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[quote user="CSSHEGEWISCH"] I note that the various short-to-medium-haul passenger operations have not been brought up, such as Countrylink, QR, V/Line Passenger, etc. or the various suburban operations. [/quote] I took the Countrylink XPT from Melbourne to Albury and back whilst I was in Australia in February. Countrylink operates a day train and a night train between Melbourne and Sydney. They are quite nice. They have economy and first class accommodations. The XPTs offer good food service in a bistro car, similar to food service arrangements on the Cascades. You can even order scones and cream with you morning tea and have it waiting for you. I believe Countrylink is owned and operated by New South Wales. The last time I looked, it was getting substantial taxpayer subsidies. QR operates some very nice trains in Queensland.  It is a 3",6" gage railroad.  I have ridden the Outback from Longreach to Brisbane as well as the Tilt train and the Sunlander. The food service on the Outback and Sunlander was in a sit-down dinning car. Food service on the Tilt train was as the passenger's seat. QR is owned by the Queensland government.  As far as I know its passengers trains are subsidized substantially. V/Line operates in Victoria.  As I recollect - I have not checked recently, it was privatized albeit with substantial subsidies from the Victorian and perhaps federal governments.  Most if not all of its trains operate out of Melbourne. I don't recall any food service on the V/Line trains other than some snacks, beverages, and sandwiches.  V/Line also offers numerous train to bus connections for communities that don't generate enough traffic to warrant train service.  In some respects it reminds me of Amtrak California. Although I don't have the numbers nor the inclination to dig them out, I suspect that Countrylink, QR, and V/Line carry significantly more passengers than Great Southern Rail.
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