The Spirit of Queensland will temporarily reduce from five to four return services per week from this month, allowing for major maintenance works.
Queensland Rail Head of Regional said the scheduled works would ensure the ongoing safety and reliability of the iconic service.
"Since 2003, the Spirit of Queensland, formerly known as the Cairns Tilt Train, has transported thousands of customers between Brisbane and Cairns each year, connecting communities right along the state's coastline to families and friends, essential services and Queensland tourism experiences," Mr Benstead said.
"Queensland Rail will be rotating each of the three trains out of service, to allow for major maintenance works to be undertaken while minimising impacts to customers.
"While the trains do undergo regular maintenance, these works require them to come offline for a longer period of time to allow for more intensive maintenance to the braking systems, carriage couplings, walkways between carriages, electrical systems and other mechanical improvements to the carriages.
"Starting in April 2022, Queensland Rail's maintenance teams will deliver electrical, and mechanical works, to ensure the trains' ongoing safe and reliable performance.
"While bolstering safety, the works will also generate up to seven jobs in Queensland Rail's Mayne Yard where the maintenance will be undertaken.
"These works are being undertaken while a strategy is put in place for a full overhaul program of the service at a later date."
Mr Benstead said the maintenance would require a timetable change from 1 April 2022 for a period of at least nine months.
"From 1 April 2022, the Spirit of Queensland service will operate four return services per week," he said.
"This is a minor reduction from five return services per week and will allow for uninterrupted maintenance works.
"To minimise customer and staff impacts, the lowest patronage weekday service was chosen to be suspended for the overhaul.
"Based on recent patronage numbers Queensland Rail Travel expects to be able to accommodate interested customers on one of the other Spirit of Queensland services available."
