Thanks for the info, EIPremier - as I mentioned in my original post, I have travelled by train extensively in Australia (Indian-Pacific, 3 nights/4 days, The Ghan, 2 nights/3 days, The Queenslander, 1 night/2 days) so know what I am getting myself in for.

I have, however, heard horror stories about the lounge car.

On Australian long distance trains, you basically set yourself up in the lounge car for the day - you grab a bottle of wine and proceed to consume it whilst undertaking two activities - observing the scenery and conversing/interacting with your fellow travellers (it is AMAZING how relaxing this is, as well as how educational it can be).

The stories that I have heard is that you get chased out of your seat in the lounge car after a certain period, although I cannot see how this can be true.

Thanks for the pointers on the dining car though, our trains work the same way, and is one of the reasons why I am foresaking flying (and the FF points which go with it) to catch the train. As long as the people at my table are locals rather than tourists.

Thanks once again.

Dave