Electric Tilt Train
"City of Maryborough" at Roma Street station
Interior
In service	1998–present
Manufacturer	Walkers Limited
Built at	Maryborough
Constructed	1997–1998
Entered service	6 November 1998
Number built	2
Number in service	2
Formation	6-car sets TTD1–TTT–TTM+TTM–TTT–TTD2
Fleet numbers	301/302 and 303/304
Operator(s)	Queensland Rail
Depot(s)	Mayne, Gracemere
Line(s) served	North Coast
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Train length	136 m (446 ft 2 in)
Car length	23.4 m (76 ft 9 in) (TTD) 22.3 m (73 ft 2 in) (TTT, TTM)[1]
Width	2,837 mm (9 ft 3.7 in)
Height	3,615 mm (11 ft 10.3 in)
Floor height	1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
Wheel diameter	810 mm (32 in)
Wheelbase	Per bogie: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) Between bogie centres: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Maximum speed	210 km/h (130 mph) (record) 160 km/h (99 mph) (service)
Weight	44 t (43 long tons; 49 short tons) (TTD1) 45 t (44 long tons; 50 short tons) (TTD2) 47 t (46 long tons; 52 short tons) (TTT) 43 t (42 long tons; 47 short tons) (TTM)
Traction system	Hitachi PWM 3-level IGBT–VVVF
Traction motors	16 × Hitachi 170 kW (230 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output	2.72 MW (3,650 hp)
Deceleration	1.05 m/s2 (3.4 ft/s2) (service)
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead lines
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
UIC classification	Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Braking system(s)	Regenerative electric and electro-pneumatic disc brakes
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The Electric Tilt Train is the name for two identical high-speed tilting trains operated by Queensland Rail for the Tilt Train service on the North Coast line from Brisbane to Rockhampton which entered service in November 1998.

History

In March 1993, Queensland Rail issued a tender for the construction of two electric six-carriage tilting trains. In October 1994, a contract was awarded to Walkers, Maryborough with Hitachi to supply the electrical and tilting equipment.^[2] The Electric Tilt Train initially began tests on 12 August 1997 when it conducted its first run between Maryborough West and Gympie North Stations. This was later followed by tests from Maryborough to Roma Street on 25 October 1997 and first trial run to Rockhampton on 15 November 1997.^[3] November 1997 also saw the Train conduct the first testing involving its Tilting mechanism.^[4]

After an extensive testing, on 6 November 1998, Australia's first pair of tilting trains entered service on the Spirit of Capricorn between Brisbane and Rockhampton. With a journey time of seven hours, they shaved over two hours from the schedule operated by InterCity Express sets.^[5][6][7] In July 1999, a second daily service was introduced between Brisbane and Bundaberg.^[8]

Using traction equipment based on the JR Shikoku 8000 series trains, the Tilt Train set an Australian train speed record of 210 km/h (130 mph) north of Bundaberg in May 1999, a record that still stands.^[9][10] This also makes it the fastest narrow-gauge train in the world.^[11]

In 2006, the electric sets underwent an $8.3 million refurbishment program at Mayne depot.

In 2015, the tilt train sets again undertook refurbishment over the course of 12 months with the addition of high visibility yellow doors, and a modification of the front ends. The traction packages were given a complete overhaul to extend the life of the tilt train. The trains also had Wi-Fi installed to enable wireless internet for passengers.^[12] The first refurbished set re-entered service in July 2016.^[13] The second refurbished set re-entered service in July 2017.

Routes

v t e QR Tilt Train[14][15]
Legend
Brisbane (Roma Street) Caboolture Landsborough[a] Nambour Cooroy[a] Gympie North Maryborough West Howard[b] Bundaberg Miriam Vale[b] Gladstone Mount Larcom[b] Rockhampton St Lawrence[b] Carmila[b] Sarina[b] Mackay Proserpine Bowen[b] Home Hill[b] Ayr Giru[b] Townsville Ingham[b] Cardwell[b] Tully[b] Innisfail Babinda[b] Gordonvale[b] Cairns Electric Tilt Train route

Commencing in 1998, the Electric Tilt Train operates from Brisbane to Rockhampton. With a top service speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) and the ability to tilt five degrees in each direction, the Tilt Train is the fastest train in Australia, but has the same maximum allowed service speed as the V/Line VLocity train which operates in Victoria. The train operates on the North Coast line and serves the intermediate towns of Gympie, Maryborough, Bundaberg and Gladstone. The Electric Tilt Trains run in a multiple unit configuration.