Indian Pacific could be coming to Freo

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said he was excited by the prospect of one of the world’s most iconic rail journeys coming to Fremantle.

Earlier this week the Indian Pacific, the 4352 kilometre transcontinental train trip from Sydney to Perth, celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti used the anniversary to reveal the WA government was looking into extending the service from East Perth train station to Fremantle, with some of the preliminary work already underway.

Mayor Pettitt said it would be fantastic to have Australia’s longest rail journey terminating in Fremantle.

“The popularity of these long and luxurious rail journeys just seems to be growing and growing, and how amazing would it be for passengers to arrive in Fremantle on the Indian Pacific and actually see the Indian Ocean,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“There are some really great synergies with having the Indian Pacific arriving in Fremantle. For example, people would be able to step off the train and step straight on to a ferry to Rottnest, or they could ride the Indian Pacific to Fremantle and then board a cruise ship to sail home.

“It could also provide the impetus for the redevelopment of Victoria Quay and improving the connections between the port and the city centre.

“I’m really encouraged that this is something that’s on the government’s radar and we look forward to collaborating with them on how we can make this work.”

An uninterrupted rail link from to the Pacific Ocean in the east to Indian Ocean in the west was not completed until 1969.

The newly named Indian Pacific train embarked on its inaugural transcontinental journey on 23 February 1970, with more than 10,000 people turning out to welcome it upon its arrival in Perth.

On average the Indian Pacific is 774 metres long, consisting of two locomotives and 30 carriages.

It takes about 65 hours to travel the 4352 kilometres from Sydney to Perth, at a leisurely average speed of 85km per hour.