The Capricornian was a passenger train that operated in

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

Australia between 1970 and 1993. It travelled on the North Coast line between

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of approximately 2.6 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of the South ...

and Rockhampton.

History

When the '' Sunlander'' air-conditioned express train to Cairns was introduced in 1953, the Rockhampton Mail retained its wooden carriages, and a surcharge and booking restrictions deterred Rockhampton bound travelers from using the air-conditioned services.Kerr, J. 'Triumph of Narrow Gauge' Boolarong Publications 1990 Following a rearrangement of the Sunlander consists and the construction of further air-conditioned cars, the Capricornian replaced the Rockhampton Mail in 1970, taking 14.25 hours for the overnight trip and running 5 times per week. By 1988 the transit time was 13 hours 55 minutes, reduced to 12 hours 35 minutes following the extensive upgrading of the North Coast line (NCL) in 1989. However, the pending electrification of the NCL led to an announcement that the Capricornian would be eliminated once the

Spirit of Capricorn The Spirit of Capricorn was a long distance passenger rail service in Queensland, Australia, Operated by Queensland Rail between 1988 and 24 May 2003. It operated between Rockhampton, Queensland and the Capital of the state, Brisbane at its sta ...

service was introduced. Vehement protests about the loss of the overnight sleeper service went all the way to

Queensland Premier The premier of Queensland is the head of government in the Australian state of Queensland. By convention the premier is the leader of the party with a parliamentary majority in the unicameral Legislative Assembly of Queensland. The premier is a ...

, Mike Ahern and Prime Minister, Bob Hawke This resulted in the retention of the train on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights. The ''Capricornian'' was eventually merged with the Rockhampton - Winton ''Midlander'' Train and the merged service was renamed the ''

Spirit of the Outback The Spirit of the Outback is a long-distance passenger rail service in Queensland, Australia, operated by Queensland Rail's Traveltrain division. Route Debuting in November 1993 by combining the former '' Capricornian'' and '' Midlander'' tr ...

'' in November 1993, which now runs from Brisbane to Longreach with a connecting coach service to Winton, largely to cater for the 'rail cruising' tourism market.

References

{{Reflist Named passenger trains of Queensland 1970 establishments in Australia Railway services introduced in 1970 Railway services discontinued in 1993 Discontinued railway services in Australia

History

See also

References