THE iconic Westlander finally returns to the South-West next Tuesday (July 14) but it won’t be like it used to be.
Instead of the passenger train doing two return services a week between Brisbane and Charleville, there’ll only be one return service.
News of the Westlander coming back was initially greeted enthusiastically by long-time locals including Charleville tour guide Rachel Wilson.
“A welcome relief to see the train rolling back into town again,” Ms Wilson, who runs tours of the historic Hotel Corones, told 4RR-FM today.
However, we’ve since learnt of the new arrangements from Queensland Rail, which will almost certainly disappoint residents and tourism industry figures.
The Westlander has been out of action for almost three months after an accident at a level crossing at Jondaryan on the Darling Downs.
The situation has been compounded by protracted industrial action, impacting on passenger rail services throughout the entire QR network.
Since its commissioning in the early 1950s, Westlander has provided a vital link for many locals with Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane.
The train also once ran to both Cunnamulla and Quilpie until the State Government axed those services in the 1990s.
PHOTO: Morven’s deserted railway station…devoid of any passenger trains for almost three months.
POSTED: Wednesday, July 8, 2026