Transcontinental Railway route

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 19:28
ThreadID: 44718 Views:2918 Replies:3 FollowUps:4
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I have read the previous threads and the road closed notes, and passed these onto friends who were planning to go this way. They had not heard of the closure before, and at first abandoned the plan. They then heard people were doing this crossing and checked it out further. They were told also that a Trackmaster caravan club did this route recently. From all their enquiries: Yes, number plates are taken by the train drivers, but only as a precaution against damage being done. Yes, it will cost big $$s if you get bogged and have to get help out there (as it would anywhere so remote), or if the train has to stop to delivery parts to a stranded motorist.

Forrest has been mentioned on this forum before as well worth visiting, and our friends were most impressed and enjoyed staying there. They had arranged to purchase fuel here too. The managers at Forrest told them "They say you can’t drive this route but everybody does, and it is not a problem if you don’t go waiving down the trains".

They had a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting few days, with no problems, and didn't even get so much as a flat tyre. They were travelling with an off road caravan and carrying the usual spares for their Landcruiser for outback travel, as well as plenty of water and food. They had previously done the Gibb River Road, Savannah Way and to the top of Cape York with this outfit.

I can see why it is not a recommended route, as we hear of so many tourists being unprepared for the outback as it is, and can imagine what would happen if inexperienced or ill-prepared travellers took on a journey such as this.

Motherhen

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Reply By: Member - bushfix - Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 19:46

Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 19:46
G'day there Motherhen,

is this the same, or any part of, the Old Coach Road? I am looking to return as close to Nullabor peacefulness as I can when I return from west to east this October. Which maps had your mates been using?

kind regards,

Jeremy.
AnswerID: 235790

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 21:54

Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 21:54
Hi Bushfix

The Rail Line is way North of the Old Eyre Highway and the continuation into WA which seems to be called the Old Coach Road. Check out threads 36297 and 37792.

This route is on most maps, but since getting back from our third consecutive year going east and back, i purchased the QPA Roads and Tracks of Western Australia, which has this and many side tracks shown. Although it is a book of WA maps, it also covers a good way into SA.

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Reply By: Richard Kovac - Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 21:57

Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 21:57
Motherhen Hi

We have heard the same, and are (maybe) planing a trip across W-E and return the AB later this year.

We look at it as just another way to cross Australia

Cheers

Richard
AnswerID: 235810

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 22:16

Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 22:16
Hi Richard

We too are re-assessing our choices since this news. My husband had always said he would like to do one way along the line, and following the advice given here, i said we couldn't. Travellers would certainly need to be well prepared. Something like rain could leave them stranded for some time. Our friends are retirees, travelling solo, but prepared to tackle the hard stuff. They had already seen parts of the Old Eyre, as the man is a caving enthusiast, so wanted to do the rail line track.

I recall from your trip through the Old Eyre, that parts were narrow? Before we decide (and going east again is not in the near future), we need to consider we have a wide rig, with the Bushtracker, now to be towed by the F250. Looking at the map on our second crossing, I thought the section between Mundrabilla and Eucla would not be suitable for our rig, but hoped to go between Eucla and Nullabor Roadhouse some day.

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Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 22:35

Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007 at 22:35
You will have no problems towing your van across the old eye Hwy

The Old Coach Road we haven't travelled we looked at it in 2004 but did not have the permission of some of the owners,, but it's still on the plans

Richard
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 at 20:24

Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 at 20:24
Motherhen and others,
Westprint produce a Trans Australian Railway map covering Glendambo to Kalgoolie. But they only print them out when you phone them up and ask for it. Called "Maps on demand".
Its got some pretty good info on it.
AnswerID: 236003

Follow Up By: equinox - Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 at 21:07

Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 at 21:07
That's a bit like Natmap 1:50000 series of the interior. They say they're not published, but you can get them by special order, only in black and white though, but with perhaps 15-20% more detail than the 1:250000.

Looking for adventure.
In whatever comes our way.



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