Kuranda Scenic Railway
Kuranda Scenic Railway | |
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Kuranda railway station | |
Locale | Kuranda |
Dates of operation | 1891–present |
Length | 37 km (23 mi) |
Website | www.ksr.com.au |
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a name for the railway line that runs from Cairns, Queensland, Australia to the nearby town of Kuranda. The tourist railway snakes its way up the Macalister Range and is no longer used for regular commuter services. It passes through the suburbs of Stratford, Freshwater (stopping at Freshwater Station) and Redlynch before reaching Kuranda. The line is used for some freight services and other passenger services, such as The Savannahlander.
The railway is 37 km (23 mi) in length.[1] It takes about one and three quarters of an hour to climb one way.[2]
Attractions
The tropical gardens Kuranda rail station are a well-known attraction in the area. Downhill the line cuts through the Barron Gorge National Park. The tourist train stops at a lookout, with a sweeping view of Barron Falls. A number of smaller waterfalls are passed, including Stoney Creek Falls, just metres from the train.
As the train travels up and down, a detailed commentary of the railway's construction is provided.
History
Construction of the railway began in 1882.[2] The railway was completed as far as Kuranda in 1891. Passenger services began operations on 25 June 1891.[3]
Many lives were lost as numerous tunnels and bridges were built. 15 hand-made tunnels and 37 bridges were built to climb from sea level to 328 metres up the Macalister Range.[2] Three million cubic metres of earth had to be excavated during construction.[1]
The first operation of a tourist train from Cairns to Kuranda was in 1936, using four longitudinal seating carriages.[4] In 1995 major repairs had to be carried out after a severe rock fall damaged the track.
On 26 March 2010 the train was derailed by a landslide injuring 5 of the 250 passengers on board.[5] The service was closed until 7 May 2010 while a geotechnical review of the track and risk assessments were completed.[6]
Carriages
Each carriage is fitted with three LCD televisions to provide passengers with detailed information of the history of the Kuranda railway. It also provides passengers with information about the Barron Falls. There are also two gold class carriages where refreshments and finger food are served on the journey.[7]
Gallery
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View from the train at Stoney Creek Falls bridge
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Kuranda railway station
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View from the train
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Barron Falls from the Railway Stop
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Freshwater Station with Approaching Train
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The Coral Sea, coastal plains, mountains – and some flooding – as seen from the train
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Mountain scenery from the train
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Train ready for the return journey to Cairns
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Kuranda Scenic Railway celebrates 120 years". The Cairns Post (News Limited). 21 June 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Kuranda Scenic Railway - Things To See and Do". Queensland Holidays. Tourism Queensland. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
- ↑ "Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway - Cairns". RACQ. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
- ↑ The Kuranda Tourist Train in 1991 Beckhaus, John Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, December 1992 pp283-299
- ↑ (26 March 2010). Kuranda train derails near Redlynch. The Cairns Post. News Limited. Retrieved on 24 April 2012.
- ↑ Stephanie Harrington (7 May 2010). Kuranda Scenic Railway rides again. The Cairns Post. News Limited. Retrieved on 24 April 2012.
- ↑ Kuranda Scenic Railway - 030_Tour options - Gold Class
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kuranda Scenic Railway. |
- Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Golder Associates Engineers earn Excellence Award For Kuranda Railway Project
- Cairns museum Cairns-Kuranda Railway Construction
- Google Earth .kml that shows track of the skyrail as well as railway between Cairns and Kuranda.
Coordinates: 16°53′05.63″S 145°42′07″E / 16.8848972°S 145.70194°E
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