TRAINS & TRAVEL
P.O. BOX 10625
RENO, NEVADA 89510-0625
Chris@traintrips.biz
Jane@traintrips.biz
Deborah@traintrips.biz
    1-800 359-4870 USA
1-800 752-1836 CANADA
1-800 266-8751 FAX
(775) 453-1004
   
OFFICE HOURS 9AM TO 5PM MONDAY-FRIDAY
PACIFIC WEST COAST TIME



RAILFAN TOUR
APRIL 8-20, 2010
SURE-GO - SOLD OUT

Australia is a railfan's paradise with a lot of variety in steam and diesel operations and the last stronghold for the EMD and Alco covered wagons in the world. This tour will feature eight steam trains on five gauges including no less than four steam charters, PLUS the special 25th year of the fabulous Maitland steam festival featuring lots of action using at least four mainline steam locos on excursions including a double header.



DAY 1 THURSDAY APRIL 8: Independant arrivals into Melbourne, transfer to the Holiday Inn near the Southern Cross station for three nights stay.







DAY 2 FRIDAY APRIL 9: (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 10: (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 to be in action. Opportunity to ride and lineside. En-route back to Melbourne we shall call in the see the extensive collection of broad gauge (5’3”) locos at the Williamstown Railway Museum.








DAY 4 SUNDAY APRIL 11: (B) By local train to Belgrave for the 2’6” Puffing Billy Railway. They usually have three engines in steam including the recently ovehauled Garratt. We shall ride the full length of the line to Gembrook before travelling by road to the Mornington Railway to see their attractive green liveried broad gauge K class 2-8-0 in action.

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DAY 5 MONDAY APRIL 12: (B) By rail the 600 miles from Melbourne to Sydney by Australian-built HST. Stay four nights in the Marque Hotel just yards from Central Station.





DAY 6 TUESDAY APRIL 13: (B) By rail to Picton where we have arranged a special steam charter on the steeply graded line to Thirlemere, 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 return to Picton using a 1926 vintage railmotor.

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










DAY 7 WEDNESDAY APRIL 14: (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 15: (B) We ride a 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 16: (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 service from Maitland Steamfest.





DAY 10-11 SATURDAY-SUNDAY APRIL 17-18: (B) 2010 sees the 25th Anniversary of the Maitland Steamfest with even more action. At least four engines in steam with regular runs to Newcastle, Paterson and a double header on the Sunday to Branxton. We have included two return steam rides in the tour cost. In addition there will be a vintage railmotor providing trips, traction engines in action, stands, exhibits and much more over the two day event.





DAY 12 MONDAY APRIL 19: (B) We hope to be able to ride behind steam from Maitland to either Cowra or Thirlmere. Details and cost will be advised as soon as we receive them but they will most likely be double headed as two locos from each location will be attending the festival. In case the runs back are empty stock only we shall ride a regular train into Sydney with day Sydney Pass to explore the city by rail, bus and ferry.







DAY 13 TUESDAY APRIL 20: (B) Independant departures from Sydney.


PRICES               ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON

Double room ............................$2,498
Single room supplement...................$ 698
Deposit..................................$ 500
Final payment due by January 8, 2010

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



























TOUR BOOKING CONDITIONS

TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are subject to change without notice at any time.

CHANGE OF ITINERARY: We reserve the right to substitute, change train routing, alter or modify the tour if any unexpected and unforeseen conditions beyond our control occur. As almost everyone knows, in the railroad industry last minute changes do occur.

RESERVATION CHANGES: A $50 per person charge will apply for any changes made to a reservation. This will also apply for any changes in credit cards usded.

DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: The required deposit is due in our office within 14 days of making a booking. For most tours the final payment is due in our office 90 days before the start of the tour. Due dates are posted for each tour and will also be on your invoice and in some cases we will vary the due Date depending upon the tour in question.

MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note before you book! Trains and Travel does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all people that enjoy the railroad hobby. 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 with us is to collect the rare mileage, may we suggest that you be prepared for possible route changes.

RESPONSIBILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: We 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 engaging in transportation, accommodations or services related to the accomplishment of the tour including Trains and Travel. We have no control on the timings of our charter trains and indeed passenger trains and charters can and do run late most of the time. Nor do we assume responsibility for natural disaster, social or political upheaval, acts of terrorism or acts of nature. The right is reserved to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. We are not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour.

CANCELLATIONS: Trains and Travel does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, e mail or fax before any refunds will be processed. Be sure and allow enough time if sending your written notice by the very slow 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 process some refunds in but most cases refunds will be issued in half that time. Cancellation refund rules: 100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $200 per person administration fee. 99 to 75 days before the departure of any tour there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Any cancellations received 74 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive any refund. These cancellations rules apply to everyone and will be enforced.

RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE: Trains and Travel reserves the right to refuse service to anyone we deem necessary, to insure that all of our clients will have the best possible tour.

PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on our tours. Bulletins include weather, packing tips, food, health, updates and much more. Tickets and a detailed itinerary booklet will be sent out about three weeks before the tour begins.

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 may 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 TU needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a full refund. Please take note that 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.


 

      

01982  visits since August 26, 2009.

Last modified: Friday, 15-Jan-2010 09:30:58 PST