Diesel Tilt Train

In August 1999, a contract was awarded to Walkers for two diesel tilting trains to operate services from Brisbane to Cairns."Bundaberg Tilt Service Hits Airline as Cairns Tilt Contract Signed" Railway Digest September 1999 page 16 In contrast to the Electric Tilt Train, the diesel Tilt Train is a push-pull locomotive based train, although the two are externally similar.

Following a derailment of the Diesel Tilt Train in November 2004 that injured 157 people, all services were limited to {{convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} until track upgrades and the introduction of Automatic Train Protection allowed full speed operation to resume in June 2007.

In October 2010, Downer Rail was awarded a contract to build a further diesel tilt train with two power cars and 12 carriages to replace locomotive hauled stock on The Sunlander. All work was performed in Maryborough.[http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/72249 World class trains for Queensland supporting 800 Maryborough jobs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015150333/http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/72249 |date=15 October 2017 }} Minister for Transport 27 October 2010[http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Pages/spirit-of-queensland.aspx Spirit of Queensland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818092636/http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Pages/spirit-of-queensland.aspx |date=2013-08-18 }} Queensland[http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2013/august-2013/august-21/other-top-stories/queenslands-famed-sunlander-gets-makeover Queensland's famed Sunlander gets makeover] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228002600/http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2013/august-2013/august-21/other-top-stories/queenslands-famed-sunlander-gets-makeover |date=2013-12-28 }} Rail Express 21 August 2013 The first refurbished set entered service in October 2013. The third and brand new set was delivered and entered service in 2014.

File:The Spirit of Queensland at Roma Street railway station, Brisbane, 2021, 02.jpg

The original paint scheme, or livery, was yellow, purple and silver in colour, which was retained until the Spirit Of Queensland had a major overhaul in the mid-2010s.{{cn|date=December 2021}}

In 2010, designs by Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti were painted on one side of the carriages,{{cite web | title=Alick Tipoti | website=The Australian Art Network | date=2021 | url=https://australianartnetwork.com.au/category/indigenous-artists/alick-tipoti/ | access-date=5 December 2021 | archive-date=5 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205072621/https://australianartnetwork.com.au/category/indigenous-artists/alick-tipoti/ | url-status=live }} while the work of Aboriginal artist of the Waanyi people, Judy Watson, was featured on the other side.{{cite web | title=Indigenous art turns Tilt Train into moving canvas | website=Architecture & Design | url=https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/industry-news/indigenous-art-turns-tilt-train-into-moving-canvas | date=9 May 2011 | access-date=5 December 2021 | archive-date=5 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205105646/https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/industry-news/indigenous-art-turns-tilt-train-into-moving-canvas | url-status=live }}

{{Tilt Train route diagram}}

The DTT features a 2×2 economy class seating arrangement, 1×2 business class seating arrangement, in-seat audio and visual entertainment and a TV screen attached to the seat armrest. A trolley service is available, and a club car is part of the consist of this Tilt Train service. In October 2013 when the first refurbished set returned to traffic, the service was named the Spirit of Queensland.

In 2014, the additional train was delivered to operate as a replacement for The Sunlander between Brisbane and Cairns, meaning the only service on this route is the Spirit of Queensland.[http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Pages/spirit-of-queensland.aspx Spirit of Queensland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818092636/http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Pages/spirit-of-queensland.aspx |date=2013-08-18 }} Queensland[http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Documents/spirit-of-queensland/queensland-rail-travel_spirit-of-queensland-factsheet.pdf Spirit of Queensland factsheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204010333/http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/RailServices/Documents/spirit-of-queensland/queensland-rail-travel_spirit-of-queensland-factsheet.pdf |date=2013-12-04 }} Queensland Rail

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Railexperiences/ourtrains/spiritofqueensland Spirit of Queensland]
• [https://www.flickr.com/photos/brisbanebuses/sets/72157632480007105/ Flickr gallery]

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{{Public transport in Queensland}}

Category:High-speed rail in Australia

Category:Named passenger trains of Queensland

Category:Railcars of Queensland

Category:Tilting trains

Category:Diesel multiple units with locomotive-like power cars