Re: Oct RD report; Queenslander 2800 locos - and tilt train

["Graham Watkins" <gwatkins@globec.com.au>]

Thomas Fothergill <s370507@student.uq.edu.au> wrote in article
<380d6021@vk4lw.caboolture.net.au>...
> yer i think your right dean about the 3900s running it between bris and
> rocky, i remember seeing it at roma st. with a 3900 on it before, and in
> fact if u look at the latest queenslander brochure, it shows it being
hauled
> by a 3900 class electric on single track (not sure where exactly), the
old
> brochures only showed the cars, no locos in the pics.
> 

At present, the only 2800 class to run south of Rockhampton come to
Brisbane may be once per fortnight for treatment on the wheel lathe. They
usually come hauled in a train but sometimes may work the train. They
cannot haul the Queenslander as at present they are not allowed to run
beyond Normanby or through the inner city tunnels.

When south of Rockhampton, they must operate as out-of-gauge and require
special authorities.

However, plans are underway to enable them to work to Brisbane in the
future.

> on another note, i heard on the grapvine today that QR might be
electrifying
> from rocky to cairns, then running another couple of electric tilties
> between rocky and cairns (not through to bris.).  however i have also
heard
> that they might purchase some 6 car diesel tilties to run through to
> cairns.. the latter being heard quite a while ago mind you! :) .. any
> comments welcome.
> 

QR is building new diesel tilt trains for the Cairns run. A contract has
been awarded to Walkers and work is already underway in Maryborough.