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{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox rail service
{{Infobox rail service
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|end = [[Cairns railway station|Cairns]]
|end = [[Cairns railway station|Cairns]]
|distance = {{convert|1,681|km|mi}}
|distance = {{convert|1,681|km|mi}}
|journeytime = 24hrs, 55mins
|journeytime = 24 hours 55 minutes
|frequency = 5 each way per week
|frequency = 5 each way per week
|class =
|class =
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|map =
|map =
|map_state = }}
|map_state = }}
{{Tilt Train route diagram}}


The '''Spirit of Queensland''' is a [[Queensland Rail]] long distance passenger rail service. It is operated by a diesel powered<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/railexperiences/ourtrains/spiritofqueensland|title=Spirit of Queensland|website=www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au|language=en|access-date=2017-06-28}}</ref> [[Tilt Train]] that runs five times a week on the [[North Coast railway line, Queensland|North Coast line]] between [[Roma Street railway station|Brisbane]] and [[Cairns railway station|Cairns]], a distance of 1,681 kilometres. At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train ''[[The Sunlander]]''.
The '''Spirit of Queensland''' is a [[Queensland Rail]] long distance passenger rail service. It is operated by a [[Diesel Tilt Train|diesel-powered Tilt Train]] that runs five times a week on the [[North Coast railway line, Queensland|North Coast line]] between [[Roma Street railway station|Brisbane]] and [[Cairns railway station|Cairns]], a distance of {{Convert|1681|km}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/railexperiences/ourtrains/spiritofqueensland|title=Spirit of Queensland|website=www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au|language=en|access-date=28 June 2017|archive-date=30 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930103034/http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/railexperiences/ourtrains/spiritofqueensland|url-status=live}}</ref> At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train ''[[The Sunlander]]''.


==History==
==History==
In October 2010, the [[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]] awarded a contract to [[Downer Rail]] for the construction of a new [[Tilt Train]]. The two existing diesel tilt trains used on the Cairns service were also refurbished and extended in size, with the inclusion of first-class sleeping carriages.<ref>[http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/72249 World class trains for Queensland supporting 800 Maryborough jobs] Minister for Transport 27 October 2010</ref> Known as the 'Sunlander 14' project, a total of 25 carriages would have been acquired:
In October 2010, the [[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]] awarded a contract to [[Downer Rail]] for the construction of a new [[Tilt Train]]. The two existing diesel tilt trains used on the Cairns service were also refurbished and extended in size, with the inclusion of first-class sleeping carriages.<ref>[http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/72249 World class trains for Queensland supporting 800 Maryborough jobs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015150333/http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/72249 |date=15 October 2017 }} Minister for Transport 27 October 2010</ref> Known as the 'Sunlander 14' project, a total of 25 carriages would have been acquired:


* two new power cars and 12 new carriages to create a third train set.
* two new power cars and 12 new carriages to create a third train set.
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* refurbishment of 14 existing carriages from the existing train sets
* refurbishment of 14 existing carriages from the existing train sets


By expanding the train length from nine to 14 carriages, three 'luxury' sleeping carriages, one 'first-class' lounge and one restaurant car could be included in the consist, replicating the services provided on ''[[The Sunlander]]''.<ref name=sunlander14 /> The construction of four new power cars allowed for the inclusion of the most up-to-date safety features in the driving car of each train, as well as minimising the risk of disruptions in the event that an incident occurred while a second power car was undergoing heavy maintenance.<ref name=sunlander14 />
By expanding the train length from nine to 14 carriages, three 'luxury' sleeping carriages, one 'first-class' lounge and one restaurant car could be included in the consist, replicating the services provided on ''[[The Sunlander]]''.<ref name=sunlander14 /> The construction of four new power cars allowed for the inclusion of the most up-to-date safety features in the driving car of each train, as well as minimising the risk of disruptions in case an incident occurred while a second power car was undergoing heavy maintenance.<ref name=sunlander14 />


The resulting project was costed at $195 million and allowed for the operation of five services a week, with a total capacity of 1320 seats. However, costs had risen by 2012, and the Queensland Auditor-General reported that the eventual cost would be from $358 to $404 million, because Queensland Rail had failed to take into account the requirement for upgraded maintenance facilities, as well as en route provisioning.<ref name=sunlander14>{{cite web|author=Queensland Audit Office |url=https://www.qao.qld.gov.au/files/file/Reports%20and%20publications/Reports%20to%20Parliament%202014-15/RtP8TraveltrainrenewalSunlander14.pdf |title=Traveltrain renewal: Sunlander 14. Report 8: 2014-15 |accessdate=28 December 2014 }}</ref> The Auditor-General also believed Queensland Rail had overestimated how popular the new service would be, and had a mistaken belief that the 'luxury' component of the train would attract more high-paying customers.<ref name=abc>{{cite web|author=Chris O'Brien and Kym Agius |publisher=ABC News |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-09/scathing-report-on-project-to-replace-the-sunlander/5954246|title=Auditor-General delivers scathing report on project to replace the Sunlander train |date=9 December 2014 |accessdate=28 December 2014 }}</ref>
The resulting project was costed at $195 million and allowed for the operation of five services a week, with a total capacity of 1320 seats. However, costs had risen by 2012, and the Queensland Auditor-General reported that the eventual cost would be from $358 to $404 million, because Queensland Rail had failed to take into account the requirement for upgraded maintenance facilities, as well as en route provisioning.<ref name=sunlander14>{{cite web |author=Queensland Audit Office |url=https://www.qao.qld.gov.au/files/file/Reports%20and%20publications/Reports%20to%20Parliament%202014-15/RtP8TraveltrainrenewalSunlander14.pdf |title=Traveltrain renewal: Sunlander 14. Report 8: 2014-15 |access-date=28 December 2014 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316014727/https://www.qao.qld.gov.au/files/file/Reports%20and%20publications/Reports%20to%20Parliament%202014-15/RtP8TraveltrainrenewalSunlander14.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Auditor-General also believed Queensland Rail had overestimated how popular the new service would be, and had a mistaken belief that the 'luxury' component of the train would attract more high-paying customers.<ref name=abc>{{cite web |author=Chris O'Brien and Kym Agius |publisher=ABC News |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-09/scathing-report-on-project-to-replace-the-sunlander/5954246 |title=Auditor-General delivers scathing report on project to replace the Sunlander train |date=9 December 2014 |access-date=28 December 2014 |archive-date=1 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101022911/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-09/scathing-report-on-project-to-replace-the-sunlander/5954246 |url-status=live }}</ref>


In 2013 the project was scaled back,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Queensland Government |url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/2/24/seats-added-in-sunlander-changes |title=Media statement: Seats added in Sunlander changes |date= 24 February 2013|accessdate=28 December 2014 }}</ref> with the train length being reduced to nine cars by removing the luxury sleepers and restaurant cars. That resulted in a revised project cost of $204 million.<ref name=abc />
In 2013, the project was scaled back,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Queensland Government |url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/2/24/seats-added-in-sunlander-changes |title=Media statement: Seats added in Sunlander changes |date=24 February 2013 |access-date=28 December 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304214134/http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/2/24/seats-added-in-sunlander-changes |url-status=live }}</ref> with the train length being reduced to nine cars by removing the luxury sleepers and restaurant cars. That resulted in a revised project cost of $204 million.<ref name=abc />


In October 2013 the first refurbished Tilt Train entered service on the existing Brisbane to Cairns service.<ref>"Spirit of Queensland tilt train service commences" ''Railway Digest'' December 2013 page 16</ref> With the introduction of the Tilt Train, which has a maximum speed of 160km/h, the journey time was reduced to 24 hours 55 minutes.<ref>[http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Documents/spirit-of-queensland/queensland-rail-travel_spirit-of-queensland-factsheet.pdf Spirit of Queensland factsheet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204010333/http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Documents/spirit-of-queensland/queensland-rail-travel_spirit-of-queensland-factsheet.pdf |date=2013-12-04 }} Queensland Rail</ref>
In October 2013, the first refurbished Tilt Train entered service on the existing Brisbane to Cairns service.<ref>"Spirit of Queensland tilt train service commences" ''Railway Digest'' December 2013 page 16</ref> With the introduction of the Tilt Train, which has a maximum speed of {{Cvt|160|km/h}}, the journey time was reduced to 24 hours 55 minutes.<ref>[http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Documents/spirit-of-queensland/queensland-rail-travel_spirit-of-queensland-factsheet.pdf Spirit of Queensland factsheet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204010333/http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Documents/spirit-of-queensland/queensland-rail-travel_spirit-of-queensland-factsheet.pdf |date=2013-12-04 }} Queensland Rail</ref>


== Rolling stock ==
== Rolling stock ==
[[File:Spirit of Queensland train at Gordonvale, 2016.jpg|thumb|Spirit of Queensland at Gordonvale, 2016]]
[[File:Spirit of Queensland train at Gordonvale, 2016.jpg|thumb|Spirit of Queensland at Gordonvale, 2016]]
[[File:Spirit of Queensland.jpg|thumb|Spirit of Queensland in transit between Cairns and Gordonvale, 2023]]
Each Spirit of Queensland train consists of:<ref name=sunlander14 />
Each Spirit of Queensland train consists of:<ref name=sunlander14 />


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*[[Rail transport in Queensland]]
*[[Rail transport in Queensland]]


== Notes and references ==
==References==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


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[[Category:Transport in Cairns]]
[[Category:Transport in Cairns]]
[[Category:Transport in Townsville]]
[[Category:Transport in Townsville]]
[[Category:Night trains of Australia]]

Latest revision as of 21:40, 10 February 2024

Spirit of Queensland
Tilt Train in April 2008
Übersicht
Service typePassenger Train
StatusOperating
LocaleQueensland
First service28 October 2013
Current operator(s)Queensland Rail
Route
TerminiBrisbane
Cairns
Distance travelled1,681 kilometres (1,045 mi)
Average journey time24 hours 55 minutes
Service frequency5 each way per week
On-board services
Seating arrangementsyes
Sleeping arrangementsyes
Technical
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
QR Tilt Train[1][2]
Legend
Brisbane
(Roma Street)
 Caboolture
Landsborough[a]
Nambour
Cooroy[a]
Gympie North
Maryborough West
Howard[b]
Bundaberg
Miriam Vale[b]
Gladstone
Mount Larcom[b]
Rockhampton Spirit of the Outback
St Lawrence[b]
Carmila[b]
Sarina[b]
Mackay
Proserpine
Bowen[b]
Home Hill[b]
Ayr
Giru[b]
Townsville The Inlander (Queensland Rail)
Ingham[b]
Cardwell[b]
Tully[b]
Innisfail
Babinda[b]
Gordonvale[b]
Cairns Kuranda Scenic Railway
Electric Tilt Train route

The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long distance passenger rail service. It is operated by a diesel-powered Tilt Train that runs five times a week on the North Coast line between Brisbane and Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres (1,045 mi).[3] At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander.

History

[edit]

In October 2010, the Queensland Government awarded a contract to Downer Rail for the construction of a new Tilt Train. The two existing diesel tilt trains used on the Cairns service were also refurbished and extended in size, with the inclusion of first-class sleeping carriages.[4] Known as the 'Sunlander 14' project, a total of 25 carriages would have been acquired:

  • two new power cars and 12 new carriages to create a third train set.
  • one spare power car (later two),
  • 10 new carriages to expand the two existing train sets to a 14-car consist,
  • refurbishment of 14 existing carriages from the existing train sets

By expanding the train length from nine to 14 carriages, three 'luxury' sleeping carriages, one 'first-class' lounge and one restaurant car could be included in the consist, replicating the services provided on The Sunlander.[5] The construction of four new power cars allowed for the inclusion of the most up-to-date safety features in the driving car of each train, as well as minimising the risk of disruptions in case an incident occurred while a second power car was undergoing heavy maintenance.[5]

The resulting project was costed at $195 million and allowed for the operation of five services a week, with a total capacity of 1320 seats. However, costs had risen by 2012, and the Queensland Auditor-General reported that the eventual cost would be from $358 to $404 million, because Queensland Rail had failed to take into account the requirement for upgraded maintenance facilities, as well as en route provisioning.[5] The Auditor-General also believed Queensland Rail had overestimated how popular the new service would be, and had a mistaken belief that the 'luxury' component of the train would attract more high-paying customers.[6]

In 2013, the project was scaled back,[7] with the train length being reduced to nine cars by removing the luxury sleepers and restaurant cars. That resulted in a revised project cost of $204 million.[6]

In October 2013, the first refurbished Tilt Train entered service on the existing Brisbane to Cairns service.[8] With the introduction of the Tilt Train, which has a maximum speed of 160 km/h (99 mph), the journey time was reduced to 24 hours 55 minutes.[9]

Rolling stock

[edit]
Spirit of Queensland at Gordonvale, 2016
Spirit of Queensland in transit between Cairns and Gordonvale, 2023

Each Spirit of Queensland train consists of:[5]

  • two power cars to drive the train and supply power to the carriages,
  • two 'railbed' sleeper cars with airline style lie-flat seating,
  • three premium economy sitting cars,
  • one luggage / staff carriage,
  • one lounge / galley / club car.

See also

[edit]

Notes and references

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Except train Q311, served only if reservations have been pre-booked
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Served only if reservations have been pre-booked
  1. ^ Queensland Rail Travel - Network Map
  2. ^ Queensland Rail Travel - Timetable (PDF) effective 17 July 2023
  3. ^ "Spirit of Queensland". www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 September 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  4. ^ World class trains for Queensland supporting 800 Maryborough jobs Archived 15 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine Minister for Transport 27 October 2010
  5. ^ a b c d Queensland Audit Office. "Traveltrain renewal: Sunlander 14. Report 8: 2014-15" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  6. ^ a b Chris O'Brien and Kym Agius (9 December 2014). "Auditor-General delivers scathing report on project to replace the Sunlander train". ABC News. Archived from the original on 1 November 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Media statement: Seats added in Sunlander changes". Queensland Government. 24 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Spirit of Queensland tilt train service commences" Railway Digest December 2013 page 16
  9. ^ Spirit of Queensland factsheet Archived 2013-12-04 at the Wayback Machine Queensland Rail
[edit]
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