Indian Pacific - Australia

[Transwa]

The Indian Pacific, for those who do not know, travels from Sydney to Perth and return, a round total distance of about 8,000 km, approx, something like New York to LA and return.

Pacific National who have the Hook and Pull contract, have re painted one of their Dash 9 NR Class in IP Colours, see photo attached. Taken at East Perth Terminal in Western Australia today 09/27.2005.

[Kurt E. Armbruster]

Always nice to see pix from Australia's fascinating rail scene; that "IP" is certainly an impressive drag, and we Yanks'd be astounded to see that monster hauled by ONE unit. Have you ridden the train? How is it doing these days? Cheers, Kurt Armbruster, Seattle.

[renesis]

Wow, only a single unit? With the distance it's travelling I'm surprised they'd trust it to just that...

[Transwa]

Originally Posted by Kurt E. Armbruster

Always nice to see pix from Australia's fascinating rail scene; that "IP" is certainly an impressive drag, and we Yanks'd be astounded to see that monster hauled by ONE unit. Have you ridden the train? How is it doing these days? Cheers, Kurt Armbruster, Seattle.

Yes have been a passenger on it several times and driven it many a time.

[Transwa]

Originally Posted by renesis

Wow, only a single unit? With the distance it's travelling I'm surprised they'd trust it to just that...

Another Unit is put on sometimes coming to or leaving Sydney to cross the Blue Mountains, but that is about it, the unit has the power to drag it across the Nation in one go. The NR class keeps its fuel in the Frame of the locomotive, about 12,000 lts. Weight is only 132 Ton's.

[Transwa]

Ha, well here is a close up, before this mornings departure to Sydney from Perth. This unit will stay with the train all the way through, unless something goes wrong, but 99% of the time the loco stays with the train all the way through, also a photo of the IP on the Nullarbor Plain, on the longest stretch of Railroad line in the world.

[Transwa]

Here is the latest photo's on the Indian Pacific waiting in the loop at Meckering Western Australian to allow the Avon Link Service (160 kph ) to pass.

[NateF40Amtk]

Very cool pictures of this IP train.
What is the average length of this passenger train in terms of cars? How fast can this train go? How long does it take to make the 8000 mile trip? Does this train have HEP or a power car is in there somewhere?

Sorry if I asked to many questions.

[Transwa]

Originally Posted by NateF40Amtk

Very cool pictures of this IP train.
What is the average length of this passenger train in terms of cars? How fast can this train go? How long does it take to make the 8000 mile trip? Does this train have HEP or a power car is in there somewhere?

Sorry if I asked to many questions.

Average length is about 890 to 920 m, 24 Cars, Sydney to Perth 4 Days 3 Nights and the same when returning. Has 2 Power cars, one at either end of the consist, also has about 3 to 4 car carriers on the back. If you pay for 1st class, you can take your motor vehicle with you for $99.00 AU Dollars.

However some times in the years such as Easter, Christmas etc, it has had up to 30 cars with car carriers. Top speed permitted regardless on consist is 115 kph.

And it is Km not miles re 8000 And you can ask as many questions as you like my friend. And for all to know why the train is called the "Indian Pacific", is because it travels from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, hence Indian Pacific