Tilt Train

The Tilt Train is the name for two similar high-speed tilting train services, one electric and the other diesel, operated by Queensland Rail on the North Coast line from Brisbane to Rockhampton and Cairns.

Tilt Train
Diesel Tilt Train in September 2016
Overview
Service typePassenger train
Former operator(s)Queensland Rail
Route
StartBrisbane
EndBundaberg
Rockhampton
Cairns
Line(s) usedNorth Coast
Technical
Rolling stockDiesel Tilt Train
Electric Tilt Train
QR Tilt Train
Brisbane
Roma Street
Caboolture
Landsborough
Nambour
Cooroy
Gympie North
Maryborough West
Bundaberg
Miriam Vale
Gladstone
Mount Larcom
Rockhampton
St Lawrence
Carmila
Sarina
Mackay
Proserpine
Bowen
Home Hill
Ayr
Giru
Townsville
Ingham
Cardwell
Tully
Innisfail
Babinda
Gordonvale
Cairns

History

Rockhampton

Commencing in 1997, the Electric Tilt Train operates from Brisbane to Rockhampton. With a top service speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) and the ability to tilt five degrees in each direction, the Tilt Train is one of the fastest trains in Australia, having the same maximum allowed speed in revenue service as the V/Line VLocity, Transwa Prospector railcar and New South Wales XPT although the XPT rarely operates above 120km/h(75mph) due to poor track conditions . The train operates on the North Coast line and serves the intermediate towns of Gympie, Maryborough, Bundaberg and Gladstone. The electric Tilt Trains run in a multiple unit configuration. In May 1999 the tilt train achieved a top speed under test conditions of 210km/hr driven by Greg Roberston.

Business class seating arrangement of a Diesel Tilt Train

The Electric Tilt Train features 2×2 economy seating, and 1×2 business class seating, mainscreen visual entertainment along with in-seat audio entertainment. Economy class passengers have a regular trolley service and a buffet style galley food service, while business class has a frequent trolley service and passenger attendants to tend to the needs of the passengers.

Cairns

The Diesel Tilt Train, operating from Brisbane to Cairns, features a 2×2 premium economy class seating arrangement, 1×2 business class seating arrangement (Railbed), in-seat audio and visual entertainment and a TV screen attached to the headrest of the seat in front. A trolley service is available in the Railbed carriages, and a club car is available 24 hours. In October 2013 when the first refurbished set returned to traffic, the service was named the Spirit of Queensland.

In 2014 an additional train was delivered to operate a replacement The Sunlander between Brisbane and Cairns, meaning the only service on this 1681km route since that time has been the Spirit of Queensland.[1][2]

Awards

In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Tilt Train was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as an iconic "innovation and invention".[3]

References

  1. "Spirit of Queensland". www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  2. "Spirit of Queensland" (PDF). Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  3. Bligh, Anna (10 June 2009). "PREMIER UNVEILS QUEENSLAND'S 150 ICONS". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
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