Transporting by trian
Submitted: Saturday, Nov 05, 2005 at 14:05
ThreadID:
27840
Views:
2393
Replies:
4
FollowUps:
2
This Thread has been Archived
Member - Andy Q (VIC)
G'day, We have a trip planned for next year....to the Kimberely and beyound. Has anyone had their vehicle transported by train to
Darwin, if so can any of you give me the pros and cons of doing this.
thanks
andy
Reply By: Barry G (Vic) - Saturday, Nov 05, 2005 at 22:21
Saturday, Nov 05, 2005 at 22:21
I transported my 80 Series from
Adelaide to Alice by train a couple of years ago. We travcelled "accompanied" on The Ghan and had a great time. Staff all very careful with vehicles - no problems.
AnswerID:
137969
Reply By: outbackmob - Saturday, Nov 05, 2005 at 22:36
Saturday, Nov 05, 2005 at 22:36
G'day Andy,
We personally didn't transport on the train, but our mates did in Jan this year. They drove from Melb to
Adelaide, put their 4WD on the Ghan and took it off in
Alice Springs. Cost them $900. They drove down to Melb and didn't want to face the Stuart Hwy again in the heat with no air-con (theirs packed up) with two little kids! Said they enjoyed it!
I think you can have roof racks (don't know about a basket), check with your vehicle insurer as
well (might not insure during transit). If you don't alrady have the website for the Ghan it's www.theghan.com.au
We've driven down from the central dessert (300km north west of Alice) to
Melbourne a few times and the drive is pretty good (the Stuart is in really good condition and a breeze to drive). I'm about to drive it again with the baby and toddler!
Have a great trip!
Cheers.
AnswerID:
137972
Follow Up By: Member - Andy Q (VIC) - Saturday, Nov 05, 2005 at 23:04
Saturday, Nov 05, 2005 at 23:04
Thanks to both Barry and the outbackmob, helps a lot and as for the question of insurance....good call. Yeah we've done the Stuart Hwy a few times and thought we'd like to try the train this time.
I'm wondering about the roof rack and the outback camper trailer
once again thanks
andy
FollowupID:
391628
Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) - Sunday, Nov 06, 2005 at 04:21
Sunday, Nov 06, 2005 at 04:21
theres your answer alot slower and way more expensive than driving as i suspected
FollowupID:
391652
Reply By: cloughie - Sunday, Nov 06, 2005 at 12:33
Sunday, Nov 06, 2005 at 12:33
As you are from Vic you must drive to
Adelaide. 4WD's can't be carried from melb as they do not fit under the low bridges in Vic. The sit up daynighter seats in economy are uncomfortable and I would suggest a sleeper if you can afford it.Roofracks are ok if they do not increase the height of the vehicle over a certain limit.Trailers count as another vehicle and are charged accordingly. The real advantage is time saving.
AnswerID:
138039
Reply By: RustyHelen - Monday, Nov 07, 2005 at 09:33
Monday, Nov 07, 2005 at 09:33
mightyQ
We trained it back from AS to PA a few years back. Car and trailer came off OK but covered in diesel "soot" or whatever.
This year met up with a group of 6 couples from
Adelaide in
Darwin who had all trained it up, and were also doing it back. All in cars and they reported the same muck on the cars.
They reckon they had an OK trip but will drive next time due to cost. Sevice food etc on train was great and side trips were also enjoyed. They commented that carriages were old (70's versions) and lacking some comfort.
We priced the train trip while in
Darwin and to carry the trailer was additional (I think double but not sure) depending on length of units and as a whole.
We still reckon it would be worth it for the experience, expecially if just doing a return trip via the same route.
Be prepared for the cost.
Rusty
AnswerID:
138184