it’s official. The Ghan is Australia’s longest train following a recent journey down under when this famous locomotive pulled combined carriages measuring over 1 kilometre long. The legendary cross continental Ghan embarked on a record-breaking rail journey, departing Adelaide on 22nd May as Australia’s longest passenger train in over a decade. Link to a short film of the journey
Consisting of 44 carriages and two locomotives, The Ghan’s Sunday service headed for Darwin at a total length of 1,096m, more than 200m longer than the standard Ghan service, and a staggering 6.5 times the length of the Adelaide Oval, Australia’s famous cricket field.
This is also the longest passenger train seen in Australia since The Ghan’s own inaugural Adelaide to Darwin journey in 2004.
Great Southern Rail’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Steve Kernaghan, said the record-breaking length of The Ghan reflected increasing demand for rail holidays in Australia.
“The Ghan has enjoyed a surge in customer demand over the past 12 months thanks to our all- inclusive fares and new tour options in Alice Springs and Katherine. Amazing outback destinations are at the heart of The Ghan experience.”
THE GHAN’S RECORD BREAKING JOURNEY IN NUMBERS:
327 Platinum and Gold Service guests
44 carriages and two locomotives including:
22 guest carriages
6 restaurant carriages
5 lounge carriages, crew, powervan and luggage carriages
The train is split across three platforms to board passengers
Total weight of the Ghan is 2,156 tonnes
The 55 on-board crew members make 1,300 beds, erve 100kg of barramundi and 190kg of vegetables and cook more than 3,000 eggs for breakfast.
This weekly service departs Adelaide on Sundays and Darwin on Wednesdays and includes Off Train Excursions at Alice Springs and Katherine.
