The Queensland Government's rail safety regulator has ordered all trains to suspend operations in central west Queensland
July 6, 2012
The Queensland Government’s rail safety regulator has ordered all trains to suspend operations in central west Queensland due to concerns with the state of wooden bridges.
There is no set timeframe on when operations will resume, with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson saying rail lines will remain closed until the safety regulator’s concerns are addressed.
The closure relates to lines operated by Queensland Rail, including Emerald to Winton, via Longreach, the Clermont branch line and the Springsure branch line.
“There are more than 70 wooden bridges in the region that need to be reinspected because of concerns that underwater inspections were signed off up to 18 months ago without actually being carried out,” he says.
“A number of the bridges have pylons that are permanently immersed in water and this will be a significant program of work that could take up to a month.”
Emerson says the closure will disrupt cattle and general freight services, along with the Spirit of the Outback service.
The line between Clermont and Capella, north of Emerald, was closed Wednesday due to the condition of two rail bridges at Capella Creek.
Emerson says structure gangs from Charleville, Miles and Warwick have been brought in to help local crews with the work. He says Queensland Rail will work with passengers, local communities and graziers to find alternative transport during the closure.
