Countrylink & Sydney things to do

[Michael Kurkowski <mk@netstra.com.au>]

Good Evening All,

I have once again decided it's time to grace Sydney with my prescence. To 
do this I have booked and confirmed seats on the XPT for both ways. My 
experience with Countrylink in obtaining my ticket was good. 

The first time I called, to get prices & specials, I got through straight 
away with no hold time whatsoever. This was about 3pm. I called back at 
about 5:30pm to make the actual booking. I was on hold for about 7 minutes, 
but the waited time was worth it. The operator was extremely friendly and 
helpful, told me even more about the specials and the conditions. For this 
reason i opted for the 40% off special instead of the 50% off special, for 
the simple reason that I could alter travel times after purchase of the 
ticket. I asked for a seat in car C and was told that was okay, and turned 
out I got exactly the same seat each way. I was also asked if i wanted 
window or aisle, me opting for window. 

Who here said the new booking system didn't allow for one to choose their 
seat?

Picking up the ticket was a little more of a drama, but wasn't too bad 
overall. A stop at Essendon Station on my way home was fruitless, with the 
SM there telling me that one could only pick up Countrylink tickets between 
8am and 5pm or similar, and then I would get a fax of the ticket. Not 
exactly what I wanted. So I picked up the ticket from Spencer Street today, 
no dramas, got an original ticket, was in and out in less than about 3 
minutes. 

Now, lets hope the XPT trip is this faultless. I only dread having to get 
on a bus for any part of the journey. Late running is not a bother, since I 
chose times that won't affect anything else I'm doing.

Now for the big question. Armed with a purple travelpass, what is one to do 
in Sydney for 10 days, as far as gunzelling goes? Heading out of the city 
is not too much of a bother for me, as I will be heading out to Newcastle, 
Lithgow and Wollongong at some point. This bearing in mind that I am mainly 
interested in freights, anything with a 48, 422, or any similar locos 
leading (actually, anything other than 81's, 82's). 

I will be up that way toward the last week of February.

Thanks in advance,

Michael.


-- 
Michael Kurkowski
Email: mk@netstra.com.au
Website: http://www.netstra.com.au/~mk
ICQ: 1459118
Telephone: 0416-044-124

What is the point of having quotes at the end of your .sig?