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The Overland
One thing about reunions and/or the planning for a reunion is it brings back some old memories. Most blokes (I don’t know if the blokettes travelled this way) who enlisted from the eastern states in the 60’s, and didn’t own a car, will definitely remember the trip from the Spencer St RTO over to Adelaide and then back to Laverton in "The Overland".| It is with regret that we must inform you that Bob "Bad News" Hughes passed away on the 12 Feb after losing his fight with cancer. Those that went to the reunion in Brisbane last year will remember Bob, who, although obviously unwell at the time, didn’t complain, but got into the swing of things and had a good time with his mates. He will be sorely missed.
Our sincerest sympathies go to his family. |
In the 60’s, if you were given a brief to go out and design then build the world’s most uncomfortable train, you’d come up with the Overland. And then, if you were told to send this train on a journey and at a time when it could inconvenience its passengers the most, you’d follow the Overland’s timetable to a "T". It’s still a vivid memory after 35 years. The trip from Spencer St to Adelaide was usually the worst as you were on your own, normally you didn’t know anyone going that way. At least coming back you had some mates from your Rookies course as company, but it didn’t make the trip any more comfortable
Mind you, there were probably sections of the Overland that were quite comfortable, it’s just that the RAAF didn’t know about them. The bits we got had hard fixed seats, designed by the Railways to last at least 10 million years, where you had no choice but to sit bolt upright. Then the train was run to and from SA during the night when you couldn’t even waste away a few hours by looking out the window.
Sleep was impossible unless you had at least 2 bottles of 300 proof spirit inside you (the smart ones did), and you could find about 6ft of the floor to curl up on. And if you did manage to nod off, you were woken up again when the train stopped at a little place called Bordertown at about 1.00am where everyone got off the train for a sandwich and a "cuppa tea".
Wonder if it’s still going???
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