Spirit of Queensland
 Existing Tilt Train in April 2008 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Passenger Train |
| Status | Operating |
| Locale | Queensland |
| First service | 28 October 2013 |
| Current operator(s) | Queensland Rail |
| Route | |
| Termini | Brisbane Cairns |
| Distance travelled | 1,681 kilometres |
| Average journey time | 24hrs, 55mins |
| Service frequency | 5 each way per week |
| On-board services | |
| Seating arrangements | yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | yes |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,067mm |
The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long distance passenger rail service. It is operated by a Tilt Train that runs 5 times a week on the North Coast line between Brisbane and Cairns, running a distance of 1,681 kilometres.
History
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.[1] 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 cars consist,
- Refurbishment of 14 existing carriages from the existing train sets
By expanding the train length from 9 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.[2] 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.[2]
The resulting project was costed at $195 million and allowed six services a week to operate, for a total capacity of 1320 seats. However, by 2012 costs had risen, with the Queensland Auditor-General reporting that the eventual cost would reach $358 to $404 million, due to Queensland Rail failing to take into account the requirement for upgraded maintenance facilities, as well as en route provisioning.[2] The Auditor-General also believed Queensland Rail had overestimated how popular the new service would be, believing that the 'luxury' component of the train would attract more high-paying customers.[3]
In 2013 the project was scaled back,[4] with the train length being cut back to nine-cars with the removal of the luxury sleepers and restaurant cars, resulting in a revised project cost of $204 million.[3]
In October 2013 the first refurbished Tilt Train entered service on the existing Brisbane to Cairns service.[5] With the introduction of the Tilt Train the journey time was reduced to 24hrs, 55mins.[6] The maximum speed of the Tilt Train is 160 km/h.
The Spirit of Queensland has now replaced the diesel hauled stock The Sunlander.
Consist
The consist of each Spirit of Queensland train set is:[2]
- 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
References
- ^ World class trains for Queensland supporting 800 Maryborough jobs Minister for Transport 27 October 2010
- ^ a b c d Queensland Audit Office. "Traveltrain renewal: Sunlander 14. Report 8: 2014-15" (PDF). Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ^ "Media statement: Seats added in Sunlander changes". Queensland Government. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ^ "Spirit of Queensland tilt train service commences" Railway Digest December 2013 page 16
- ^ Spirit of Queensland factsheet Queensland Rail