Railways to Ride and Railways Ridden

Ida Bay Railway

Australia’s most southern most railway is virtually unknown. Technically it’s a tramway built in the 1890’s to take limestone out to the waiting ships in the port. It runs from Ida Bay (south of Southport, Tasmania) to Deep Hole which has a mile long secluded beach. You can even camp out overnight and get the train the next day.

Pichi Richi Railway

Pichi Richi Railway is a heritage tourist railway and operating museum, running regular heritage train journeys on the oldest remaining section of the famous narrow gauge old Ghan railway. Pichi Richi Railway has its headquarters at Quorn, in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges. Trains depart from Quorn and Port Augusta.

Puffing Billy

Is a hard to beat day trip, for rail fans and the public.

The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin

I hope to do this trip once the boys are a bit older and more patient. The articles that I have read about the trip indicate it is great for rail fans and the public.

The Indian Pacific, from Sydney to Perth

This one is on the to do list.

The Savannahlander from Cairns to Forsayth

This one is on the to do list.

Tourists and rail enthusiasts enjoy the rail trip, with a lot of scenic highlights and wildlife. Off train tours make the trip a most enjoyable travel experience. I rate the Savannahlander ahead of the IP and Ghan, as a “Must Do” rail travel experience.

West Coast Wilderness Railway (Tasmania)

This is a world class rail travel experience. Yet to travel on this one. Last time I was in Tasmania the locomotive was in a museum. It’s great to see old railways become reborn again.

Westcoast Railway, Melbourne to Warnambool

We did this one before the boys were born and West Coast had its magnificent R Class loco running burning old brake fluid. The route is no longer operated by West Coast Rail who went insolvent not long after our trip.

Photos are on their way, but they are coming from film and need to be scanned.

Walhalla Goldfields Railway

This is one of Puffing Billy’s “sister” railways. An excellent ride along the cliff walls for most of the way. An engineering feat both in construction and restoration.

Miniature Railways

I’m usually not a big fan of miniature railways as being tall I have problems fitting into them. They are a lot cheaper to ride than the full size railways which is one notable advantage.

Diamond Valley Railway

This miniature railway near where we live is the best 7.25″ railways in Australia. Well worth a ride.

 

 Stunning train journeys that don’t cost the earth (msn.com)

We’ve tracked down Europe’s most scenic rail routes to try (msn.com)

The world’s best historic bucket-list railway journeys (msn.com)

Leave a Reply