Around 100 Queensland Rail track workers are continuing recovery efforts along the North Coast rail line between Cairns and Mackay, with the aim to reopen the network by Sunday.
Tracks between Cairns to Townsville are expected to open Friday 18 April and Townsville to Mackay on Sunday 20 April.
Regional Manager Supply Chain North Michael Mitchell said the Kuranda Scenic Railway tourist train was the first service to return with the Cairns to Kuranda section of the network reopened yesterday.
“With the return of the Kuranda Scenic Railway services we took around 1300 customers through some of our most spectacular sites, including the Barron Falls and Stoney Creek Falls,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Across the network our crews are continuing to complete resurfacing works using track machines from Townsville to Giru and will begin working from Bowen to Proserpine later today.
“This morning we completed ballast replacement from Townsville to Cairns and have crews carrying out resurfacing works from Cardwell to Ingham today and through tomorrow.
“We have 20 loaded ballast wagons onsite north of Bowen and another 18 ballast wagons being loaded in Townsville to assist with this program of recovery works.”
From tomorrow, Queensland Rail crews will start final track inspections between Mackay and Cairns to ensure the safety of customers prior to services returning.
“We recognise the importance of our network for our freight and long-distance travel customers and will do all we can to get services operating again as soon as possible.”
The Queensland Rail Travel network is currently open from Brisbane to Mackay, with coaches taking customers between Mackay to Cairns.
Thursday 17 April – Northbound Sunlander – departs Brisbane 1.25pm to Mackay. Customers to be coached from Mackay to Cairns.
Thursday 17 April – Southbound Sunlander – coach Cairns 7.15am to Mackay. Customers to be transferred onto the Sunlander at Mackay for Brisbane.
Friday 18 April – Northbound Spirit of Queensland – departs Brisbane 3.45pm to Mackay. Customers to be coached from Mackay to Cairns.
Saturday 19 April – Southbound Sunlander – coach Cairns 7.15am to Mackay. Customers to be transferred onto the Sunlander at Mackay for Brisbane.
Sunday 20 April – Southbound Spirit of Queensland – coach Cairns 8.05am to Mackay. Customers to be transferred onto the Spirit of Queensland at Mackay for Brisbane.
Source:- Queensland Rail
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