The iconic Overland passenger train is an interstate passenger train service operating between the cities of Melbourne and Adelaide. Operating since 1887, the train transverses 858km on its 10 and a half hour journey between the two cities. The train is operated by Journey Beyond (aka Great Southern Rail) with NR Class locomotives leased from freight operator Pacific National. In this video we take a ride onboard The Overland from Melbourne to Adelaide. We sample the onboard service in both the standard 'red' economy class and the 'red premium' first class to see what it's like to travel onboard the train.
On the trip to Adelaide we pass through numerous country towns, see the food onboard and witness lovely scenery including a large bushfire.
The Overland has been serving passengers for over 132 years. However it's future is currently uncertain. Unlike Journey Beyond's other long distance trains such as The Ghan and the Indian Pacific which targets the long distance luxury tourist market, The Overland acts as a form of public transport, making intermediate stops in small country towns and offering more affordable fares. However because of this The Overland isn't profitable and relies on government subsidies to continue operating.
However over time it's patronage has dwindled due to competition from air travel. The service today is a shadow of its former self; The Overland currently operates twice weekly whereas prior to 2013 the service ran daily. In 2019 The Overland was threatened with closure after the South Australian government withdrew it's share of funding. For the past 12 months The Overland has been completely subsidised by the Victorian government; of which the funding is now running out. If a new funding deal isn't reached then The Overland may cease to operate at the end of December 2019.
Music used:
Dan Henig- Flames
Jeremy Blake - Into the Sky
Approaching Nirvana - Helix
Juhanni - Whitetrees
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