Kuranda Scenic Railway
The 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, Freshwater (stopping at Freshwater Station) and Redlynch before reaching Kuranda. The line is used for some freight services and other passenger services, such as The Savannahlander.
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[edit] Attractions
The tropical gardens Kuranda rail station are a well-known attraction in the area. Downhill the line cuts through the Barron Gorge National Park. The tourist train stops at a lookout, with a sweeping view of Barron Falls. A number of smaller waterfalls are passed, including Stoney Creek Falls, just metres from the train. As the train travels up and down, a detailed commentary of the railway's construction is provided.
[edit] History
The railway was completed as far as Kuranda in 1891. Many lives were lost as numerous tunnels and bridges were built. The first operation of a tourist train from Cairns to Kuranda was in 1936, using four longitudinal seating carriages[1]. In 1995 major repairs had to be carried out after a severe rock fall damaged the track.
On the 26th of March 2010 the train was derailed by a landslide injuring 5 of the 250 passengers on board.[2] The service was closed until the 7th of May 2010 while a geotechnical review of the track and risk assessments were completed.[3]
[edit] Carriages
Each carriage is fitted with three LCD televisions to provide passengers with detailed information of the history of the Kuranda railway. It also provides passengers with information about the Barron Falls. There are also two gold class carriages where refreshments and finger food are served on the journey[4].
[edit] Gallery
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View from the train at Stoney Creek Falls bridge
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Kuranda railway station
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View from the train
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Barron Falls from the Railway Stop
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Freshwater Station with Approaching Train
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The Coral Sea, coastal plains, mountains – and some flooding – as seen from the train
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Mountain scenery from the train
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Train ready for the return journey to Cairns
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ The Kuranda Tourist Train in 1991 Beckhaus, John Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, December, 1992 pp283-299
- ^ http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/03/26/102341_local-news.html
- ^ http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/05/07/108671_local-news.html
- ^ Kuranda Scenic Railway - 030_Tour options - Gold Class
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kuranda Scenic Railway |
- Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Golder Associates Engineers earn Excellence Award For Kuranda Railway Project
- Cairns museum Cairns-Kuranda Railway Construction
- Google Earth .kml that shows track of the skyrail as well as railway between Cairns and Kuranda.
Coordinates: 16°53′05.63″S 145°42′07″E / 16.8848972°S 145.70194°E
