Yvette and I had a night out last night (3/2/7) on the infamous Blues Train .I say infamous as I wouldn’t be surprised if it has a well known reputation around Melbourne/Victoria.However,as a person who’s not known for his knowledge of nightlife entertainment,I admit I’d never heard of it.

Friends who had experienced the train previously warned us of three things:

1.The food is very ordinary

My verdict:Yes it’s ordinary.A catering company with precooked food,a miserly two small pieces of meat and a baked spud put on a very small plastic plate .Then try and fill the small plate with salads and bread.

2.It gets quite cold,bring some warm clothes.

My verdict:not a problem this time of year but I can imagine other times it would.It did get a bit cool when you stood on the platforms during breaks.

3.Fellow revellers can spoil the fun with drunkenness.

My verdict:at least on this occasion no problem whatsoever.Everyone was having a great old time with some real fun making characters.

The concept is great.From the time you get there (7pm) ,predeparture drinks,dinner,then the very slow train journey to Drysdale and back, a singer or band on board of each of the 4 carriages ,you get back to the starting station at about 1130pm.

No mad fan ,I don’t mind the odd bit of blues,but I can honestly say I enjoyed all 4 entertainers that were playing last night.

You travel approximately 30 minutes on each carriage,with half hour stops in between for bladder emptying opportunities and replenish drinks for the next episode.

Being an old style train,there is not a great deal of space to move around.Let’s just say it can get quite cosy even with strangers so don’t be too sensitive in that department.

The only carriage whith ample room to dance is carriage ‘D’ (for dance) and you actually don’t have much option but to dance unless you want to sit on the side risking people stomping on your feet,falling on your lap,or giving you a nice old elbow in the face.

The average age group on this particular occasion was 35-55 but I would certainly think it would be enjoyed by people of all ages.

All in all a great night out.Although only an hours drive from Melbourne’s western suburbs I recommend you stay overnight in one of the many local B&B’s or other accomodation options.

Then finish it of with a quiet meandering morning in historic Queenscliff.

Check out the very informative website (which I only just discovered myself) http://www.bluestrain.com.au/_home.asp.

Keep on Ducking.

Till next time,Keep on Ducking.