I made the same journey in the same train about 40 years ago. It's a great trip (albeit a slow one in sections). The XPT is off to a museum soon. To be replaced by trains without sleeper carriages... for a 10hr trip. They were probably designed by Qantas and Virgin to discourage Australians from train travel for another three generations. Regards from Wagga Wagga
Great video looked very cosy. That train is an old XPT it's operated by NSW trainlink. That's one of many of our state wide services. Sometime next year them XPT trains will be replaced with brand new trains.
I took that train from Melbourne to Sydney with 20kg and 100 gram which was 100 grams over the limit to go in the baggage car and was told it couldn't go there because I was 100grams over the limit , so I took out the intinerary weighing 100grams so all was ok
You are braver than I am, I just went from Sydney to to Melbourne for a weekend to visit friends when I was there back in June I love train travel, but I passed on this. I flew with Qantas round-trip instead of going on this overnight train Before that, though, I crossed the entire continent of Australia train four times over. On trains called the Ghan & Indian Pacific I went from Darwin to Adelaide and back. Then I also went from Sydney to Perth, & back to Sydney. I got to see a lot of Australia during that time
Just give you an update the new CAF Trains are on the rails at the moment testing they will be in service next year 2025 what is so different with these trains in they are Electric Motor Units rather running on fuel so they be alot quieter
you make it sound much better then it is from a person who travels this route many many times. Quite a good video though. Following is from my experience 1. there is no WiFi in any of the train carriages including sleepers cabins so don't go asking what the wifi password is. ( makes me wonder how the eftpos works in buffet car) 2. Charge your electronic devices using the power point on your sleeper cabin or in the toilet cubicles at your own risk. It was only designed for shavers. 3. You didn't show how narrow the side closet is can't even hang your hat in it. 4. Correct dinner is at a cost. meals are not included with any of the trains tickets regardless of class. Order it when you are asked to order it as it takes an hour to heat up. if you don't you will be eating dinner at midnight in the dark! The takeaway buffet car is in car C no seating there byo back to sleepers cabin or train seats ( use the tables at seat/sleepers cabins provided) 5. Snack pack, fluffy towel and toiletry kit have not changed since this XPT train began running Syd Melb 6. Breakfast provided for sleeper cabins is the biggest difference - when I travelled on it decades ago there was a rather large HOT full breakfast menu , you had to choose what you wanted the night before so they can prepare and deliver it to your sleeper cabin the next morning . Now there is no menu - no special dietary requirements catered for , just a very basic cold continential breakfast of just cornflakes, a tetra pack of milk , no toast no jam no Vegemite no butter and a tiny reconstituted juice pack. Coffee? forget that tea only. If you want a hot breakfast or other beverages you need to purchase it before the buffet car closes an hour before arriving into Syd or Melb - yes walk all the way to car C and back careful of hot food and beverages spilling - they have white boxes reusable and trays but the walk to and from is rather bumpy at times. 7. check luggage I mostly don't bother as there are plenty of luggage racks throughout the train and room in the sleeper cabin ( underneath bottom bed even). small luggage in cabin large luggage in racks if you can manage to get your large suitcases on board. There are dimensions and weight restrictions. 8. shower, toilet sink - umm yeh. taking a shower is not the easiest with the bumpy train ride and if you are a larger taller person - unsure how kids would manage either. pull down sink and toilet a little different to the accessible toilet in car c and squishy toilets in econ and first class ( all don't have showers by the way but there should be a baby change table somewhere). 9.towels and rubbish is collected in the morning in sleepers but rubbish is collected more regularly in econ and first class cars. You can take your own rubbish to one of the bins located near the toilets and train doors. These are 1980s trains. A tin tube basically no safety glass and it blocks everything except noise. Hence if you don't want the power of your batteries on electronic devices zapped up put it on airplane mode to save power. The train is very noisy noise cancelling earphones or earplugs recommended. At least the lights work . Sometimes the toilet doesn't, the water doesn't or the eftpos is down but most of the time things work. Do not drink from the toilet or shower room sink taps. There is a special drinking water fountain somewhere on the train near doors. When the train arrives at the station don't forget to lift the flap up and turn the door handle when the light turns green to open the door otherwise you will be left behind. These are not automatic doors! Tips byo meals on board, that way you save money and have a wider variety of dietary requirements and don't have to wait an hour for your meal which you have to pick up yourself from the buffet car although you can request it to be bought to you if you can't get to the buffet car. Have cash on hand in case to pay for it , unsure if they have a "mobile" eftpas system available. As for having a shower there is none at Syd central but in melb travellers aid provides a range of services such as buggy rides to get you to platform if you are less mobile, charging stations and showers if you need one for a fee. There are NSW trainlink offices in Syd and Melb in case you need to make a booking amendment or cancellation. Don't get too enthusiastic to board the train when it arrives. Time is needed to let passengers off first, then cleaning throughout the train including turning all the seats around, getting rid of rubbish restocking the buffet car etc. The train will then move forward to be refuelled and there may be a change of crew then you can board! Have your tickets ready for checking once you find your cabin or seat . You could just fly and it will only take you a few hours one way but adding up time transfers checking in luggage restrictions distance to airport chances of flight delays and cancellations leg room etc etc etc for me it's much more economical.ical and convenient to take a relaxing 12 hour train ride overnight.
We are going to Sydney on a sleeper in a couple of weeks and it will need to be pretty horrific for me not to enjoy it. Driving on the highway is an apocalyptic nightmare...speed cameras, expensive fuel , negotiating the suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney. What else? ...staring at the road for hour on hour, gorging on and gouged by convenience mega-stations every few hours...etc
I made the same journey in the same train about 40 years ago. It's a great trip (albeit a slow one in sections).
The XPT is off to a museum soon.
To be replaced by trains without sleeper carriages... for a 10hr trip. They were probably designed by Qantas and Virgin to discourage Australians from train travel for another three generations.
Regards from Wagga Wagga
Great video looked very cosy. That train is an old XPT it's operated by NSW trainlink. That's one of many of our state wide services. Sometime next year them XPT trains will be replaced with brand new trains.
We can't wait to come back and try the new trains one day! 🤍
cool - why don't you make a video of the newer trains?
I think I would like that train more than flying. I’m taking the bottom bunk 😉
Its pretty nice actually, way bicer experience than a long flight especially because getting to Melbourne Airport is a pain in the butt.
Did you buy sleeper ticket at angent or online?
You can't book the sleeper cabin online (at least we couldn't find a way to) so we had to call the NSW train line directly to book 😊
@@amyandaleks thank you so much
welcome to oz👍
Thank you! 🤍
I took that train from Melbourne to Sydney with 20kg and 100 gram which was 100 grams over the limit to go in the baggage car and was told it couldn't go there because I was 100grams over the limit , so I took out the intinerary weighing 100grams so all was ok
We actually had a very similar situation to you! They thankfully gave us an extra bag for us to take some belongings out of our case.
That is a ridiculous rule.
Vacum Toilets how good is that lol
You are braver than I am, I just went from Sydney to to Melbourne for a weekend to visit friends when I was there back in June
I love train travel, but I passed on this. I flew with Qantas round-trip instead of going on this overnight train
Before that, though, I crossed the entire continent of Australia train four times over. On trains called the Ghan & Indian Pacific
I went from Darwin to Adelaide and back. Then I also went from Sydney to Perth, & back to Sydney. I got to see a lot of Australia during that time
We'd love to do more train travel in Australia and get to see more! Sydney to Perth seems like it would be incredible!
Just give you an update the new CAF Trains are on the rails at the moment testing they will be in service next year 2025 what is so different with these trains in they are Electric Motor Units rather running on fuel so they be alot quieter
Oooo we're so excited to try the new trains in 2025!
@@amyandaleks 😀😀😀
You don`t sound welsh, do you live in the USA?
Yes, I was born in Wales but moved to the states when I was 6 so sadly lost my accent by the time I was around 10 😔
The new trains to replace those ancient ones have been on order for years. Keep getting delayed. Hopefully will arrive in 2027
We'll have to come back when they're replaced!
that's wishful thinking! I say 2030ish. Don't expect sleepers either!
you make it sound much better then it is from a person who travels this route many many times. Quite a good video though.
Following is from my experience
1. there is no WiFi in any of the train carriages including sleepers cabins so don't go asking what the wifi password is. ( makes me wonder how the eftpos works in buffet car)
2. Charge your electronic devices using the power point on your sleeper cabin or in the toilet cubicles at your own risk. It was only designed for shavers.
3. You didn't show how narrow the side closet is can't even hang your hat in it.
4. Correct dinner is at a cost. meals are not included with any of the trains tickets regardless of class. Order it when you are asked to order it as it takes an hour to heat up. if you don't you will be eating dinner at midnight in the dark! The takeaway buffet car is in car C no seating there byo back to sleepers cabin or train seats ( use the tables at seat/sleepers cabins provided)
5. Snack pack, fluffy towel and toiletry kit have not changed since this XPT train began running Syd Melb
6. Breakfast provided for sleeper cabins is the biggest difference - when I travelled on it decades ago there was a rather large HOT full breakfast menu , you had to choose what you wanted the night before so they can prepare and deliver it to your sleeper cabin the next morning . Now there is no menu - no special dietary requirements catered for , just a very basic cold continential breakfast of just cornflakes, a tetra pack of milk , no toast no jam no Vegemite no butter and a tiny reconstituted juice pack. Coffee? forget that tea only. If you want a hot breakfast or other beverages you need to purchase it before the buffet car closes an hour before arriving into Syd or Melb - yes walk all the way to car C and back careful of hot food and beverages spilling - they have white boxes reusable and trays but the walk to and from is rather bumpy at times.
7. check luggage I mostly don't bother as there are plenty of luggage racks throughout the train and room in the sleeper cabin ( underneath bottom bed even). small luggage in cabin large luggage in racks if you can manage to get your large suitcases on board. There are dimensions and weight restrictions.
8. shower, toilet sink - umm yeh. taking a shower is not the easiest with the bumpy train ride and if you are a larger taller person - unsure how kids would manage either. pull down sink and toilet a little different to the accessible toilet in car c and squishy toilets in econ and first class ( all don't have showers by the way but there should be a baby change table somewhere).
9.towels and rubbish is collected in the morning in sleepers but rubbish is collected more regularly in econ and first class cars. You can take your own rubbish to one of the bins located near the toilets and train doors.
These are 1980s trains. A tin tube basically no safety glass and it blocks everything except noise. Hence if you don't want the power of your batteries on electronic devices zapped up put it on airplane mode to save power. The train is very noisy noise cancelling earphones or earplugs recommended. At least the lights work . Sometimes the toilet doesn't, the water doesn't or the eftpos is down but most of the time things work. Do not drink from the toilet or shower room sink taps. There is a special drinking water fountain somewhere on the train near doors. When the train arrives at the station don't forget to lift the flap up and turn the door handle when the light turns green to open the door otherwise you will be left behind. These are not automatic doors!
Tips byo meals on board, that way you save money and have a wider variety of dietary requirements and don't have to wait an hour for your meal which you have to pick up yourself from the buffet car although you can request it to be bought to you if you can't get to the buffet car. Have cash on hand in case to pay for it , unsure if they have a "mobile" eftpas system available. As for having a shower there is none at Syd central but in melb travellers aid provides a range of services such as buggy rides to get you to platform if you are less mobile, charging stations and showers if you need one for a fee. There are NSW trainlink offices in Syd and Melb in case you need to make a booking amendment or cancellation.
Don't get too enthusiastic to board the train when it arrives. Time is needed to let passengers off first, then cleaning throughout the train including turning all the seats around, getting rid of rubbish restocking the buffet car etc. The train will then move forward to be refuelled and there may be a change of crew then you can board! Have your tickets ready for checking once you find your cabin or seat .
You could just fly and it will only take you a few hours one way but adding up time transfers checking in luggage restrictions distance to airport chances of flight delays and cancellations leg room etc etc etc for me it's much more economical.ical and convenient to take a relaxing 12 hour train ride overnight.
They are going into testing this month!
@@dulcinealee39332085 at the earliest I heard !!!!!
We are going to Sydney on a sleeper in a couple of weeks and it will need to be pretty horrific for me not to enjoy it. Driving on the highway is an apocalyptic nightmare...speed cameras, expensive fuel , negotiating the suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney. What else? ...staring at the road for hour on hour, gorging on and gouged by convenience mega-stations every few hours...etc
Pie is pronounced poy
ken oath old mate gis a poy willya