North Coast railway line, Queensland
Encyclopedia
The North Coast railway line is a narrow gauge railway line in Queensland
, Australia
. It runs from Brisbane
, along the Queensland coast to Cairns in Far North Queensland
. The line is electrified between Brisbane and Rockhampton
. Along the way, the 1680 km railway passes through the numerous towns and cities of eastern Queensland including Nambour
, Gladstone
, Rockhampton, Mackay
and Townsville. The line though the middle of Rockhampton runs down the middle
of Denison Street.
, with the Valley Rattler operating on the branch for heritage and scenic tours. The Monto Loop
branches off at Mungar near Maryborough
. At Rockhampton the Longreach Line branches off and The Spirit of the Outback operates a passenger service between Brisbane and Longreach. The Western Line branches off at Townsville, with The Inlander operating to Mount Isa. In addition, coal and freight lines branch off at Gladstone, Rockhampton, Sarina
and Bowen
.
operates frequent suburban services to Caboolture and numerous interurban services to Nambour and Gympie. Long distance services, operated by QR
Traveltrain
run many passenger trains along the route, which includes their flagship electric and diesel tilt trains to Rockhampton and Cairns.
Freight services are operated by QRNational and Pacific National
Queensland. More than 11 million net tonnes of produce are transported via the line annually, including sugar, grain, minerals and cattle.
in Queensland started at a sea or river port and made their way inland. They were connected by coastal shipping. The North Coast Line developed as a connection between these ports. It took until 1924 to reach Cairns as the financial resources of this lowly populated state were limited.
s operated on the line between October 1900 and 1930. They were housed in a separate van where mail was collected, delivered and sorted as the train was in motion. At places where the train did not usually stop mail arms were erected, from which an occupant of the mail van could retrieve a mail bag whilst the train was travelling; deliveries were effected by dropping a bag of mail onto the platform. The first TPO service was from Brisbane to Bundaberg. In 1908 it was extended to Rockhampton
. From 1924 mail was carried by train to Townsville but without a TPO service being established. Up to six post offices were open at the same time to meet staffing and timetable constraints.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It runs from Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, along the Queensland coast to Cairns in Far North Queensland
Far North Queensland
Far North Queensland, or FNQ, is the northernmost part of the Australian state of Queensland. The region, which contains a large section of the Tropical North Queensland area, stretches from the city of Cairns north to the Torres Strait...
. The line is electrified between Brisbane and Rockhampton
Rockhampton
Rockhampton can refer to:* Rockhampton, Queensland is a city in Queensland, Australia* Rockhampton City, Queensland, a suburb of Rockhampton, Queensland* Electoral district of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia...
. Along the way, the 1680 km railway passes through the numerous towns and cities of eastern Queensland including Nambour
Nambour, Queensland
The area now known as Nambour, was first settled in 1870. The town was then called Petrie's Creek. In 1890 the Maroochy Divisional Board was established...
, Gladstone
Gladstone, Queensland
- Education :Gladstone has several primary schools, three high schools, and one university campus, Central Queensland University. It is also home to CQIT Gladstone Campus.- Recreation :...
, Rockhampton, Mackay
Mackay, Queensland
Mackay is a city on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia, about north of Brisbane, on the Pioneer River. Mackay is nicknamed the sugar capital of Australia because its region produces more than a third of Australia's cane sugar....
and Townsville. The line though the middle of Rockhampton runs down the middle
Street running
On-street running or street running is when a railroad track or tramway track runs directly along city streets, without any separation. The rails are embedded in the road....
of Denison Street.
Branch lines
Many lines branch off the North Coast Line. The Mary Valley Railway branches off near GympieGympie
Gympie may refer to:* Gympie, a city in Queensland, Australia** Gympie Airport** Electoral district of Gympie** Gympie Region, its local government authority* Gympie Gympie , a stinging plant...
, with the Valley Rattler operating on the branch for heritage and scenic tours. The Monto Loop
Mungar Junction to Monto Branch Railway
The Mungar Junction to Monto Branch Railway is in Queensland, Australia. Having lost out to Bundaberg for a rail link to Mount Perry, Maryborough turned the tables by securing a link to the Central and Upper Burnett districts of Queensland, where minerals had been found...
branches off at Mungar near Maryborough
Maryborough, Queensland
Maryborough is a city located on the Mary River in South East Queensland, Australia, approximately north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city is serviced by the Bruce Highway, and has a population of approximately 22,000 . It is closely tied to its neighbour city Hervey Bay which is...
. At Rockhampton the Longreach Line branches off and The Spirit of the Outback operates a passenger service between Brisbane and Longreach. The Western Line branches off at Townsville, with The Inlander operating to Mount Isa. In addition, coal and freight lines branch off at Gladstone, Rockhampton, Sarina
Sarina, Queensland
Sarina is a town in central Queensland, Australia. It is situated south of the city of Mackay, and approximately north of the city of Rockhampton. At the 2006 census, Sarina had a population of 3,285....
and Bowen
Bowen, Queensland
Bowen is a town on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Bowen had a population of 7,484.-Geography:Bowen is located on the north-east coast of Australia, at exactly twenty degrees south of the equator. In fact, the twentieth parallel crosses the main street...
.
Services
Many trains operate on the North Coast Line each day. QR CitytrainCityTrain
Citytrain is the brand name of urban, suburban and inter-urban electric passenger railway services in South East Queensland, Australia. Its network, centering in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, is approximately in route length...
operates frequent suburban services to Caboolture and numerous interurban services to Nambour and Gympie. Long distance services, operated by QR
Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail, also known as QR, is a government-owned railway operator in the state of Queensland. Under the control of the Queensland Government, Queensland Rail operates the inner-city and long-distance passenger services, as well as some freight operations and gives railway access to other...
Traveltrain
TravelTrain
Traveltrain provides long range passenger rail services in Queensland, run by Queensland Rail. Its flagships are the electric and diesel Tilt Trains, servicing Brisbane – Rockhampton and Brisbane – Cairns respectively...
run many passenger trains along the route, which includes their flagship electric and diesel tilt trains to Rockhampton and Cairns.
Freight services are operated by QRNational and Pacific National
Pacific National
Pacific National is one of Australia's largest private rail freight businesses. Originally a joint venture between Patrick Corporation and Toll Holdings; it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Asciano Limited following the restructure of Toll Holdings....
Queensland. More than 11 million net tonnes of produce are transported via the line annually, including sugar, grain, minerals and cattle.
History
The early railwaysRail transport in Queensland
Rail transport in Queensland began in 1865. Today it is one of the largest narrow gauge railway network in the world.-Public float:On 2 June 2009 the Queensland Government announced the 'Renewing Queensland Plan', with Queensland Rail's commercial activities to be separated from the Government's...
in Queensland started at a sea or river port and made their way inland. They were connected by coastal shipping. The North Coast Line developed as a connection between these ports. It took until 1924 to reach Cairns as the financial resources of this lowly populated state were limited.
Travelling Post Office
Travelling Post OfficeMobile post office
Mobile post offices deliver mail and other postal services through specially equipped vehicles, such as trucks and trains.-United Kingdom:The United Kingdom pioneered the modern use of what it calls the Travelling Post Office , a railway service that operated for the first time in 1838...
s operated on the line between October 1900 and 1930. They were housed in a separate van where mail was collected, delivered and sorted as the train was in motion. At places where the train did not usually stop mail arms were erected, from which an occupant of the mail van could retrieve a mail bag whilst the train was travelling; deliveries were effected by dropping a bag of mail onto the platform. The first TPO service was from Brisbane to Bundaberg. In 1908 it was extended to Rockhampton
Rockhampton
Rockhampton can refer to:* Rockhampton, Queensland is a city in Queensland, Australia* Rockhampton City, Queensland, a suburb of Rockhampton, Queensland* Electoral district of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia...
. From 1924 mail was carried by train to Townsville but without a TPO service being established. Up to six post offices were open at the same time to meet staffing and timetable constraints.