Riding the Overland Train in Premium Red on 16-18th May 2025

I checked in my bag and whist waiting was observing at trains movement in Southern Cross:

• Albury Standard Gauge VoLcity shuffle in
• A crowd building for the Overland operated via Journeys Beyond Rail
• as at the same time crowd waiting for the XPT to Sydney by another rail operator: NSW Train link

I came in early I noticed the train was not shunted in yet compared with my other ride at March and the later on the advice came out via crew:

 30min late due to yard issues and minor technical issues with the locomotive

It was rectified promptly by maintenance crew NR13 Pacific National ,is often seen pulling the freights and passenger trains across the country.

The train consist was as follows:

• 4x BJs Standard Red
• 1x RBJ Buffet
• 2x BJs Premium Red
• 1x PCO4 Overland Power Van
• 1x Indian Pacfic or Ghan Powervan
• NR13 locomotive pulling the train

08:35 I boarded carriage A and settled down in their big comfortable seat and shortly after during the PA announcements.

Crew gave out menus and orders took place on board for morning breakfast service and Coffee/Tea and freshly squeezed orange juice for passengers in Premium Red

I enjoyed a black strong coffee and gluten, dairy free yoghurt on board for breakfast as they accomodate well for people dietary requirements on board.

Events on board:

1. Very interesting ride on route to Adelaide
   • Before 40 Peg very rough riding condition and they want put a SG VoLcity to Horsham and Dimboola?
   • Before the 85 peg toward North Shore a big bump…felt that one!
   • Before 227 marker train seems to be shuddering on route track issues?
   • Seems to be a kick sideway on my side in grades of Adel don’t know what it was but it seem worse than I experienced on VoLcity at Winchelsea – Waurn Ponds Section that stuffed something my train from Warrnambool nearly slowed down to halt mid section several time to Southern Cross on route!

• It was very interesting ride as the crew beforehand was subjected rough track conditions on route on the Vic part before crossing the border.
• I was relaxing and had look in RBJ the buffet car but spent most time in my carriage
• noticed Standard Red had good amount of people on board along with our area in Premium Red when having a stroll ever so often.

Sample the longer route in Adelaide on their EMUs

• Rode the longer distance EMUs  Gawer Central after grabbing food and drinks and ate breakfast on route
  • interiors passenger layout very similar to our VoLcity IMUs with WC in Vic
  • powered via overhead wires similar to our X’Trapolis etc. in Vic a CMU[Commuter Multiple Unit]
• Saw the Salisbury where I saw the big Railway Workshop[s]
• The big freight, flat wagons, crew cars wheelsets, bogies, containers and NR locomotives were located there beside the railway line

After arriving Adelaide I went have a good lunch at the pub at the station and after grabbed more drinks from the little food/drink store at the station area.

• I went on another EMU ride to Seaford a very nice ride
• It was the most scenic line as I saw the open ocean ie: Great Southern Ocean by the windows on the way
•  heard the trip device of the train activate before Christen Down Station…
  • One could suspect the driver passed home signal.
  • just lost the air as I could part see the station we departed when it occurred
  • Just recharge brakes reset trip and roll on!!
  • As I understand train drivers can get in a lot trouble for passing a home signals at stations….
  • to be fair to the drivers I observe he/she was tired as driving train can be a high concentration stressful job at times!
• I ran into the Footy crowd that evening and noted that they have free travel when footy is on as a number of people on board were wearing Port Power Scarfs and beanies!
• The train was well loaded arriving at Adelaide station
• It appeared to me the people disembarking was smooth and unhindered
• I strongly believe the seat configuration is part of it instead of 3×2 as in Vic they have 2×2 seats layout in SA.easy to get in and move down to allow extra passengers on board and easy for passengers t get out!
  • I noticed the one these longer lines by SA standards finding restrooms for people who need access a WC maybe very problematic might need addressing as the SA rail system in the future as the rail system grows
  • currently there are no restroom at the stations on route at and terminating points on most line from Adelaide!

Riding Back on the Overland on Sun Morning

After a nice weekend at Adelaide enjoying their system I settled back in my seat in Premium Red and rolled home again and has some interesting things happen on route!

• We departed on time hauled by NR 13 and she tackled the steep grades of the Adelaide Hills some grades 1/40 which considered as steep in most AUS railway conditions
• I could hear the dynamic braking system working in the train at times to control the train’s speed as we rolled down the grade after completing the sections in the Adelaide Hills toward Murray Bridge
  • Observed this on route Carriages shuddering was heard in some sections before Murray Bridge.

Does the wearing of the Railway Line need maintenance?

As I understand that the tracks there is used heavily by passengers and freight services being a major interstate rail corridor and rail scales may cause carriage shuddering on route.

As it can be very expensive to rectify when left too long.

• After Tailem Bend I noticed track work in progress restricted speed 40 km/ph in section….
• Just caught a glimpse of the inner flagmen with green flag as we rolled through as I saw from my seat out the windows of opposite side of the carriage

I had very nice lunch rice and curry veggies gluten, dairy free and nice little wine as a rare treat on board using the nice little table on my seat stored in the armrest!

• Notice the rougher track conditions after border Town and it worse after Kanvia whist lunch service was in progress.
• Noticed the crew was being jostled around the carriage trying serving the passengers and shortly noticed the train reduces in speed
  • I presume a message went to the Driver via train manager requested him/her to slow the train a bit so the crew is not being shaken up too much to prevent accidents on board during the meal service
• From Nhill rolled on nicely very nicely until after Nth Shore near under the wires after Werribee approx.
  • 18:35 advice came out a Freight train in front having issues….
  • rectified 20 min delay.
  • I saw Standard Gauge freight shuffle by my Window and it was long passing b.
  • But as it passed one of the wagons I could hearing a distinctive banging noise coming from it
• One of the wagon “Flat spots” on the wheels was very loud I was wondering has the offending wagon being dragged or skidded whist braking?

In my surprise of how clearly I could hear this from my carriage whist both train were in motion I said:

Oh my golly, one of these wagons on that train got really bad flat-spots!

We pulled in 19:37 at Southern Cross Station where I saw the night XPT service ready with passenger boarding at the time I got off the Overland

In Conclusion My view on Premium Red:

is this is the way to travel for those people who require a bit of extra space on board when seating and moving around the carriage a 2×1 seat configuration compared to Standard Red where the seating configuration is more compact being 2×2 abreast

• I like the way meals is included in the fare and drinks are complimentary excluding alcoholic beverages and snacks from the buffet car!
• Arrived late BUT I am was riding a comfortable fit for purpose train for a trip of 11 hrs to complete!!!

One the finest rolling stock in its era maintained regularly this train is a joy a to ride on!

The Crew was exceptional in their service and in the most testing of circumstances on route in my trips to and from Southern Cross and keep us advised accordingly in my observations as a concerned train traveller!