Looking at long distance legends
Travelling across Australia on either The Ghan or The Indian
Pacific is both stylish and trouble-free - just take your seat and enjoy
the Australian outback and all it has to offer.
But, while relaxing, give a little thought to what goes on behind the scenes
that enables us to climb aboard for Alice Springs or Perth or some other
destination.
Downes and Daum have written two valuable volumes of insight into the trials
and tribulations and the people and politics which have made legend the prospect
of rail travel across Australia's harsh and inhospitable outback.
These books are for both the rail enthusiast and those who have made the
pilgrimage on these renowned long distance Australian passenger services
and wish to relive it.
For the rail enthusiast, the authors tell how hard it was to lay rail across
Australia's harsh and inhospitable outback. The problems experienced then
- caused by heat, flood and remoteness - are still present and real.
Similarly, the enthusiast will enjoy reading the authors' account of the
politics behind a variety of decisions - including the choice of locomotives
to pull The Ghan and The Indian Pacific.
But, for the train traveller or enthusiast, the books - replete with photographs
of the places and people that have made travelling on these trains so memorable
- are a splendid read.
- James McGillicuddy
Network Rail, Vol. 35 No.2 April/May
1998
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