April 2018 Rail & Sail Review

By Cruise Express client Brad Chipper

Two days on a train from Brisbane to Sydney. All aboard; 9am. The train is an iconic Red Rattler, with no beds or even tables but fitted with the standard vinyl flip seats from the 1960’s. What could go wrong? Well, actually, nothing! It was a superbly organised and conducted adventure on the classic 621/721 Rail Motor.

Also included were two nights in Sydney at The Grace hotel, along with a Sydney Harbour cruise on the Tall Ship James Craig. And to finish off the adventure we embarked on a two night cruise back to Brisbane aboard the Sun Princess.

Organised and escorted throughout by Cruise Express, we left Brisbane right on schedule and were soon rattling through the suburbs and drawing curious, but impressed, gazes as we rolled through the stations. Amongst stainless steel livery, a Red Rattler is hard to miss these days.

Manned and operated by a group of stalwart Rail Motor Society volunteers and partners, based in Paterson NSW, everything operated as advertised and expected. We settled into our seats, which really are quite comfortable, and enjoyed the scenery of the Gold Coast Hinterlands as we made our way towards NSW.

Our first stop was at Casino, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and a leg stretch. Next stop was Grafton and then onto Wauchope, where the train rested for the night and we bussed into Port Macquarie for a meal and overnight stay at the Waters Edge hotel.

Day two started with a fine country breakfast and then a quick twenty minute bus trip back to Wauchope and our waiting train. We stopped at Gloucester for another leg stretch and to wait for the XPT. Once it had passed we were back on the track and had a delightful lunch of cut sandwiches that had everyone asking for seconds.

Our final big tour stop, before heading down past Newcastle and on to Sydney, was at Paterson and the Rail Motor Society home grounds. Also known as trainspotter heaven, this is the place to go if you want to see some gold old vintage hardware.

Before pulling into Sydney, Cruise Express did a “live Facebook” feed from the train about our adventure. This was followed by Champagne – and for those in First Class – cheese nibbles. Not really, the trip for all 83 passengers in both carriages was the same “Excellent Class”. But that did not stop some of us in the front carriage (#621) of the train with the diesel motor from proclaiming it “First Class” while designating the second carriage (#721) with the toilet facilities as “other class”.

Throughout the trip, both the Rail Motor staff and all the Cruise Express staff looked after us with water, tea, coffee and muffin treats as well as providing the afternoon Champagne. We could not have asked for better service from anyone.

For our two nights in Sydney we were at The Grace Hotel, and what a magnificent building to stay in. Not only is it centrally located, it also comes with its own 88 years’ worth of history.

Being centrally located made it easy for us to attend the ANZAC day dawn service in Martin Place and then again to watch some of the parade through Sydney’s streets at 11am. As part of the ANZAC day celebrations, the Greek Presidential Guard was also staying at The Grace Hotel and I was lucky enough to see them march out to join the parade.

The highlight of the Sydney stay was the Tall Ship cruise around Sydney Harbour on the James Craig. This was another well organised Cruise Express event. We boarded the ship in Darling Harbour, which was a pleasant 20-minute walk from The Grace. The James Craig is crewed and maintained by volunteers from the Sydney Heritage Fleet.

Thursday morning saw us all packed up and embarking Sydney for a leisurely two-night cruise back to Brisbane. Once again the transfer from hotel to ship was seamless and we were soon all aboard the Sun Princess and enjoying all that cruising has to offer. On the Friday evening, Cruise Express saw us all off in style with a “Welcome Aboard” party in the Legends Sports Bar.

Thanks, Meg, Richard, Phoebe and all the background Cruise Express staff for a wonderful train-cruise adventure. It was most enjoyable.

See upcoming Cruise Express Rail & Sail holidays here.