Well yes, actually. The thing is, I ran out of time, yesterday at The National Railway Museum. But also, I figured there was much more to see. So, after packing for the final leg of my Australian railtour, I made my way, after breakfast, via various shopping malls, back to the Railway Station for a train once again to Port Adelaide. By strange coincidence, I bumped into Roger, who I got into conversation with the day before. Contact details were exchanged. I found another shedload of treasures I had overlooked inadvertently yesterday. Time was limited; my taxi to the rail terminal was booked for 16.45 hours.
It’s now 21.15hrs. Great Southern Rail laid on a splendid dinner at Adelaide Parkland Station in impressive new premises adjoining the platform. My carry-on baggage was delivered to my cabin. This is much better; I have a double compartment to myself and there seems to be three times the space as there was in the single compartments on The Ghan. I did, however, pay a fairly hefty suppliment, which I do feel was worth the extra. The only downside I would ascertain when getting to bed, was that compartment 8 in coach “M” was directly over the bogies meaning the sensation of every bump, rail joint, and break application and other rumblings are felt much more prominently. I feared a sleepless night and requested a move. A bed was made up three coaches away in single accommodation which I was welcome to use. The next thing I knew, it was a bright sunny morning as we trundled sedately through the dry arid remaining part of South Australia. The bathroom facilities are part of the cabin but are far less spacious than those at the end of the coach. Nevertheless, this does represent a high degree of luxury in rail travel. At dinner, I sat next to Christine, a former secretary who had travelled the Indian Pacific around 15 times. There is still demand for rail travel; all the journeys I made in Australia were well filled, The Ghan full to capacity. Opposite, Norma and David on their journey of a lifetime.
Now, I am settled in my much more roomy cabin. Train time has been retarded 90 minutes, making for a relaxing journey. Unlike The Ghan, there is but a half hour stop at Cook tomorrow. I bought a pile of memorabilia in the souvenir shop, including the last “Overland” baseball cap. Seemingly, that train is “hanging on in there”. We are on our way, now to Perth in Western Australia. And tomorrow, we spend the day crossing the Nullarbor Plains. I like that I can turn off the lights and see out at night.
Here are a few pictures taken during the day.
1) Adelaide Railway Station
2 – 5) National Railway Museum
6 – 8) Back in Adelaide
9) The Majestic Roof Garden Hotel
10 – 13) Inside Adelaide Parklands Station including the tables laid for dinner. The “author” poses outside the train.
I didn’t have any desire to leave Adelaide, and hopefully I may be able to do the place justice on a future visit. But right now, I am savouring every moment of this adventure.
The Dream Continues.
David.
David's Cruise 