04-07-2025
Queensland Rail retires iconic electric train fleet after more than four decades
After more than four decades of service, the last of Queensland Rail's Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) will make their final journey on the tracks.
The units were the first electric train model used in Queensland and began operation in November 1979.
The state's rail operator has called time on the iconic fleet by allowing south-east train enthusiasts and commuters alike a chance to hop aboard for one final ride.
This 'End of the Line' tour will see EMUs run from Roma Street station along the Caboolture, Ipswich, Ferny Grove and Shorncliffe lines.
The tour will finish at Roma Street, with the last train leaving the station around 7pm.
Rob Hill, Executive General Manager of south-east Queensland Operations, said the introduction of the EMUs in 1979 was an important moment for the state.
"It really was that turning point into that electrified network … the stepping board for where public transport is today in Queensland," Mr Hill said.
"We've had significant overhauls on these trains over a period of time, but at a point in time they are no longer compliant with modern standards.
Reef Thompson, from the Australian Railway Historical Society, said the electrification of rail in Queensland heralded a new era of travel.
"They were a coming of age for the railways … before the EMUs were delivered, there were no electric trains in Brisbane," Mr Thompson said.
Mr Thompson said people may now want to do bespoke rides on the out-of-service fleet.
"There's never really been an appeal because everyone can go out and catch those EMUs every day," he said.
"Now there's none left it'll be a bit interesting seeing an EMU out-and-about."
There are eight different types of trains currently running on the Queensland Rail network — the EMU is the oldest of them all.
The newest of the fleet — the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) — was unveiled by the Queensland Government in 2016.
Those trains featured improvements in accessibility, more leg room and under-seat storage for passengers.
Since 2018, Queensland Rail has progressively decommissioned the EMUs in favour of more modern fleets.
The decision to retire the EMUs came as Queensland Rail weighed up the cost of maintaining the older locomotives with that of introducing newer ones.
"We've got some newer technologies … better information, so they are a little bit more advanced," Mr Hill said.
"You've got to make those decisions around whether you continue to invest in the asset that can't be compliant, or whether you start to look at new equipment and getting it out there.
Queensland Rail is also in the process of installing a new signalling system, which it says will deliver seamless and safe train travel.
The European Train Control System is an advanced signalling system which reports the position, direction and speed of each train on the network.
The rail operator says it will enable the system to calculate maximum running speeds.
It says it will allow trains to be scheduled to travel closer to each other while maintaining the highest standards of safety.
Reef Thompson said that is another reason why the EMUs have entered retirement.
"They're implementing that on various sectors of the network, and these older trains aren't compatible with it," he said.
"That's a major transformative project that they're doing, and it will allow them to run more trains," Mr Thompson said.
