Rail transport in Queensland
Encyclopedia
Rail transport in Queensland began in 1865. Today it is one of the largest narrow gauge railway network in the world.
Limited. The new structure was announced by the State Government on 2 December 2009, and will in place from 1 July 2010.
of . A prototype existed in Norway
. The proposed narrow gauge railway would have very sharp curves of 5 chains (100 metres) on the long climb to Toowoomba at about 900 metres (2,952.8 ft) above sea level. If the railway could only manage a top speed of 20 miles per hour (32 km/h), then it was thought that it would be sufficient for a hundred years. One of main advantages of a narrow gauge railway is that less earth has to removed from hills and mountains during construction.
The choice of the non-standard narrow gauge was and still is controversial, and the choice was approved very narrowly by parliament. Thus the die was cast for a large narrow gauge system, which was copied by three other Australian states and many other countries besides. A hundred and fifty years later, Queensland is still sparsely populated (4 million in 2005), but many trains hauling coal are some of the longest
and heaviest
in the world.
The original light and cheap Queensland Railways was designed for operation at 15 mph or 20 mph.
has been the main rail operator in Queensland.
The exception has been the standard gauge link from New South Wales into Brisbane, since completed in 1930 it was operationally a part of the New South Wales system
and run by their government owned railways, even though the line itself was owned by Queensland. From 1994 National Rail
took over the operation of virtually all standard gauge freight services to and from Brisbane, as part of a reorganisation of interstate freight in Australia.
It was not until 2002 that QR entered the standard gauge market through subsidiary Interail
, by 2004 they were running freight services from Brisbane through to Melbourne
. Today standard gauge freight services are operated by Pacific National
after their acquisition of National Rail, and QR subsidiary QRNational.
On the narrow gauge Queensland Rail
operates all passenger services and haul the majority of freight. In 2005 the first non-QR narrow gauge commercial rail operation started in Queensland, with Pacific National Queensland (a subsidiary of Pacific National) commencing operation of container services between Brisbane
and Cairns, followed in 2009 by their entry into the export coal market. Queensland Rail's subsidiary Australian Railroad Group
have also entered the Queensland narrow gauge freight market, operating trains between Townsville and Mount Isa in their own right. Standard gauge passenger services are provided by the New South Wales based CountryLink
using their XPT.
Cooperative Mill who converted it to a sugar tramway. A number of tramways of 610 mm gauge for the transport of sugar cane have operated in Queensland as private concerns, associated with the relevant sugar cane mill. These tramways are quite advanced technically, with hand-me-down rails cascaded from the normal rails, remote-controlled brake vans, concrete sleepers in places, and tamping machines in miniature. The twenty or so separate tramways cooperate in research and development.
rail line, named Airtrain
, officially opened to passengers in May 2001. Under a BOOT scheme
- build, own, operate and transfer - the Queensland Government
licensed Airtrain Citylink to build the rail line, to own and operate it, and hand the entire infrastructure over to the Queensland Government
after 35 years when the company will then cease to exist. Airtrain Citylink contracted Transfield Services to build, operate and maintain the line and finally Airtrain Citylink contracted QR
to provide rolling stock
for the rail line.
is electric, air-conditioned
, were constructed locally in Maryborough
, and are no older than years:
All Citytrain trains are electric multiple unit
s with a driver cabin at both ends, with the exceptions of EM60 through to EM79 having only one cab at one end. All are configured with three cars, except for the ICE sets that are usually configured with four, five or six cars.
Long-distance services are operated by Traveltrain
, a division of Queensland Rail. Traveltrain services mainly cater to a tourist market.
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 core passenger service responsibilities, and formed into a new company called QR NationalQR National
QR National Limited is the largest rail freight company in Australia and was formerly owned by the Queensland Government. It was created as an independent company on 1 July 2010 when transport and logistics company QR Limited was split into two companies...
Limited. The new structure was announced by the State Government on 2 December 2009, and will in place from 1 July 2010.
Track gauge
The nascent Queensland Railways was persuaded that the way to build low cost railways was to use a narrower gauge than the standard gaugeStandard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
of . A prototype existed in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. The proposed narrow gauge railway would have very sharp curves of 5 chains (100 metres) on the long climb to Toowoomba at about 900 metres (2,952.8 ft) above sea level. If the railway could only manage a top speed of 20 miles per hour (32 km/h), then it was thought that it would be sufficient for a hundred years. One of main advantages of a narrow gauge railway is that less earth has to removed from hills and mountains during construction.
The choice of the non-standard narrow gauge was and still is controversial, and the choice was approved very narrowly by parliament. Thus the die was cast for a large narrow gauge system, which was copied by three other Australian states and many other countries besides. A hundred and fifty years later, Queensland is still sparsely populated (4 million in 2005), but many trains hauling coal are some of the longest
Longest trains
Conventional freight trains can average nearly 2,000 metres. Freight trains with a total length of three or four times that average are possible with the advent of DPUs , or additional locomotive engines between or behind long chains of freight cars...
and heaviest
Heaviest trains
The heaviest trains in the world are freight trains hauling bulk commodities such as coal and iron ore. One might distinguish between regular operations, and occasional record breaking runs...
in the world.
The original light and cheap Queensland Railways was designed for operation at 15 mph or 20 mph.
Train stations
For details of stations, see the following articles- North Coast railway line, QueenslandNorth Coast railway line, QueenslandThe 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...
- Southern railway line, QueenslandSouthern railway line, QueenslandThe Southern railway line is a railway in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia.The 197km-long line branches from the Western line at the major regional city of Toowoomba, 161km west of Brisbane, and proceeds south through the towns of Warwick and Stanthorpe to the New South...
- South Western railway line, QueenslandSouth Western railway line, QueenslandThe South Western railway line is a railway line in the south-west of the state of Queensland, Australia. It branches from the Southern line immediately south of Warwick railway station and proceeds westwards for a distance of 413 km to the town of Dirranbandi....
Operators
Historically the government owned Queensland RailQueensland 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...
has been the main rail operator in Queensland.
Rail transport in New South Wales
The Australian state of New South Wales has an extensive network of railways, which were integral to the growth and development of the state. The vast majority of railway lines were government built and operated, but there were also several private railways, some of which operate to this...
and run by their government owned railways, even though the line itself was owned by Queensland. From 1994 National Rail
National Rail Corporation
The National Rail Corporation was a rail operator in Australia. The Australian Government, New South Wales and Victoria established the National Rail Corporation in 1992...
took over the operation of virtually all standard gauge freight services to and from Brisbane, as part of a reorganisation of interstate freight in Australia.
It was not until 2002 that QR entered the standard gauge market through subsidiary Interail
Interail
Interail is an Australian rail freight operator based in Casino, New South Wales.-Creation:Interail was launched on May 31, 2002, as the interstate running arm of Queensland Rail, entering railway operations in New South Wales with the acquisition of Northern Rivers Railroad...
, by 2004 they were running freight services from Brisbane through to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. Today standard gauge freight services are operated by 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....
after their acquisition of National Rail, and QR subsidiary QRNational.
On the narrow gauge Queensland Rail
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...
operates all passenger services and haul the majority of freight. In 2005 the first non-QR narrow gauge commercial rail operation started in Queensland, with Pacific National Queensland (a subsidiary of Pacific National) commencing operation of container services between 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...
and Cairns, followed in 2009 by their entry into the export coal market. Queensland Rail's subsidiary Australian Railroad Group
Australian Railroad Group
Australian Railroad Group was one of Australia's largest private rail operators, operating across almost 10,000 kilometres of track and began operating in Western Australia on 17 December 2000 following its purchase of the Westrail freight business. It was acquired by QR National...
have also entered the Queensland narrow gauge freight market, operating trains between Townsville and Mount Isa in their own right. Standard gauge passenger services are provided by the New South Wales based CountryLink
CountryLink
CountryLink is the operator of passenger rail services in country New South Wales, Australia and into Queensland and Victoria. It is an operating brand of the Rail Corporation New South Wales, a government-owned entity...
using their XPT.
Sugar tramways
Queensland Railways sold a line in 1964 to the Gin GinGin Gin, Queensland
Gin Gin is a small rural town located on the Bruce Highway in central Queensland, Australia, approximately 51 km west of Bundaberg and 370 km north-west of Brisbane, the state capital. The town owes its existence to its strategic location about halfway between Brisbane and Rockhampton. It...
Cooperative Mill who converted it to a sugar tramway. A number of tramways of 610 mm gauge for the transport of sugar cane have operated in Queensland as private concerns, associated with the relevant sugar cane mill. These tramways are quite advanced technically, with hand-me-down rails cascaded from the normal rails, remote-controlled brake vans, concrete sleepers in places, and tamping machines in miniature. The twenty or so separate tramways cooperate in research and development.
Airtrain
The first Brisbane AirportBrisbane Airport
Brisbane Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane and the third busiest in Australia, after Melbourne and Sydney Airports. Brisbane Airport has won many awards. Located in the suburb with the same name, the airport serves the city of Brisbane and the surrounding metropolitan area...
rail line, named Airtrain
AirTrain (Brisbane)
Airtrain is the privately owned commuter railway line that extends 13.0 km northeast from Brisbane , the state capital of Queensland, Australia, to the Brisbane Airport at both its separate International and Domestic terminals.The line is carried on an elevated prestressed concrete viaduct...
, officially opened to passengers in May 2001. Under a BOOT scheme
Build-Operate-Transfer
Build-own-operate-transfer or build-operate-transfer is a form of project financing, wherein a private entity receives a concession from the private or public sector to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility stated in the concession contract...
- build, own, operate and transfer - the Queensland Government
Government of Queensland
The Government of Queensland is commonly known as the "Queensland Government".The form of the Government of Queensland is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1859, although it has been amended many times since then...
licensed Airtrain Citylink to build the rail line, to own and operate it, and hand the entire infrastructure over to the Queensland Government
Government of Queensland
The Government of Queensland is commonly known as the "Queensland Government".The form of the Government of Queensland is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1859, although it has been amended many times since then...
after 35 years when the company will then cease to exist. Airtrain Citylink contracted Transfield Services to build, operate and maintain the line and finally Airtrain Citylink contracted 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...
to provide rolling stock
Rolling stock
Rolling stock comprises all the vehicles that move on a railway. It usually includes both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons...
for the rail line.
Citytrain
For City train services, Queensland Rail's rolling stockRolling stock
Rolling stock comprises all the vehicles that move on a railway. It usually includes both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons...
is electric, air-conditioned
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
, were constructed locally in 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...
, and are no older than years:
- Electric Multiple Units (EMU)Electric Multiple Unit (Citytrain)Electric Multiple Unit are an electric multiple-unit commuter trains operated on the by QR Citytrain in South East Queensland, Australia. They were the first EMUs in Queensland entering service from 1979 and remain in service today.-History:...
- 87 in service (88 built) - Suburban Multiple Units (SMU)Suburban Multiple Unit (Citytrain)The Suburban Multiple Unit are a class of electric multiple unit used by Citytrain in and around South East Queensland Australia. The Suburban Multiple Unit comes in three subclasses, Sets 200-212 is known as the 200 series, Sets 221-251 is known as the 220 series, and the newest sets , which is...
- 200 Series (SMU200) - 12 in service (12 built)
- 220 Series (SMU220) - 30 in service (30 built)
- 260 Series (SMU260) - 36 to be in service
- Interurban Multiple Units (IMU)Interurban Multiple Unit (Citytrain)The Interurban Multiple Unit are a class of electric multiple unit used by Citytrain in and around South East Queensland Australia. The Interurban Multiple Unit comes in three subclasses, Sets 100-110 is known as the 100 series, Sets 121-124 is known as the 120 series, and the newest interurban...
- 100 Series (IMU100) - 10 in service (10 built)
- 120 Series (IMU120) - 4 in service (4 built)
- 160 Series (IMU160) - 28 to be in service
- InterCity Express (ICE)InterCity Express (Citytrain)Walkers-ABB InterCity Express are a model of electric multiple unit used by Citytrain in South East Queensland, Australia. They were built for a North Coast Line service between Brisbane and Rockhampton, the 'Spirit Of Capricorn'...
- 8 in service (8 built)
All Citytrain trains are electric multiple unit
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
s with a driver cabin at both ends, with the exceptions of EM60 through to EM79 having only one cab at one end. All are configured with three cars, except for the ICE sets that are usually configured with four, five or six cars.
Long distance services
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...
, a division of Queensland Rail. Traveltrain services mainly cater to a tourist market.
- Tilt Trains
- The electric Tilt Train runs from BrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane 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...
to RockhamptonRockhamptonRockhampton 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... - The diesel Tilt Train runs from Brisbane to Cairns.
- The electric Tilt Train runs from Brisbane
- The Sunlander also runs from Brisbane to Cairns, however is hauled by a diesel locomotive and is incapable of reaching the high speeds of the Tilt Train.
- The Spirit of the Outback runs from Brisbane to Longreach.
- The Inlander travels from Townsville to Mount Isa
- The Westlander travels from Brisbane to CharlevilleCharleville, QueenslandCharleville is a town in south western Queensland, Australia, 758 kilometres by road west of Brisbane . It is the largest town and administrative centre of the Murweh Shire, which covers an area of 43,905 square kilometres...
- Tourist TrainsHeritage railwaythumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
- The Gulflander travels from NormantonNormanton, Queensland-External links:****...
to CroydonCroydon, QueenslandCroydon is a town in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, the town and surrounding area had a population of 255.-History:The historic goldrush town of Croydon is located in the heart of the Gulf Savannah, 562 km west of Cairns. Croydon was a large pastoral holding covering an area of... - The Kuranda Scenic RailwayKuranda Scenic RailwayThe Kuranda Scenic Railway is a name for the railway line that runs from Cairns, Queensland, Australia to the nearby town of Kuranda. The tourist railway snakes its way up the Macalister Range and is no longer used for regular commuter services. It passes through the suburbs of Stratford,...
services Cairns to KurandaKurandaKuranda or Koranda, may refer to:Place name:* Kuranda, Queensland, a town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia** Kuranda Range Highway** Kuranda Range road... - The SavannahlanderThe SavannahlanderThe Savannahlander is a railmotor service that operates in Queensland, Australia. The train travels from the coastal town of Cairns to Forsayth. The service was once operated by QR Traveltrain but is now run under contract by a private operator...
services Cairns to Forsayth
- The Gulflander travels from Normanton
Diesel
- English Electric 1200 ClassEnglish Electric 1200 ClassThe 1200 class locomotive was introduced in 1953. They were built at the Vulcan Foundry in the United Kingdom by English Electric and then imported to Australia. They were the only full width body locomotive used in Queensland.-About:...
- English Electric 1250 Class
- English Electric 1270 Class
- English Electric 1300 Class
- Goninan/IGE 1150 Class
- Walkers/IGE 1170 Class
- Clyde/GM 1550 Class
- English Electric 1600 Class
- English Electric 1620 Class
- UGL Rail/GE 5000 Class
- UGL Rail/GE 6000 Class
- QGR/Stephenson-Hawthorns/Walkers – DL Class
- Clyde/GM 2300 Class
- English Electric 2350 Class
- Clyde/GM 2400 Class
- Goninan/GE 2600 Class
- Goninan/GE 2800 Class
- Clyde/GM 1400 Class
- Clyde/GM 1450 Class
- Clyde/GM 1460 Class
- Clyde/GM 1502 Class
- Clyde/GM 1700 Class
- Clyde/GM 1720 Class
- Clyde/GM 2100 Class
- Clyde/GM 2250 Class
- Clyde/GM 421 Class
- Clyde/GM 422 Class
- Clyde/GM 423 Class
- Clyde/GM G Class
- Clyde/GM X Class
- EDI/EMD 4000 Class
- EDI/EMD 4100 ClassEDI/EMD 4100 ClassThe EDI/EMD 4100 Class was designed to continue to meet increasing demand for coal haulage. AS more locomotives of the 4000 Class type were ordered and an initial order for 15 units was placed during 2006, with a further order for another 15 units placed during 2007.Due to several design changes,...
- Walkers/Caterpillar DH Class
Electric
- Comeng/Hitachi 3100/3200 Class
- Walkers/ABB 3500/3600 Class
- Clyde/Hitachi 3300/3400 Class
- United Group Rail/Siemens 3700 Class
- Walkers/ABB 3900 Class
See also
- Rail transport in South East Queensland
- Rail transport in AustraliaRail transport in AustraliaRail transport in Australia is a crucial aspect of the Australian transport network, and an enabler of the wider Australian economy. Rail in Australia is to a large extent state-based. The Australian rail network consists of a total of 41,461 km of track of three major gauges, of which...
- List of Queensland steam locomotives