The Sunlander
The Sunlander in 2010
|
|
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Passenger Train |
| Status | Retired |
| Predecessor | Sunshine Express |
| First service | 4 June 1953 |
| Last service | 31 December 2014 |
| Successor | Spirit of Queensland |
| Former operator(s) | Queensland Rail |
| Route | |
| Start | Brisbane |
| End | Cairns |
| Distance travelled | 1,681 kilometres |
| Average journey time | 45hrs (Original) 31hrs (Final) |
| Line used | North Coast |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
The Sunlander was a long distance passenger rail service operated by Queensland Rail on the North Coast line between Brisbane and Cairns in Queensland between June 1953 and December 2014. It has been replaced by the Spirit of Queensland.
From December 1924, when the North Coast line was completed, a steam hauled non air-conditioned train provided the service.
In 1935, a new train named the Sunshine Express was introduced. This train of wooden carriages featured varnished timber internal panelling made from natural Queensland timbers. Comforts for that period included electric fans, electric lighting, and leather upholstered seating. Accommodation included sleeping berths for first and second class passengers and seating only carriages.
In December 1949, Queensland Railway's placed an order with Commonwealth Engineering for eight carriage sets totalling 99 carriages to introduce air-conditioned rolling stock to its long distance services. In addition QR's own Ipswich Workshops were to build a train. The carriages were designed to travel to all parts of the system, meaning a maximum axle load of 9 tons, which was a challenge for the dining cars. New features included showers in the sleeping cars, roomettes in first class and head end power cars, especially necessary where trains may be delayed by floods or other events, as was often the case.
The Sunlander commenced service on 4 June 1953, replacing the Sunshine Express. This new air conditioned train was hauled by a diesel locomotive and by eliminating steam locomotive servicing stops, the transit time to Cairns was reduced from 45 to 41¼ hours. By the time it ceased in December 2014, the time had been cut to 31 hours with many infrastructure upgrades having taken place.
As further rolling stock was delivered, a second weekly service commenced on 30 November 1953 building up to five on 9 December 1955. The much delayed Ipswich built set was commissioned on 10 May 1961, allowing the service to build up to six services per week, this was reduced back to five on 8 November 1970 to release stock for the Capricornian.
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Wikipedia