Diesel Tilt Train

Summary

The Diesel Tilt Train is the name for three high-speed tilting trains, operated by Queensland Rail on the North Coast line from Brisbane to Cairns as part of its Spirit of Queensland service.

Diesel Tilt Train
Diesel Tilt Train at Dakabin Station in 2020
Pre-refurbishment interior
In service2003–present
ManufacturerEDi Rail
Built atMaryborough
Constructed2003
Refurbished2014
Number built3
Number in service3
FormationPush-pull diesel + 7 cars
OperatorsQueensland Rail
DepotsMayne
Lines servedNorth Coast
Specifications
Maximum speed160 km/h (99 mph)
Prime mover(s)German MTU
TransmissionHydraulic
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

History edit

In August 1999, a contract was awarded to Walkers for two diesel tilting trains to operate services from Brisbane to Cairns.[1] In contrast to the Electric Tilt Train, the diesel Tilt Train is a push-pull locomotive based train, although the two are externally similar.

Following a derailment of the Diesel Tilt Train in November 2004 that injured 157 people, all services were limited to 100 km/h (62 mph) until track upgrades and the introduction of Automatic Train Protection allowed full speed operation to resume in June 2007.

In October 2010, Downer Rail was awarded a contract to build a further diesel tilt train with two power cars and 12 carriages to replace locomotive hauled stock on The Sunlander. All work was performed in Maryborough.[2][3][4] The first refurbished set entered service in October 2013. The third and brand new set was delivered and entered service in 2014.

Liveries edit

 
Spirit of Queensland carriages

The original paint scheme, or livery, was yellow, purple and silver in colour, which was retained until the Spirit Of Queensland had a major overhaul in the mid-2010s.[citation needed]

In 2010, designs by Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti were painted on one side of the carriages,[5] while the work of Aboriginal artist of the Waanyi people, Judy Watson, was featured on the other side.[6]

Routes edit

QR Tilt Train[7][8]
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  
 
St Lawrence[b]
 
Carmila[b]
 
Sarina[b]
 
Mackay
 
Proserpine  
 
Bowen[b]
 
Home Hill[b]
 
Ayr
 
Giru[b]
 
Townsville  
 
Ingham[b]
 
Cardwell[b]
 
Tully[b]
 
Innisfail
 
Babinda[b]
 
Gordonvale[b]
 
Cairns  

 
 
 
 
Electric Tilt Train route

The DTT features a 2×2 economy class seating arrangement, 1×2 business class seating arrangement, in-seat audio and visual entertainment and a TV screen attached to the seat armrest. A trolley service is available, and a club car is part of the consist of this Tilt Train service. In October 2013 when the first refurbished set returned to traffic, the service was named the Spirit of Queensland.

In 2014, the additional train was delivered to operate as a replacement for The Sunlander between Brisbane and Cairns, meaning the only service on this route is the Spirit of Queensland.[9][10]

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. ^ "Bundaberg Tilt Service Hits Airline as Cairns Tilt Contract Signed" Railway Digest September 1999 page 16
  2. ^ World class trains for Queensland supporting 800 Maryborough jobs Archived 15 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine Minister for Transport 27 October 2010
  3. ^ Spirit of Queensland Archived 2013-08-18 at the Wayback Machine Queensland
  4. ^ Queensland's famed Sunlander gets makeover Archived 2013-12-28 at the Wayback Machine Rail Express 21 August 2013
  5. ^ "Alick Tipoti". The Australian Art Network. 2021. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Indigenous art turns Tilt Train into moving canvas". Architecture & Design. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  7. ^ Queensland Rail Travel - Network Map
  8. ^ Queensland Rail Travel - Timetable (PDF) effective 17 July 2023
  9. ^ Spirit of Queensland Archived 2013-08-18 at the Wayback Machine Queensland
  10. ^ Spirit of Queensland factsheet Archived 2013-12-04 at the Wayback Machine Queensland Rail

External links edit

  • Spirit of Queensland
  • Flickr gallery