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By Rail Aboard The Overland: Adelaide To Melbourne Australia
As on many train journeys throughout North America, the horn on the diesel locomotive gave a few sharp blasts, and with an almost imperceptible tug the train was off on its over 500-mile-long journey. New York to Raleigh NC? Chicago to Omaha? Los Angeles to Williams Junction, Arizona? The train seemed quite American, the passengers aboard spoke what sounded like a very unique English -- even the acceleration of the train brought us through suburbs that looked like they were a part of the lower 48.
No. Wrong on most counts. My wife and I were among the passengers of The Overland, the passenger train operated by Great Southern Rail between the cities of Adelaide in the state of South Australia, and Melbourne in Victoria. The 10½-hour journey travels through land that is quite unique from other parts of Australia, giving it a mystique that draws passengers to its tri-weekly departures.
An Historic Route
Passenger trains have been traveling this line since 1887. “The Overland,” named as such after the ‘Overlanders’ who traveled this route on horseback, has been gracing the tracks since 1936.
Between 1922 and 1930 the South Australia Railways were managed by an American by the name of William Webb. His influence was felt in many ways, including the building of a dining car and two sleeping cars by the Pullman Company in Chicago for use by his company. The dining car, named Adelaide, which can be visited at the Australia National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide, was the heaviest piece of railroad equipment ever used in Australia.
What a route to travel aboard The Overland! Spectacular views of the Gulf of St. Vincent , a railed and vigorous assault of the Adelaide Hills, a descent to the border with Victoria state, and then hundreds of miles of Australia frontier and farmland, followed by an unusual approach to Melbourne, but, alas, I am getting ahead of myself.
All Aboard The Overland
The city of Adelaide is as good a point to start a trip as any. Founded in 1836, three years later it became a colony of civil and religious freedom. 20 years later, Adelaide had its first railroad station. While there is still a grand railroad station in town, built on the same site as the original, it now serves only commuter trains. The new long distance Parkland Terminal, about 3 miles from the center of town, was opened in 1984 and handles The Overland, The Indian Pacific and the The Ghan, the three trains of Great Southern Rail. An excellent portent of the upcoming ride, this modern depot was spotless. Check-in was handled expediently, and there is a gift shop and snack bar in case you have any urges in either regard. The Overland was soon ready for boarding for its 7:25am departure; no one had to scramble as boarding was a smooth procedure and shortly we were sitting in our Red Premium Seats.
Every train has a distinct personality. This one had a big 4000 hp diesel, our Red Premium Car, a Cafe Car with a rather large menu to please adults and children, some coaches, a baggage car, a power car, and a railroad car fitted to take automobiles for those who do not care to drive between the two end points.
No train is better or worse than its staff and on our ride we were privileged to be under the stewardship of Mr. Cliff Bayliss, Train Director. Cliff, as pleasant as possible to all, handled inquiries from passengers and staff with the calming influence so rare anywhere, these days. The staff was friendly and helpful, making it a wonderful way for a family to travel and feel looked after. Without a doubt, this is a longer trip than a flight would be, but when was the last time all of you had a window to look out at the same time? And maybe, just maybe, you will get to see kangaroos hopping away from the right-of-way as the train approaches, as we were lucky enough to.
With social engagements pulling everyone in different directions, a family rarely has time together these days, yet travel has that amazing ability to pull everyone in sync for a while, and what better place to enjoy this quality time together than on a train? No cramped automobiles or tiny airplane seats, always room to move around in, and for those toddlers to walks back and forth. There is a kind of drama that occurs with each brake release to signal another journey to the next destination, no matter how close or far they are apart, and The Overland was no exception.
Photos by Ralph Spielman
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