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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a name for the railway line that runs from Cairns, Queensland, Australia, to the nearby town of Kuranda. The tourist railway snakes its way up the Macalister Range and is no longer used for regular commuter services. It passes through the suburbs of Stratford, Freshwater (stopping at Freshwater Station) and Redlynch before reaching Kuranda. The line is used for some freight services and other passenger services, such as The Savannahlander.
The railway is 37 km (23 mi) in length. It takes about one and three quarters of an hour to climb one way.
Attractions
The tropical gardens Kuranda rail station are a well-known attraction in the area. Downhill the line cuts through the Barron Gorge National Park. The tourist train stops at a lookout, with a sweeping view of Barron Falls. A number of smaller waterfalls are passed, including Stoney Creek Falls, just metres from the train.
15 hand-made tunnels and 37 bridges were built to climb from sea level to 328 metres up the Macalister Range. Three million cubic metres of earth had to be excavated during construction.
Carriages
Each carriage is fitted with three LCD televisions to provide passengers with detailed information of the history of the Kuranda railway. It also provides passengers with information about the Barron Falls. There are also two gold class carriages where refreshments and finger food are served on the journey.
ksr.com:
Locomotives
The locomotive power at the head of the train today is a 1720 Class Diesel Electric Locomotive. This class was introduced to traffic in October 1966 and was built by Clyde Engineering Company under license from General Motors USA and subcontracted to Commonwealth Engineering in Brisbane.
A total of 56 locomotives were built with the last unit entering service by the end of 1969. Each unit was numbered consecutively from 1720 through to 1775.
A 1000 HP is generated by the units’ diesel engine, Model 8- 645E. It is a two-stroke V8 General Motors Engine that has solid fuel injection with blower scavenging. The engine operates at speeds from 315 rpm to 900 rpm. This mechanical power is then converted to electricity by its Main Generator, Model D25E, to high voltage direct current for use in propelling the locomotive.
An Auxiliary Generator converts a small amount of engine power to low voltage power for use in charging the locomotives battery, exciting the main generator, operating the controls, locomotive lights and accessories.
The locomotive is equipped with a Gardner-Denver 3 cylinder, two stage, Model WXE, air compressor that is driven off the main engine. Out put of compressed air is 199 cubic feet per minute at 900 rpm. This air is used for operation of the Westinghouse brake system, sanding equipment, warning horn, windscreen wipers and crew vigilance equipment.
The locomotive is relatively lightweight, a total of approximately 60 ton with an approximate 10-ton axle load. This allowed QR to operate them on lightweight branch line or suburban passenger train services. The 1720s’ operate through out most of QR’s extensive rail network and with the passing of time, this class of locomotive has truly earned it place in the top performers division, in regards locomotive rolling stock. |
qr.com.au 
