Queensland Rail
|
|
QR_Logo.PNG
QR, formerly known as Queensland Rail and Queensland Railways, is the corporation responsible for the operation and maintenance of the railway system in the State of Queensland, Australia. It is a State-owned corporation responsible to the Queensland Minister for Transport. It owns and maintains the physical infrastructure of the railway network and also directly operates all commuter (CityTrain) and long-distance (TravelTrain) passenger services and the vast majority of freight rail services.
QR is one of the largest narrow gauge railway systems in the world, operating on tracks with a 3'6" (1067mm) width between the rails. Queensland was also home to the first narrow gauge mainline railway in the world, when the first track opened to traffic in 1865 between Ipswich and the small town of Grandchester 25km to the west - this stretch now forms part of the main line from Brisbane to the western interior.
Unlike the railway systems in some other Australian States, QR remains in full State ownership and private sector involvement in the operation of train services remains minimal. However, private sector operations are becoming more common, particularly in the transport of mineral ores.
QR now boasts a route network of over 9,000km of which some 1,000km are electrified. The QR network is the most extensively electrified in Australia. The "backbone" of the QR network - the North Coast Railway from Brisbane north to Cairns - is electrified as far north as Rockhampton, approximately 800km (500 miles) north of Brisbane. Many lines used to transport coal from interior mines to coastal ports are also electrified.
External links
- QR Website (http://www.qr.com.au)