doesn't have the traffic to warrant duplication. Interestingly, even the main line between Sydney and Melbourne (Australia's two most populated cities) has sections that are single track. Generally speaking, Australians (a bit like Americans) value cars and consequently roads, more than rail - so the rail network is nowhere near as good as it could be. :(
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thanks for the reply. I never realised there would be single track sections on SYD-MEL. To be honest if would be better if the government spent money on upgrading the existing SYD-MEL rail route to a higher standard rather than discuss building a brand new high-speed line. Not only would it cost far less but the time scale would be faster.
@@alexmcwhirter6611 True.
Canberra as a city didn’t really get going until the 1950s when the golden age of rail had already finished 30 years before. Canberra is a branch of the Goulburn to Bombala branch. The branch begins at Queanbeyan. The line south from Queanbeyan to Bombala is effectively closed.
@@morganhitchcock Thanks for the comments. Here in the UK the golden age of rail ended in the 1970s ... it wasn't until the mid-1990s that it started to recover and in the following 20 years or so the number of passengers doubled. However ridership drastically declined during our pandemic and it has not yet fully receovered.
I used to do a round trip to Sydney on these services every weekend. The trick is you pay $550 for an unlimited 6 month pass. Make a seat reservation for free, specify what suburban station you want to travel to, and it costs nothing more. Or it’s $420 for 6 months if you don’t mind screaming kids class, err, Economy.
Sounds great!
Sydney central to Brisbane by nigth is in my island boy heart for ever ! Meals beds showers and SECURITY guards ! Many thanks ....
Sounds great.
Considering, Each XPLORER carriage can carry 1600 litres of fuel, enough for a 1600km trip. And the distance between Sydney and Melbourne is around 866 Kilometres! may be they could replace the XPT (of season)? As to Sydney to Brisbane is around 988 Kilometres! Of course they would have to refuel!
Yes, quite big differences on these routes. 🤔
Their menu is the same since 1994, but i think since the M5 opened it was faster to get a bus, grayhound to Eddy Ave
Ha! True but I still prefer the train. :)
i love watching Trains around the world , japan has beautiful trains. I find long range trains in Australia very embarrassing compared to Asian trains. 🙈
I think the issue is that Australia doesn’t have the population density to justify the networks of Asia and Europe. But we could certainly do a lot better.
They can't even fit that many people in a bus in my suburb, had to witness that
Heaven on earth that is Australia🇦🇺
The broken hills service during summer is more like 15hrs
Interesting - is that because of the heat, so the trains have to travel slower?
Your train is too short comparing to Indian trains.
Nice video from India
Yes, they are rather short. Thanks for watching!
I like it. Will be doing the Sydney to Dubbo next month.
Thank you! I’m hoping to do that route too.
I took the train in Feb this year.
Not being one to be able to sit for long periods, I was very feverish.
The toilets messy, the food wasn't tasty and very dry.
Generally, while it is convenient, I think I'd prefer to drive or fly.
Disappointing if you're accustomed to the European version.
Sorry to hear that. Yes, you can’t really compare Australian trains with Europe. A fairer comparison would be the US (sadly), where railways are also mostly about freight. 🤔
Hey Rosanna I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
Took 4 hours 50 years ago Sydney to Canberra wow what a progrès lol
Lol
The train journey is good when the trains are running.
True!
❤❤❤
Cheers!
A lot better than Canberra '68. Whilst serving at RAAF Base Fairbairn in '68, I went on my first leave to Perth for Christmas.
At 6 pm we were driven to Yass where we waited until 1 am to catch the train. We had to sit up all night in a compartment that held up to 8 people, arriving in Melbourne at 9 am.
We then had to wait until 9 pm that night for the train to Adelaide, arriving at 9 o'clock the next morning sitting up all night again. At least we had individual seats.
After that it was luxury, only waiting about 90 minutes for the train to Port Pirie, then immediately boarding the Trans Australian to Kalgoorlie, then the old Prospector to Perth.
The entire trip took four and a half days. I was an orderly room clerk and I did point out to my sergeant that it was cheaper to fly from Canberra to Perth.
Whilst the plane fare cost more, we would be home in one day and would not be paid any travelling time.
Wow - that is some rail odyssey!
Awesome review!
Thank you!
Your Videos are very well produced with excellent commentary. My only quip is that are lots of ad interruptions. that puts me off a tad.
Thanks so much! Sorry about the ads … but they do help offset the cost of the trips and equipment. 🤔
Australian transport is still way behind england and Japan..
Alcohol i just think a separate cart for that would be appropriate..
Good vlog for ppl needng to know what our transport is like .
Yes, unfortunately it’s not a priority (or vote winner) for governments here. Thank you for you comments. 🙏
Hey Lisa I am so sorry if my message got you upset. I am also for invading your privacy. I was watching the beautiful video, then I came across your comment, and I was wondering if we can share ideas together 🙏🙏🥀
Anime uncle hope you had nice trip to canberra love you video from victoria melbourne
Thanks!
Great vid guys will b utilising these trains 🚆 👍
Thank you!
The good old Canberra pass - SP3*
Crosses just after Golburn via Joppa Junction into UGL/ old John Holland country lol.
You probably had a PN garbage train following you after the you left Golburn 122*.
You know your train movements! 👌
5:00 Will you ever do the Broken Hill Xplorer for a video?
I’d really like to. Just have to find the time (fit these videos around a full time job). 😊
Good Video Mate Best Regards Andrew
Thanks so much! Cheers!
I am new this channel and it is great
Thank you so much!
Excellent video
Thank you!
The meal certainly didn’t look too bad. Maybe a gravy or a sachet of apple sauce would have helped the pork.
Yes, quite possibly. 👍
Once a night out at the pubs in Sydney ended in me accidentally getting a Country train to Canberra. Cant understand how I did that as I didnt have a booking or ticket. Just drunk, wanted to get home, my express train home always leaves from the Terminal end of Central, the XPT was there just jumped on. My logic might have been that the XPT would stop at Blacktown and I'd get off. Wrong line lol. Obviously it wasn't fully booked and no one checked tickets luckily or I'd have copped a fine for fare evasion, no matter how unintended. Woke up as the train was going through Queanbeyan, the name of the place didnt ring any bells. But train then pulled into Canberra. Uh oh hahahahaha
But the bonus was I just explored Canberra and got the evening train back to Sydney. Was 21 at the time, my parents thought it was hilarious, 15 yrs later I still havent lived that down
Wow! What a story! 😂
Informative video, but the fisheye lens use spoilt it
Thank you. Yes, I’ve switched to a linear view on my more recent videos.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for watching 😃