Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 29, 2026

Tilt Train

Tilt Train is the brand name for the higher-speed tilting train service operated by Queensland Rail. The service runs on the North Coast line from Brisbane to Bundaberg and Rockhampton, serving the intermediate towns of Gympie, Maryborough and Gladstone. The service operates using Electric Tilt Train rolling stock.

Last revised
Jun 29, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
476 w
Citations
11
Source
Tilt Train
Overview
Service typePassenger
Current operatorQueensland Rail
Route
TerminiBrisbane
Line usedNorth Coast
Technical
Rolling stockElectric Tilt Train
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC from overhead catenary
Operating speed160 km/h (100 mph)
Route map
Brisbane
(Roma Street)
Caboolture
Landsborougha
Nambour
Cooroyb
Gympie North
Maryborough West
Howardc
Bundaberg
Miriam Valec
Gladstone
Mount Larcomc
Rockhampton
12

Tilt Train is the brand name for the higher-speed tilting train service operated by Queensland Rail. The service runs on the North Coast line from Brisbane to Bundaberg and Rockhampton, serving the intermediate towns of Gympie, Maryborough and Gladstone. The service operates using Electric Tilt Train rolling stock.

History

On 6 November 1998, Australia's first pair of tilting trains entered service between Brisbane and Rockhampton. Simply marketed as the Tilt Train, the journey time was reduced from nine hours to seven hours. In July 1999, a second daily service was introduced between Brisbane and Bundaberg. In May 2003, the Tilt Train service completely replaced the Spirit of Capricorn service.

Rolling stock

Tilt Train at Roma Street source ↗

With a top service speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) and the ability to tilt five degrees in each direction, the Electric Tilt Train is one of the fastest trains in Australia. The train has a similar maximum allowed speed to the V/Line VLocity, the Transwa Prospector railcar and the New South Wales XPT. In May 1999, the train achieved a top speed of 210 kilometres per hour (130 mph) under test conditions.3

Economy Class interior source ↗

The Electric Tilt Train features 2×2 Economy class seating and 1×2 Business class seating. All seats include an audio and visual entertainment system. A trolley service is provided in Business class, and an onboard cafe is available on some journeys.4 Wi-Fi internet access was introduced in 2016.5

Awards

In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Tilt Train was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as an iconic "innovation and invention".6

See also

See also

Notes

Notes

  1. Services Q301, Q922 and Q944 will only stop if reservations have been pre-booked
  2. Services Q301 and Q922 will only stop if reservations have been pre-booked
  3. Served only if reservations have been pre-booked
References

References

  1. Queensland Rail Travel - Network Map
  2. Queensland Rail Travel - Timetable (PDF) effective from August 2025
  3. "20th Anniversary of the Tilt Trains". queenslandrail.com.au. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  4. "Travel Options". Queensland Rail Travel. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  5. Probert, Oliver (30 October 2016). "Wi-Fi trial for new look Tilt Train". Rail Express. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  6. Bligh, Anna (10 June 2009). "PREMIER UNVEILS QUEENSLAND'S 150 ICONS". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
External links