I always fibd the staff on XPT out of Sydney amazing ....I fravelked with my 100 year old blind mother......I said I woukd need help with alighting, getting to taxis,getting food from buffet to my mother.The head bursar on train provided and organized so much support.....to the extent mother found air conditioning too cold so they heated up some cotton blankets for us both . All bags picked up by trolley bus upon arrival in Central at 8 30pm and we were driven to taxi rank on station. ..two sttion hands waited to handle our suitcases onto taxi. I to give them hm a tip but the boys refused and said they were not allowed to accept" tips" as this service for the disabled wasthi job. Very gratifying experience.....yes flying is quicker,noisier, cumbersome and no scenery ....... XPT very much a country experience...... I am quite converted to rail.
Flying has no scenery. The last plane i travelled on had a window. I am confused. Flying in to Sydney with the views of Sydney harbour, harbour Bridge, Opera House, Royal national park & Landing over the water definitely provides better scenery than a train. Am i wrong?
@@helpstopanimalabuse8153yes plane views are cool but riding a train for such a journey you would see all kinds of interesting things I would imagine! By the way, the videos on the playlist on my channel titled 'Purpose of Life's? might interest some people!
Oh wow definitely brings back memories to my Sydney Uni days....I didnt drive in my first three years of university and this was kind of my only option to get to my hometown in northern NSW....dad would pick me up from the station, always felt like an epic trip, and reminds me of the summer holidays.....so nostalgic.
Thank you for helping me relive one of my favourite memories. My husband and I travelled with two of our children on the XPT from Melbourne to Brisbane 20 odd years ago. My children both had ear infections and the doctor told us we mustn’t fly due to the air pressure. Both legs of the journey were overnight, with a day’s stopover in Sydney. The trip there and back was a wonderful experience and I often wish we could do it again. From memory, in those days the arrival time in Brisbane definitely wasn’t 4am. I clearly remember enjoying the magnificent sunrise in one of the country towns before the Qld border. I don’t know if it’s still the case but on the return journey we had to depart from Murwillumbah rather than Roma Street in Brisbane, which was a pain, but worked out ok as we were visiting family on the Gold Coast that weekend. Sad to think it will soon be replaced.
😮The food looks so sad. I remember travelling Sydney to Melbourne in 1st class sleeper on the classic Southern Arora several times , in the late 1970's. Dinner was full table service with a waiter, white linen tablecloth. 🍽️ china plates, metal cutlery 🍴 a glass 🍷🥂 of wine poured from a bottle 🍾 very civilized with a little class. There also was a lounge bar for pre-dinner drinks for first class. Oh yes and there were private single person cabins also available. Bring it back!🛤️🚃🚉
Thanks Kuga for an honest and scenic trip report. The XPT is over 40 years old and although slow, is looking good for its age. I look forward to your next report
@@downunderrob QR Signal controllers hate the XPT because, between Sailsbury and Roma Street, it shares tracks with the Gold Coast and Beenleigh Line trains. Which slows things down for the morning peak hour.
@@downunderrob If the XPT is more than an hour late. The train gets terminated at Casino, and the Passengers are taken the rest of the way on coaches.
Back in the early 70s I travelled from Sydney up to Brisbane. I had a private cabin and after a very comfortable nights sleep I was awoken by a steward with a freshly brewed cup of tea! How times have changed. Same deterioration of service and comfort has happened on the Brisbane to Cairns run in recent years - all in the name of efficiency and cost savings; and to hell with the passengers needs.
The scheduling is insane. Back in the day the sleepers used to leave from Sydney after work, about 6-7pm. You'd have dinner on the train, go to bed. Wake up and be in Brisbane by around 9-10am. Now you have to be at Central by 1:30pm and you get to Brisbane before 4am?! What?!
I took this trip back in 1983 from Brisbane to Sydney. It was my first solo trip. I wanted to go by train so I could see more of the country. Back then it left in the afternoon and got into Sydney around 8amish. I had a sleeper too. I felt extremely sophisticated!
Thank you for highlighting our inadequacy. We an amazing opportunity to connect our communities with rail. With our domestic airline industry screwed up we could get faster rail connection to outlining towns and country cities where housing is cheaper and lacking the population to make towns more attractive and livable. Faster rail could connect these towns to the cities faster and more efficiently than regional flight paths.
I know you probably won't be back, but this trip in revese is amazing. I've done both the morning roma st departure and the afternoon bus from roma to Casino. The sleeper has the most AMAZING views of sunrise as you head through between Newcastle and Sydney... But the views between Brisbane and Sydney on the day train are equally astounding. The trip between Melb-Syd is less interesting with the north bound trip being the more scenic as you get the sun rising (in winter) over the high country north of the Dividing Range and a view of the spiral - which right now I can't remember other than NSW. Coming into Sydney (between Goulbourne and Sydney) is great too. South bound the view of the sunrise as you head to melbourne is very hit and miss. as well as the train often runs late!
The Overland between Adelaide and Melbourne is great and first class includes breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon tea. It’s a great service, which I use often.
Not possible unfortunately because they have to get the train in and out of Roma Street before peak hour starts, as the train shares tracks with the Beenleigh and Gold Coast suburban/interurban trains, which QR gives priority to.
@@FromtheWindowSeatthat's fair enough but what amenities are available for the arriving passengers at 4am at Roma St station? Is there a waiting room at least? Very unsafe (not to mention uncomfortable) to be stuck at a train station in the dark with motels and car hire closed.
The Brisbane XPT passes my house in Kyogle at 2:45 in the morning, heading north and nearly 8AM heading south. I usually take it south, but recently, I have taken the northbound trip to Brisbane from Kyogle. Kyogle station is also unattended, so when I have either had to take the train or pick people up, it is often similar to the set of a horror movie at night. Kyogle (my home town) is a request stop for the XPT. So it only stops if people are booked to head on or off. The station is also the last one before Queensland and was the original end of the line. You definitely didn't see it on the trip. But north of Kyogle near the Queensland Border is the Cougal Spiral. Or the Border Loop. Where the line at the end of Gradys Creek loops back over itself to climb the hill. Before entering a 1 kilometer tunnel to pass into Queensland.
Interestingly we have an acquaintance who lives in Kyogle and runs a motel with her partner. We were planning to visit them at the end of last year and considered using the train, but I eventually concluded that getting off in the early hours with elderly parents would be too much risk (although this may just be a figment of my imagination because it is a small village with only about 2500 residents) and inconvenience to our acquaintance (who may feel obliged to pick us up at this ungodly hour). Anyway, the trip did not happen in the end.
@ph89787 From the website of the Kyogle motel (not sure about the name of the other one), I can see that you share the same surname as the proprietors. If 1 of them is originally from Hong Kong, then this is the right person I have in mind. In this case, please give my regards to the proprietors. They should know who I am and give you my contact details if you wish to continue the discussion offline. I watched this video knowing that this is the train which we were considering taking, but never expected to possibly end up communicating with a relative of the person we were hoping to visit. It is a small world indeed!
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt! >10 years ago now, but had rellies in Gosford, Kyogle and outside of Gympie. The only thing worse than the 2:45 departure from Kyogle was stumbling through Roma St at silly o'clock (a bit of a dive, at least back then) to get the first Gympie North train of the day.
Great video, thanks. I have also travelled this train twice Return and by day seat. After your 3:50am arrival it goes out 8km to Clapham yards near Yeronga, for cleaning and reset then returns (on the NSW 4'8.5" rail) to load the 6am day service back to Sydney. Early to allow 4 coal trains to deliver thru Ipswich to Port of Bne and all before the daily commuter trains that fill the system. The climb loop thru the Border Ranges at the border is beautiful all the way to Grafton so the Day return is worth it too.
I've fond memories of travelling in the sleeper Kyogle-Sydney-return several times as a teenager in the late 70s. It was long train pulled by diesels back then. Needed two stops on several stations. Recall it was called the Brisbane Limited Express. In those days there was another similar train called the Gold Coast Motorail that also carried cars Sydney to the Gold Coast and back. It diverted from the main line at Casino and headed to Murwillumbah via Lismore. Alas it and even that line are gone now.
I had the terrible experience of sharing a cabin with a guy who had a case about 800mm X 800mm X 1800 mm long with him in the cabin.. One could not get to the storage cupboards and movement inside the small cabin was severely restricted..The train staff did not make any effort to have him put it in the luggage rack area or have it put in the storage area of the train at the rear.
@@jonnies It does, by miles. You can walk around. You can open windows. You can have your own room with a bed and a private bathroom. You can go to the buffet car.
@@pm2886 yeah while you're at the 'buffet car' enjoying your microwave meal and instant coffee I'll already be swimming at the beach up at the Gold Coast
Travelled the XPT's frequently growing up from Sydney bk home to Brisbane & visa versa had alot of grear memories basically lived on them , love them Dropped by to see how theyve changed 💕
The reason the train leaves so early has more to do with congestion on A bridge in Brisbane, the Merivale bridge, because Qld rail only has two tracks crossing the river and they want to avoid congestion. It's just easier and cheaper to fly because there are so many deals.
I live in Japan now, but did this train a few times back in my Brisbane days. My god it was slow with hardly any straight bits of track. Why depart at 2.41 pm for a 3.53 am arrival?? Why not 4.41pm for 5.53am arrival ?
That direct line is mostly for cargo trains, only 2 XPT daily. Other way is rail bus connection from Brisbane to Casino then XPT and it's awful long meandering village crawl all the way.😅
Interesting documentary, Mr Wang if I’m not mistaken. I would appreciate more train travels, like from brisbane to Perth, or to Darwin. Thanks for sharing 👍🏾.
What I will say is don't count on mobile coverage more than 2km into and out of each stop. There's so much metal in the window tint it blocks EVERYTHING! 😆 It'd probably withstand a nuke!
This is a lovely, polite video. :) I think the xpt is a useful, affordable option (except for the cost of food) and it helps connect alot of country folk to family, friends and specialist medical appointments which may require travel to higher population density areas.
Thanks for this beautiful discovery. Having a night train arrive at 4 a.m. is not reasonable, they can stop it in one or 2 intermediate stations to delay the arrival time.
As per comment above, one of the reasons is the lack of train paths into Brisbane terminal, so the need to get in before the Brisbane suburban peak begins
Not this train! No dining car. I'm a frequent passenger on the Sydney to Brisbane XPT, but only halfway. You must be thinking of The Ghan or something.
🎉🎉 Mood Gorning! Enjoyed this video even more than I was expecting to 🥳🥳very interesting to see this option in your own country when usually just think of flying or driving. definitely something I would consider next time because by the time you added cost of fuel and the hit and miss nature of motel accommodation; delay by roadworks, construction, renovations and outdated hotel rooms! Worth a look! And always loved XPT
Wow, this brings back memories. I did this trip, as a single person in the sleeper carriage. I couldn’t get any sleep as it was rocking too much. The sun was rising when I got there, so maybe it was when nsw had daylight saving and qld didn’t… or something!
I suspect the NSW railways will take the opportunity to get rid of sleeping accommodation when the new trains arrive, so it's worth trying it now if you're interested. Re the early arrival, I understand it's because at that time the XPT won't interfere with Brisbane's morning commuter rush.
My husband and I did the same journey pre Covid as a change from flying. The smell from the diesel engine was strong at times and the train's horn blasting at every railway crossing did not make for a good night's sleep. The amenity kit is exactly the same.
The arrival time into Brisbane is a little less punishing April - September when daylight savings is not in effect in NSW (QLD does not observe DST so is an hour behind for 6 months of the year). A 5am arrival is at least a bit more respectable 😂. I lived in Canberra for 5 years and visited family in Brisbane semi-regularly - the NSW Train link rail pass made it financially feasible because you can pay just the sleeper surcharge of $88 - just like when I use a JR pass on Sunrise Izumo, I just have to pay the room fee and limited express charge (I know Nobi Nobi seat would be included free, but I've done carpet car on Hamanasu and feel no great need for a repeat experience) 😂
I have taken this 1st class about 10 years ago. Looks same. Only that my train departed at 6pm from Sydney and arrived at around 8am. Attendent stood over me to take my towel back😢😅. My 6 years old son had thoroughly loved his trip.
thanks for this! I had been curious about this service but never have the excuse to ride it. their snack and continental breakfast is ridiculously small portioned like for kids instead of adult i would have to comment.. not even a full sized water is given that's quite soothing..
A decade ago I decided to take a last minute vacation to Sydney. Finding out that flight prices were through the roof, I thought it would be fun to go by the XPT Sleeper from Melbourne instead. (Comparing both fares side by side, it was going to be about $200 cheaper return by train). What I hadn't counted on was that the poor rail maintenance made it impossible to sleep. (I had been allocated an upper bunk). But what's worse, it was a bit unnerving having to share my cabin with a total stranger. My first trip was okay (at least they didn't snore). The return home was a nightmare, as the arrogant young man who shared the cabin had the nerve to vape. If I had reported it, he probably would have killed me!
For forty-year-old technology it looks very good. Clean and does not seem worn, it may have been refurbish or just maintained very well. Thanks for the ride.
no that chicken curry IS NOT sensational. You can make better. As good ole' google has shown me the way...I m sorry iam about to throw up due to my cancer treatements......sorry
There should have been a bar too mate although in Queensland the last time I took the train it worked on sessions, so be prepared and take back up with you without the staff finding it.
I once experienced a sleeping car back before xpt a silver train Sydney central to Cooma for the snow season . It was old but nice warm feel not built with anti vandalism features and had a great trip and sleep. I would not think once to ever use a xpt sleeper
You weren't too far away from me when you made it to Brisbane, I'll say breakfast of Cornflakes and a Just Juice is what I had as a kid. Simple but does the job! Good luck in your travels. 😊 🚄🛳️🚠🛩️ The Land Rover Bloke.
Good video and insight mate. Seems pretty expensive given the room wasn’t that big. I know you paid for the two beds technically however who wouldn’t given how small the rooms are. You can fly for that price and deal with an hour of not a lot of space. Sad to see that alternative transportation in Australia really isn’t that feasible
Even Indonesia has a bullet train and we still have these old slow dinosaurs and it's almost impossible to sleep on them because of the rattling and noise.
The numerous impediments of Australia building a high speed rail network are fundamental and can never be resolved. The $130 billion cost is truly astronomical, HSR is not economically viable due to the small population base stretched out over the vast 1,750km distance between the 3 eastern seaboard capital cities, the perceived regional connectivity benefits are not real, and HSR will do little to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050.
Saw it and immediately thought it was an old Inter-City 125 - was amazed that they managed to export that model/design - xpt must be getting on a bit now. Also the station gates are identical to uk 😮
@@Sleepysod The power cars are based on the BR Class 43 but with many modifications for Aussie conditions including lower traction motor gearing to cope with the long steep gradients on the routes there (resulting in a design speed of 160 km/h (99.4 mph)) . Diesel engines were originally Paxman Valenta, replaced by Paxman VP185 around 2000. The carriages are based on a Budd design. Power cars & carriages made in Australia originally by COMENG. There are 3 videos here on UA-cam `XPT by COMENG' if interested.
I LOVE trains and live in Sydney, but the only time I ever used a 'sleeper' service taught me to NEVER do so again! Sydney to Melbourne 1992. Booked two seats (not cabins) in non-smoking. We got bumped to smoking as the seats were double-booked (apparently this happened regularly back then), and a lady said she had asthma, so we were asked if we minded moving. Worse night of my life (I know, first world problems) - carriage smelled like an ashtray and people were lighting up all through the night, and too cold to open a window. I'd only ever consider the Indian Pacific or the Ghan now, although they are not cheap...
Because Queensland Rail wants the train to arrive extremely early so it doesnt disrupt peak hour morning services. Not sure why Melbourne XPT is allowed to come in at 7.30pm tho?
$470 to go one way from Sydney to Brisbane? Domestic travel costs continue to be highway robbery in Australia. No wonder we’ve seen more of overseas than our own country.
@rachkate76, you and other younger (I presume) Aussies know what to do to improve it and work to get HSR built in Australia, then. And, you and other Aussies better get cracking, because (as somebody who doesn't believe in HSR being built in the United States told me), electric jet airliners are coming in 2040; when they do, it will be the end of any initiative to build HSR in nations that don't have any.
@@bradleyfield3944 true, but a flight between the two destinations is about $160 and a one hour journey. It’s still ridiculously expensive to travel around this country and even moreso if you’re going outside of the stereotypical Bris-Syd-Melb three main capital cities. To go to the state next door in the NT for example is about $1000 return. I could virtually go overseas for that. It comes down a bit in the wet season but you have to go in the wet season for the price to be worth your while.
People complaining on here obviously haven’t traveled. I went around the world and book first class cabins with my kids and they weren’t flash they didn’t come with meals and it’s cost more than what it does to get around oz on a train stop complaining be grateful your in good country the most beautiful place in the world besides Japan
Here in Italy, 1st class couchette cars with 4 couchettes and 2nd class couchette cars with 6 couchettes were available. Instead, the compartments of the sleeping carriages could have from one bed up to 3 beds. For a compartment with 3 beds you needed a 2nd class ticket, for a compartment with 2 or with one bed you needed a 1st class ticket.
It's cheaper and faster by aeroplane. Jestar can fly you for as low as AUD$100 each way during off-peak days and hours. The journey is about 1.5 hours.
Yeah but then you don't get to kill that many hours time, to see the great views along the way or experience sleeping on a train! Not to mention it's safer travelling on a train than in a plane.
Problem is Jetstar aren't always reliable on take off times, and the cheaper flights are generally those that are flirting with the Sydney Airport curfew
These trains are an absolute embarrassment to our country. They are old, they are always late (if they even run!), and they have a horrible time table. 3rd world countries have better interstate train services than Australia. 😢
The trains aren't the problem; they can only go at the speeds the rail road allows. There are a few sections of rail that, if engineered differently, would greatly decrease the travel time. The trains are old, yes, but they are doing the best they can. And I've never found any of the staff on board to be less than perfect. They are glad to be working on the Railways. For a slow journey, they are quite neat.
For an Australian perspective on high speed rail. In summary: the $130 billion cost is truly astronomical, HSR would not be economically viable once built due the small population base stretched out over the vast 1,750km distance between the 3 eastern seaboard capital cities, the perceived regional connectivity benefits are not real, and HSR will do little to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050. 🦘🇦🇺
They're slow absolutely but I always remember them fondly....staff were always really great. I've since travelled widely and would probably never take these again but they aren't all that different to Amtrak, Swedish intercity rail etc..,they are all very similar and not at the same level as Shinkansen or Eurostar etc ....nor are they meant to be.
It's 6 and a half hours on this train from Sydney to Kendall. ( The stop after Taree). I do this trip every school holidays in economy,, and it's actually not that bad!
I'm feeling motion sickness just at the thought of travelling all that way sitting backwards! I avoid the Tangara trains where possible, in case I can’t find a forward-facing seat, and that’s for a journey of less than an hour.
I should try this sleeper next time i visit Sydney I used the Luxor to Cairo 13 hour sleeper. The beds were east west and the train slowed for every cow, crocodile and level crossing the entire journey One of the worst sleeps in my life ! Ps. I'm working on the HSR project so you should be able to vlog that journey soon (in about 30 years)
In November 2019, we had a sleeper from Sydney to Brisbane- two hours into the trip, it was cancelled due to bush fires. Turned into a 17 hour bus ride. At least, upon request, they did refund the sleeper fare.
I got food poisoning on the XPT because of their food 😢 and they turned the air off at night so our entire compartment could barely breathe. So bad. Glad you had a better trip!
Unfortunately Australian railways and trains stopped advancing in the 1980’s, now they are just an embarrassment. You paid first class that didn't even include a meal. We really need to lift our game.
Well, I can see you’ve never travelled by rail in the US. Their first class has the most appalling food and the prices are more than double that of Australia.
It's unlikely to get much better (interstate services). WAY too expensive to run and maintain for the distance, which is why it's so expensive and slow. The billions/trillions required to upgrade the infrastructure to modern high speed trains is out of the question, as voters prefer tax cuts to major spending, and even government run services must make an operating profit (or at least an acceptable loss). We've been 'promised' a high speed train from Sydney to Canberra for decades now, and this is the shortest route that could be anywhere near feasible...
@@papasmurfette007 I don’t want to get political on this young man’s UA-cam site but governments have squandered our wealth. Cost should not be an issue. National building stopped here decades ago, now we are left behind with no major infrastructure projects planned apparently always due to cost. We used to be a wealthy country.
@@andrewfraser4347 How can cost not be an issue? I love trains, but the fact is the few people who use interstate services (other than those whose houses are serviced by the route) will never make it worthwhile to any government. This "governments have squandered our wealth" line is just a cop out - most of the wealth is owned by private mega corporations who don't pay their share of tax. Voters vote for tax cuts every time rather than infrastructure expenditure, so governments MUST spend money where it does the most good. It's unfortunate and frustrating, but it's simply maths...
You want to travel on UK trains, ridiculously expensive, not on time & often just cancelled. The service we use from Central Coast to Sydney is a dream in comparison. I took the overnight from Sydney to Brisbane, first class recliner & it was fine for $95.
I had a sleeper Melbourne to Sydney and then Sydney to Brisbane that afternoon. Unlucky me the power point didn’t work so flat batteries on mobile. Just to top it off at 11pm bear Taree they asked if an another person who was unwell could use the spare upper berth. Not knowing I said yes to find out an extremely drunk “person” had been let in. Solution I asked to move out to a first class seat.
You're lucky...every time I've investigated going to Brisbane (Mum lives there, or I wouldn't bother :P ) by XPT, I have to juggle the dates because half of the time the thing terminates at Tenterfield or the like, then I have to switch to a coach. In the end I took a plane. :P Oh, at the beginning some railfans called it the "eXtra Pretty Train", because of the original colour scheme.
I always fibd the staff on XPT out of Sydney amazing ....I fravelked with my 100 year old blind mother......I said I woukd need help with alighting, getting to taxis,getting food from buffet to my mother.The head bursar on train provided and organized so much support.....to the extent mother found air conditioning too cold so they heated up some cotton blankets for us both .
All bags picked up by trolley bus upon arrival in Central at 8 30pm and we were driven to taxi rank on station. ..two sttion hands waited to handle our suitcases onto taxi.
I to give them hm a tip but the boys refused and said they were not allowed to accept" tips" as this service for the disabled wasthi job.
Very gratifying experience.....yes flying is quicker,noisier, cumbersome and no scenery .......
XPT very much a country experience......
I am quite converted to rail.
Flying has no scenery. The last plane i travelled on had a window. I am confused. Flying in to Sydney with the views of Sydney harbour, harbour Bridge, Opera House, Royal national park & Landing over the water definitely provides better scenery than a train. Am i wrong?
@helpstopanimalabuse8153 yes.
@@helpstopanimalabuse8153yes plane views are cool but riding a train for such a journey you would see all kinds of interesting things I would imagine!
By the way, the videos on the playlist on my channel titled 'Purpose of Life's? might interest some people!
Thanks!
Thank you!🤝
Oh wow definitely brings back memories to my Sydney Uni days....I didnt drive in my first three years of university and this was kind of my only option to get to my hometown in northern NSW....dad would pick me up from the station, always felt like an epic trip, and reminds me of the summer holidays.....so nostalgic.
Moree?
Thank you for helping me relive one of my favourite memories. My husband and I travelled with two of our children on the XPT from Melbourne to Brisbane 20 odd years ago. My children both had ear infections and the doctor told us we mustn’t fly due to the air pressure. Both legs of the journey were overnight, with a day’s stopover in Sydney. The trip there and back was a wonderful experience and I often wish we could do it again. From memory, in those days the arrival time in Brisbane definitely wasn’t 4am. I clearly remember enjoying the magnificent sunrise in one of the country towns before the Qld border. I don’t know if it’s still the case but on the return journey we had to depart from Murwillumbah rather than Roma Street in Brisbane, which was a pain, but worked out ok as we were visiting family on the Gold Coast that weekend. Sad to think it will soon be replaced.
Great memories, I agree, it will be sad to see them go ❤
@@menufrog Where are they going?
@@greeneyedpixie2 I'm not sure where they are going, they are being replaced
😮The food looks so sad.
I remember travelling Sydney to Melbourne in 1st class sleeper on the classic Southern Arora several times , in the late 1970's.
Dinner was full table service with a waiter, white linen tablecloth. 🍽️ china plates, metal cutlery 🍴 a glass 🍷🥂 of wine poured from a bottle 🍾 very civilized with a little class. There also was a lounge bar for pre-dinner drinks for first class. Oh yes and there were private single person cabins also available.
Bring it back!🛤️🚃🚉
Thanks Kuga for an honest and scenic trip report. The XPT is over 40 years old and although slow, is looking good for its age. I look forward to your next report
The breakfast reminded me of a bad school camp from the early 80's. It's embarrassing this is first class train travel in Oz.
That's a brutal arrival time! Nuts.
I can't see what the point of it is. But it was obviously someone's bright idea.
@@downunderrob QR Signal controllers hate the XPT because, between Sailsbury and Roma Street, it shares tracks with the Gold Coast and Beenleigh Line trains. Which slows things down for the morning peak hour.
@@ph89787 Figures.
@@downunderrob If the XPT is more than an hour late. The train gets terminated at Casino, and the Passengers are taken the rest of the way on coaches.
@@smantle11 That train ends at Casino and it’s a coach the rest of the way to Brisbane.
About 40 years ago I travelled from Sydney to Melbourne on the Southern Aurora. A much more civilized experience with an actual restaurant dining car.
I love how you always leave a "thanks for the food" caption. It's so endearingly polite.
I used to catch a train from Paris to Warsaw in the 90s. 8pm depart, 7am arrival, 2000kms. Plus border checks. Fantastic reataurant and service.
Back in the early 70s I travelled from Sydney up to Brisbane. I had a private cabin and after a very comfortable nights sleep I was awoken by a steward with a freshly brewed cup of tea! How times have changed. Same deterioration of service and comfort has happened on the Brisbane to Cairns run in recent years - all in the name of efficiency and cost savings; and to hell with the passengers needs.
Yes those days really gave interstate train travel some class, great memories.
I’ve travelled on this sleeper train. Yours is a very very generous review.
yes bed is quite firm, on slept on the doona with just a sheet on me
The scheduling is insane. Back in the day the sleepers used to leave from Sydney after work, about 6-7pm. You'd have dinner on the train, go to bed. Wake up and be in Brisbane by around 9-10am. Now you have to be at Central by 1:30pm and you get to Brisbane before 4am?! What?!
@@gospelofrye6881 Profits matter the most. There were more profits to be made with this schedule.
@@gospelofrye6881 Summer is the worst time: NSW on daylight saving time, Qld on standard time.
I found the sleeper quite comfortable, moreso than I thought it was going to be
I took this trip back in 1983 from Brisbane to Sydney. It was my first solo trip. I wanted to go by train so I could see more of the country. Back then it left in the afternoon and got into Sydney around 8amish. I had a sleeper too. I felt extremely sophisticated!
When you did the trip it would not have been the XPTs, see my post here about them.
Did you ever take the old night train from Sydney through New England Area?
@@christinescott no unfortunately. That sounds like a great trip. Love trains!!
@@russellmoore1533 definitely not the XPT :)
Was probably the same train lol
Thank you for highlighting our inadequacy. We an amazing opportunity to connect our communities with rail. With our domestic airline industry screwed up we could get faster rail connection to outlining towns and country cities where housing is cheaper and lacking the population to make towns more attractive and livable. Faster rail could connect these towns to the cities faster and more efficiently than regional flight paths.
sure - you can have it - how would you like to pay ? 😉
I believe that is the plan, Newcastle will be the first to implement a whole new system.
I know you probably won't be back, but this trip in revese is amazing. I've done both the morning roma st departure and the afternoon bus from roma to Casino. The sleeper has the most AMAZING views of sunrise as you head through between Newcastle and Sydney... But the views between Brisbane and Sydney on the day train are equally astounding. The trip between Melb-Syd is less interesting with the north bound trip being the more scenic as you get the sun rising (in winter) over the high country north of the Dividing Range and a view of the spiral - which right now I can't remember other than NSW. Coming into Sydney (between Goulbourne and Sydney) is great too. South bound the view of the sunrise as you head to melbourne is very hit and miss. as well as the train often runs late!
The recent upgrades to Sydney central station are fantastic!
What about trains?
@@bodnica They may replace the trains 10 years later.
The Overland between Adelaide and Melbourne is great and first class includes breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon tea. It’s a great service, which I use often.
Crazy arrival time...they need to adjust departure and arrival times...or let you sleep onboard after train arrives.
Not possible unfortunately because they have to get the train in and out of Roma Street before peak hour starts, as the train shares tracks with the Beenleigh and Gold Coast suburban/interurban trains, which QR gives priority to.
@@FromtheWindowSeat same if the tilt train went to Sydney
Sleep before the train arrives
@@FromtheWindowSeatthat's fair enough but what amenities are available for the arriving passengers at 4am at Roma St station? Is there a waiting room at least? Very unsafe (not to mention uncomfortable) to be stuck at a train station in the dark with motels and car hire closed.
The Brisbane XPT passes my house in Kyogle at 2:45 in the morning, heading north and nearly 8AM heading south. I usually take it south, but recently, I have taken the northbound trip to Brisbane from Kyogle. Kyogle station is also unattended, so when I have either had to take the train or pick people up, it is often similar to the set of a horror movie at night.
Kyogle (my home town) is a request stop for the XPT. So it only stops if people are booked to head on or off. The station is also the last one before Queensland and was the original end of the line.
You definitely didn't see it on the trip. But north of Kyogle near the Queensland Border is the Cougal Spiral. Or the Border Loop. Where the line at the end of Gradys Creek loops back over itself to climb the hill. Before entering a 1 kilometer tunnel to pass into Queensland.
Interestingly we have an acquaintance who lives in Kyogle and runs a motel with her partner. We were planning to visit them at the end of last year and considered using the train, but I eventually concluded that getting off in the early hours with elderly parents would be too much risk (although this may just be a figment of my imagination because it is a small village with only about 2500 residents) and inconvenience to our acquaintance (who may feel obliged to pick us up at this ungodly hour). Anyway, the trip did not happen in the end.
@@andyyu5957 that’s interesting. As my family runs the 2 motels in Kyogle.
@ph89787 From the website of the Kyogle motel (not sure about the name of the other one), I can see that you share the same surname as the proprietors. If 1 of them is originally from Hong Kong, then this is the right person I have in mind. In this case, please give my regards to the proprietors. They should know who I am and give you my contact details if you wish to continue the discussion offline.
I watched this video knowing that this is the train which we were considering taking, but never expected to possibly end up communicating with a relative of the person we were hoping to visit. It is a small world indeed!
@@andyyu5957 the owners are my parents. I’ll pass your regards onto them.
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt! >10 years ago now, but had rellies in Gosford, Kyogle and outside of Gympie. The only thing worse than the 2:45 departure from Kyogle was stumbling through Roma St at silly o'clock (a bit of a dive, at least back then) to get the first Gympie North train of the day.
Great video, thanks. I have also travelled this train twice Return and by day seat. After your 3:50am arrival it goes out 8km to Clapham yards near Yeronga, for cleaning and reset then returns (on the NSW 4'8.5" rail) to load the 6am day service back to Sydney. Early to allow 4 coal trains to deliver thru Ipswich to Port of Bne and all before the daily commuter trains that fill the system.
The climb loop thru the Border Ranges at the border is beautiful all the way to Grafton so the Day return is worth it too.
mmmm, imagine climbing onto a nice warm train from the cold weather. Heh love the thank you attendant person!
I've fond memories of travelling in the sleeper Kyogle-Sydney-return several times as a teenager in the late 70s. It was long train pulled by diesels back then. Needed two stops on several stations. Recall it was called the Brisbane Limited Express. In those days there was another similar train called the Gold Coast Motorail that also carried cars Sydney to the Gold Coast and back. It diverted from the main line at Casino and headed to Murwillumbah via Lismore. Alas it and even that line are gone now.
Awesome. I'm planning on taking my elderly mother on this, so...I'm watching!
Thanks for the tip!! Now I know if I want to reserve a room to myself I need two tickets 😂 sharing a cabin with a total stranger is too much for me!
I had the terrible experience of sharing a cabin with a guy who had a case about 800mm X 800mm X 1800 mm long with him in the cabin.. One could not get to the storage cupboards and movement inside the small cabin was severely restricted..The train staff did not make any effort to have him put it in the luggage rack area or have it put in the storage area of the train at the rear.
No matter how "rustic" it is, it beats flying. It's quite the adventure, and you some beautiful country.
Flying for two, round trip, is $300.00 round trip, 90 minutes each way. I'll fly.
Only HSR really beats flying lol if this slow land cruise beats flying people would not be flying lol cmon now
13 hours on a train does not even come close to beating flying
@@jonnies It does, by miles. You can walk around. You can open windows. You can have your own room with a bed and a private bathroom. You can go to the buffet car.
@@pm2886 yeah while you're at the 'buffet car' enjoying your microwave meal and instant coffee I'll already be swimming at the beach up at the Gold Coast
Travelled the XPT's frequently growing up from Sydney bk home to Brisbane & visa versa had alot of grear memories basically lived on them , love them
Dropped by to see how theyve changed 💕
The reason the train leaves so early has more to do with congestion on A bridge in Brisbane, the Merivale bridge, because Qld rail only has two tracks crossing the river and they want to avoid congestion. It's just easier and cheaper to fly because there are so many deals.
Yes waiting on the two new tunnels to open now!!!
I live in Japan now, but did this train a few times back in my Brisbane days. My god it was slow with hardly any straight bits of track. Why depart at 2.41 pm for a 3.53 am arrival?? Why not 4.41pm for 5.53am arrival ?
It's Australia, mate.
@@garryferrington811It is Queensland Rail that disctates the time slot into Brisbane.
That direct line is mostly for cargo trains, only 2 XPT daily. Other way is rail bus connection from Brisbane to Casino then XPT and it's awful long meandering village crawl all the way.😅
Queensland during summer the sunrise is at 5AM.
A very nice video, and, yes, food's the favorite segment. Lavish meal on Australian trains: microwaved pre-packaged chicken curry!...yum. I guess.
Interesting documentary, Mr Wang if I’m not mistaken. I would appreciate more train travels, like from brisbane to Perth, or to Darwin. Thanks for sharing 👍🏾.
Just did Canberra for wkend four hours there and back.lovely staff and great chicken curry!!!
Thank you for an interesting video. I might actually try this one day. All the best from Sydney
What I will say is don't count on mobile coverage more than 2km into and out of each stop. There's so much metal in the window tint it blocks EVERYTHING! 😆 It'd probably withstand a nuke!
This is a lovely, polite video. :)
I think the xpt is a useful, affordable option (except for the cost of food) and it helps connect alot of country folk to family, friends and specialist medical appointments which may require travel to higher population density areas.
Thanks for this beautiful discovery. Having a night train arrive at 4 a.m. is not reasonable, they can stop it in one or 2 intermediate stations to delay the arrival time.
As per comment above, one of the reasons is the lack of train paths into Brisbane terminal, so the need to get in before the Brisbane suburban peak begins
@mark123655
Also remember the return Sydney trip starts at 8am.
That is a 4 hour turnaround in Brisbane.
It's so people can avoid peak hour traffic and not become part of it 😊
Thank you for sharing I really enjoyed watching . Glad you land safe 17:23
I loved the dinning car it had white tablecloths and a full English breakfast😋
Not this train! No dining car. I'm a frequent passenger on the Sydney to Brisbane XPT, but only halfway. You must be thinking of The Ghan or something.
@@samanthafairweather9186 I loved = in the past, they used to have a dining car 🥲
🎉🎉
Mood Gorning! Enjoyed this video even more than I was expecting to 🥳🥳very interesting to see this option in your own country when usually just think of flying or driving. definitely something I would consider next time because by the time you added cost of fuel and the hit and miss nature of motel accommodation; delay by roadworks, construction, renovations and outdated hotel rooms! Worth a look! And always loved XPT
3:50am arrival though !
Wow, this brings back memories. I did this trip, as a single person in the sleeper carriage. I couldn’t get any sleep as it was rocking too much. The sun was rising when I got there, so maybe it was when nsw had daylight saving and qld didn’t… or something!
I suspect the NSW railways will take the opportunity to get rid of sleeping accommodation when the new trains arrive, so it's worth trying it now if you're interested. Re the early arrival, I understand it's because at that time the XPT won't interfere with Brisbane's morning commuter rush.
Yes this seems to be the consensus but would one XPT really cause so much delay to the morning rush? It seems that they're being awkward.
My husband and I did the same journey pre Covid as a change from flying. The smell from the diesel engine was strong at times and the train's horn blasting at every railway crossing did not make for a good night's sleep. The amenity kit is exactly the same.
I Love The Smell Of DIESELS & I Love Hearing The HORNS 😃
The arrival time into Brisbane is a little less punishing April - September when daylight savings is not in effect in NSW (QLD does not observe DST so is an hour behind for 6 months of the year). A 5am arrival is at least a bit more respectable 😂. I lived in Canberra for 5 years and visited family in Brisbane semi-regularly - the NSW Train link rail pass made it financially feasible because you can pay just the sleeper surcharge of $88 - just like when I use a JR pass on Sunrise Izumo, I just have to pay the room fee and limited express charge (I know Nobi Nobi seat would be included free, but I've done carpet car on Hamanasu and feel no great need for a repeat experience) 😂
So pleased you enjoyed your trip!
I have taken this 1st class about 10 years ago. Looks same. Only that my train departed at 6pm from Sydney and arrived at around 8am. Attendent stood over me to take my towel back😢😅. My 6 years old son had thoroughly loved his trip.
thanks for this! I had been curious about this service but never have the excuse to ride it. their snack and continental breakfast is ridiculously small portioned like for kids instead of adult i would have to comment.. not even a full sized water is given that's quite soothing..
thank you very much for the beautiful video. Greetings from Germany
A decade ago I decided to take a last minute vacation to Sydney.
Finding out that flight prices were through the roof, I thought it would be fun to go by the XPT Sleeper from Melbourne instead. (Comparing both fares side by side, it was going to be about $200 cheaper return by train).
What I hadn't counted on was that the poor rail maintenance made it impossible to sleep. (I had been allocated an upper bunk).
But what's worse, it was a bit unnerving having to share my cabin with a total stranger. My first trip was okay (at least they didn't snore).
The return home was a nightmare, as the arrogant young man who shared the cabin had the nerve to vape. If I had reported it, he probably would have killed me!
Yes, I would happily travel thsi way on my own, but would definately want a total stranger in such a tiny cabin.
Welcome to Queensland. Raining one day. Pissing down, the next.
especially in summer when this was filmed. Good old cyclone season
QLD summers = half the time it's 35°C, the other half it's storming
Great video! It’s also so nice to get a glimpse of you! 😊
For forty-year-old technology it looks very good. Clean and does not seem worn, it may have been refurbish or just maintained very well. Thanks for the ride.
Very interesting!
Thank you!🤝
that chicken curry is sensational. The first time I've seen veggies look more dead than the meat...
Lol Never judge a book by its cover!
no that chicken curry IS NOT sensational. You can make better. As good ole' google has shown me the way...I m sorry iam about to throw up due to my cancer treatements......sorry
Wow thank you for sharing this. I didn’t even know there is a train line available between Sydney and Brisbane
Another new train vlog, "on point," Kuga 🙂
Looks nicer than our Amtrak, unfortunately. Beautiful countryside though. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
@@Iluthra Amtrak is better!
@@willx9352 Is it? I have only ridden it twice and the only way to go is a room(ette). This video, the room looked cleaner. The food better.
@@Iluthra I have travelled on both. I wouldn’t say one is better than the other. The issue is both could be improved!
Did Sydney Coffs last year. I was hanging out for a smoke. Still I did it in 1982 in a Rattler in 13 hrs.
Thanks Kiuga really enjoyed it regards Doc..the loco Driver
I took this trip with my 2 grandchildren, we enjoyed it.
There should have been a bar too mate although in Queensland the last time I took the train it worked on sessions, so be prepared and take back up with you without the staff finding it.
"I summoned the attendant"
HAD ME ROLLING!
I once experienced a sleeping car back before xpt a silver train Sydney central to Cooma for the snow season . It was old but nice warm feel not built with anti vandalism features and had a great trip and sleep.
I would not think once to ever use a xpt sleeper
Greetings from Sydney, thank you for the lovely, relaxing video as always. Also you're way too polite, the food looked trash AHAHA
On a good night when there isnt track work to divert around. Syd to Bri by car is about the same time.
You weren't too far away from me when you made it to Brisbane, I'll say breakfast of Cornflakes and a Just Juice is what I had as a kid. Simple but does the job! Good luck in your travels. 😊 🚄🛳️🚠🛩️
The Land Rover Bloke.
Thats crazy times, what are supposed to do in Brisbane city at 4 am
doesn't appear to be very safe for solo female traveller
Good video and insight mate. Seems pretty expensive given the room wasn’t that big. I know you paid for the two beds technically however who wouldn’t given how small the rooms are. You can fly for that price and deal with an hour of not a lot of space. Sad to see that alternative transportation in Australia really isn’t that feasible
Great youtube clip. Does the first class seat one person per compartment ? thanks
Pretty luxurious
Прекрасное путешествие!!!
Even Indonesia has a bullet train and we still have these old slow dinosaurs and it's almost impossible to sleep on them because of the rattling and noise.
The numerous impediments of Australia building a high speed rail network are fundamental and can never be resolved. The $130 billion cost is truly astronomical, HSR is not economically viable due to the small population base stretched out over the vast 1,750km distance between the 3 eastern seaboard capital cities, the perceived regional connectivity benefits are not real, and HSR will do little to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050.
Australia 🇦🇺, the laughing stock to train 🚆 systems worldwide 😮
We fly return to Brisbane for under 300 from Melb why bother.🇦🇺👍🍺
The one time you want the train to arrive late!
Exactly
I have never been on the XPT but I have seen enough reviews on it. I hope NSW gets better service soon.
Saw it and immediately thought it was an old Inter-City 125 - was amazed that they managed to export that model/design - xpt must be getting on a bit now. Also the station gates are identical to uk 😮
@@Sleepysod The power cars are based on the BR Class 43 but with many modifications for Aussie conditions including lower traction motor gearing to cope with the long steep gradients on the routes there (resulting in a design speed of 160 km/h (99.4 mph)) . Diesel engines were originally Paxman Valenta, replaced by Paxman VP185 around 2000. The carriages are based on a Budd design. Power cars & carriages made in Australia originally by COMENG. There are 3 videos here on UA-cam `XPT by COMENG' if interested.
NSW missed the train upgrade 50 years ago...this is 21st century...but someone is telling us that we're the best.!!!what??
I LOVE trains and live in Sydney, but the only time I ever used a 'sleeper' service taught me to NEVER do so again! Sydney to Melbourne 1992. Booked two seats (not cabins) in non-smoking. We got bumped to smoking as the seats were double-booked (apparently this happened regularly back then), and a lady said she had asthma, so we were asked if we minded moving. Worse night of my life (I know, first world problems) - carriage smelled like an ashtray and people were lighting up all through the night, and too cold to open a window.
I'd only ever consider the Indian Pacific or the Ghan now, although they are not cheap...
Very cool, thx for this very nice train trip vid!👍
Maybe old and often late but it beats walking from Sydney to Brissie.
Fly or drive 😢
😂
Did you hear about Matt Lawson, he WALKED from Melbourne to Brisbane!
Or riding a horse
What a crazy time to arrive - why do they not leave later and arrive in Brisbane at a civilized time?
Because Queensland Rail wants the train to arrive extremely early so it doesnt disrupt peak hour morning services. Not sure why Melbourne XPT is allowed to come in at 7.30pm tho?
That would require a modicum of intelligence
And the rail schedulers must be pretty pathetic if they cannot accommodate one extra train.
Mood gorning! 😂
$470 to go one way from Sydney to Brisbane?
Domestic travel costs continue to be highway robbery in Australia.
No wonder we’ve seen more of overseas than our own country.
@rachkate76, you and other younger (I presume) Aussies know what to do to improve it and work to get HSR built in Australia, then. And, you and other Aussies better get cracking, because (as somebody who doesn't believe in HSR being built in the United States told me), electric jet airliners are coming in 2040; when they do, it will be the end of any initiative to build HSR in nations that don't have any.
I think he paid for both beds to guarantee a cabin to himself?
@@bradleyfield3944 true, but a flight between the two destinations is about $160 and a one hour journey.
It’s still ridiculously expensive to travel around this country and even moreso if you’re going outside of the stereotypical Bris-Syd-Melb three main capital cities.
To go to the state next door in the NT for example is about $1000 return.
I could virtually go overseas for that.
It comes down a bit in the wet season but you have to go in the wet season for the price to be worth your while.
@@bradleyfield3944yes he did, because I’ve done exactly that on the same train
@@bradleyfield3944rich boy
People complaining on here obviously haven’t traveled. I went around the world and book first class cabins with my kids and they weren’t flash they didn’t come with meals and it’s cost more than what it does to get around oz on a train stop complaining be grateful your in good country the most beautiful place in the world besides Japan
Here in Italy, 1st class couchette cars with 4 couchettes and 2nd class couchette cars with 6 couchettes were available. Instead, the compartments of the sleeping carriages could have from one bed up to 3 beds. For a compartment with 3 beds you needed a 2nd class ticket, for a compartment with 2 or with one bed you needed a 1st class ticket.
It's cheaper and faster by aeroplane. Jestar can fly you for as low as AUD$100 each way during off-peak days and hours. The journey is about 1.5 hours.
Yeah but then you don't get to kill that many hours time, to see the great views along the way or experience sleeping on a train! Not to mention it's safer travelling on a train than in a plane.
Problem is Jetstar aren't always reliable on take off times, and the cheaper flights are generally those that are flirting with the Sydney Airport curfew
These trains are an absolute embarrassment to our country. They are old, they are always late (if they even run!), and they have a horrible time table. 3rd world countries have better interstate train services than Australia. 😢
That’s why you fly
The trains aren't the problem; they can only go at the speeds the rail road allows.
There are a few sections of rail that, if engineered differently, would greatly decrease the travel time.
The trains are old, yes, but they are doing the best they can. And I've never found any of the staff on board to be less than perfect. They are glad to be working on the Railways.
For a slow journey, they are quite neat.
For an Australian perspective on high speed rail. In summary: the $130 billion cost is truly astronomical, HSR would not be economically viable once built due the small population base stretched out over the vast 1,750km distance between the 3 eastern seaboard capital cities, the perceived regional connectivity benefits are not real, and HSR will do little to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050. 🦘🇦🇺
Hmm well it is a UK design train we exported rubbish service too
They're slow absolutely but I always remember them fondly....staff were always really great. I've since travelled widely and would probably never take these again but they aren't all that different to Amtrak, Swedish intercity rail etc..,they are all very similar and not at the same level as Shinkansen or Eurostar etc ....nor are they meant to be.
13 hours from Sydney to Brisbane isn’t bad considering it takes 5 hours from Pomona (Sunshine Coast) to the Gold Coast and two to two half to drive!!
It's 6 and a half hours on this train from Sydney to Kendall. ( The stop after Taree). I do this trip every school holidays in economy,, and it's actually not that bad!
I'm feeling motion sickness just at the thought of travelling all that way sitting backwards! I avoid the Tangara trains where possible, in case I can’t find a forward-facing seat, and that’s for a journey of less than an hour.
I should try this sleeper next time i visit Sydney
I used the Luxor to Cairo 13 hour sleeper. The beds were east west and the train slowed for every cow, crocodile and level crossing the entire journey
One of the worst sleeps in my life !
Ps. I'm working on the HSR project so you should be able to vlog that journey soon (in about 30 years)
mood gorning!
This was very informative - thankyou!
The train arrives at 4:00AM due to having to share train lines in Queensland.
Nah, it's because Queensland and New South Wales can't work together to solve a problem.
In November 2019, we had a sleeper from Sydney to Brisbane- two hours into the trip, it was cancelled due to bush fires. Turned into a 17 hour bus ride. At least, upon request, they did refund the sleeper fare.
I got food poisoning on the XPT because of their food 😢 and they turned the air off at night so our entire compartment could barely breathe. So bad. Glad you had a better trip!
I used to work on the trains they’re old and need an upgrade and break down a lot. Was a good video though.
Awesome Kuga thank you!❤
This train is far more better than the overnight train between Melbourne and Sydney. 😂
Unfortunately Australian railways and trains stopped advancing in the 1980’s, now they are just an embarrassment. You paid first class that didn't even include a meal. We really need to lift our game.
Well, I can see you’ve never travelled by rail in the US.
Their first class has the most appalling food and the prices are more than double that of Australia.
It's unlikely to get much better (interstate services). WAY too expensive to run and maintain for the distance, which is why it's so expensive and slow. The billions/trillions required to upgrade the infrastructure to modern high speed trains is out of the question, as voters prefer tax cuts to major spending, and even government run services must make an operating profit (or at least an acceptable loss). We've been 'promised' a high speed train from Sydney to Canberra for decades now, and this is the shortest route that could be anywhere near feasible...
@@papasmurfette007 I don’t want to get political on this young man’s UA-cam site but governments have squandered our wealth. Cost should not be an issue. National building stopped here decades ago, now we are left behind with no major infrastructure projects planned apparently always due to cost. We used to be a wealthy country.
@@andrewfraser4347 How can cost not be an issue? I love trains, but the fact is the few people who use interstate services (other than those whose houses are serviced by the route) will never make it worthwhile to any government. This "governments have squandered our wealth" line is just a cop out - most of the wealth is owned by private mega corporations who don't pay their share of tax. Voters vote for tax cuts every time rather than infrastructure expenditure, so governments MUST spend money where it does the most good. It's unfortunate and frustrating, but it's simply maths...
You want to travel on UK trains, ridiculously expensive, not on time & often just cancelled.
The service we use from Central Coast to Sydney is a dream in comparison.
I took the overnight from Sydney to Brisbane, first class recliner & it was fine for $95.
I had hoped, you would be able to stay on the train untill 7 or 8 am!
I enjoy these type of travel videos. Nice 👍
I had a sleeper Melbourne to Sydney and then Sydney to Brisbane that afternoon.
Unlucky me the power point didn’t work so flat batteries on mobile.
Just to top it off at 11pm bear Taree they asked if an another person who was unwell could use the spare upper berth. Not knowing I said yes to find out an extremely drunk “person” had been let in.
Solution I asked to move out to a first class seat.
You're lucky...every time I've investigated going to Brisbane (Mum lives there, or I wouldn't bother :P ) by XPT, I have to juggle the dates because half of the time the thing terminates at Tenterfield or the like, then I have to switch to a coach. In the end I took a plane. :P Oh, at the beginning some railfans called it the "eXtra Pretty Train", because of the original colour scheme.
Perhaps you refer to the Candy livery - Orange, black & Silver? Very attractive, don't know why they changed it to the boring livery of today.
I dont mind the xpt yes its old and slow but it gets you there a little late but there 😂
Awesome video, thank you for sharing your train ride ❤❤
Ust went down to Sydney and as a bush bunny the new upgraded central station is brilliant and user friendly
The reason it gets in so early is because it goes back to Sydney in the day .NSW trains has been starved for upgrades for decades.
No more $ for trains, health, roads....
Plenty of $ for "invisible" $380billion subs.