Diesel Tilt Train

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Diesel Tilt Train
Spirit Of Queensland - Diesel Tilt Train.jpg
Diesel Tilt Train at Dakabin Station in 2020
City of Cairns Diesel Tilt Train seating Platform 10 Roma Street Station Brisbane IMGP7766.jpg
Pre-refurbishment interior
In service2003–present
Manufacturer EDi Rail
Built at Maryborough
Constructed2003
Refurbished2014
Number built3
Number in service3
Formation Push-pull diesel + 7 cars
Operators Queensland Rail
Depots Mayne
Lines served North Coast
Specifications
Maximum speed160 km/h (99 mph)
Prime mover(s) German MTU
TransmissionHydraulic
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The Diesel Tilt Train is the name for three high-speed tilting trains, operated by Queensland Rail on the North Coast line from Brisbane to Cairns, as part of its Spirit of Queensland service.

Contents

History

In August 1999, a contract was awarded to Walkers for two diesel tilting trains to operate services from Brisbane to Cairns. [1] In contrast to the Electric Tilt Train, the diesel Tilt Train is a push-pull locomotive based train, although the two are externally similar.

Following a derailment of the Diesel Tilt Train in November 2004 that injured 157 people, all services were limited to 100 km/h (62 mph) until track upgrades and the introduction of Automatic Train Protection allowed full speed operation to resume in June 2007.

In October 2010, Downer Rail was awarded a contract to build a further diesel tilt train with two power cars and 12 carriages to replace locomotive hauled stock on The Sunlander . All work was performed in Maryborough. [2] [3] [4] The first refurbished set entered service in October 2013. The third and brand new set was delivered and entered service in 2014.

Interior

The Diesel Tilt Train features 2×2 Economy class seating and 1×2 RailBed class seating. All seats include an audio and visual entertainment system. A trolley service is provided in RailBed class, and an onboard cafe is available on all journeys. [5] Wi-Fi internet access is not available.

Liveries

Spirit of Queensland carriages The Spirit of Queensland at Roma Street railway station, Brisbane, 2021, 02.jpg
Spirit of Queensland carriages

The original livery was yellow, purple and silver in colour, which was retained until the Spirit Of Queensland had a major overhaul in 2010.

In 2010, designs by Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti were painted on one side of the carriages, [6] while the work of Aboriginal artist of the Waanyi people, Judy Watson, was featured on the other side. [7]

Notes and references

    1. ↑ "Bundaberg Tilt Service Hits Airline as Cairns Tilt Contract Signed" Railway Digest September 1999 page 16
    2. ↑ World class trains for Queensland supporting 800 Maryborough jobs Archived 15 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine Minister for Transport 27 October 2010
    3. ↑ Spirit of Queensland Archived 2013-08-18 at the Wayback Machine Queensland
    4. ↑ Queensland's famed Sunlander gets makeover Archived 2013-12-28 at the Wayback Machine Rail Express 21 August 2013
    5. ↑ "Travel Options". Queensland Rail Travel. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
    6. ↑ "Alick Tipoti". The Australian Art Network. 2021. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
    7. ↑ "Indigenous art turns Tilt Train into moving canvas". Architecture & Design. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
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