Transcontinental Railway route

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.