- The last of Queensland Rail's iconic retro trains, the Electric Multiple Units, is retiring this week.
- Electric Multiple Units have progressively retired over the last seven years following 46 years of service on the tracks.
- The public can catch a final ride of EMU59 to farewell the last of a generation over a special 'End of the Line Tour' this weekend (Saturday 5 July).
PHOTOS AND VISION
After more than four decades of service, the last of Queensland Rail's beloved Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) - the first electric train fleet on the network - will make its final journey on the tracks.
Introduced in 1979, the EMUs revolutionised Queensland's rail system, ushering in a new era of electric-powered train travel. The trains have been progressively retired from service since 2018, with the last one left, EMU59, to have its swan song on Saturday 5 July.
With their distinctive retro design and unmistakeable character, the fleet has earned a special place in the hearts of generations of customers and rail enthusiasts, even appearing in television blockbusters like Netflix's Boy Swallows Universe and a recent rolling art exhibition.
The rail network will continue to be serviced by the New Generation Rollingstock and Queensland Rail's Interurban Multiple Units and Suburban Multiple Units with the addition of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program fleet set for future delivery.
To honour their legacy, the EMUs' 'End of the Line' tour will run this Saturday 5 July departing from Roma Street station and run on the Caboolture, Ipswich, Ferny Grove and Shorncliffe lines, stopping all stations giving the public a last chance to ride the rails aboard the icon.
EMU01 and EMU04 are in place at Ipswich Workshops where they are stored safely. One EMU (EMU 21) was also gifted to the Queensland Fire Department for their training facility at the Port of Brisbane.
Queensland Rail Executive General Manager of Operations Rob Hill recognised the significant service EMUs have provided to Queensland Rail customers over the decades.
“These trains were a symbol of progress in their time as our great state was emerging and developing its own identity and they will always be remembered for the role they played in shaping rail in Queensland," Mr Hill said.
“Many members of the public came out to celebrate EMU01's retirement in 2019 so we are looking forward to recreating some of that excitement again on Saturday and ensuring the final unit, EMU59, gets the send-off it deserves.
“Rail in Queensland keeps rolling on and with every decade we see that revolution continue with upgraded stations, Cross River Rail, new tracks to the Sunshine Coast and brand-new trains to come online soon, but it's important we recognise and celebrate our heritage.
“We already have some units set aside at the Ipswich Workshops for possible commemorative offerings in the future, so the community can retain that heritage."
Make sure you head to Queensland Rail's Facebook page for more information on this historic final victory lap.
FAST FACTS
- Each EMU train has travelled almost 12 million kilometres across the South East Queensland network since their introduction, with the fleet transporting customers during the Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo '88 and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
- The EMU fleet was manufactured in Queensland, at Walkers Maryborough, with a total of 88 units delivered between 1979 and 1987. On 4 September 1979, the state's first electric train EMU01 made its debut on the newly electrified section of track between Roma Street and Corinda stations for testing with first timetabled services starting on 19 November 1979.
- While retirement of the EMUs began in 2018, the first EMU (EMU01) retired in 2019 and is currently being stored at Ipswich Workshops.
ENDS