THE TRAIN TO NOWHERE

[Jeff Thorpe]

The following poem is the story of a recent fateful trip on the Indian Pacific.


THE TRAIN TO NOWHERE

We’d listened to Slim Dusty sing “The Indian Pacific”
and thought the trip from Sydney to Perth would be terrific,
we joined the half a million who’d travelled on this train
to taste for ourselves the famed outback terrain.

Four thousand three hundred and fifty-two K
defined by any standards a heck of a long way,
this journey an adventure, much more than a trip,
surpassing all on offer from aeroplane or ship.

Sydney’s Central Station, the IP on the platform
serving drinks before departure, quite easy to conform,
how long’s this been going on, Qantas please take note,
travel looking good so far, passengers would vote.

Away on time at 3.00PM west bound toward Blue Mountains,
sun’s rays bouncing off the crags, kaleidoscopic fountains
that gently faded piece by piece as old Sol retired,
landscape of the ilk that always is admired.

A drink or two of finest red in lounge car before dinner,
from dietary restrictions we were each a shamefaced sinner
proceeding to enjoy a sumptuous three course meal,
boosting our impression this train was the real deal.

Early next morning crossing earth as dry as dust
we reached Broken Hill where the mines had scratched the crust
and toured the gallery made famous by the praiseworthy Pro Hart,
a legend in the town through his offbeat art.

On to South Australia through vast open red dirt land
slowly shifting to fields of wheat, from breezes lightly fanned
then, after lunch an off train visit to Barossa Valley
to sample nectar of the grape, a scene right up our alley.

A delicious two course dinner next at Maggie Beer’s farm shop,
this a day of entertainment, virtually nonstop,
train awaiting at Adelaide to convey us through the night,
peaceful slumber beckoning, no need for an invite.

Day three dawned with dry salt lakes midst miles of desolation,
harsh yet absorbing country despite its isolation,
drifting to the flat, treeless, eerie Nullarbor Plain,
four seventy-eight straight Ks for our transcontinental train.

The day’s first stop was Cook in the middle of Nullarbor
with temperature of forty-one when we stepped out the door,
refuelling point for the train, a ghost town, so to speak
yet, alive with history of the railway that’s unique.

Back to air conditioning we crossed the West Australian border
until a halt at Forrest threw our trip into disorder,
it seemed the line ahead of us was blocked by a derailment
causing for our journey an extreme lethal ailment.

Confusion reigned and saw movement toward the lounge car
to contemplate our fate with help from products of the bar,
conversation stemmed around what there was to do
when there was an announcement made by the train crew.

Communication with “Head Office” had, since our stop been made
and decision had been taken to return to Adelaide
where train would go no further, that would be finis the end,
to Perth no more Great Southern Rail its passengers send.

So, instead of Perth arrival at 3.00PM on Saturday
we reached Adelaide at 5.00, thirteen hundred Ks away,
as Ned said “Such is life”, I guess it could be worse,
our train could have been derailed which would have been a curse.

As transcontinental travellers we’ve thus not made the grade
but, a return trip to Forrest, I’d bet not a lot have made,
it’s a real contest candidate for the middle of nowhere,
that’s the honest truth because we have been there.

Jeff Thorpe © 05 January 2016

[Shelley Hansen]

Great story, Jeff!

We had an interesting ride on the Indian Pacific in late 2008 - but not as eventful as yours! Ours was from Perth to Adelaide with the midnight tour of Kalgoorlie involved. Rough track, a rock-hard steel bed and catching a cup of tea mid-air are among my fondest (!) memories! But the scenery, the sunrises over the desert and the dining experiences in that car that made me think Hercule Poirot would walk through at any moment made it all worthwhile!

Perhaps I should write a poem! Mmm ...

Cheers, Shelley

[Jeff Thorpe]

Thanks Shelley

It was a real adventure and though it's a shame we didn't get all the way, that's life. I agree with you about the scenery - magnificent. I took a book but, the only time I opened it was at night when tucked up in bed. The food was to die for and the staff and service first class. I can imagine performance poets like you or Bob (Pacey) wowing the passengers in the lounge car.

Regards, Jeff

[Shelley Hansen]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jeff. We took that trip before we did performance poetry, and there was no entertainment on board other than the information sessions - so it's something to think about for a future occasion, certainly!

Cheers, Shelley

[Bob Pacey]

Good stuff and I like this solution


"to contemplate our fate with help from products of the bar,


Solved a lot of problems there

[Catherine Lee]

Very enjoyable Jeff - I love train travel. A pity you didn't make it all the way, but still an adventure and yes, it could have been a lot worse! I like that line Bob mentions too

[Jeff Thorpe]

Hi Bob & Catherine

Thanks for your comments. A trip to remember. Now to claim on travel insurance for the unscheduled flights back to Brisbane.

Cheers Jeff

[alongtimegone]

A bummer Jeff but still sounds like 90% of the trip was great. Enjoyed the read and was a little envious.
Wazza

[Jeff Thorpe]

G'day Wazza

Could recommend the train - you may miss the fishing though.

Cheers, Jeff

[alongtimegone]

Probably!