Gulflander
RM93 at Golden Gate near Croydon
in August 2008 |
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Passenger train |
| Current operator(s) | Queensland Rail |
| Route | |
| Start | Normanton |
| End | Croydon |
| Distance travelled | 151 kilometres |
| Average journey time | 5 hours |
| Service frequency | Weekly |
| Line used | Normanton |
| On-board services | |
| Seating arrangements | 59 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
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The Gulflander is an Australian passenger train operated by Queensland Rail on the isolated Normanton to Croydon line in the Gulf Country of northern Queensland.
Steam locomotives were used until 1922 when diesel railmotors were introduced.. By 1974 the line was under the threat of closure, earning just $3,000 in revenue but costing $64,000 to maintain.
Today the line exists as a tourist attraction and is said to be more an adventure than a train ride. The crews are qualified guides and will stop the train and talk about points of interest. The present three-car railmotor set of RM93 Gardner diesel railmotor and carriages TP1809 and TP1811 is known as "the old Tin Hare".
The service runs once per week to Croydon on Wednesdays, returning to Normanton on Thursdays. Shorter charter services on most other days are also available.
Thirteen power units have been used on the line. It is unusual that of the 13 units, 12 survive in one form or another and most are still in the region due mainly to its remoteness. They are as follows:
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Wikipedia