Ministerial Statement: Trains back on South West tracks after massive repair ..

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Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
25/07/2010

Trains back on South West tracks after massive repair effort

Trains are back on line throughout Queensland's South West following completion of an unprecedented $3.5 million repair effort to 1100 kilometres of track damaged by cyclones in March.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan in Roma today said services were now back to normal on most sections of the extensive western rail system despite the severe damage.

"Queensland Rail's repair gangs have done a tremendous job in getting the network back up and running so quickly, given the extent of the damage," she said.

"The government is grateful to them for restoring the rail links for the citizens of South Western Queensland so quickly

"Crews from Roma helped repair the Quilpie, Roma, Charleville and Cunnamulla rail lines after they were badly damaged by tropical cyclones Olga and Neville in March," she said.

"The cyclones left an incredible trail of damage. A total of 1100 kilometres of the 2100 kilometre long South West rail network required closures as a result of the flooding - that's more than half of that rail network.

"It's difficult to imagine the scale of these repairs by the Queensland Rail crews. They repaired 1100km of line, which is roughly the distance between Brisbane and Sydney. That's just a staggering amount of track to repair," she said.

Ms Nolan said the first cattle train of the 2010 livestock season operated over the repaired Quilpie - Charleville rail line on 29 June en route to Dinmore after repairs were completed on the line, the last section of line to be repaired.

"Queensland Rail crews did a great job in bringing the Quilpie - Charleville line back up to normal operational standard, assigning repair crews from Charleville and Quilpie, as well as Roma, to undertake the work," she said.

"The flood damage to this 201 kilometre line was extensive, including more than 13 kilometres of scouring, 4 kilometres of track washouts, as well as damage to bridge bank ends. It required a tremendous amount of work to make the line operational again.

"The 532 kilometre long section of line between Dalby and Charleville is open but still undergoing repairs, which are expected to be complete in August," Ms Nolan said.

She said the Dalby to Roma and Roma to Charleville lines were reopened to all rail traffic in April, but are operating under normal speed restrictions in the areas where maintenance repairs are required.

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The Ministers statement notes the first rail movement from Quilpie on 29th June and makes reference to repairs on the Charleville to Quilpie section and on the Dalby to Charleville section and tell us that the Charleville to Cunnamulla line has been repaired but makes no mention of if trains have again commenced operation over that section of line.
The line from Thallon to Dirinbandi has apparently not been repaired and it would seem that there is no intention to repair that section of that line and restore it to traffic will mean that the cotton and grain traffic originating from Cubbie Station will now be hauled by road, not a desirable outcome.