From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The North Coast railway line is also a railway in New South Wales, Australia.
The North Coast railway line is a primary railway line in Queensland, Australia. It runs from Brisbane, along the Queensland coast to as far north as Cairns. The line is electrified as far north as Rockhampton. Along the way, the railway passes through the towns and cities of Gympie, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Townsville, and Cairns.
Many lines branch off the North Coast Line, the Monto Loop branches off at Mungar and Callemondah. The Imbil railway branches off near Gympie, with the Valley Rattler operating on the branch for heritage and scenic tours. The Western Line branches off at Townsville, with The Inlander operating to Mt Isa. In addition, many coal and freight lines branches off at Rockhampton and at Sarina.
Many trains operate on the North Coast Line daily. QR Citytrain operates frequent suburban services to Caboolture and numerous interurban services to Nambour and Gympie. Long distance services, operated by QR Traveltrain runs many passenger trains along the route, which includes their flagship electric and diesel tilt trains to Rockhampton and Cairns. Freight services are operated by QRNational and Pacific National Queensland.
[edit] History
The early railways in Queensland started at an ocean port and made their way inland. They were connected by shipping. A rail connection between most of these ports came much later and came much more slower as the financial resources of this lowly populated state were limited.
