Fallen power lines forced the northbound Bundaberg Tilt Train to stop about midnight at Gundiah, about three hours north of Brisbane, leaving more than 100 passengers stranded on board for about six hours before they were transferred to buses, the ABC reported on Thursday (12 November). Queensland Rail confirmed the damage was caused by a storm, the ABC reported.
A Queensland Rail spokeswoman said crews were able to de-energise the powerlines about 6am, allowing about 110 passengers to get off the train, Brisbane Times reported. The passengers were then driven by bus to Bundaberg.
Queensland Rail head of regional Scott Cornish said long-distance travel and freight trains on the North Coast line were affected by downed powerlines at Gundiah. "Queensland Rail crews have worked continuously overnight and will remain onsite repairing damage to more than 500 metres of overhead line equipment," he said. "We appreciate customers' frustration and we apologise for the inconvenience."
Passengers Only Provided Water
Riley Hudd, who was travelling from the Gold Coast to Hervey Bay, told the ABC his journey took about 19 hours. "It came to a screeching halt and pretty much slammed on the brakes. Everyone was looking at the sparks," Mr Hudd said.
He said the stranded passengers were only provided water. "No aircon, the toilets were pretty full, there was no food," he said. "There was a bit of complaining and a bit of worry."
Mr Hudd said there was limited information about what was happening. "The team [on the train] handled it in a good way, but I think the response [from Queensland Rail] could have been better," he said. "Queensland Rail was probably just as much in the dark as we were, so they gave us what [information] they could when they could, but it was just a waiting game."
Replacement Buses and Cancellations
Queensland Rail said buses were transporting Spirit of Queensland, Bundaberg and Rockhampton Tilt Train passengers where possible, that some cancellations were in place and that all affected customers were being contacted directly, the ABC reported.
The Spirit of Queensland northbound service, carrying 120 passengers, was also affected and was due to return to Brisbane's Roma Street station about 5.45am, Brisbane Times reported. A service due to leave Rockhampton at 6.45am on Thursday for Brisbane was stopped at Maryborough West, and alternate transport was being sourced for passengers due to leave Brisbane at 4.55pm on Thursday for Bundaberg, the regular departure time on the Queensland Rail Travel Tilt Train timetable.
The disruption followed storms that battered south-east Queensland on Wednesday night, leaving tens of thousands of people without electricity, Brisbane Times reported.