I did this trip in 1958 and I still have very, very fond memories. I'd love to travel on the Trans Siberian Railroad but I couldn't imagine it would be so luxurious.
Derek Thompson The train is still full every time I see it, and it is a very long train. You can get to Cook by road, I’ve driven there in my truck to pick up some drilling gear west of the township when they were drilling a wildcat oil well. However it is 107 kms of dirt road north of the Eyre Highway.
You should take Via Rail's Canadian 1 from Toronto to Vancouver. It is probably the greatest train ride in the world. The dome cars really make it special. Only ones in the world. The scenery can't be beat. The great Canadian Rift, the pararies, and the Canadian Rockies.
The Indian Pacific is a Tourist train set up with lots of side tours and a detour to Adelaide. If it was a dedicated passenger train something like a diesel powered Pendolo tilt train with sleeper accommodation, it could do the trip in around 40 hours instead of 65. And it would be cheaper.
Completed the trip from Perth-Sydney a couple years ago in Gold Class. Was an awesome experience and a great way to see some of your own country's backyard.
Did this as a kid in about 1973 with family, back then they had split side doors and you could open the top one and hang out rather than looking through glass all the way. Probably not allowed now. Its a trip you are best to do one way, fly back. You look at the view on the way over but wont bother on the way back, by the time you've seen the same featureless landscape of the flat lands for a few days you'd probably be well and truly over it.
There was unfortunately a crash at Zanthus passing loop in 1999. Because of distance and technological challenges, full 'centralized train control' as is common on USA single track railroads was only installed in recent times. Prior to that there was limited automation at passing loops. A freight train stopped at Zanthus to let the Indian Pacific 'cross'. In preparation the freight train second engineer unlocked a box containing a push button with the intention of pressing it once the Indian Pacific was in the loop. For some reason he pushed the button prematurely and the switch changed over which put the trains on a collision course. The operation could not be cancelled nor could the Indian Pacific be stopped in time (it had slowed down near the loop as is normal and the collision speed was 17mph). He should not have unlocked the box until the Indian Pacific was safely in the loop. Fortunately no one was killed, the Flying Doctor Service evacuated the more seriously injured passengers and Western Australia railways sent two railcars to recover the remaining passengers.
This is a fairly old documentary (probably early 2000s). The train and the journey has moved upmarket somewhat since then. Red Class (sitting) has gone and Platinum Class (hyper expensive) has been added. The journey is now even longer with a number of off-train excursions. But if you can afford it and have the time, it’s definitely worth the expense.
I used to live in Broken Hill. I drove it in a day as well. But I did a bit extra as i drove to Nowra. But I also caught the Indian Pacific from Broken Hill to Sydney and have fond memories of the trip.
This video must have been filmed between 1997 and 2002, because NR was bought out by PN in 2002. Also, the NR class loco which operates the train is part of 120 which were built between 1996 and 98.
What an experience I want to go to Australia maybe in a couple of years will like to do this and MCG boxing day and maybe a wildlife tour to see the davil and the inland taipan. Ok I will settle for this train and MCG. So help me Nifty.
Vertical clearances east of Parkes, NSW, are too restrictive for dome cars. However, there’s no reason a few dome/lounge cars couldn’t be added west of Parkes where clearances are adequate for double-stacked containers all the way to Perth.
They need to give that Pantich guy another job. He's just not into trains. He's also not to be relied on about Perth's weather - it's hell in summer and he's never driven from Sydney to Broken Hill either.
Yeah I'd say early 2000 judging by the taxi at 3:22 that's a 1996ish ford. Then again I could be wrong cause a town not far from me are still using 2000 model falcon taxis and it's 2017 :P
I went in 1994 and 1997. They didn't tell you there was a pub in Cook because they occasionally left people behind. Just imagine it. Stranded in the middle of nowhere and your luggage left without you.
Why is this headed "Indian Pacific Railroad of Australia"? We have RAILWAYS in Australia and prefer to leave the railroad descriptor to other countries.
They were originally called railroads in Britain then for some reason (dictionary authors?) it became railways, but the Americans never changed. Similarly some British dictionary writer chose to put a 'u' after 'o' but America declined to follow suit.
I did this trip in 1958 and I still have very, very fond memories. I'd love to travel on the Trans Siberian Railroad but I couldn't imagine it would be so luxurious.
Clive Cooper I hear the trans Siberian isn't that fun
Clive Cooper you should go on the California zephyr
Derek Thompson The train is still full every time I see it, and it is a very long train.
You can get to Cook by road, I’ve driven there in my truck to pick up some drilling gear west of the township when they were drilling a wildcat oil well. However it is 107 kms of dirt road north of the Eyre Highway.
You should take Via Rail's Canadian 1 from Toronto to Vancouver. It is probably the greatest train ride in the world. The dome cars really make it special. Only ones in the world. The scenery can't be beat. The great Canadian Rift, the pararies, and the Canadian Rockies.
The Indian Pacific is a Tourist train set up with lots of side tours and a detour to Adelaide. If it was a dedicated passenger train something like a diesel powered Pendolo tilt train with sleeper accommodation, it could do the trip in around 40 hours instead of 65. And it would be cheaper.
I think that we call them railways here, and I traveled the Indian Pacific twice.
Its not a railroad, its just the Indian Pacific. Do you call services like the 'Sunset Limited' the 'Sunset Limited Railroad'?
Did the Sydney-Perth trip back in 1990 during my backpacking trip around the world. Great experience.
Completed the trip from Perth-Sydney a couple years ago in Gold Class. Was an awesome experience and a great way to see some of your own country's backyard.
On my Bucket List, for sure! I'm going! That's all there is to it! I'm F-ing Going!
Did this as a kid in about 1973 with family, back then they had split side doors and you could open the top one and hang out rather than looking through glass all the way. Probably not allowed now. Its a trip you are best to do one way, fly back. You look at the view on the way over but wont bother on the way back, by the time you've seen the same featureless landscape of the flat lands for a few days you'd probably be well and truly over it.
There was unfortunately a crash at Zanthus passing loop in 1999. Because of distance and technological challenges, full 'centralized train control' as is common on USA single track railroads was only installed in recent times. Prior to that there was limited automation at passing loops. A freight train stopped at Zanthus to let the Indian Pacific 'cross'. In preparation the freight train second engineer unlocked a box containing a push button with the intention of pressing it once the Indian Pacific was in the loop. For some reason he pushed the button prematurely and the switch changed over which put the trains on a collision course. The operation could not be cancelled nor could the Indian Pacific be stopped in time (it had slowed down near the loop as is normal and the collision speed was 17mph). He should not have unlocked the box until the Indian Pacific was safely in the loop. Fortunately no one was killed, the Flying Doctor Service evacuated the more seriously injured passengers and Western Australia railways sent two railcars to recover the remaining passengers.
This is a fairly old documentary (probably early 2000s). The train and the journey has moved upmarket somewhat since then. Red Class (sitting) has gone and Platinum Class (hyper expensive) has been added. The journey is now even longer with a number of off-train excursions. But if you can afford it and have the time, it’s definitely worth the expense.
Bill Bryson brought me here ^^ Looks very cool
Broken hill a days drive from Sydney, maybe if you drive an aeroplane.
I did it in 13 hours including a lap around Mount Panorama.
I used to live in Broken Hill. I drove it in a day as well. But I did a bit extra as i drove to Nowra. But I also caught the Indian Pacific from Broken Hill to Sydney and have fond memories of the trip.
I’ve driven it in a day. It’s doable if you share the driving but tiring.
Chuga choo choo! I'm a train and I approve this video!!
What a wonderful name. Spencer Christian sounds so regal 😀
4 days 3 nights. not 3 days lol ive done it. leaves Wednesday arvo arrives Sunday arvo. It still stops at cook but theres nothing there anymore.
Sydney ~ Perth (4,300km) La ~ NY (2,790mile) WOW
Brilliant blog sir.
Did it in 2015. Three days in the cheap seats, comfortable though.
bucket list!!
I'm looking to travel the Indian pacific one time
This video must have been filmed between 1997 and 2002, because NR was bought out by PN in 2002. Also, the NR class loco which operates the train is part of 120 which were built between 1996 and 98.
It was "bought out" by National Rail.. hence the "NR". Pacific National took ownership of the NR fleet after National Rail went out of business
@@spleensthecat8776 I know that.
Great video
What an experience I want to go to Australia maybe in a couple of years will like to do this and MCG boxing day and maybe a wildlife tour to see the davil and the inland taipan. Ok I will settle for this train and MCG. So help me Nifty.
I have travelled on this train, but I think the best train I have ever been on is 'THE CANADIAN' across Canada
Africa Namibia, Spain train Fantastic
You are correct. Unbeatable scenery and the dome cars make it special.
Great train video
Wow Awesome
I didnt think deserts were so green.
might've had some heavy rain not long before filming. Rain is rare, but when it happens, there can be a lot of it.
the price for one ticket?
very cool......too bad this railway does not have a few dome cars on this train
Borodin
Vertical clearances east of Parkes, NSW, are too restrictive for dome cars. However, there’s no reason a few dome/lounge cars couldn’t be added west of Parkes where clearances are adequate for double-stacked containers all the way to Perth.
They need to give that Pantich guy another job. He's just not into trains. He's also not to be relied on about Perth's weather - it's hell in summer and he's never driven from Sydney to Broken Hill either.
Looks like it's filmed in the early 2000s.
RS 1990 - Definately early to mid 2000's as the logo has changed now & Red Kangaroo Class Sitting Cars are no longer available...
Yeah I'd say early 2000 judging by the taxi at 3:22 that's a 1996ish ford.
Then again I could be wrong cause a town not far from me are still using 2000 model falcon taxis and it's 2017 :P
Also because they said it was the last major infrastructure so obviously before the Alice Springs/Darwin line was opened in 2004.
How much does the trip cost?
Not cheap...upwards of 1800 to 3000 U$D ONE WAY! There are no chair cars on this train, or the Ghan. All Gold or Platinum service.
Has Great Southern considered two or three vista carriages?
Robert Smith low bridges in NSW.
You want them to spend money on rolling stock
They accept your money to buy tickets, then 3 days later tell you the trip is cancelled, and that you might not get a full refund. WTF
Train services should be connect ed from india to Australia.
cook has nothing anymore and the price could be better great trip otherwise have done it several times now one a week
I went in 1994 and 1997. They didn't tell you there was a pub in Cook because they occasionally left people behind. Just imagine it. Stranded in the middle of nowhere and your luggage left without you.
WICH GAUGE ??? BROAD GAUGE MITER GAUGE , NARROW GAUGE ???
Standard gauge.
The driver was a bit confused saying the long straight was 279km. It is actually 297 miles or 478km.
4:32 he said it's 479km
Then why is the Indian pacific a fast train
@@cadespencer6320 it’s not. It takes 4 days.
Why is this headed "Indian Pacific Railroad of Australia"? We have RAILWAYS in Australia and prefer to leave the railroad descriptor to other countries.
They were originally called railroads in Britain then for some reason (dictionary authors?) it became railways, but the Americans never changed. Similarly some British dictionary writer chose to put a 'u' after 'o' but America declined to follow suit.
Railway. We say railway. Not railroad in Australia.
would love to do this trip but why are people reading books and papers instead of watching the scenery go by...how boring are they .....brain dead....
After a while the desert does get pretty repetitive.
Out on the Nullabor, there isn't anything to see. That is practically one full day of nothing.
ummm why is everyone American in the film? I thought I was going to see some train in Montana lol
Tourists...it is essentially a tourist train...
Australians don't have time to catch a train across the country. They just fly.
000 for emergency ...
Were is bernie Baker,this is boring
LOL