Sylvie Willis
The Indian Pacific is a weekly tourism-oriented train service that runs in Australia's east–west rail corridor between Sydney and Perth. The train covers a distance of 4352 kilometres and offers passengers stunning views of the Australian landscape, including the Blue Mountains National Park and the wheat fields of South Australia. The train is hauled by Pacific National NR-class locomotives, which are known for their fuel efficiency. These locomotives can hold up to 12,500 litres of fuel and have a maximum speed of 115 km/h. On a Sydney-Perth journey, the Indian Pacific is estimated to consume 26,600 litres of diesel fuel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance Covered | 4352 kilometres |
| Fuel Consumption | 26,600 litres of diesel fuel |
| Locomotive Type | NR Class |
| Locomotive Engine | GE 7FDL-16 |
| Locomotive Power Output | 2,850 hp (2,130 kW), 3,560 hp (2,650 kW) or 4,020 hp (3,000 kW) |
| Locomotive Fuel Capacity | 12,500 L (3,300 U.S. gal) |
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What You'll Learn
The Indian Pacific's Sydney to Perth route
The Indian Pacific is a weekly passenger train service that runs between Sydney, on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, and Perth, on the shore of the Indian Ocean. Covering a distance of 4352 kilometres, the train takes passengers on a memorable journey across Australia, from the east coast to the west.
The route offers a unique perspective of the country, with stunning views at every turn. Beginning in the heart of Sydney, the train winds its way through the Blue Mountains National Park, where passengers can take in the sunset over the valleys and rolling hills. As the train continues its journey, the landscape transforms from the bucolic backdrop of green grass and dairy farms to the red outback of Broken Hill, with its spinifex country and wheat fields of South Australia.
The Indian Pacific's route includes the world's longest straight stretch of railway track, a 478-kilometre (297-mile) stretch of the Trans-Australian Railway across the Nullarbor Plain. The train's journey through this remote and rugged terrain is a highlight for many passengers. The train also passes through Adelaide and Rawlinna, where temperatures can vary significantly, so passengers are advised to pack accordingly.
The Indian Pacific offers a range of accommodation options, including first-class and second-class sleeping berths. Passengers can enjoy the convenience of having their cabin converted into a cosy bedroom while they dine in the restaurant. The train also provides excursions along the track, allowing passengers to explore places they might not otherwise have the chance to visit, such as Broken Hill.
In terms of fuel consumption, the average consumption of diesel fuel from Lithgow to Perth, a distance of 3,806 kilometres, is 26,600 litres. This includes the haulage of additional carriages and motor cars. The NR-class locomotives used by the Indian Pacific are the most fuel-efficient in Australia, with variable horsepower settings and a fuel capacity of 12,500 litres.
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Fuel efficiency of NR Class locomotives
The NR Class locomotives are Australian diesel-electric locomotives built by A Goninan & Co for National Rail between 1996 and 1998. They are currently operated by Pacific National. The NR Class introduced several new features, including being the first locomotives in Australia to have "variable horsepower". This meant that the power output of the engine could be set to one of three power levels: 2,850 hp (2,130 kW), 3,560 hp (2,650 kW), or 4,020 hp (3,000 kW). This feature made the NR class the most fuel-efficient locomotives in Australia.
The NR Class locomotives have a maximum speed of 115 km/h (71 mph) and can hold 12,500 L (3,300 U.S. gal) of fuel. The design of the locomotive is a long hood unit with only one cab but two separate sets of controls, allowing it to be driven from either the "A" or "B" end. This design passed all required tests, including the ability to shunt, drive "long end leading", and perform fuel, brake, and sand checks.
When the NR Class locomotives were first delivered, they were banned from operating in New South Wales due to excessive noise levels when under dynamic braking. However, this ban was lifted after further testing. The NR Class replaced the V/Line C class and the newer EL class, which were withdrawn and stored.
The NR Class design has also influenced other locomotive designs, such as the UGL Rail C44aci and the AC traction QR National 5000 class. The C44aci locomotives have been shown to outperform the older NR Class units by 20% on services, with a slight reduction in fuel consumed due to increased adhesion from AC traction.
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Fuel consumption on the Sydney-Perth journey
The Indian Pacific is a weekly passenger train service that runs between Sydney and Perth in Australia, a distance of 4,352 kilometres (2,704 miles). The journey takes 65 hours and the route includes the world's longest straight stretch of railway track, a 478-kilometre (297-mile) stretch of the Trans-Australian Railway across the Nullarbor Plain.
The train has been in service since 1970 and has undergone several upgrades and changes to its locomotive fleet over the years. Since 1997, it has been hauled by Pacific National NR-class locomotives, which are the most fuel-efficient locomotives in Australia. These locomotives have a fuel capacity of 12,500 litres (3,300 gallons) and can operate with different power output settings, providing variable horsepower.
The average consumption of diesel fuel for the Indian Pacific on its Sydney to Perth journey, which covers a distance of 3,806 kilometres (2,365 miles), is 26,600 litres (7,030 gallons). This includes the haulage of additional cars and coaches that operate on certain sections of the route.
It is worth noting that the fuel consumption figures provided are based on historical data and may not reflect the most recent operational data. Additionally, various factors can influence fuel consumption, such as the weight of the train, the terrain, and the speed at which it travels.
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The Indian Pacific's route and destinations
The Indian Pacific is a weekly tourism-oriented train service that runs in Australia's east–west rail corridor. The train connects Sydney, on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, to Perth, on the shore of the Indian Ocean, covering a distance of 4352 kilometres. The route covers a variety of landscapes, from the Blue Mountains National Park to the red outback of Broken Hill, the wheat fields of South Australia, and the Nullarbor Plain.
The Indian Pacific's route includes the world's longest straight stretch of railway track, a 478-kilometre (297-mile) stretch of the Trans-Australian Railway across the Nullarbor Plain. The train also passes through Adelaide and Rawlinna, where temperatures can vary significantly, so passengers are advised to pack accordingly.
Occasionally, the Indian Pacific is diverted out of Sydney via the Main South line to Cootamundra and the cross-country line to rejoin the Broken Hill line at Parkes. In the past, it has also operated via the Temora to Roto line and via Melbourne. The journey originally took 75 hours in 1970, but with infrastructure improvements and reductions in locomotive changeover time, the journey time was reduced to 65 hours by 2010.
The Indian Pacific offers a unique travel experience, with excursions organised along the track, including a stop in Broken Hill, a place full of history that is usually too remote for international tourists. The train also features in several travel documentaries, including "Great Railway Journeys of the World" and "Great Australian Railway Journeys," showcasing the beauty and appeal of its route and destinations.
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History of the Indian Pacific train service
The Indian Pacific is a weekly tourism-oriented passenger train service that runs in Australia's east–west rail corridor between Sydney and Perth, a total distance of 4350 km. It is one of the few truly transcontinental trains in the world.
The Indian Pacific was originally named The Transcontinental, but in 1969, the name was changed to Indian Pacific. The train first ran in 1970 after the completion of gauge conversion projects in South Australia and Western Australia, enabling the first cross-continental rail journey that did not require a change of train. The inaugural service departed Sydney on 23 February 1970, becoming the first direct train to cross the Australian continent. The journey took 75 hours, and the train was hauled by locomotives belonging to the different railway systems it passed through.
In 1986, the train began operating via Adelaide. In 1988, the motorail service was extended to Sydney. In 1991, the service was reduced from three times a week to two, and in 1992, it was further reduced to a weekly service between Sydney and Adelaide, with two services a week between Adelaide and Perth. In 1993, Australian National took over the operation of the service, and a second service resumed in August 1993. In 1994, the service was operated by Australian National CL class locomotives.
In 1997, the Indian Pacific was sold to Great Southern Rail and branded as Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions. In 2012, the service was reduced from two to one service per week. In 2020, the Indian Pacific celebrated 50 years of transcontinental journeys, and the weekly service consisted of up to 25 carriages and two motorail wagons.
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Frequently asked questions
The Indian Pacific train service uses 26,600 litres of diesel fuel for the 3,806-kilometre journey from Lithgow to Perth.
Since 1997, the Indian Pacific has been hauled by Pacific National NR class locomotives.
The NR class locomotives can hold 12,500 litres of fuel and are the most fuel-efficient locomotives in Australia.
The Indian Pacific travels 4,352 kilometres from Sydney in the east to Perth in the west. The journey takes 65 hours.
