FED: Fischer endorses the silver rail

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2004
FED: Fischer endorses the silver rail

By Chris Herde

BRISBANE, Aug 3 AAP - Tim Fischer reckons his fascination with trains was first ignited
as a child by the old rattler - the Riverina Daylight Express.

Family outings from Boree Creek in southern NSW to meet the train has led to a lifelong
interest in rail transport.

But unlike the timetabling travails of the Riverina Daylight Express, the former deputy
prime minister's timing is impeccable.

Mr Fischer will tomorrow launch his latest book - Transcontinental Train Odyssey: The
Ghan, The Khyber, The Globe - in tribute to the train, which has run from Adelaide to
Darwin since early this year.

The launch will coincide with the 75th anniversary of The Ghan's first journey from
Adelaide to Alice Springs.

The famous old train, according to Mr Fischer, is a significant part of the Australian identity.

"It is, I think, part of the fabric of the nation - in the same way and not dissimilar
to the Manly ferry and the Melbourne Cup," Mr Fischer said.

The book chronicles the battle against the sceptics, including federal Tourism Minister
Joe Hockey who bet Mr Fischer he would run naked around parliament house if the line to
Darwin was ever completed.

It was a bet from which he was, thankfully, relieved.

The book also relates Australian train history history, including a list of the 22
rail gauges that have been used in the national rail network since 1831.

Naturally for Mr Fischer, who has so far visited 66 countries, there are plenty of
great world train journeys in the book - including through The Khyber Pass - and an examination
of the global renaissance of rail.

He also makes the big call on the 12 best train stations in the world - on top of the
list is Sydney Central.

Mr Fischer admits he appreciates the lure of the romance of train travel but his enthusiasm
is based more on an appreciation of rail's capabilities.

"I think often the culture of rail has been buried in its own romance. Detached from
reality and important as that heritage is, it has clouded the future," Mr Fischer said.

"That core statistic, a steel wheel on a steel rail has the seventh of the friction
of a rubber type wheel on a bitumen surface says it all.

"It says why in the 21st century there is going to be a big swing back to rail."

Since leaving politics in 2001, Mr Fischer sits on a number of boards including that
of the freight component of the Adelaide to Darwin link.

He is also the chairman of Tourism Australia.

As well as spending time with his young family, Mr Fischer said he also wanted to write books.

"I never wanted to do an autobiography but I always felt I could do a book or two," he said.

"So I wanted to do something I felt passionate about and trains and The Ghan fitted the bill."





* Published by Allen and Unwin Transcontinental Train Odyssey: The Ghan, The Khyber,
The Globe retails for $32.95

Part of the royalties will go to The Royal Flying Doctor, The Fred Hollows Foundation
and Frontier Services.

AAP ch/sc/tma/bwl

KEYWORD: GHAN (AAP ANALYSIS) WITH PIX

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.