The writer described how on a normal long train journey one can spend
time in a lounge car, but that of course is not possible on the
Overland as there is only a takeaway buffet. He then went on to write
about trying to balance a meal and a bottle of wine on his knees in
the roomette, because there is no table. Is this true, or did he
either travel in a faulty compartment or miss something?
I cannot believe that there would be no little fold-down table in the
roomette. If indeed what he says is true, it makes travel in the
sleeping car a difficult proposition indeed, with meals (such as they
are) having to be taken back to the compartment. It is a long time
since I travelled in an Overland roomette - back to the time of last
NG Ghan in fact - and in those days we sat in the lounge and passed
the time of day (or night ... whatever). However, I don't remember
having difficulty with my breakfast tray then.
If the article is true then there is little hope for the Overland,
IMO.
Cheers from a despondent JD
==========================================================
John Dennis jdennis@acslink.net.au
Melbourne denjo02@cai.com
Australia http://www.acslink.net.au/~jdennis
Dutton Bay Tramway pages updated 1 January
DBT URL: http://www.acslink.net.au/~jdennis/dbt.html