The Southern Spirit

PClark · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:17 pm

I also note that the itineraries around Sydney, incorporating Canberra, The Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley are very similar to those of the late GSPE.

tranzitjim · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:35 pm

Just been trying the website a few times, and it does not seem to work.

I get the following message

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The connection was reset

The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading.
* The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few moments.

* If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network
connection.

* If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.
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Visit my 'train tours' page, including an 'emailing list' you can join

http://www.tranzitjim.com.au/dirb.htm

aussiebbq · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:58 pm

PClark · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:50 pm

I have just looked at what is possibly the closest equivalent to these "Southern Spirit" tours.

The Venice Simplon Orient-Express does a yearly "cruise" from Paris to Istanbul. Five days and nights; three nights on the train and one each at hotels in Budapest and Bucharest.

Cost is $A10,920.

By contrast, Perth to Brisbane on the Southern Spirit (Thirteen days and twelve nights - six each on train and in hotels) is $A13,990 in Platinum and $A10,590 in Gold.

On this basis GSR's fares do not appear that exorbitant and $1,000 per person per night is not uncommon at the better end of the cruise ship market.

Of course, it's difficult to compare the VSOE with what GSR's offering on the SS. The VSOE is a wonderful reminder of how the rich, well-born and famous travelled in an age when everybody went by train. The carriages are works of decorative art created by some of the greatest designers of the early art deco period.

On the other hand, there are those who consider it a tad too "authentic".
There's no air conditioning, no wardrobes (only hangers on hooks on the wall) Cabins have nice washing facilities but you have to go down the corridor to the loo and there are no showers anywhere. Cabins are about half the size of GSR's new Platinum class and one person has to sleep "upstairs".

I wish GSR well with this initiative. Admittedly it's only a three month trial season but let's hope it leads somewhere.

At least the cars will ride better than those on the late GSPE and will be able to travel faster than fifty to eighty km per hour.

574M · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:36 pm

Well, a website called stuff dot co dot nz used this picture

Image opens in a new window

and had this to say:

Dodge10 · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:35 pm

I read the same advert in the SMH website with a vastly different picture of the train. Those eNZeders must be using some photographic licence to what is poted on the link to GSR's Southern Spirit website (which works rather well on a decent computer!!!).

Just a thought in passing, but I quite think the deep emerald green and white oval logo look really cool if they go with that livery theme.

I quite like the idea of travelling BNE to Dar via Mel and ADL myself. If it is aimed at the high end tourists, then good marketing ploy by GSR!! Just think if it could link with the Cunards at either end of the country with a train trip in between??? BNE to Perth, whoo hoo!

dalts 1985 · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:29 am

Dodge10 · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:35 am

PClark · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:15 pm

As an indication of just how things are going (or not going!) for the Southern Spirit I note that GSR are offering "bonuses" for all eight cruises.

Fares have not been reduced but they are throwing in a one-way airfare between the end points of each cruise up to the value of $1,000 for Platinum Class (Business class air) or $500 for Gold Class (Economy class air) or you can take up to $1,000 or $500 in off-train events and excursions, which are currently extras.

Obviously they need to get more bookings.

DalyWaters · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:26 pm

All seems like GSR are jumping in on the ideas of the Ozback Explorer.

PClark · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 5:25 pm

"All seems like GSR are jumping in on the ideas of the Ozback Explorer."

Did Ozback Explorer ever actually get off the ground?

GSR have put a lot of thought into these proposed cruises as is evident if you read their brochure.

Most of the distances covered are combined with an IP or Ghan which would be running anyway.

Problem as I see it is that they haven't allowed enough lead time to get the bookings in. People don't book trips like these a few days or even weeks ahead.

The fall in the $A versus the $US might make the cruises more affordable to American tourists although it is perhaps significant that the US equivalent, Grandluxe, went belly up late last month and people who have pre-paid may not get their money back.

dalts 1985 · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 1:46 am

Their was a mock-up of one of the cabins in this month Railway Digest... looked quite interesting...

"A vote for Labor means no more of Howard's bullsh*t

DalyWaters · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:27 am

4705-44201NB · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:08 pm

well GSR have/are having a couple of NR's painted up for this train, similar to the ghan & IP concepts
There is a thread around covering the first one painted NR85.
But those don't want to search here's a pic.
http://bl26.fotopic.net/p53242965.html

cpdbear · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:47 pm