Traveltrain provides long range passenger rail services in Queensland, run by Queensland Rail. Its flagships are the electric and diesel Tilt Trains, servicing Brisbane – Rockhampton and Brisbane – Cairns respectively. It also operates diesel-locomotive-hauled services between:
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.
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Traveltrain's annual patronage is approximately 969,000.[1] 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.
In 2007-08 the subsidy for the Brisbane-Cairns route was $130 million, or $900 per passenger. In 2001-02 it was $270.[2][3]
There are six passenger routes in the Traveltrain system (not including tourist trains).
| Coastal Services |
Thrice weekly to Cairns.
Regular services to Bundaberg and Rockhampton.
Three services weekly to Cairns.
| Outback Services |
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.
Today the train runs twice weekly to Charleville.
The Inlander was introduced on February 12, 1953 using new steel air-conditioned carriages.[4]
Today it runs twice-weekly 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 1000 km (600 mi). Sitting class, roomettes, twinettes and triple sleeping cabins are offered and food can be bought in the newly refurbished club car.
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