Popularity booms for unique Queensland rail experience

Rail buffs and tourists have continued their love-affair with a grand old lady from a more leisurely age of travel, Queensland's unique rail motor, The Savannahlander.

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the train had now clocked up more than 135,000km of travel.

“Nearly 10,000 passengers have ridden the Silver Bullet on its four day run from Cairns to Forsayth in Far North Queensland.

"It is as popular now as it was when it came into operation in the 1960s as a classic state-of-the-art rail motor,” Mr Mickel said.

"The Savannahlander is one of the great rail experiences of the world attracting record numbers of passengers."

There were 2,752 passenger journeys in 2006-07, an eight per cent increase in patronage for the second year in a row.

Last year's result was achieved in the face of floods, vandalism to one of the bridges and the closure of the Kuranda range which impacted services for almost three months.

"The operators, Cairns-Kuranda Steam (CKS), have shown great commitment to the service and its passengers," Mr Mickel said.

The Savannahlander is an icon of Queensland offering snapshots of a unique landscape from the coast up the scenic Kuranda Range including stops at Barron Falls and Stoney Creek through World Heritage listed rainforests to Kuranda.

Highlights include visits to the Chillagoe Caves, Cobbold Gorge and the Undara Lava Tubes.

"Growth looks set to continue for the operators who began the Savannahlander Rail Service in March 2004 under a six-and-a-half year contract with Queensland Transport,” Mr Mickel said.

The Savannahlander operates from the first Wednesday in March until the second Wednesday in December.

Media contact: Shannon Mackay 3237 1125

December 26, 2007