Spirit of Queensland RailBed review | A premium journey down the QLD coast | Cairns - Brisbane
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- čas přidán 16. 06. 2024
- Find out what it's like to travel on Queensland's premier long distance passenger train, the Spirit of Queensland, between Cairns and Brisbane. A modern diesel tilt train will take us down the Queensland coast, travelling through some of the wettest parts of Australia and paralleling the Great Dividing Range. There will be lush views of huge rivers, wildlife and a beautiful sunset as the train heads south.
We'll take a close look at a unique seat that converts into a flat bed, will enjoying delicious meals included in the fare. The Spirit of Queensland links tropical Far North Queensland with the Townsville, the Whitsundays, Bundaberg, the Fraser Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Spirit of Queensland timetable:
www.queenslandrailtravel.com....
Spirit of Queensland fares and information:
www.queenslandrailtravel.com....
🚉 Train: The Spirit of Queensland
🚉 Operator: Queensland Rail (QR)
🚉 Locomotives: Diesel Tilt Train
🚉 Seat: Car C, Seat 8
🚉 Route: Cairns - Rockhampton - Brisbane
🚉 Distance: 1681 km
🚉 Travel time: 24 hours 45 minutes (scheduled)
🚉 Class: RailBed (First class)
🚉 Travel date: 30 December 2022 - 31 December 2022
EQUIPMENT:
🚉 Cameras: GoPro Hero 10, GoPro Hero 8, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Panasonic HC-VX1, DJI Mini 3 Pro
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:40 - Route map and diesel tilt train
04:05 - RailBed seat tour
06:20 - Departure and crew announcements
08:24 - Morning tea service
09:31 - Gordonvale and The Sunlander
11:34 - Toilet tour
12:34 - Babinda
14:02 - Innisfail
15:27 - Lunch options and Tully
17:33 - Cardwell
18:06 - Lunch
19:35 - Ingham
20:54 - Something wedged under train
22:12 - Townsville
24:00 - Mt Isa line
24:41 - Giru and Ayr
26:24 - Burdekin Bridge
27:37 - Wine time
29:10 - Bowen
29:51 - Dinner and Proserpine
31:32 - Mackay
32:04 - RailBed in bed mode
33:37 - Burnett River and Bundaberg
34:36 - Showering onboard
35:19 - Maryborough West
37:06 - Breakfast on the Sunshine Coast
39:49 - Caboolture and end of tilt mode
41:13 - Thoughts on the RailBed
41:48 - Train fares
43:14 - Arriving Roma Street
43:40 - Final thoughts and preview
Music
I use Artlist for high quality, licensed audio. If you sign up using my referral link below, you will get two extra months for free.
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Credits and sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_C...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt_Train
www.queenslandrail.com.au/for...
All Manner of Trains
Made by The Commonwealth Film Unit 1962
• All Manner Of Trains
Burdekin Bridge:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Flood damaged railway bridge over the Burdekin River, 1917
collections.slq.qld.gov.au/vi...
Diesel tilt train:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Cardwell Beach:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Golden Gumboot:
Photo by Frances76
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Cane toad video:
• Cane Toad Party
Bundaberg Rum Distillery
www.flickr.com/photos/rodeime...
The Big Pineapple
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
QR loco 1556 and a 1720 class haul the Sunlander northbound through Yabulu (about 1991)
Photo by Ellis678
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Follow me on social media:
/ _fromthewindowseat
/ adamgjoyce
/ adamjoycetravels
#australiantrains #trainreview #tripreport
I have done this trip return many times and still enjoy it. I was lucky enough to travel on the Sunlander Cairns to Brisbane just prior to its retirement and do miss the cabins for the privacy.
That would have been a great experience. Yes, it’s sad there aren’t private cabins anymore.
As somebody who grew up and live in the desert of Arizona, the scenery looks really incredible. I’d definitely love to visit Northern Queensland one day.
Yes, it’s beautiful … very lush compared to my home in South Australia (dry). Hope you get to visit one day. Cheers!
@@FromtheWindowSeat Not dry where I live in Mt Gambier,it is so beautiful and gree,coz it bever stops raining 🤣🤣🤣
Green...never.changed my glasses 🤣🤣
Ha - true! Forgot about the South East🤣
Make sure you have plenty of money as it’s very expensive Country
I travelled on the northbound service Nambour-Cairns just after Christmas 2022, also a Railbed. Loved it. I woke in the middle of the night and enjoyed a couple of hours in the café. People awake at that time are usually very interesting.
Nice. Yes - I can imagine!
I did the Spirit of Queensland from Townsville to Brisbane late last year and was such an memorable experience. Most of the time I’ll fly if I’m going up to North Queensland, but I only did it for experience and loved every bit of it
Wonderful to hear that. Cheers!
This is an amazing presentation full of wonderful scenery and interesting facts. I travelled on the Sunlander in 1977 but had a seat in 2nd class and the journey was excruciatingly slow and I never wanted to see sugar cane fields ever again. I had the choice of an economy/2nd class sleeper cabin which had 6 bunks and no linen provided. I was travelling solo and as was the custom in those days I would have been sharing with 5 strangers. I have also done the trip by coach straight through from Sydney to Cairns with Deluxe Coaclines and I must say it was quite an experience. I am looking forward to your Indian Pacific journey which is one I have taken multiple times between 1970 and 2019. Thanks again Adam for this amazing and educational experience. Well done 👍 👏
I would have loved to travel on the Sunlander for comparison … ideally in a private cabin. Like you, not sure about sharing a room with five strangers. Happy to hear you enjoyed the video. Need to start editing the IP one next. 😉
I have to admit, I am jealous because as a rail fan enthusiast I would love to ride these rails! Thanks for sharing!
Hopefully you can travel on this train one day yourself. Thanks for watching!
Had this channel existed during 2014 you would have been one of last people who traveled on the sunlander. I beged my mum to book me on the last ride to Brisbane and to this day i still the old sunlander.
Yes, that would have been a great experience.
loving every minute thanks
Lovely to hear. Thank you!
Another great video presentation with additional information of the route
Thanks so much Peter. Cheers!
Great video I absolutely love it the train journey is amazing and stunning views too
Thanks Josh. Yes, the scenery is great. Cheers!
Again another great review. Take a bow and a BIG thumbs UP. Please keep then coming as they both very informative and enjoyable.
Thanks so much! ☺️
Great to see some of Australia and it’s rail infrastructure
Happy to help. 😁
Truly a stunning beautiful country. Thank you for sharing✌️👍
My pleasure 😊
Hi Really enjoyed this program. Your programs are of a very high standard - plenty of relevant facts, excellent filming and commentary make your work very watchable.
Hi David. Wonderful to hear - thank you!
Welcome back. It was great seeing you again. This video was worth the wait. And now, I can't wait for the next one. Your videos are so awesome and relaxing to watch. Thank you for another great one.
It certainly takes me a while to edit each one, so happy to hear the effort pays off. Thank you!
Great report. I’m mixed about the seats. Undoubtedly they look great and comfortable. For a day trip I think fantastic.
But think I’d prefer the privacy of a cabin. Specially as I have a tendency to snore and are also a light sleeper so others noise would keep me awake. But I’d probably take a chance and see what they are like.
Thank you. Yes, agreed … a cabin offers many benefits.
Well done. Great footage, editing and narration. Keep up the good work.
Wonderful to hear. Thank you!
Thank you for this very informative, lovely video 🙏
Glad you liked it. 🙏
A great review you covered everything so well
Thank you!
Love the commentary. I'm planning a trip to Cairns and your video really helped me.
Thank you! Happy to hear that.
Loved watching this. Born and raised in QLD and miss the scenery and weather most of all. Also a rail travel enthusiast myself so this wears a great watch! Thank you :)
Wonderful to hear. Glad you liked it.
Excellent information and narration. Australia is beautiful and the people...
Thank you. Lovely to hear.
Have been on the spirit of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns twice. Shouted ourselves the pod bed. It is a fantastic journey. The seats are wide, movies good, meals are absolutely first class. Facilities like showers etc great and to top it all off the Staff are wonderful.
Would recommend this trip to anyone.
Wonderful to hear. Cheers!
First Thoughts... YAY!! Another video from Adam!! Dad and I be watching tonight for sure...💚
Awesome. Hope you both enjoy this one! Cheers 😊
thanks for another awesome video - I am so excited for your next one on the Indian Pacific!!
You’re welcome. I’m working on the next one now but it’s a mammoth task. Haha!
@@FromtheWindowSeat haha i can imagine! the amount of detail and care you put into your videos is truly impressive
Another great video Adam. The food looks very nice too
Thanks Richard!
Thank you for a good documentary.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Another enjoyable video adam
Many thanks David!
Helpful and very professional. Thanks.😊
Thank you!
Great video once again!
Thank you!
Thanks for another great video. I did the trip in the old Sunlander many years ago and by my calculations it took about 38 hours. We left Roma Street station at around 4:00pm on a Friday and I stepped off the train in Cairns on Sunday morning at about 6:00am. But as you say, a sleeper cabin is definitely the way to go. Keep the video coming.
Sounds like a real adventure. Thanks for watching!
Great video Adam - having travelled on the Sunlander many times between Cairns, (where I grew up) and Brisbane on our way to Melbourne, this is a journey I would do again in an instant...We always had a family room and there was a dining car in those days (late 60's to late 70's), but it seemed sooo slow to a kid back then! Cheers from an Cairns expat...
Thanks Greg. I’d have loved to be able to take the Sunlander for comparison. Sounds like an adventure. Cheers!
You can tell a lot of work has gone into the making of this video, lots of really interesting info, greetings from North Thailand 🇹🇭
Thank you very much! 😊
Once again, just an awesome job Adam! We've watched maybe 8 or so of your vids, and have become real fans of yours. The videography, editing, commentary, et al are basically superb. Love the graphics, historical references, and all the little details you discuss about your journeys. A very well balanced and enjoyable presentation. Safe travels and God bless!
That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you!
The sceneries looks super incredible
Cheers!
Another great video! I'd love to travel on this train one day :)
Thank you! You should. 😊
Wow. I took the old Sunlander on this route as a kid to go to Expo 88. Still live in Cairns and always fly but this vid has convinced me to take rail next trip. Thank you.
So good to hear. Hope you enjoy the trip!
Great video as always
Thank you!
Thanks, very informative 😊 and it was nice to see my apartment block on your arrival at Roma St
Glad it was helpful! Wow - you’re in a great location then! 👌
long time no see again, really love it❤
Great to hear. Thank you! 🙏
can't wait to see the Indian Pacific video ! great video by the way this one :)
Thanks so much!
Amazing report. And great to see those sleeper chairs reviewed.
Hubby wants to try them, but I must admit, I dunno if I couldn't put up with the snoring, grunts, and snorts, of other passengers ( let alone my snoring hubby😂), while I tried to sleep...I think I would need a cabin, with a bed.
Mind you, those seats did look mighty comfy in day mode, as well as night mode.!
Thanks Heather! They’re definitely comfortable. Just don’t forget earplugs. 🤣
I was umming and ahhing about doing this trip, then I watched this whole video and now I’m convinced! Booking to go later in the year 😁
So good to hear. 👏
Great video - thanks.
Glad you liked it. Cheers!
I’m so lucky I have this train and the Kuranda scenic railway as my local trains
Lucky indeed! 😊
AUSTRALIA FULL OF BEAUTY N SURPRISES
Cheers!
Very enjoyable video, just subscribed to watch more, thankyou and best wishes from New Zealand
Wonderful to hear. Thank you!
Thanks for this great video on the Spirit of Qld. My elderly parents travelled on it from Nambour to Innisfail and back a couple of years ago and they were sitting in the very last 2 seats at the back of the train in car G going north. 22 Hrs which was their travel time is a long time in Economy class for 2x 75 yo elderly people and Mum and Dad said they would never do it again in economy class but if they had a cabin or sleeper arrangement they would think about it. I can't imagine myself doing it in economy class either but would be happy to try it with the same sleeper you had.
Thank you! Yes, 22 hours sitting up is a long time. Definitely worth the upgrade to a RailBed. Cheers.
I've lived in Qld almost all my life, I've never been on the Spirit of Queensland. Thanks. Good video.
Cheers!
Loved the Sunlander’s sleeper cabins!!!
Would have loved to try that train.
Fantastic 👍✨
Glad you liked it. 😃
😊😀🌏🖥️📱🎧👌 For Years I traveled on This Train. ❤😊 Enjoyed the ride immensely 👌👍👏
Very cool. Thank you! Glad you liked it. ☺️
I was searching for video reviews on Indian Pacific and chanced on your channel. This is amazing. The way you explain it is very crisp and to the point. Loved your 30 ways Japanese Railways are different. I started watching all your videos (not in a particular order). Will complete this marathon by next weekend. :).
Welcome aboard! That’s great hear. Thank you! ☺️
i grew up in cairns and only got to see this train from the outside so its very nice to see what it's like to ride it :]
Happy to help. 😊
I love train journey , live in Auckland. I also would definitely love to visit Northern Queensland one day. Just discover your channel recently and really re-ignite my love of train traveling
Yes, Queensland is beautiful. Hope you make it across the ditch soon!
I live in Edmonton, 10km of Gordonvale and that bought Yeats to my eyes again how beautiful homeland is; by rail and car!
You captured Cairns and NQ in a way that not is not known or seen before.
First time I came to Cairns was on the now deleted and old Sunlander train 25 years ago.
The train looks amazing these days as it's upgraded immensely but the scenery especially still looks as beautiful as ever.
That's why I moved to Cairns local area again. Aesthetically beautiful akd cheap!!!
Not all of Cairns flood affected.
Love Cairns!❤ Amd Train travel.
Want to catch train to Townsville ❤❤❤
Great to hear that. Would have loved to experience the Sunlander. Thank you and cheers!
So interesting. I live in Townsville but work away in Mackay, and I pass the northbound Spirit of Qld every Thursday
Well there you go. Cheers!
In my younger years I was a regular on the Electric Tilt Trains, done Bundaberg to Rocky and Bundaberg to Brisbane dozens upon dozens of times. Was very interesting to see Cairns - Rocky. I recall the electric Tilt Trains at least used to go faster, but they take a lot more care now and go a fair bit slower after the couple of derailments that have happened over the years.
Sounds fun. It’s a pity the trains can’t reach their top speed as much anymore.
I wish that they still called the train the Sunlander. It was an iconic train!
Would have loved to try the Sunlander.
Next year I'm going back on the same train from Brisbane to Cairns I've been on it before and it was wonderful I would fully recommend it to everyone to do at least once in their lives the food was wonderful the view was wonderful and the entertainment was wonderful next time I go I won't get the bed made into a bed as it was pretty nice lift the way it was you can easily fall asleep in it
Happy to hear that. Hope your upcoming journey is equally enjoyable. 😊
Nice content !🎉
Thank you! 😊
I travel the same route on my commute from the north to the city (and back), and regularly see the train pass in the afternoon at central. Never realised it took so long to make its trip!
Oh cool.
Saw my primary school in gordonvale! St michaels, great little town! From cairns
Nice! Thanks for watching! 😊
When I was 16 I travelled the whole way back from the Gold Coast with no money, good thing they had free tea and biscuits
Nice!
Mate I’ve been on this train several times and also the railbed seat definitely worth buying
Great to hear. Cheers!
The Tilt train is great.
Yes, it’s a very comfortable train. 😊
im doing this same thing next year to get to brissy then from there to the summernats, also moved to cairns when i was 12 and came up on the sunlander, as a kid it was frightening but honestly a great time
Nice!
Save time just fly for prob less
Austrailia is a clean. Well mannered people educated country It is well able to live here trains give clean and delecious dishes. Thanks for giving a look of austrailia
Glad it was useful. Thanks!
Love your train videos! Any thoughts about reviewing the Westlander? :)
Thank you! Hopefully one day. 🤞
Great video as always, looking forward to the next one. Do you have a curtain or anything similar with the rail bed?
Thank you. There are curtains on the windows but not around the RailBeds.
Great detailed video I really think Australia needs more trains.
Thank you. Agreed!
Innisfail Station is absolutely brilliant.
Yes, it’s lovely.
I'm from NSW, but I love you so much, QLD :) Plus also, got family from there, so it's not betraying anyone :D
Ha - nice!
The Sunlander used to have sleeper cars. We travelled that a lot during my childhood and certainly is a better option when compared to the bed seats.
That would have been great. Cheers!
Sleeping car, where better
To this day I still miss the old sunlander.
I had no idea there was a train from Cairns to Brisbane; I wonder if it was there back when i visited. I'll have to try it next time I'm there.
A train from Bergen to Oslo has similar sleeper seats.
It’s been running since 2013. Before that The Sunlander travelled the same route.
I have traveled on the Spirit of Queensland travelling railbed from Brisbane to Cairns, during Summer when Queensland was suffering from a drought. Had a great onboard crew, meals where good and had no problem with the 'railbed' concept. The only issue with the bed configuration is the 'fold down' concept as oppose to the reclining 'fold out' option that most airline business class seats have, making sleeping difficult. I didn't have an issue with the 25 hour travel time. I do agree that the cafe cafe is busy day and night mainly from passengers travelling in Economy.
That’s good to hear. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Cheers!
Do the Bellarine railway in Queenscliff Victoria plz, btw great video!
Thank you! Yes, I’m keen to try that.
I returned to Cairns from Brisbane on the train just 3 days ago. I’ve still yet to decide if it was better or worse than the trip down. On the way down, the aircon wasn’t working in most of the cars (it was fine in the car I was in) so they stopped in Townsville where we waited on the platform for 6 hours while they figured out what to do, then stayed the night at quite a nice 4 star hotel, only to get on a bus the next morning where we spent the next 19 hours.
Oh dear - that’s not good! 😧
That's Qld Rail for you. Govt does not maintain the servicee for travellers and tourists alike. Wish they the overpaid pollies would learn some things from their many juntas to Japan about rail systems. Money wasted on consultants would go a long way to fixing the mountain of problems. Bushyboy Oz.
Thanks for such an informative video. I would not like the idea of some allocated person sleeping in the rail bed next to me either !
Glad it was helpful. Yes, if travelling solo, being located on the left hand side with the two RailBeds next to each other, wouldn’t be great. 🥴
There's nothing better than those old train stations with all the beautiful plants. l love it so much.
lve never heard of the pyramid race.
What an amazing train, lm really impressed. ld love to go to Cairns and back (Roma St Brisbane), but l'd love to do it with my family (adult/teen kiddos). ls there any train that still has the cabins??
Gosh l remember when train travel was free for those on concession, one use per year. Now its not. What a shame.
Yes, those stations are beautiful. There are still sleeper trains with private cabins including the Spirit of the Outback, The Ghan and the Indian Pacific.
@@FromtheWindowSeatOh right... The Ghan is still around? l'll have to check that one out. Thanks!! Btw... those chair beds looked great
@@Him_He_Me Yep. It’s quite expensive though. This is one of my earlier videos: czcams.com/video/CUqyK0o9Uvo/video.htmlsi=TRF5atp4iMWPQUZ7
I have travelled this train to Mackay, the only thing I found wrong is that when the beds are in place is that if you have to go to the bathroom at night, if by the window you have to climb over the person beside you, not so good. Love the relaxed travel of the train.
Yes, I wouldn’t fancy being a solo traveller in one of the side-by-side RailBeds. Cheers!
This is an Amazing video and I agree QR should put more money towards the Spirt of Queensland to cut down on travel time and the delays. Also you should try the Inlander or Westlander.👍
Thanks so much! Definitely keen to try those.
Thank you for uploading this honest and thorough review of the Spirit of Queensland experience. I've been thinking about doing this trip, but was hesitant after some less than pleasant journeys on NSW's CountryLink (now TrainLink) rail service. TBH, I think I'm just going to fly to Cairns (and feel guilty about my carbon footprint).
Glad the video as helpful. Yes, it’s a tough decision.
@@FromtheWindowSeat - right after I watched your video, I thought, "Hey, Americans are forever complaining about Amtrak, I wonder how the experience compares?" So I watched another review of the California Zephyr (Chicago to San Fran) route... and wow, Qld Rail needs to lift their game. :)
I'm inspired to take this trip, just not sure if I want to take it north or south. The rail bed pricing doesn't seem too bad, when you consider it includes meals. I still can't get over Caboolture being a northern suburb of Brisbane. The last time I visited the area, in 1990, Caboolture was considered the southern edge of the Sunshine Coast.
Happy to hear that. I’m sure both directions will have their benefits. Cheers!
I have been on them,I lived in Mackay.
Nice!
yeah missed out on the railbeds. wish they had more available or increased services
Sorry to hear that. Yes, it would be great if there was more capacity.
Mate I’ve been up castle hill and definitely worth topping up the fuel tank to get up there and to get back down
Definitely. I went up when I visited Townsville a few years ago.
Adam, what a perfectly timed journey review! I have a Canadian friend arriving in Cairns next week and he is booked southbound on the Spirit of Queensland on Sunday 10th September. When he eventually gets to Melbourne later this month, it will be interesting to get his feedback on the journey. Now I see another Canadian friend has just released a review on one of his domestic rail journeys, so over to him.(DownieLive if you haven't already guessed)🙂🙂🙂
Hi Michael. That’s great to hear. Hope your friend enjoys his trip although I doubt the scenery on the Spirit of Queensland will quite live up to the Rocky Mountaineer. 😜
Great vid. The Tilt Train is a funny thing. Like slow flying; not like the expansive old Sunlander, where you could move around. TBH it has the same problems as flying - eg if your rail bed is by the doors/toilets, you'll find it hard to sleep. There's also no escaping the Grey Nomads who dominate long distance tourist train travel in Oz. In first class to Townsville or Cairns, they start drinking like teens at about 3pm, then hit their beds about 7:30 to 8pm, then snore until their bladders turn them into toilet seekers all night long!
Worth noting that for $15 per leg, you can take a bicycle on the long distance trains' baggage cars, throughout Queensland. Given how flat places like Longreach, Mt Isa, Townsville etc are, it's a great option. Within about 10 mins of alighting you have your handlebars and pedals re-fixed and you're off.
Yes, the Tilt Train certainly has its quirks. I didn’t know that about bikes - handy! Cheers.
Thats one of the train trips i’d like to take. Such lovely scenery. Not too sure i’d like the openness of the beds. As you say, i’d rather be snoring in semi private than sitting up in economy though.
Happy to hear this. Hope you get the opportunity to try it.
Hi Adam, this is awesome, am doing this trip next year, so am excited for the experience. Question - does all the flat beds have a good size window or is there any one seat shouldn’t book? 🙏🙋♀️😊
Thank you!
As far as I can recall, they all have good window views. But you can use the virtual train tour to check:
www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Spirit-of-Queensland-Virtual-Tour.aspx
@@FromtheWindowSeat thank you so much for the link 🙏
Recently travelled this route and found sadly, that the railbeds had passed their use by date as they were as hard as the hobs of hell and fellow passengers were less than respectful when shuffling thru to amenities. Additionally the beds were very tight width wise preventing one from movement of the arms and legs. Unlikely to use again. On a positive note, the meals, scenery and seats when upright were very good. The staff were exceptionally great. Arrival into Brisbane was almost 2 hours late forcing the train to be delayed on sidings for freight and later commuter trains as we had lost our slot Not bad but not so good overall. Cheers
Sorry to hear about your experience. Yes, there are certainly pros and cons. Cheers!
Gr
Crazy this train manages to be this big and fast on 3' 6" track!
Ha! Trusty narrow gauge. 🤣
Do you have any plans to take a seat on Qld's Westlander? It may not be terribly touristy, but I think the scenery might be worth the trip.
It’s on the long list … likely to be a while before I get to it.
I've been contemplating a trip on the Queenslander. I haven't had a proper rail experience in 20 years.
Nice. Definitely worth giving it a try!
I wish Amtrak offered RailBeds or something similar here in the US! They seem like a good value - less private than a cabin but a little less expensive too.
Yes. I guess they’re a good compromise. 🤔
New subscriber here, love Train journeys, why make it faster? I'm happier with a full 24 hours than an 20 hour for example.
Love your videos, and there was me thinking there was just the Ghan in Aus.
Great to hear. Yes, fair point. Thank you!
Just planning a small holiday in 2024.
Excellent!
I have a question for a long while. Given the popularity of the train ticket, why does Queensland Rail not upgrade the train fleet? Allowing the Brisbane-Cairns service to carry more passengers should be profitable if the current service is usually found "heavily booked". I suggest purchasing Siemens's latest sleeper coach to replace the old Diesel tilting train. Of course, the new fleet can still fit the tilting technology. The only difference is that the new service is able to carry way more passengers.
I imagine only the Queensland Government can answer that. Even though the train is heavily booked I highly doubt it makes a profit … it’s run as a public service rather than for profit. Buying new trains is hugely expensive and the Spirit of the Outback and other loco-hauled trains are due to be replaced soon so I imagine that’s the priority before upgrading or replacing the Spirit of Queensland. 🤔
@@FromtheWindowSeat I was on the Railbed of the Spirit of Queensland last September, and the journey was incredible. I was on the Railbed of the Spirit of Queensland last September, and the journey was incredible. The ticket was around $330 and was really high value.
@@acde9355 Good to hear that. Cheers!
Hi !I'm thinking of booking a sleeper but not sure if I'll have enough room when laying down.. You see, I'm 184cm long and take up quite some space :). Any thoughts ? thank you !!
This is from the QR Travel website:
Bed length - window 1900mm, aisle 1700mm
So perhaps request a window seat when you book. 😊