Queensland Rail cyclone line repairs after ex-Cyclone Koji

Queensland Rail cyclone line repairs are continuing after ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji caused widespread damage across the state’s rail network, with recovery crews mobilised, as outlined in a Queensland Rail media release.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

North Coast line reopened to Cairns

The North Coast line has fully reopened through to Cairns. Over recent days, crews restored sections south of Townsville—around Gumlu—and north of Mackay near Calen. Queensland Rail said washout, scouring and resurfacing works were completed using about 1,300 tonnes of ballast, with three excavators and a loader supporting the effort, as reported by Rail Express. The line was restored and prepared to reopen yesterday, January 14.

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Mount Isa line closure and Central West impacts

Even with the North Coast corridor back in service, other parts of the network remain shut. The Mount Isa line will remain closed from Gemoka west to Undina, while the Central West line remains closed between Emerald and Winton.

Queensland Rail said floodwaters on the Mount Isa line are slowly receding. Inspections have identified 56 sites requiring repairs, and around 13 kilometres of track have been damaged. The Spirit of the Outback and Inlander services have both been cancelled for today, January 15, and Queensland Rail said customers are being contacted directly regarding service impacts.

Freight coordination and safety measures

Queensland Rail said it is meeting regularly with freight operators to support load management during the recovery. The operator also said the Spirit of Queensland service has resumed normal operations between Brisbane and Cairns.

Queensland Rail Head of Regional Scott Cornish said he was proud of the effort of North Queensland crews, supported by staff mobilised from throughout Queensland. After seeing the recovery efforts firsthand across the region this week, Cornish said the teams’ focus remains on restoring critical connections, as previously covered by Railway Supply.

“We remain committed to supporting affected regions through the recovery, rebuilding safely, and reconnecting communities as soon as possible,” he said.

Cornish said inspections have identified significant damage across the network, including major washouts, scouring, debris and damaged rail. As the weather event continues to unfold, Queensland Rail said it is unable to confirm recovery timeframes at this stage for the Mount Isa and Central West lines.

He added that crews have been working around the clock on detailed planning to ensure resources and materials are deployed efficiently across the widespread damage zone. “Throughout this weather event, the safety of our customers and staff remain paramount,” he said. Queensland Rail also pointed to weather monitoring stations across the network that detect and send early warning signals to the network control centre, allowing crews to assist in repositioning trains to safe locations before the rain hit.

In areas where rain has passed and floodwaters have receded, crews have commenced inspections and recovery works using specialised machinery, including hi-rail vehicles, ballast trains and bog mats.

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