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Take West Coast Wilderness Railway to a Forgotten World
Friday, 16 April 2004

Tasmania's great steam train ride, the West Coast Wilderness
Railway,
has celebrated its first year back in operation with the launch of a
new
Premier Class carriage.
The 43km railway runs between Queenstown and Strahan, using a
novel
"third track" rack and pinion system to enable its locomotives to haul
the
train up 1:16 gradients across the Rinadeena Saddle.

Daily services leave from both destinations, with passengers
able to
choose the full six-hour return trip or travel just one way, returning
to
the departure point by coach.

The railway began service in the 1890s to haul copper from the
Queenstown mines to waiting ships but closed in 1963 when road
transport
became more economical.

Since it resumed operations in late 2002, more than 60,000
people have
taken the ride through pristine Tasmanian rainforest largely closed to
the
outside world for almost 40 years.

Carriages are based on the original Mt Lyell 'O' cars, with
solid
timber frames and panelling, clerestory roofs, arched windows and
brass
luggage racks and are hauled by an original Mt Lyell steam train on
one leg
of the trip and an original diesel locomotive on the other - covering
two
distinct "eras" in the history of the line.

Federal Hotels & Resorts' Group Director Marketing and Sales,
Jude
Franks, said the new Premier Class carriage was aimed at groups and
individuals who wanted to add an element of luxury only dreamt about
by
those who travelled on the original run.

"Premier Class provides an extra touch of old world luxury with
a rear
balcony, quality fittings and a steward on hand to serve a gourmet
meal that
includes local wines, beers and cheeses."

Trains depart daily from Queenstown at 10am and from Strahan at
10.15am. Prices start from $90 per adult with lunch in Tourist Class
and
$169 per adult in Premier Class, with Premier Class including a return
coach
trip, lunch with wine and beer and a guidebook.

As a launch offer, anyone booking a Premier Class journey along
with a
Gordon River Cruise and two nights at the Strahan Village will receive
10
per cent off the cost of all three. Valid until August 30, 2004;



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