Upon commencement of the show, patrons are called through by carriage order, to be served a buffet style meal. All meals are prepared and served by the lovely Blues Train caterers
Most people sit in their first allocated carriage to eat, although some prefer to find a place to sit and eat on the platform.
HOW MANY SEATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EACH TRAIN
Each carriage can hold approximately 50 people, so with four carriages on the Blues Train, capacity is 200 people.
All tickets go on sale at the same time. Tickets sell starting from Carriage A. So, if you want your allocation to be A, B, C, D you will need to book early.
This does not mean you can't choose the carriage you want to be in as your start carriage as long as there are seats available in that section, i.e. you can start in Carriage D and work your way back from there. Everyone still swaps carriages at the stops. Everyone sees the same show.
The carriage orders are as follows:
Start Carriage A - B, C end in Carriage D
Start Carriage B - C, D end in Carriage A
Start Carriage C - D, A end in Carriage B
Start Carriage D - A, B end in Carriage C
Carriage A is a 48-seat dining car
Carriage B is a 52-seat car
Carriage C is a 52-seat dining car with a small dance floor
Carriage D is a dancing car with a stage and approximately 30 seats (capacity 52).
It is still essential, as with any event, to purchase all tickets in one transaction under one surname. However, as the individual seats in the carriage are not numbered, you can now purchase extra tickets if they are available in your chosen start carriage - as long as you make sure that whoever books the extra tickets books under the orginal surname.
everyone who wishes to will have the opportunity to sit at all times during the show. The actual seats are not allocated. All carriages have seats for every patron, except the D (dance) carriage, which has seating for 35 along the sides. Usually there are plenty of seats in D because everyone is up dancing!
Your ticket gives you an allocated start carriage, and your subsequent carriage order after that.
During the event, you will spend time in each of the four carriages (see the photos of each carriage below or check out our virtual tour of the train). Each carriage on the Blues Train is different. Some have booths with tables, some facing bench seats, while carriage D (the dancing carriage) only has seating along the sides to keep the centre space clear for dancing.
(Due to health and safety regulations, each carriage can carry a maximum of 52 passengers, and this limit is strictly adhered to, so carriages are never over-full.)
Those who book their tickets first get the best available seating, much like you would if you were booking tickets at The Arts Centre or The Rod Laver Arena. The tickets indicate the carriage in which you will begin the journey.
All tickets go on sale at the same time. The ticket system will start selling from Carriage A. So, if you want your allocation to be A, B, C, D you will need to book early.
This does not mean you can't choose the carriage you want to be in as your start carriage as long as there are seats available for sale in that section, i.e. you can choose to start in Carriage D.
Dinner is served at the beginning of the evening between 7.00 and 7.40 pm. Patrons are welcome to sit on the platform to eat their meal, or in your first allocated Carriage (this applies to all carriages).
Everyone still swaps carriages at the stops. The carriage orders are as follows:
Carriage A is a 48-seat dining car
Carriage B is a 52-seat car with no dining tables
Carriage C is a 52-seat dining car with a small dance floor
Carriage D is a dancing car with a stage and approximately 30 seats (capacity 52). Everyone starting in the D carriage will be seated for their meal - 37 in the D carriage and 15 at reserved dining tables in the alcove. Those dining in the alcove join the carriage prior to departure.
Please note these are General Admission tickets. It is vital to book tickets under one surname in one transaction, otherwise you will be allocated separate carriages. So, remember, if you want to be together, book tickets in one hit! There are no refunds, see our Terms and Conditions.
Friends enjoy the Blues Train together in the A carriageIf you are coming on the Blues Train with a group of friends, it's best to make a group booking. That way we can allocate you all to be on the same carriages throughout the night. Groups booking through Ticketek must buy all their tickets in one transaction. Seating is allocated when your ticket is issued. Capacity is approximately 50 people per carriage, 200 people per train.
The Blues Train is ticketed in a similar manner to most theatrical events, i.e. ticket allocation is divided by sections (in our case, carriages). Whilst individual seats in the carriages themselves are not allocated, the start carriage (and therefore the group of people you will be with for the rest of the evening as you progress to subsequent carriages) is allocated at the time of purchase. Therefore, it is essential that when booking, if you want to be with other people who have already purchased tickets, or who are planning to purchase tickets, you know which carriage they are starting in (i.e. A, B, C or D, indicated on their ticket) and also that you ensure that you buy available tickets for that carriage.
Friends enjoying the Blues Train in the B carriageIf you buy tickets in a different start carriage to your friends, just as with any other event, there is very little we can do on the night. You may be able to find some people to swap tickets for another start carriage, but we leave this strictly to you.
If you realise more than one month prior to the show that you have tickets in a different carriage to your friend, you can contact Ticketek Administration on 9299 9000 and ask to speak to the Blues Train event manager, who may be able to help you if sufficient tickets are available in another carriage. (Fees and charges may apply).
We do have wheelchair access, however due to the age of the heritage train carriages and the width of the doorways and arrangement of fixed seats, mobility can be limited. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and we will do our very best to ensure you have an enjoyable Blues Train. All carriages have safety ramps and a guard on board at all times who can assist with embarking, disembarking and mobility while in the carriage.
For people who require professional carers, we can organise a discount ticket for the accompanying carer (Companion Card holders).
Regarding toilets, the public toilets at Queenscliff and Drysdale station have wheelchair access. Suma Park has portaloos only. Wheelchair access portaloos will be made available at Suma Park Station for patrons requiring these facilities. To arrange, please contact The Blues Train direct on 03 5258 4343. Please note we need at least two weeks' notice to arrange this.
View our safety information and terms and conditions