The Southern Spirit

Pressman · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:05 pm

rjaygee · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 5:24 pm

At the prices Ozback was charging I am certain that very few back packers could have afforded the trip. Besides most back packers are so filthy they would not be allowed on the train. I think you might mean that the Ozback was oriented to more well off adventurous travellers while the the Southern Spirit is after the wheel heeled luxury class traveller who just want to look in comfort.

Cheers

Rod Gayford

PClark · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:56 am

This service is meant to start on November 25 - about 6 weeks away.

Has anybody here sighted any timetables or notices for the operation east of Adelaide?

Or is it still to early?

PClark · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:08 pm

Latest info on the Southern Spirit is now on the NSW forums.

PClark · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:53 am

Interestingly, a glossy travel supplement in today's "Weekend Australian" reports that the first run of the "Southern Spirit" is from Darwin to Sydney on November 25 and is a "sell-out"

Where did this information come from?

GSR's website pages for the SS seem to be down this morning but the pages for the Indian Pacific still advertises the Platinum class sleepers as being on that train from November 22.

As I understood it, there was, the only one trip planned for mid-late January '09, the other 7 having been cancelled. This was discussed on a now-closed NSW thread.

Shacks · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:41 pm

The inaugral trip next week was always going to run.

Shacks

Also see http://glenschackier.fotopic.net and http://shacksbmx.fotopic.net/

PClark · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:48 pm

Quote:-

"The inaugral trip next week was always going to run."

Was it?

That's not what a GSR consultant told me. Said that the only trip was the Brisbane - Darwin "Grand Tour" on Jan 22, '09. Did not mention the inaugural as being a "sell-out"

Any idea of timings east of Adelaide?

Is it a public trip or a junket for the travel industry?

According to the GSR website, the Indian Pacific departing Sydney today (22/11) should have had Platinum class sleepers attached. Anybody see it departing or en route?

If the cars are heading to Perth today they can't leave Darwin on Tuesday.

I have tried several times today, since reading the article in the "Australian" supplement, to get up-to-date info on the Southern Spirit from GSR's website - all that comes up is a blank page.

Shacks · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:01 pm

PClark · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:32 pm

Shacks wrote:-

"Well, I got my information from the station master here in Darwin. I would hope she knows."

So would I and she should know!

However, remember that the Southern Spirit north and west of Adelaide is not a separate train but only a section attached to a regular sailing of the Ghan or Indian Pacific and that the SM at Darwin is not an employee of GSR.

(Another example of the fragmentation of our railways)

Still, the truth will be evident by next Tuesday so there's no point in arguing.

I am a tad disappointed, but not at all surprised, that these recent initiatives of GSR to move their products upmarket and into the 21st century, as opposed to the 1970s, have attracted so little interest from the RP2 "community"

The location of derelict rail motors and tractors seems to be of more significance to most gunzels.

Still, that's just me in my cups.

GeoffreyHansen · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:30 pm

Shacks · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:55 pm

Ahm, PClark, since when has the Darwin station master NOT been an emplyee of GSR ?
Who does she work for ?

Shacks

Also see http://glenschackier.fotopic.net and http://shacksbmx.fotopic.net/

Pressman · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:46 pm

GSR's Southern Spirit Website works for me .......
it's showing all tours as "Bookings Closed"
Still gives all Itinerary details for each tour

Cheers,
Tony
On the road again, it's my yearly "paid holiday" time again! Very Happy

http://tony33.fotopic.net