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On a Sunday morning in August, 1929, a mixed passenger and goods train steamed out of Adelaide railway station and through the sparse northern suburbs. Its destination was a thousand miles away, at the centre of Australia, and it carried, as well as more than a hundred through passengers, mail and fresh fruit.

This is how the story of a legend began. Built through one of the harshest regions in the world the Ghan served as a frontier railway opening up the Australian Outback.
It would quickly become infamous for its delays that were not measured in hours but in weeks due to floodings, white ants, and rails buckling in the heat.
A new line was eventually completed in 1980 the only major passenger line in the world built in this century. Passengers ride in the comfort of the 20th century sometimes in stark contrast to the rugged and hostile world outside. It still is a fascinating trip a must in the agenda of every lover of railways.

The book follows this railway line, features landscape, people, and history of the train and the region. And it tells the story of one of the worlds great railway travels. 

A technical section with construction plans of historical and modern locomotives is included and makes the book even more appealing to the railway enthusiast.

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