This package features the highest level of accommodation and all the tours. You overnight at the Chillagoe Cabins , Cobbold Gorge , and in the Railway ... read more


The Savannahlander

The Savannahlander - The Outback rail Experience
The Savannahlander
The Savannahlander is a unique train journey which begins in Cairns , Australia. It is one of the great rail experiences of the world as it rattles its way from the coast, up the scenic Kuranda Range including stops at Barron Falls and Stoney Creek, through World Heritage listed rainforests to Kuranda. It then continues on through the savannah to outback Australia. The Savannahlander is also a unique way to see the Chillagoe Caves , Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes .

"The Silver Bullet" as the train is affectionately known, was state-of-the-art when it was brought into service. Now it reflects the pace and grace of a by-gone era, while at the same time offering a unique experience to people adventurous enough to make the journey. This grand-old-lady travels at a sedate pace, and stops at suitable locations for the driver to point out interesting landscape features to the passengers. It's a unique and comfortable way to see Australia's outback.

For "the locals" of the Queensland outback, The Savannahlander is still a vital communications link, while for the fortunate visitor to the region, it offers a unique rail experience, and an insight into one of the most diverse and fascinating regions of Australia.

The Savannahlander operates for 42 Weeks of the year, from the first Wednesday in March (5 March 2008) until the second Wednesday in December (17 Dec in 2008)

 
Savannahlander DDA Compliance

During last year’s annual maintenance, the team at the Savannahlander were provided with a small amount of funding so that the service could become Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Compliant. All three railcar units had hearing augmentation induction loops so that the informative and humorous commentary can be clearly heard by our passengers using hearing devices. By the start of next year, signage and floor tactile surface indicators will be installed for our visually impaired passengers.

Savannahlander lifts deployed at Cairns Station
Savannahlander lifts deployed
The main part of the modification took place in our ‘center’ unit - car No 2053. This unit was never originally fitted with a toilet, but it did have a luggage area that featured wider than usual doors. This was an ideal car to modify because the wide doorways could be used to fit wheel chair elevators, and the lack of toilet meant that we could build a wheelchair accessible toilet from scratch.

And so it was duly done. There are two lifts installed - on in either doorway, and a large spacious and modern toilet was built. I guess the down side to this is that we lost twelve seats however, many passengers, and the crew, have enjoyed the benefits of the modification already.


You can catch up on the full story, and lots more photos, over at the Savannahlander blog .


Hearing aid induction loops are available on all services but if you need the platform lifts or wheelchair access you must let us know when booking. 
 
Temporary Track Closure

There have been a number of (non Savannahlander) derailments that have occured in the Delaney Gorge near Forsayth. This has become a cause for concern, and to that end QR have requested a total possession of the track in order to conduct the following:

  • complete a full and detailed inspection of the line beyond ‘Turkey Flat'
  • Bring the "project sleeper replacement gang" ahead of their current worksite, and complete the re-sleepering  in the gorge
  • Do the above work without traffic (ie: the Savannahlander) running through the worksite, in order to expedite the completion of works
  • Eliminate any risk of the railmotor derailing on unknown track defects

We agreed with the concerns and the need for the closure. This closure came into affect today and is expected to last through to the end of October. So to any intending passengers for this period, the closure is extremely regretted, but on this occasion safety considerations must come the fore.

Delaney River Gorge
Delaney River
The track through the Delaney Gorge is unique and inaccessible for anything other than a rail vehicle. The track descends over 10 kms clinging to the side of the gorge with grades as steep as 1 in 33. Sharp curves are also a feature of this section, and it culminates is a short stretch of track that actually runs along the river bed. After this, there is a short climb out of the river and a 4 km run to Forsayth. This would be one of the least desirable places to part company with the rails and from an operational perspective, it is far better to have rehabilitation works fully completed, rather than run any risk of derailment. Certainly, the other derailments suffered in that section are an omen that all might not be fully right along there.




Despite the closure of the track, passengers will still be staying overnight at either Cobbold Gorge or Forsayth, depending on where you are booked. Tours of the Gorge will not be affected by this.

You can comment on this story over at the shiny new Savannahlander blog .

 
Savannahlander Blog
The Savannahlander crew once tried to send out a semi-regular newsletter to people who wanted to stay in touch with all the latest happenings out West. Unfortunately, we were not doing a very good job of sending out newsletters so we've decided to start a Savannahlnader blog. We'll keep this updated with news and stories from around the place.