Community & Business
25 February, 2024
Iconic train rolls again
THE Kuranda Scenic Railway is back operating thanks to hard work of Queensland Rail crews and contractors in challenging conditions, with more than 60 sites repaired in the past two months.
The iconic railway was badly damaged in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and has been closed ever since.
Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton said the recovery of the range was no easy feat, with eight track machines used and more than 50 employees and contractors engaged in the recovery effort to remove 5400 cubic meters of spoil and more than 400 fallen trees.
“5400 cubic meters of spoil is enough to fill more than 540 small dump trucks,” she said.
“We expect that our long-term works will be completed in July 2024, but we will continue to keep the community informed of any updates. Particularly, if works are further hindered due to heavy rain or other severe weather events.”
Prior to the December weather event, Kuranda Scenic Railway patronage was reaching pre-COVID levels, with annual patronage on track to exceed 400,000 passengers for the first time in five years.
