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Diesel Tilt Train
Diesel Tilt Train
	Diesel Tilt Train at Dakabin Station in 2020
	Pre-refurbishment interior
In service	2003–present
Manufacturer	EDi Rail
Built at	Maryborough
Constructed	2003
Refurbished	2014
Number built	3
Number in service	3
Formation	Push-pull diesel + 7 cars
Operators	Queensland Rail
Depots	Mayne
Lines served	North Coast
Specifications
Maximum speed	160 km/h (99 mph)
Prime mover(s)	German MTU
Transmission	Hydraulic
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.

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.

Liveries

The original paint scheme, or livery, was yellow, purple and silver in colour, which was retained until the Spirit Of Queensland had a major overhaul in the mid-2010s.^{[citation needed]}

In 2010, designs by Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti were painted on one side of the carriages,^[5] while the work of Aboriginal artist of the Waanyi people, Judy Watson, was featured on the other side.^[6]

Routes

QR Tilt Train^[7]^[8]

Legend

Brisbane

(Roma Street)

Caboolture

Landsborough^[a]^[b]

Nambour^[c]

Cooroy^[b]

Howard^[a]^[b]

Miriam Vale^[b]

Mount Larcom^[b]

Rockhampton

St Lawrence^[b]

Carmila^[b]

Sarina^[b]

Mackay

Proserpine

Bowen^[b]

Home Hill^[b]

Ayr

Giru^[b]

Townsville

Ingham^[b]

Cardwell^[b]

Tully^[b]

Innisfail

Babinda^[b]

Gordonvale^[b]

Cairns

Electric Tilt Train route

The DTT features a 2×2 economy class seating arrangement, 1×2 business class seating arrangement, in-seat audio and visual entertainment and a TV screen attached to the seat armrest. A trolley service is available, and a club car is part of the consist of this Tilt Train service. In October 2013 when the first refurbished set returned to traffic, the service was named the Spirit of Queensland.

In 2014, the additional train was delivered to operate as a replacement for The Sunlander between Brisbane and Cairns, meaning the only service on this route is the Spirit of Queensland.^[9]^[10]

Notes and references

^ ^a ^b Served only by Electric Tilt Train
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p Served only if reservations have been pre-booked
^ Served by southbound Diesel Tilt Train only if reservations have been pre-booked