TRAINS & TRAVEL
P.O. BOX 10625
RENO, NEVADA 89510-0625
Chris@traintrips.biz Rail Tours Manager. For question regarding tour itineraries and details.
Deborah@traintrips.biz Office Manager: Accounting
1-800 359-4870 USA
1-800 752-1836 CANADA
1-800 266-8751 FAX
(530) 836-1944
OFFICE HOURS 9AM TO 5PM MONDAY-FRIDAY
PACIFIC WEST COAST TIME



RAILFAN TOUR
MARCH 31-APRIL 12, 2011
10 DAY EXTENSION OFFERED
OPERATED BY THE RAILTOURS OF ENGLAND
SURE-GO SOLD-OUT





This ever popular tour gets even better - eight steam trains on five gauges including no less than five steam charters, PLUS the fabulous Maitland steam festival featuring lots of action using three mainline steam locos on excursions including the amazing "triple train chase".

Optional 10 day unescorted tour extension for the incredible Savannahlander train into the "Ozzie" outback of Queensland



DAY 1 THURSDAY March 31: Your own flight arrivals into Melbourne, transfer to our hotel near Southern Cross station for three nights stay. Be sure to take some time to ride the Melbourne trams.



DAY 2 FRIDAY APRIL 1: (B) By rail to Castlemaine for a special mixed train steam charter with a J or K class 2-8-0 over a typical Australian branch line, photo run-bys included - the 10 mile line to Maldon is ours for the day!



DAY 3 SATURDAY APRIL 2: (B) By road to Queenscliffe for the 3'6" gauge Bellarine Peninsula Railway. We have requested their ex-South Australian "T" class 4-8-0 on a photo charter for our group. En-route back to Melbourne we have an exclusive visit to the Newport workshops of Steamrail Victoria to see their collection of broad gauge (5'3") locos.





DAY 4 SUNDAY APRIL 3: (B) By local train to Belgrave for the 2'6" Puffing Billy Railway. They usually have three engines in steam We shall ride to Lakeside and return with time for further linesiding.

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DAY 5 MONDAY APRIL 4: (B) By rail the 600 miles from Melbourne to Sydney by Australian-built HST. Stay four nights in a hotel just yards from Central Station.





DAY 6 TUESDAY APRIL 5: (B) By rail to Picton where after taking a vintage 1926 rail motor to Thirlmere we have arranged a special steam charter onwards to Buxton and return, run-bys en-route. Thirlmere is home to the huge New South Wales Rail Transport Museum featuring over 40 locomotives. Return later in the day via Picton to Sydney.

WE WILL RIDE A DIESEL POWER TRAIN FROM
SYDNEY TO PICTON AND RETURN






DAY 7 WEDNESDAY APRIL 6: (B) A rail journey into the scenic Blue Mountains for the 3'6" gauge Zig-Zag Railway for a ride behind steam over the original switchback line to Lithgow.







DAY 8 THURSDAY APRIL 7: (B) Local train to the 610mm gauge Illawarra Light Railway for a special steam charter using two of their five steam locos. The collection features Baldwin, Hudswell Clark and Hawthorn Leslie locos.





DAY 9 FRIDAY APRIL 8: (B) Travel by local train to Valley Heights for a special steaming of the amazing 1891 Sydney steam tram engine at the depot. After returning to Sydney we take a late afternoon train to Wickham near Newcastle for three nights hotel accommodation just 35 minutes by diesel railcar from Maitland.



DAY 10/11 SATURDAY/SUNDAY APRIL 9/10: (B) Two full days at the Maitland Steamfest with even more action. At least three engines in steam with regular runs over the main lines to Branxton and Paterson plus we shall be on board one of three trains on the amazing triple train chase on Sunday morning over the four track mainline to Maitland. We have included a return steam ride and the chase in the tour cost. In addition there will be a vintage railmotor providing trips, traction engines in action, stands, exhibits, excursions to the Richmond Vale steam line and much more over the two day event.



DAY 12 MONDAY APRIL 11: (B) Morning train to Sydney with day Sydney Pass to explore the city by rail, bus and ferry.





DAY 13 TUESDAY APRIL 12: (B) Transfer by rail to Sydney airport for your flights home.



TOUR EXTENSION (Unescorted)


DAY 13 TUESDAY APRIL 12: (B) Morning flight from Sydney to Cairns for overnight hotel stay.



DAY 14 WEDNESDAY APRIL 13: (D) Morning departure from Cairns on the Savannahlander railcar, climbing into the Atherton Tablelands. A stop is made to view Barron Falls and Kuranda continuing to Mareeba.and onwards into the remote Queensland outback. A stop is made for tea before arriving at Almaden for lunch. Afternoon excursion by road to the Chillagoe Caves and overnight hotel stop (evening meal included).









The Savannahlander is a unique train journey which begins in Cairns , Australia. It is one of the great rail experiences of the world as it rattles its way from the coast, up the scenic Kuranda Range including stops at Barron Falls and Stoney Creek, through World Heritage listed rainforests to Kuranda. It then continues on through the savannah to outback Australia. The Savannahlander is also a unique way to see the Chillagoe Caves , Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes .

"The Silver Bullet" as the train is affectionately known, was state-of-the-art when it was brought into service. Now it reflects the pace and grace of a by-gone era, while at the same time offering a unique experience to people adventurous enough to make the journey. This grand-old-lady travels at a sedate pace, and stops at suitable locations for the driver to point out interesting landscape features to the passengers. It's a unique and comfortable way to see Australia's outback.

For "the locals" of the Queensland outback, The Savannahlander is still a vital communications link, while for the fortunate visitor to the region, it offers a unique rail experience, and an insight into one of the most diverse and fascinating regions of Australia.









DAY 15 THURSDAY APRIL 14: (B-D) morning depart by rail to Mt Surprise and Forsayth. Enroute, we stop at Bullock creek for morning tea, Mt Surprise for Lunch, Einasleigh for afernoon stretch and refreshments. After Einasleigh, we climb the rugged Newcastle Range, then pass through the stunning Delaney Gorge before terminating at our destination of Forsayth , transfer by road to Cobbold gorge for evening meal and overnight stay.



DAY 16 FRIDAY APRIL 15: (B-D) By road to Einasleigh to rejoin the train. During the return journey, the train stops at lineside attractions (such as bower bird bowers, old mine sites) that were not visited on the outward journey. At Mt Surprise, you can either be transfer to Undara for a lava tube experience, and an overnight stay and dinner at the Lava Lodge.

DAY 17 SATURDAY APRIL 16: (B-D) Depart Mt. Surprise for the run to Cairns with an stops at Bullock Creek for morning tea, Almaden for lunch, and Dimbulah for afternoon tea. Many line-side attractions are visited and the journey culminates in a late afternoon descent of the Kuranda Range. Two nights stay in Cairns.

DAY 18 SUNDAY APRIL 17: Free time in Cairns to relax, take the cableway to Kuranda or an optional catamaran excursion to the Great Barrier Reef (all payable locally)





DAY 19 MONDAY APRIL 18: Transfer to the airport for flights out.

PRICES                                   PRICES ARE PERSON

Double room ........................................$2,998
Single room supplement...............................$ 998
Deposit..............................................$ 400
Final payment due by January 3, 2011


TOUR INCLUDES

*12 nights lodging
*All road transfers
*four steam charters
*Sydney day transport pass
*all rail travel in Standard class services of a Railtours Tour Manager

10 DAY EXTENSION

Double room.........................................$2198
Single room supplement..............................$ 248

TOUR EXTENSION INCLUDES:

*flights Sydney to Cairns
*3 nights lodging in Cairns
*four nights on  Savannahlander tour
*Chillagoe Caves, Cobbold Gorge and Lava Tubes excursions

THE LAST STRONGHOLD FOR THE
EMD AND ALCO COVERED WAGONS IN THE WORLD!
















Click here for Travel Insurance Information

TOUR BOOKING CONDITIONS

TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are corrected to November 1, 2010 and are subject to change without notice, at any time. All prices based on double room occupancy. We reserve the right to change tour prices if necessary.

PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE: Personal items, meals not listed in the itinerary, laundry, phone calls, excess baggage charges, rental cars, side tours, insurance, passport fees including visas, vaccinations, gratuities, medical costs, tips to train or motor coach staff, extra tour costs due to unanticipated changes in the itinerary for reasons beyond our control, including weather, travel conditions, or cancellations, government intervention, sickness, political disputes, and failure of transportation or other causes beyond our control.

TRAVEL AND HEALTH DOCUMENTS: A valid passport is required for our international tours. In some cases a visa is also needed. Consult your health professional for the recommended immunizations and documents. Trains and Travel International , here on referred to as TTI, assumes no other responsibility if a client is refused entry into a country. Cost and cancellation fees will be paid by the client in the event they do not have valid documents.

CHANGE OF ITINERARY: We reserve the right to substitute, alter or modify the tour if any unexpected and unforeseen conditions beyond our control preventing the completion of such. Conditions can include weather, train schedules, equipment, motive power, revision of train consist, train delays, labor strikes, political disputes, derailments, closure of a rail line, break down of railroad or motive power equipment, railroads not honoring contracts and bus equipment problems. We will always endeavor, in each case, to provide substitutes, if any changes take place. TTI is not responsible for canceled trains, delays, hotel rooms, route changes or missed connections, for any reason whatsoever. We will not give refunds if such conditions or cancellations take place.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel insurance is mandatory and is required, but you can opt out. The Decision to Opt-Out or Decline is Mandatory. Insurance will cover and give tour members many benefits and protection. Benefits include baggage loss, accident, life, trip cancellation, sickness, bankruptcy, strike, weather conditions, employer termination or layoff effecting you or a person sharing the room with you, terrorist incident in your departure city or city of destination, jury duty, you are subpoenaed, hijacked, or quarantined, your residence or traveling companion residence is rendered uninhabitable, emergency military duty, traffic accident, single supplement upgrade when your traveling companion cancels their trip, trip interruption, trip delay, missed connections, itinerary change,emergency medical benefits, medical evacuation, pre-existing medical conditions if enrollment is within 21days of your invoice date, assault of you or your traveling companion before departure, burglary of you or your companion before departure 24 hour hotline emergency assistance, emergency cash transfer and more. We will supply you with a travel insurance brochure with rates and application when we mail you the invoice after your bookings. Travel insurance protects your vacation investments. US law allows us to offer this insurance to all persons worldwide. We will accept a "refusal of travel insurance wavier" if you do not wish to purchase any travel insurance.

RESPONSIBILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Accepting your payment represents an agreement that you understand all the conditions, to be a member of our tours. TTI gives notice that they are acting agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers, providing the transportation and all related travel services and assume no responsibility for injury, sickness, damage, loss, additional expenses accidental delay or irregularities which may be caused through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of the companies providing or engage in transportation, accommodations or services related to the accomplishment of the tour. Nor do we assume responsibility for natural disasters, social or political upheaval, acts of terrorism or acts of nature. TTI reserves the right to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, onboard accommodations, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. The right is also reserved to cancel any trip or train prior to departure for any reason . TTI is not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour, including non-refundable airline tickets, visa fees, planning, phone calls, or any other expenses. TTI reserves the right to decline to accept, or ask to leave a tour, any person whose actions impede the daily operations of a tour, welfare or enjoyment of other tour members. TTI cannot give any refunds for any unused services. The terms contained herein shall serve as a waiver of liability to TTI. Assumption of risk on behalf of the client, their heirs, executor, administrators, successors, and assigns for any and all known persons injuries

RESERVATIONS: A deposit is due in our office within 14 days after you make your bookings. Full payment is due 90 days before departure. You will receive an invoice, reservation form and current tour bulletins with your confirmation and travel insurance forms. No notice for final payment will be sent to you. It is your responsible to make the final payment on-time.

CANCELLATIONS: TTI does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, email or fax before any refunds will be considered. Allow enough time if sending your written notice by US mail postal system. When a written cancellation is received in the Trains and Travel office this will be the effective date of the cancellation. Please take note that it can take up to 60 days to to process some refunds. Cancellation refund rules: 100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $100 per person administration fee. 99 to 61 days before the departure of any tour there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Cancellations received 60 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive any refund. GW Travel Ltd has their own cancellation rules and these will apply. If booking on GW Travel Ltd ask for cancellation rules.

PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on tours operated by TTI. Bulletins include travel info related to the tour. Final documents will be sent out about two to three weeks before a tour begins. We offer tours operated by other companies and they may or may not send out tour bulletins and updates and most send out final documents only one to two weeks prior to the start of their tours.

PAYMENTS: Payments can be made with personal check drawn on a U.S. Dollar account, money order for U.S. Dollars, bank wire transfer, or credit card. We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express. Final payment for all tours is due 90 days prior to departure. If final payment has not been received 7 days after the due date, a late fee of $50 per week will apply.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: All prices are based on double room occupancy. We will try and match you with a roommate if one is available. If not, you may be charged the single room supplement listed for the tour you are booked on. Single rooms may not be available in some remote locations and on some trains.

TOUR REFUNDS: If for any reason tour members amend or delete any arrangements during travel, and leave the tour on their own, we cannot give any refunds on unused portions of the tour. If buses and trains are cancelled by the carrier or there is a labor strike or they go out of business, we cannot be held responsible and we cannot give refunds. Travel insurance will protect you for any of these reasons. If TTI needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a full refund. Please take note that in some cases refunds can take up to 60 days to process.

PARTIAL TOURS: We will allow passengers to join or leave a tour at certain points. It will all depend on the tour and the conditions. Give us a call and we will try and work up a custom option for you.

MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note that TTI does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all folks that enjoy trains and Rail journeys. We give strong warning that itinerary and route changes do happen and this is totally beyond our control when it does. If the only reason that you would want to book a tour is to collect the rare mileage, you need to understand that possible route changes do happen.

 

02763  visits since September 23, 2010.

Last modified: Tuesday, 10-Jan-2012 06:17:27 PST