In March 1993 Queensland Rail issued a tender for the construction of two electric six-carriage tilting trains. In October 1994 a contract was awarded to Walkers, Maryborough with Hitachi to supply the electrical and tilting equipment. After an extensive program, on 6 November 1998 Australia's first pair of tilting trains entered service on the Spirit of Capricorn between Brisbane and Rockhampton. With a journey time of seven hours, they shaved over two hours from the schedule operated by InterCity Express sets. In July 1999 a second daily service was introduced between Brisbane and Bundaberg. Using traction equipment based on the JR Shikoku 8000 series trains, the Tilt Train set an Australian train speed record of north of Bundaberg in May 1999, a record that still stands. This also makes it the fastest narrow-gauge train in the world. In 2006 the electric sets underwent an $8.3 million refurbishment program at Mayne depot. In 2015 the tilt train sets again undertook refurbishment over the course of 12 months with the addition of high visibility yellow doors, and a modification of the front ends. The traction packages were given a complete overhaul to extend the life of the tilt train. The trains also had Wi-fi installed to enable wireless internet for passengers. The first refurbished set re-entered service in July 2016. The second refurbished set re-entered service in July 2017.
Routes
Rockhampton
Commencing in 1998, the electric Tilt Train operates from Brisbane to Rockhampton. With a top service speed of and the ability to tilt five degrees in each direction, the Tilt Train is one of the fastest trains in Australia, having the same maximum allowed service speed as the V/Line VLocity train which operates in Victoria. The train operates the on the North Coast line and serves the intermediate towns of Gympie, Maryborough West railway station, Bundaberg and Gladstone. The Electric Tilt Trains run in a multiple unit configuration. The electric Tilt Train features 2×2 economy seating, and 1×2 business class seating, mainscreen visual entertainment along with in-seat audio entertainment. Economy class passengers have a regular trolley service and a buffet style galley food service, while business class has a frequent trolley service and passenger attendants to tend to the needs of the passengers.
Bundaberg
A service from Roma Street to Bundaberg began in 2014.
