TILT TRAIN SET TO SLASH TRAVELLING TIMES

Transport and Main Roads Minister Vaughan Johnson today joined his Cabinet colleagues and invited guests for an inspection of the new tilt train at Gladstone station.

Mr Johnson praised Queensland Rail's new tilt trains which will slash travelling times on the Brisbane Gladstone Rockhampton corridor later this year.

Mr Johnson said the new trains, which would carry 310 passengers each, would cut journey times between Gladstone and Brisbane by more than two hours to about five and three quarter hours.

"The tilt trains will provide a closer link between Central Queensland and Brisbane, boosting tourism and providing improved business opportunities.

"In addition, Queensland Rail expects patronage to increase by at least 25 per cent with their introduction," said Mr Johnson.

He said the tilt trains would reach speeds up to 160km/hr compared with the top speed of 120km/h by the current Spirit of Capricorn.

In trials late last year between Gympie and Maryborough, the tilt train comfortably reached speeds of 170km/h. Static testing of the second car set will begin late this month.

"They will be the first tilt trains to be built in Australia, and provide the potential for the export of the technology to Asia."

Mr Johnson said that tilting into the curves allowed trains to travel through curves 20 to 30 per cent faster than conventional trains, while still maintaining high levels of passenger comfort and safety.

He said that two six-car trains, valued at $62 million, were being built by Walkers Ltd in Maryborough under contract with a consortium of Evans Deakin Industries and Hitachi and Itochu of Japan.

Associated track work, signalling and installation of extra safety measures at level crossings brings the total project cost to $106 million.

The Minister also noted recent Opposition comments regarding the extension of the tilt train. "Queensland Rail has had reference to this particular project in its Corporate Plan for some time.

"The proposal of a high speed passenger service between Brisbane and Cairns, which would see travel time reduced to around 20 hours for the journey, was actually endorsed by both share holding Ministers (Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Minister for Transport) last year.

QR has been engaged in detailed research relating to appropriate technologies and infrastructure implications, particularly those north of Rockhampton.

Mr Johnson said that if the Opposition Leader was so impressed with these current proposals, then he would be delighted with the State Coalition Government's future rail infrastructure announcements.

"Queensland Rail will continue with its investigations regarding the feasibility of such services," said Mr Johnson.

"However, I was quite surprised at recent media reports that the Leader of the Opposition was already forecasting where locomotives were likely to be built.

"I find this particularly disturbing given Labor's recent vocal indignation at Goninon North Queensland not securing a major locomotive contract," he said.