Super-sized Ghan is the longest passenger train in 10 years

MEASURING six and a half times the length of Adelaide Oval, Australia’s longest passenger train in more than a decade has embarked on its record-breaking journey.

MEASURING six and a half times the length of Adelaide Oval, Australia’s longest passenger train in more than a decade has embarked on its record-breaking journey.

The Ghan departed Adelaide bound for Darwin on Sunday with 44 carriages and two locomotives at a total length of 1096m — more than 200m longer than a standard Ghan service.

It is the longest passenger train seen in Australia since the inaugural Adelaide to Darwin Ghan journey in 2004.

It is expected that, over the three-day return journey, 55 crew members will make 1300 beds, cook more than 3000 eggs for breakfast and serve 100kg of barramundi and 190kg of vegetables.

Great Southern Rail marketing and sales director Steve Kernaghan said the record-breaking length of The Ghan reflected increasing demand for rail holidays in Australia.

“The Ghan has enjoyed a surge in customer demand over the past 12 months thanks to our all-inclusive fares and new tour options in Alice Springs and Katherine,” he said.

“Amazing outback destinations are at the heart of The Ghan experience. We are very proud to be able to welcome thousands of travellers aboard this iconic train to share some incredible Australian experiences.”

The service is the beginning of nine consecutive weeks of 1km-long trains departing Adelaide in which 5884 platinum and gold service guests will make the transcontinental journey between Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin.