Traveltrain

Traveltrain provides long range passenger rail services in Queensland, run by QR. Its flagships are the electric and diesel Tilt Trains, servicing Brisbane – Rockhampton and Brisbane – Cairns respectively. It also operates diesel-locomotive-hauled services between:
* Brisbane and Cairns (The Sunlander)
* Brisbane and Charleville (The Westlander)
* Brisbane and Longreach (The Spirit of the Outback) and
* Townsville and Mount Isa (The Inlander).

Tourist trains also run between Normanton and Croydon as The Gulflander, Cairns to Kuranda as the Kuranda Scenic Railway, and from Cairns to Forsayth as The Savannahlander.

Traveltrain's annual patronage is approximately 969,000. [cite paper | author = Queensland Rail | title = 2005/06 Queensland Rail Annual Report | date = 2006 | url = http://www.corporate.qr.com.au/Images/QR%20Annual%20Report%202005_06_tcm15-14708.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-01-01 ] Whilst proportionately smaller than other regional rail services, relative to population, this is largely as Traveltrain caters to a touring market more so than other operators.

Routes

There are six passenger routes in the Traveltrain system (not including tourist trains).

The Sunlander (includes Queenslander Class)

Three times weekly to Cairns.
*Brisbane
*Caboolture
*Nambour
*Cooroy
*Gympie
*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

Electric Tilt Train (to Bundaberg and Rockhampton)

Regular services to Bundaberg and Rockhampton.
*Brisbane
*Caboolture
*Landsborough
*Nambour
*Cooroy
*Gympie
*Maryborough West
*Howard
*Bundaberg
*Miriam Vale
*Gladstone
*Mount Larcom
*Rockhampton

Diesel Tilt Train (to Cairns)

Three services weekly to Cairns.
*Brisbane
*Caboolture
*Nambour
*Cooroy
*Gympie
*Maryborough West
*Bundaberg
*Gladstone
*Rockhampton
*St Lawrence
*Carmila
*Sarina
*Mackay
*Proserpine
*Bowen
*Home Hill
*Ayr
*Giru
*Townsville
*Ingham
*Cardwell
*Tully
*Innisfail
*Babinda
*Gordonvale
*Cairns

The Spirit of the Outback

Debuting in November 1993, this 1,300 km rail journey operates between Brisbane and Longreach. The Spirit of the Outback travels along the east coast of Queensland, from Brisbane to Rockhampton, where it heads west through Blackwater, Emerald and Barcaldine, to Longreach.

The Spirit of the Outback passes coastal landscapes then travelling into the Outback, with mountain ranges, sunburnt plains and historic towns to attractions such as the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame and Qantas Founders Outback Museum. The train operates twice weekly from Brisbane to Longreach.

*Brisbane
*Caboolture
*Nambour
*Cooroy
*Gympie
*Maryborough West
*Bundaberg
*Miriam Vale
*Gladstone
*Mount Larcom
*Rockhampton
*Duaringa
*Dingo
*Bluff
*Blackwater
*Comet
*Emerald
*Anakie
*Willows
*Bogantungan
*Drummond
*Pine Hill
*Alpha
*Jericho
*Barcaldine
*Ilfracombe
*Longreach

The Westlander

Today the train runs twice weekly to Charleville.
*Brisbane
*Corinda
*Ipswich
*Rosewood
*Laidley
*Gatton
*Helidon
*Toowoomba
*Oakey
*Dalby
*Chinchilla
*Miles
*Yuleba
*Wallumbilla
*Roma
*Mitchell
*Morven
*Charleville

The Inlander

The Inlander was introduced on February 12, 1953 using new steel air-conditioned carriages.cite book | author=Robin Bromby | title =The Railway Age in Australia | publisher = Lothian Press | year = 2004 | pagge = 99 |isbn = 0 7344 0715 7 ]

Today it runs twice-weekly through Australia's scenic gulf country, from the tropical port of Townsville to the remote but interesting town of Mount Isa. The train is relatively slow, taking 21 hours (overnight) to complete a journey of around 1000km (600mi). Sitting class, roomettes, twinettes and triple sleeping cabins are offered and food can be bought in the newly refurbished club car.

*Townsville
*Charters Towers
*Pentland
*Torrens Creek
*Hughenden
*Richmond
*Maxwelton
*Nonda
*Nelia
*Julia Creek
*Oorindi
*Cloncurry
*Malbon
*Duchess
*Mount Isa

ee also

*Citytrain

References

External links

* [http://www.traveltrain.com.au Traveltrain]
* [http://www.qr.com.au QR]