- The North Coast line has reopened today.
- Severe weather and flooding across Queensland continue to impact other parts of Queensland Rail's regional network, with sections of the Mount Isa and Central West lines currently closed.
- A taskforce of 90 people is continuing to restore sections of track where it is safe to do so.
Queensland Rail has mobilised crews and contractors from across the state to support the extensive recovery effort following ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
As a result, the North Coast line has fully reopened through to Cairns today with sections south of Townsville (Gumlu) to north of Mackay (Calen) repaired in recent days.
This evening's, Spirit of Queensland service will resume normal operations between Brisbane and Cairns.
Due to the magnitude of rainfall over the last few weeks, the Mount Isa line will remain closed from Gemoka west to Undina and the Central West line remains closed between Emerald and Winton.
These closures are impacting the Spirit of the Outback and Inlander services. Rail replacement buses are operating where road access is available and safe.
Customers are being contacted directly regarding service impacts.
Queensland Rail is also meeting regularly with freight operators to support load management.
Queensland Rail Head of Regional Scott Cornish said he was proud of the effort of all the hardworking North Queensland crews, which are being supported by staff mobilised from throughout Queensland.
"Seeing the recovery efforts firsthand across the region this week was a powerful reminder of the dedication of our teams, who continue to work tirelessly in challenging conditions to restore critical connections.
"We remain committed to supporting affected regions through the recovery, rebuilding safely, and reconnecting communities as soon as possible.
"Inspections have identified significant damage across the network, including major washouts, scouring, debris and damaged rail.
"Floodwaters are slowly receding on the Mount Isa line, where 56 sites have been identified for repairs and 13 kilometres of track have been damaged.
"As the weather event continues to unfold, we are unable to confirm recovery timeframes at this stage for our Mount Isa and Central West lines," he said.
Mr Cornish said crews had been working around the clock to undertake detailed planning to ensure resources and materials were deployed efficiently across the widespread damage zone.
"Throughout this weather event, the safety of our customers and staff remain paramount.
"Thanks to weather monitoring stations across the network, which detect and send early warning signals to our network control centre, our crews were able to assist in repositioning trains to safe locations before the rain hit.
"In areas where rain has passed and floodwaters have receded, crews have commenced inspections and recovery works using specialised machinery, including hi-rail vehicles, ballast trains and bog mats.
"On the North Coast line, crews have used 1300 tonnes of ballast to complete washout, scouring and resurfacing works. This was supported by three excavators and a loader to restore and prepare it for reopening today.
"We will continue to keep our customers, freight operators and the community informed of any updates."
