Re: Services on City Rail Interurbans

["jgnestor" <86367@one.net.au>]

What service Sydney-Newcastle takes "up to 2 hours"?  The fastests train is
slower than in 1937.
David Bennetts wrote in message <37bf2df5.0@newshost.pcug.org.au>...
>
>David Martin's recent proposal for an up-market Caves Express makes me
>wonder whether there would be a market for some limited catering on some
>existing Cityrail services, eg those to Newcastle.
>
>OK catering would introduce some problems like taking up some space, litter
>problems etc, but nothing which would be insurmountable.   If the Manly
>ferry service can provide catering on a half hour journey, it is a little
>uncivilised undertaking a train journey of up to two hours without any
>refreshments. When the South Steyne was in service years ago they even
>provided a cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs,  fine if the weather was
kind
>at the Heads.   Maybe catering would only be viable on the morning and
>evening commuter runs, but I'm sure our ethnic friends would jump at the
>chance if given the opportunity to tender for a catering service on board.
>
>In Europe you will usually find catering on train journeys of an hour or
>more, even if there's a trolley service.  British commuters often have a
>full breakfast on board, despite the exorbitant prices charged.   V/line
>provide a trolley service for similar length journeys.
>
>I believe that some years ago budding entrepreneurs set up a trolley
service
>on the Gosford commuter trains and were very well patronised until
>officialdom found out about them and kicked them off the trains.  It was
>always interesting to stop at Hawkesbury River and have the oyster sellers
>going the whole length of the train selling their product - the train would
>never leave until the oyster sellers finished their business - I always
>wondered what commercial arrangement, official or otherwise, was entered
>into to ensure that this prevailed.
>
>Would be interested to hear what others think!
>
>Regards
>
>David Bennetts
>Canberra
>
>
>