Trans Australia Rail Track

We were there last year (Rawlina) and were told we risked a large fine if we proceeded past Rawlina. Deciding that the money was better in out pocket than some else's we decided to head to Cockelbiddy. Bad mistake.... I have traveled on better goat tracks. It took us 12 hours of concentration to travel the 147 kms. Should have risked the fine. Mind you, on talking to the people at Cocklelbiddy they said the road East from Rawlinna was not much better. Take the chance and go for it, can't see any officials out there waiting to pounce.
Cheers
Capnbazza.

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See it's discussed at the WA side, not sure where you were talking about ?
Here in SA, yeah, every time I've sought advice on it the route (Ooldea to top of Googs is officially off limits, but many do it.

That's probably a bad thing for 4WDn in general as it shows a lack of respect for access to others property.
I'd love to do it, but will probably give it a miss when doing a Maralinga / Googs trip sometime in 2016.

I am not sure about west of Ooldea (if that has any relevance to you proposed planning ???).

Ahh, the benefits of oldish age ! A mate and I did Kalgoorlie to ooldea after dropping down to the bight for fuel in, gulp, 1981, both in HR Holden wagons ! Took best part of a week I think, slow then with rocky track. There were still fettler camps every second siding.Anyway ,not very relevant now, just brought back memories. Oh, camped next to the track the trains were fecking loud ! The drivers even threw out newspapers for us to read ! Yer, good time.

We did a filming trip along the railway line from Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta in September.
The Railways have jurisdiction over 100m either side of the railway line. The Telstra Track runs for the most part just outside that corridor. We were advised by railway staff at one point, to follow the wheeltracks of a truck carrying loads from Haig to Forrest - it at times ran alongside the rail line. We just moved to the Telstra track when approached by trains. We were never challenged by rail staff.
We did not do the Deakin - Watson section, (We had another agenda which because of shock absorber problems on one vehicle, we didn't complete) and travelled to Cook from the main road.
Whilst at Maralinga, Robin told us that the Ooldea-Googs Track section was regularly used by travellers and locals.
The main factor is, under no circumstances, try and stop the trains.
There is 3G coverage along the majority of the line.
Fuel can be obtained at Kalgoorlie, Forrest, Maralinga, Kingoonya and Glendambo.
The Telstra track is rough, and most of the time is 20-30 kph
We camped at Loongana, opposite the obelisk at Deakin, in the bush at Ooldea (we discovered later that there is good camping at Daisy Bates Camp once we found it)
and at Daisy bates camp at Wynbring (behind the airstrip).
The road from Watson to Maralinga is bitumen, and Maralinga to Ooldea good, wide, well maintained gravel (at our time of travel)
It's a great drive.

cheers
Laurie

Am I allowed to suggest that you click on my Classified link below my signature?

cheers
Laurie