Thread by @trashyhonky

Please name me a more expensive journey per km than the 8.5km Skitube in the Snowy Mountains from Bullocks Flat to Blue Cow

Peak tickets? $132 return or near enough to $15/km

#wintadayze2022

OK so let's just have a look at the skitube, Australia's only alpine/rack and pinion railway

Had a bit of difficulty before dawn trying to get my ticket, yes I'd booked but had not booked a card. Staff eventually were not worried but more worried I'd miss the 6:30am service

Fortunately it was on time, obviously no union issues here. The train arrived and departed in less than a couple of minutes with another service empty on the adjacent platform

I tell ya what if it's comfort you are after you've caught the wrong train. Even in all its late 80's glory you ain't here for the long haul

Of course I got the front seat. Not much room and a window full of condensation but it made the seats feel comfier

OK so here's why you want the front seat. A driver's eye view of the tunnel. Look it ain't overly pretty but it's better than looking out every other window into darkness

The tunnel on the approach to Perisher station reminded me of Yarrangobilly caves I visited earlier in the week

Overheard a woman this morning who'd just caught the Skitube up the mountain

"I dunno I was expecting something more like a bullet train"

So that's it, the middle track - that's what assists the skitube on its journey with a max incline of 12.5%

Over the 8.5km trip it journeys from an elevation of 1,125m at Bullocks Flat to 1,905 at Blue Cow

Mt Kosciuszko, the highest place in Australia is at 2,228m

Each tunnel is only a single line but with 3 platforms at Perisher, 1 at Blue Cow and 2 at Bullocks Flat

At Perisher doors on both sides of the train open

The stations are cold and bleak. There is nothing 'romantic' about train travel on the Skitube

The train itself despite travelling in an alpine region does not have heating. Seriously, yes I know it's a short journey (less than 20 mins) but why would you not have it heated!?

It's a mix of brutalist architecture, Russia under Gorbachev, a cave tour and the Ghost Train ride at Luna Park

The journey is a lot more enjoyable at a speed greater than 25km/h

Back at Bullocks Flat

The trains (2, 3 & 4 cars) are stored end to end on the two platforms. Overall an uneventful journey but worth the cost? Absolutely not.

It's a handy service but @PerisherResort could do a lot better with pricing. And heating