Media Statements - All aboard for the train journey of the century: Minister

22/12/00

Rail buffs have the chance to reserve their seat on the train journey of the century with ticket sales for the Tracks to Federation - East West Rail Commemoration now open.

On Monday, October 22, 2001, a special commissioned train will leave Adelaide bound for Perth to commemorate the inspiring story of the Trans Australian Railway - one of the greatest engineering feats of the last century.

The rail journey is a key event of the Centenary of Federation celebrations, which kick off on January 1, 2001, and continue throughout the year.

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Rob Johnson, who is also the Minister responsible for the Centenary of Federation, said there were just 310 seats available.

“The five-star, fully catered trip on the Indian Pacific will take four days to travel from Adelaide to Perth stopping at Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Pimba, with a side trip to Woomera, Ooldea, Kalgoorlie and Northam,” Mr Johnson said.

“A host of exciting experiences and community events await passengers at each port of call - including the launch of the Zuni Rocket at Woomera and the gala opening of the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie.”

Mr Johnson said passengers would also make a midnight stop 17km out of Ooldea to commemorate the site that marks the joining of the east-west rail link in 1917.

In Kalgoorlie, the train will link up with a number of recently restored carriages dating from the turn of the 20th century. The carriage restoration project was one of four icon projects supported by the Western Australian Centenary of Federation committee.

Known as the Federation Train, the carriages will join the convoy en route to Perth.

Mr Johnson said passengers would return to Perth on October 25, 2001 - the very day that the Trans Australian Railway passengers disembarked from the train’s inaugural run in 1917.

“The Tracks to Federation commemoration journey will stand as a tribute to those who worked towards the establishment of the east-west rail link as a cornerstone of Federation and will be celebrated by communities all along the track,” Mr Johnson said.

Tracks to Federation is a WA Centenary of Federation centrepiece event, presented in conjunction with Centenary of Federation South Australia.

Ticket options are available from coach to first class and prices range from $899 to $2,599.

For bookings and further information, call Great Southern Railway Ltd on 1300 132 147 or visit http://www.gsr.com.au

Media contacts:
Fran Hodge (Minister’s office) 9215 4800
Todd Shimmon (Centenary of Federation) 9222 5277