Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Queensland Tilt Train Like an Aircraft on Rails


If you don't have time for the Spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns, there is another Queensland tilt train, from Brisbane to Rockhampton, simply called the "Tilt Train".
The Tilt Train has an interior which looks like an airliner. The economy seats are a little firm, but larger than aircraft seats. There are overhead lockers which hold an aircraft size bag for each seat. The "tilt" effect is barely noticable. 

To complete the railway experience stay at the Denison Boutique Hotel, located adjacent to the Rockhampton rail yards. The heritage building was previously the administrative railways office. Across the road is what was the Railway Cafe, now the Denison St Diner & Take Away, and still serving a hearty engine driver's breakfast from 5am Monday to Friday. But you have to really like trains, as there is a rail line down the middle of the street between the cafe and hotel, with trains going past your hotel window all hours of the day and night. For an evening of large steaks (with the heads of the cattle they came from mounted on the walls) there is the Great Western Hotel across from the Denison. What looks like a typical outback hotel has a rodeo area out the back. When the rodeo is not on there is live music (both kinds), or line dancing.

Friday, September 13, 2024

Turned it up to 11 on the Spirit of the Outback



The volume control for announcements on the Spirit of the Outback train in Queensland goes up to 11, but is still not very loud. ;-)

The Spirit of the Outback in contrast to the Tilt Train, is a rattly old locomotive drawn thing. Still very comfortable, but you have to hold on when standing up. The first class bedsits are perfect for recreating a Marx Brothers film. The two person ones have two doors for a French farce. This must be the only train in the world which stops so the passengers can visit a memorial commemorating a strike (the *dead* Tree of Knowledge at, Barcaldine).