This was published 1 year ago
Train trip review: XPT from Wauchope, NSW, to Roma Street Station, Brisbane
The northern XPT at Wuachope station.Credit: Nick Bonyhady
THE JOURNEY
The XPT from Wauchope, on the NSW Mid North Coast, to Roma Street Station, which is transforming into Brisbane's "Grand Central". At Casino, 189 kilometres from Brisbane, we switch to a coach (another XPT service, with a 3.53am Brisbane arrival time, it's usually train all the way). Our 9.34pm scheduled arrival is pushed out to 11.28pm, thanks to two road accidents. The day's last suburban train to my destination on Brisbane's outskirts leaves in five minutes. I think I can make it – until our driver announces the station's nearby rear doors have been locked, forcing a long skedaddle around to the front entrance. After missing the train, my father collects me from another line at 12.29am. I vow to complain – read on to find how that went.
THE CLASS
Economy; there's also a first-class option (providing extra legroom and greater seat recline) that isn't much more expensive.
CARBON EMISSIONS
The CO2 equivalent emissions are about 48 grams per passenger per kilometre travelled. For a Sydney-Brisbane train journey, emissions would total about 44kg of CO2-e, compared with 73kg for flying and 134kg for driving a new light passenger vehicle.
AMBIANCE
XPT economy is battler-class. There are loud, constant conversations about life's grittier aspects. On the bright side, one passenger spontaneously gifts a novel to her seat neighbour.
THE SEAT
Seats are arranged in a 2-2 formation; I'm next to a window and the seat has a 28-degree recline. There's no Wi-Fi and little phone reception. There are plans to replace the ageing XPT fleet with 10 long regional trains that offer charging ports, laptop-suitable tray tables and airplane-style overhead storage but the plans have have been mired in controversy.
BAGGAGE
One piece of hand luggage up to 5kg and up to two pieces of carry-on or checked luggage (maximum 20kg a bag).
FOOD + DRINK
An employee walks through with a dinner menu - penned onto a piece of cardboard - and takes orders. I choose butter chicken and fetch it from the buffet car as we're rattling through Grafton. The meal is nothing to write home about but matches the vibe of the Wine in a Glass shiraz I add to my order. On the return trip (I'm a glutton for punishment), we're handed "breakfast" while transferring from coach to train at Casino. It's a dietitian's nightmare: a bag of chips, chocolate bar and bottle of water.
TWO MORE THINGS…
I complain to NSW TrainLink about the arrival debacle. The team is "disappointed" to hear of my experience and encourages me to lodge feedback with Queensland Rail. Another thing to note: NSW TrainLink's North Coast regional services have been plagued recently by flooding, protected industrial action, construction on Brisbane's Cross River Rail project and track work. Coaches have replaced some services for part or all of the journeys.
THE VERDICT
With eye-watering domestic airfares, you also might unexpectedly find yourself on the XPT. In economy, expect intimate insights into other people's lives. BYO earplugs or headphones if this sounds like hell.
OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE
★★ (for staff maintaining their friendly demeanour).
The writer travelled at her own expense. See transportnsw.info
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