Queensland Rail facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Queensland Rail

An Electric Multiple Unit (left) and a New Generation Rollingstock (right) – Queensland Rail's oldest and newest operational trains – at Altandi, December 2018
Industry	Railway operator
Founded	31 July 1865; 159 years ago (1865-07-31)
Headquarters	Brisbane, Queensland , Australia
Area served	Queensland
Key people	Katarzyna Stapleton (CEO)
Revenue	$2.3 billion (2021/22)
Operating income	$392 million (2021/22)
Net income	$195 million (2021/22)
Number of employees	over 7,500 (Feb 2022)
Parent	Queensland Government

Queensland Rail (QR) is a railway company in Queensland, Australia. The Queensland Government owns it. QR runs local and long-distance passenger trains. It also owns and takes care of the trains and about 6,600 kilometers (4,100 miles) of railway tracks.

Queensland Rail's Journey Through Time

Queensland Rail network

A 2470 class train at Corinda in 1998.

How Queensland Railways Started

Queensland Railways was the first in the world to use a narrow gauge for its main railway line. This means the tracks were closer together than usual. The gauge they chose was 1,067 millimeters (3 feet 6 inches). This is still the standard track width in Queensland today.

Queensland became a separate colony from New South Wales in 1859. The new government wanted to help the area grow and bring in more people. Improving transport to the rich farming area of the Darling Downs was very important. This area is west of Toowoomba.

Since river transport already connected Brisbane and Ipswich, the railway started from Ipswich. The first part of the line opened on July 31, 1865. It went to Bigge's Camp. This part was mostly flat and easy to build. The only big construction was a bridge over the Bremer River.

Building tunnels through the Little Liverpool Range took a long time. This delayed the next section to Gatton by 10 months. But the line reached Toowoomba in 1867. The narrow gauge was chosen because it was easier to build tracks up the steep Main Range.

The Queensland Government built the line. They chose the unusual 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge. This decision was made because it allowed for faster and cheaper construction. Narrower tracks meant trains could handle sharper curves and lighter loads. This was much cheaper than building a standard gauge line. At the time, Queensland had only about 30,000 non-Indigenous people.

Over time, the railway network grew as separate lines. It wasn't until December 1924 that all these lines were connected by the North Coast line. The Normanton to Croydon line always stayed separate. At its biggest in 1932, the network was 10,500 kilometers (6,500 miles) long.

Many smaller branch lines closed from 1948 onwards. This happened because transport patterns changed. But the main lines were improved. From the 1970s, many new lines were built. These new lines mostly served coal mines for export.

Electrifying Queensland's Railways

EMU01 at Ferny Grove station on the first electric service in Brisbane in November 1979.

EMU03 at Sunshine in October 2016.

In November 1979, the Brisbane suburban train network became electric. This meant trains could run on electricity instead of diesel.

In 1978, people started talking about making the Blackwater and Goonyella coal networks electric. This was because more coal was expected to be transported. Also, the diesel train engines were getting old, and diesel fuel was becoming more expensive.

By early 1983, the decision was made to electrify these networks. Contracts for new electric trains and other work began in early 1984. They decided to use the same 25,000-volt AC system as the Brisbane network. This would allow the Brisbane and coal networks to connect in the future.

The project had four main parts:

• Stage 1: Making the main line from Gladstone to Rockhampton electric. This included parts of the Rockhampton train yard. Then, it went west to Blackwater and the coal mines there. This covered 720 kilometers (450 miles) of track.
• Stage 2: Electrifying the coal lines south of Dalrymple Bay and Hay Point. Then, it went west through the Goonyella system, southwest to Blair Athol, and south to Gregory. This connected the Goonyella and Blackwater systems. This covered 773 kilometers (480 miles) of track.
• Stage 3: Electrifying the main western line from Burngrove to Emerald. This allowed electric freight trains to run from Rockhampton to Emerald.
• Stage 4: This stage was planned to electrify the line from Newlands coal mine to Collinsville and northeast to Abbott Point. However, this stage did not happen. Instead, in 1986, they decided to electrify the North Coast line between Brisbane and Gladstone. This became known as Stage 4.

Expanding Beyond Queensland

An Interail 42107 train in Somerton, Victoria in 2007.

In September 1999, Queensland Rail changed its name to QR. In March 2002, QR bought another company called Northern Rivers Railroad. They renamed it Interail. This helped QR achieve its goal of expanding train services outside Queensland.

In March 2003, QR started moving coal in the Hunter Valley Coal Chain. Interail began a contract to move coal from Duralie Colliery to Stratford Mine. Another coal contract was won in late 2003. This was for moving coal from Newstan Colliery to Vales Point Power Station. In 2004, Interail started running freight services between Brisbane and Melbourne, and Sydney and Melbourne. In June 2005, Queensland Rail bought the CRT Group.

In June 2006, QR also bought the Western Australian part of the Australian Railroad Group.

Changes and New Directions

QR used to handle all freight services in Queensland. From 2002, it also ran services between states under different names like Australian Railroad Group and Interail. In July 2010, all these freight services were separated into a new company called QR National. This company was later sold to private owners and is now known as Aurizon.

In June 2009, the Queensland Government announced that Queensland Rail's freight business would become a private company. So, from July 1, 2010, all of Queensland Rail's freight trains and assets moved to QR National (now Aurizon).

Leaders of Queensland Rail

Queensland Rail has had different leaders over the years. First, they had "Commissioners" who were in charge. Later, the company changed, and they started having "Chief Executive Officers" (CEOs) who lead the company today.

Chief Executive Officers

Train Services Offered

South East Queensland Trains

Queensland Rail runs city and intercity train services in South East Queensland. These are part of the Translink network. There are twelve train lines: Beenleigh, Caboolture, Cleveland, Doomben, Exhibition, Ferny Grove, Gold Coast, Ipswich-Rosewood, Redcliffe Peninsula, Shorncliffe, Springfield, and Sunshine Coast.

QR uses different types of electric trains for these services. These include Electric Multiple Units (EMU), Suburban Multiple Units (SMU), Interurban Multiple Units (IMU), and New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains.

Some lines, like Corinda to Yeerongpilly and Doomben to Pinkenba, now use buses instead of trains. This is because not many people used those train services. On the Sunshine Coast line, buses also help with services between Caboolture and Nambour. This is due to limited track space. However, work is happening to add more tracks to the Sunshine Coast Line. This will make services better.

Long-Distance Passenger Trains

Queensland Rail also runs long-distance passenger trains. These are known as Queensland Rail Travel.

• Tilt Train: Travels from Brisbane to Rockhampton.
• Spirit of Queensland: Travels from Brisbane to Cairns.
• Spirit of the Outback: Travels from Brisbane to Longreach.
• Westlander: Travels from Brisbane to Charleville.
• Inlander: Travels from Townsville to Mount Isa.

Connecting bus services are also available for these long-distance routes. In 2022-23, about 690,000 people used these travel and tourism services.

Special Tourist Trains

Queensland Rail also operates special trains for tourists:

• Gulflander: Travels from Normanton to Croydon.
• Kuranda Scenic Railway: Travels from Cairns to Kuranda.

Past Train Services

Queensland Rail used to operate many other named trains, including:

• Capricornian: Ran from Brisbane to Rockhampton (1970-1993).
• Great South Pacific Express: A luxury train from Kuranda to Sydney (1999-2003).
• The Midlander: Ran from Rockhampton to Winton (1954-1993).
• Savannahlander: Ran from Cairns to Forsayth (1995-2004).
• Spirit of Capricorn: Ran from Brisbane to Rockhampton (1988-2003).
• The Sunlander: Ran from Brisbane to Cairns (1953-2014).

Queensland Rail's Train Fleet

QR has bought its trains from many different companies over the years. These include manufacturers from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. QR also built some trains itself at the North Ipswich Railway Workshops.

In 1936, the company owned 750 train engines, 67 railcars, and many passenger and goods wagons.

Diesel trains started being used in 1952. Electric trains were bought from companies like Clyde Engineering and Siemens. Electric multiple units (EMUs) have been bought from Walkers Limited, Downer Rail, and Bombardier Transportation.

In June 2021, QR announced plans to buy 65 new electric multiple units. These new trains will help expand the fleet and replace older trains.

Class	Image (if applicable)	Type	Top speed (km/h)	Built	Number of units	Routes operated	Notes
City Network Trains
EMU		Electric multiple unit	100	1979–1986	22 (August 2023)	City network (except Interurban services - Sunshine Coast, Airport, Gold Coast)	These trains are slowly being retired since 2018.
SMU200		Electric multiple unit	100	1994–1995	12	City network (except Interurban services)	Units are numbered 201-212.
IMU100		Electric multiple unit	140	1996–1997	10	City network	Units are numbered 101-110.
SMU220		Electric multiple unit	100	1999–2001	30	City network (except Interurban services)	Units are numbered 221-250.
IMU120		Electric multiple unit	140	2001	4	City network	Units are numbered 121-124.
IMU160		Electric multiple unit	130	2006–2011	28	City network	Units are numbered 161-188.
SMU260		Electric multiple unit	130	2008–2011	36	City network	Units are numbered 261-296.
NGR700		Electric multiple unit	140	2015–2019	75	City network (except Ferny Grove, Beenleigh & Rosewood)	Units are numbered 701 - 775.
Former City Network Trains
ICE		Electric multiple unit	120	1988–1989	0 (November 2021)	City network	All ICE Units were retired from the City Network Fleet by November 2021.
Traveltrain Fleet
Electric Tilt Train		Tilting electric multiple unit	160	1997	2	North Coast line (as far as Rockhampton)
Diesel Tilt Train		Tilting push-pull train	160	2003–2014	3	North Coast line
Locomotive Fleet
1720 class		Diesel locomotive	100	1966–1970	8 Operational 4 Stored 1 Under overhaul	Kuranda Scenic Railway, Traveltrain services and infrastructure trains.	These are often used on the Spirit of the Outback and Westlander trains. They are also the main engines for the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
2150 class		Diesel locomotive	100	1978–1979	1 Operational 2 Rebuilt	Traveltrain services and infrastructure trains.
2170 class		Diesel locomotive	100	1982–1984	1	Traveltrain services and infrastructure trains.
2400 class		Diesel locomotive	100	1977–1978	4 Operational 1 Rebuilt	Traveltrain services and infrastructure trains.
2470 class		Diesel locomotive	100	1980–1983	5 Operational 1 Stored	Traveltrain services and infrastructure trains.
2900 class		Diesel locomotive	100	2022-current	4 Operational 1 Under construction 1 Planned	Traveltrain services and infrastructure trains.	These are rebuilt from other older train classes.
Tourist Train Fleet
DL class		Diesel locomotive	50	1961	1	Gulflander	DL4 is a backup train for the Gulflander.
45 hp rail motor		Railmotor	40	1931	1	Gulflander	RM60 is used for special trips.
102 hp rail motor		Railmotor	50	1950	1	Gulflander	RM93 is used for the weekly Gulflander service.
1800 class		Railmotor (trailers)	50	1952–1954	2	Gulflander	TP1809 is used as a trailer car on the Gulflander.
Heritage Train Fleet
A10 class		Steam locomotive	40	1865–1866	2		No. 6 is Australia's oldest working steam train. No. 3 is being restored.
B13 class		Steam locomotive	50	1883–1895	1		No. 48 is stored and waiting to be displayed.
B15 class		Steam locomotive	65	1889–1899	1		No. 290 is stored and waiting to be displayed.
PB15 class		Steam locomotive	65	1899–1926	2		No. 732 is stored. No. 444 is on display at the Workshops Rail Museum.
B13 1/2 class		Steam locomotive	50	1904–1905	1		No. 398, called 'Pompey', is stored after being displayed.
C17 class		Steam locomotive	80	1920–1953	3		No. 974 is stored. No. 1000 is being restored. No. 2 is stored.
C19 class		Steam locomotive	80	1922–1935	1		No. 700 is stored and waiting to be displayed.
B18¼ class		Steam locomotive	80	1926–1947	1		No. 771 is stored and waiting to be displayed.
DL class		Diesel locomotive	50	1939	1		Queensland's first diesel train. It is on display but not working.
AC16 class		Steam locomotive	80	1943	1		No. 221A is working.
DD17 class		Steam locomotive	80	1948–1952	1		No. 1051 is waiting to be put back together and painted.
Beyer-Garratt		Steam locomotive	80	1950–1951	1		No. 1009 is on display at the Workshops Rail Museum.
BB18¼ class		Steam locomotive	80	1950–1958	2		No. 1079 is working. No. 1089 is being repaired.
1150 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1952	1		1159 is stored and waiting to be restored.
1400 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1955	1		1407 was sold to Mackay Steam Railway.
1170 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1956	1		1170 is stored and waiting to be restored.
1900 class		Railmotor	80	1956	1		1901 is working and used for tours.
2000 class		Railmotor	80	1956–1971	6		2034 and 2036 are working. Others are stored.
1450 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1957	3		1450, 1455, and 1459 were sold.
1200 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1953–1954	1		1200 is stored and waiting to be restored.
1250 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1959	2		1262 is on display. 1263 was donated.
SX carriages		Passenger car	80	1961–1962	7	City network (Formerly)	These are stored and waiting for repairs.
1600 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1962	1		1603 is on display at the Bundaberg Railway Museum.
1700 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1963	1		1710's cab is used as a driving simulator.
1460 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1964	1		1461 is waiting for mechanical restoration to finish.
1270 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1964	2		1270 is stored. 1281 is on display.
DH class		Diesel locomotive	50	1966	2		DH2 is taken apart. DH71 is stored.
1620 class		Diesel locomotive	80	1967	3		1620 is stored. 1650 and 1651 were donated.
Special Cars
		Vice-Regal Car	80	1903	1		Car 445 is a special car for the Governor of Queensland. It is on loan to the Workshops Rail Museum.

QR also sometimes rents trains from Aurizon when needed.

Train Workshops

When Queensland Rail first started, its main workshops were the North Ipswich Railway Workshops. These were replaced by the Redbank Railway Workshops in the 1960s. Today, the Mayne Yard rail area is where most train repairs and maintenance happen.

Notable Train Incidents

Here are some important incidents involving Queensland Rail:

• On June 9, 1925, nine people died in an accident near Traveston. A train went off the tracks on a wooden bridge. Two cars fell into Traveston Creek. More than 50 people were injured.
• On May 5, 1947, a crowded train crashed near Camp Mountain. This happened because the train was going too fast down a hill and around a bend. Sixteen people died.
• On February 25, 1960, a train called the Midlander crashed near Bogantungan. Floodwaters had washed away a tree that hit the bridge supports. The train plunged into the creek. Seven people died, and 43 were injured. This is considered the worst accident in QR's history.
• On March 23, 1985, two passenger trains crashed head-on near Trinder Park station. Two people died, including one of the train drivers. Thirty-one people were injured.
• On September 21, 2001, two electric trains crashed into a cattle train near Petrie. This caused damage to several train cars.
• On November 15, 2004, a Diesel Tilt Train went off the tracks at Berajondo. It was going too fast. Over 100 people were injured.
• On September 14, 2012, an electric train crashed into a large vehicle stuck on the tracks at Banyo. Both drivers were injured.
• On June 18, 2021, a Queensland Rail training train crashed into a loaded coal train near Westwood. Two drivers on the QR train were injured, and one person died.

Images for kids

• 

  Abram Fitzgibbon, around 1863.

• 

  James Walker Davidson, 1918.

See also

In Spanish: Ferrocarriles de Queensland para niños

• Rail transport in Queensland
• Aurizon