Far North scenic ride schedule changes after train and car collide in Edge Hill

The impacts of a collision between a car and train are being felt by the tourism community with services on a popular tourist attraction affected for multiple days. SEE THE VIDEO

UPDATE: A popular Far North tourist attraction will close for multiple days after a car and train collided.

The Kuranda Scenic Railway has updated its customers advising them of its hopes to open back up quickly.

“Due to the ongoing repair to locomotive damaged in level crossing incident on Monday, June 13, all Kuranda Scenic Railway services are cancelled for Wednesday June 15 and Thursday June 16,” the tourist ride wrote on Facebook.

“Queensland Rail Travel sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused. We aim to resume services as soon as possible.”

The Kuranda Scenic Railways was forced to shut on Tuesday and has not opened since. Queensland Rail will refund all its customers who have had services booked however they are unable to offer any alternative transport.

While Friday has not been cancelled yet, Queensland Rail has also advised passengers of potential impacts if the repairs take a bit longer.

EARLIER: A popular Far North tourist ride has cancelled its services after a car and a train collided at the Arthur Street level crossing in Cairns North on Monday.

The Kuranda Scenic Railway services have been cancelled while the lead locomotive undergoes some required repairs after front end damage was sustained.

The driver of the car, a woman from Caravonica in her 30s, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to Cairns Hospital but was discharged last night.

The two children in the car did not require treatment.

Queensland Rail Head of Regional Jim Benstead said no injuries were reported from staff or customers on board.

“It is understood there were three passengers in the road vehicle including the driver and 51 customers on-board the Kuranda Scenic Railway train,” he said.

“They were evacuated from the train and conveyed via buses.”

The intersection was partially closed for a number of hours while damaged powerlines were repaired.

Mr Benstead said it was a reminder for people to pay attention to the signs and signals in place for everyone’s safety.

“Ignoring the warnings is not only extremely dangerous, but also illegal and motorists caught ignoring railway crossing protection and damaging or obstructing level crossing infrastructure can be fined up to $1,102 and four demerit points,” he said.

JUNE 14, 5AM: A COLLISION between a train and a car in Cairns North on Monday night has reignited the local debate on the need for boom gates at the site.

At 5.20pm emergency services received a call that the Kuranda Scenic Rail tourist train had been involved in a collision with a car at the Greenslopes Street level crossing in Cairns North, leaving the car rolled on its side with its bonnet smashed inward.

Paramedics called to the site assessed the occupants of the car, one woman and two children for injuries. The three patients were taken to Cairns Hospital as a precaution, in stable conditions with minor injuries.

A collision between a car and oncoming Kuranda Scenic Railway train has created traffic delays to both the road and railway network.

The accident comes after Queensland Rail’s head of regional Jim Benstead recently urged everyone to keep safety front of mind when crossing rail lines.

“Trains on the regional network can at speeds of up to 160kmph and can’t stop quickly or swerve,” he said.

“It can take only a matter of seconds for a near miss to turn into a tragedy.”

Mr Benstead’s warning followed a total of eight near misses between cars and trains in the Far North during 2020 that had skyrocketed to 31 near incidents in 2021.

Edge Hill local Anthony Binyon was in an Uber home from work when he was stopped by police roadblocks on Greenslopes Street before McLeod Street.

“It’s a horror zone for these kinds of things,” he said.

“It’s definitely not the first time it’s happened at this crossing.

“There’s been a debate going for a number of years over the need for boom gates at this specific section of the road and hopefully this will start that debate back up.”

Passengers on the Kuranda train were evacuated and driven away in coaches as emergency services directed traffic.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said last night there would be disruptions to the rail and road network.

Originally published as Far North scenic ride schedule changes after train and car collide in Edge Hill