The Spirit of Queensland train service operates between Brisbane and Cairns. It has six carriages that are used by customers. From the front of the train to the back, there are two RailBed carriages, a Café carriage and three carriages with Economy Seats. RailBeds are seats that convert to beds at night time, in a shared carriage. This train also includes accessible seats and spaces and accessible unisex bathrooms plus seating with spaces for assistance animals. There are other carriages that are used for operational purposes that are not accessed by customers such as for luggage storage.

Entry onto the Spirit of Queensland from the platform is via a step. The doorway used to join and leave the train is approximately 840mm wide. Ramps with and without handrails are available to assist with joining and leaving services at most Queensland Rail Travel stations. These are available for use by customers who request assistance. You can do this when booking online, on the phone, or in person with your consultant. The find your station page on our website has more information about station facilities.

The ramps are suitable for people using a mobility device to board this service however, size and weight restrictions apply. To safely access the boarding ramp, please ensure that you, your mobility device and anyone assisting you to navigate the ramp does not exceed 300kg.

The RailBed carriages are at the front end of the train and are Carriages B and C. We’ll start the description of the carriage from the entry door used by people who have booked the Accessible RailBeds, which are in the last row of Carriage B.

Carriage B

In Carriage B, there are 16 RailBeds. There are six rows in total, with one RailBed on one side of the carriage and two on the other side. The first and last rows in the carriage are designed differently with only one RailBed on each side of the carriage. RailBeds 1 to 16 are in Carriage B, with RailBed 16 at the leading end of the carriage and RailBed 1 at the trailing end near the shower and toilet.

In Carriage B, there are two Accessible RailBeds. These are the RailBeds numbered 1 and 2 and are in the last row at the trailing end of the carriage. The Accessible RailBeds have a low side wall height of 420mm. The aisle width between accessible RailBeds is 1200mm. The lower side wall and additional aisle space are the only differences between these Accessible RailBeds and other RailBeds in the carriage. The distance from the Accessible RailBeds to the accessible bathroom is 10 metres. A nearby RailBed is included in the booking of an Accessible RailBed for eligible carers if you require support from a carer during your journey. During travel, mobility devices, if collapsible, can be stored at the end of the carriage in the luggage rack. If a device is not collapsible, an Accessible Space in Carriage E (Economy Seats) must be booked. Many types of mobility devices can be accommodated. In general, dimension limits for mobility devices in Carriage E are 720mm wide by 1200mm long. There is more information available on the Accessibility page of this website or speak to your consultant at the time of booking.

RailBeds numbered 15 and 12, which are located at the leading end of the carriage, may sometimes be booked for customers travelling with an assistance animal. There is enough floor space alongside these RailBeds to comfortably accommodate the animal.

The seat number is displayed on the side of the RailBed, including in braille, at approximately chest height when standing in the aisle. The aisle width between the RailBeds is 650mm and grab rails are located throughout the train on the tops of the RailBeds for your safety.

The RailBed is a seat that converts to a bed for night time. It includes:

• an adjustable (automatic) back and calf rest
• a tray table
• an amenities pack
• bed linen
• an entertainment screen
• a headphone port
• a USB charging port and
• a power point.

The seat back and calf rest can be automatically adjusted via a button panel on the side of the RailBed seat. The Onboard team activates the RailBed transition to change it from a seat to a bed and vice versa. The bed is made up with two pillows, a fitted sheet and a doona. The amenities pack which is provided to RailBed customers contains organic hand cream, hand sanitiser and lip balm as well as a face cloth. This will be on your RailBed at the start of your journey. A bottle of water is provided in the cup holder.

An onboard entertainment system is provided for customers with music, tv shows and movies. Closed captions are provided on much of the entertainment content. The system is controlled via a panel located in the arm of the RailBed and visual content is displayed on a screen in the seat back, while the audio is heard through headphones which are supplied. There is information provided in the seat pocket including a safety card, menu, entertainment guide and headphones. A braille safety card is available for people who are blind and have requested assistance in the booking process. A motion sickness bag is also provided for personal use as required.

Enclosed overhead storage lockers are located above the RailBeds which are for storing carry-on luggage. Passenger information screens are located at one end of each carriage. These screens display the next station and whether the toilet facilities are occupied or vacant. Audio announcements are made throughout the journey where information is shared about the next station and opportunities for refreshments. A hearing loop is available for announcements.

There is a passenger emergency button in the ceiling above the RailBeds at both ends of the seating area of the carriage, which is also indicated in braille. If there is a personal emergency, customers can press this button to alert the Onboard team. An emergency button is located in the toilets and showers as well. Emergency stop handles are located in the ceiling at the front and the back of the RailBed seating area, opposite the emergency assistance buttons. These handles should be used to stop the train only in extreme circumstances. They are also indicated in braille. Penalties apply for misuse.

To move from the RailBed seating area to the toilets and shower, press the ‘Open door’ button on the side of the door, which is at around waist height and includes braille signage. In this area of the carriage, there are luggage racks, a unisex toilet and water fountain. Luggage racks are available for carry-on items. The unisex toilet also contains a basin and hand wash, mirror, baby change table, emergency button and power point. The narrowest point of the corridor is 800mm, and there is a slight bend. Grab rails are available for your safety.

The accessible unisex bathroom is located at the end of Carriage B. The bathroom features:

• a toilet with a height of 470mm
• a hand basin
• a mirror
• a shower which is height adjustable; the shower has a seat that is 470mm high, 750mm long and 370mm wide and body wash is provided
• grab rails
• an emergency button and
• a power point.

The entry door to the accessible bathroom opens with the press of a button and is 780mm wide when open. There is braille signage on the left of the door and buttons on both sides. The door can be closed by pressing the ‘close’ button on the wall on the right as you enter the toilet, under the grab rail. A lock lever must be turned to secure the door. The bathroom floor width is 1500mm and the length is 2200mm.

Please discuss your specific requirements with your travel consultant to determine if you will be able to safely use the service.

Next, we’ll move through the gangway into Carriage C, the second RailBed carriage. To enter this carriage, press the ‘open door’ button on the left at approximately shoulder height and which includes braille signage.

Carriage C

In Carriage C, there are 19 RailBeds. There are seven rows, with one RailBed on one side of the carriage and two on the other side. The first and last rows in the carriage are designed differently with only one RailBed on each side of the carriage. RailBed 19 is at the leading end of the carriage and RailBed 1 is at the trailing end of the carriage near the showers and toilet.

Carriage C has the same features that were described in Carriage B. Carriage C does not have any accessible RailBeds or an accessible bathroom. Carriage C has two unisex toilets on one side of the hallway and a shower on the other side. The unisex toilets have baby change tables, basin and hand wash, mirror, baby change table, emergency button and power point. The unisex shower also has body wash, a mirror, a fold down chair, an emergency button and a power point.

At the end of Carriage C, there are entry and exit doors leading to the platform and a gangway leading into the next carriage which is the Spirit of Queensland Café.

To move into the Spirit of Queensland Café from Carriage C, press the ‘open door’ button on the left at approximately shoulder height. Braille signage is included.

The Spirit of Queensland Café is a shared space for socialising, enjoying a meal, snack or drink, and spending time in an alternative space to your allocated seat. There is a Café counter where a selection of hot and cold meals, snacks, soft drinks, coffee, beer and wine can be purchased. Merchandise and souvenirs are also available to buy.

In the Café carriage, there are six seating booths, with three on each side of the carriage. The seats face inwards into the middle of the carriage. Each booth of seating has a small bar table in front.

A selection of cold food and drinks is available from the fridges via a self-service system and payment can be made at the counter. There is also hot food and drink available at the Café counter. The Onboard team can provide an in-seat service to customers who cannot access the Café. Please discuss any assistance requests with your consultant at the time of booking.

The Café carriage has a passenger emergency button if assistance from the Onboard team is required and an emergency stop handle, which will stop the train if needed in extreme circumstances. These emergency features are located in the ceiling at the end of the Café carriage near the doorway to Carriage C.

To move through the Spirit of Queensland Café to Carriage E there is a long, narrow corridor which is approximately 500mm wide, and runs down the side of the kitchen area used by the Onboard team. At the end of the corridor there are doors used to join and leave the train and a gangway leading to Carriage E. Grab rails are in place for safety.

Carriage E

Carriage E is the first of the Economy Seat carriages. It has nine rows of Economy Seats followed by Accessible Seats and Spaces. There are 32 Economy Seats and 3 Accessible Spaces. There are two seats on each side of the carriage, except in the last two rows where there are single seats on the windows. Seats are numbered from 8 to 43, with Seat 8 at the trailing end of the carriage and Seat 43 at the front (near the Café). Accessible Spaces are numbered 1, 3 and 9 and are located at the trailing end of the carriage. These spaces can be used to travel in, or store, a mobility device such as a wheelchair or scooter.

We will explore the Accessible Seats and Spaces first. Accessible Seats are numbered 8 and 11 and are located at the trailing end of the carriage. The aisle width between Accessible Seats 8 and 11 is 1650mm.

A nearby Economy Seat is included in the booking of an Accessible Economy Seat or Space for eligible carers if you require support from a carer during your journey. Accessible Seats have the same features as other Economy Seats and also have armrests that can raise to help facilitate transfers if needed.

Accessible Space 1 is at the trailing end of the carriage. It is 1150mm wide and 1900mm long. It is on the right hand side in the direction of travel. Accessible Space 3 is on the left-hand side in the direction of travel. It is 550mm wide and 2100mm long. Note that there is no space labelled number 2.

Accessible Spaces 1 and 3 have access to an entertainment screen, a seat pocket containing a safety card and a passenger emergency button to alert the Onboard team that assistance is required. A portable staff call button and reading light are also provided in Accessible Spaces 1 and 3.

Accessible Space 9 is on the right-hand side in the direction of travel. The space is 550mm wide and 1200mm long. This Accessible Space has access to an entertainment screen and a portable passenger emergency button to alert the Onboard team that assistance is required. Note that there are no Accessible Spaces labelled between 4 and 7.

For safety reasons, it is recommended that mobility devices are secured using tie down straps. We ask that customers let our team know their preference when booking or on the day of travel. If using tie-down straps, the Onboard team can secure or release these when the train is stationary throughout the journey.

The Economy Seats can recline and include:

• footrest
• tray table
• armrests which can be raised
• entertainment screen
• headphone port
• USB charging port
• reading light
• power point.

The seat number is displayed above each seat, including in braille, just below the opening for the overhead luggage compartment.

An onboard entertainment system is provided for customers with music, tv shows and movies. Closed captions are provided on much of the entertainment content. The system is controlled via a panel located in the arm of the seat and visual content is displayed on a screen in the seat back, while the audio is heard through headphones which are supplied.

There is information provided in the seat pocket including a safety card, menu, entertainment guide and headphones. A braille safety card is available for people who are blind and have requested assistance in the booking process. A motion sickness bag is also provided for personal use as required.

The Economy Seats in the first row of the leading end of Carriage E are slightly different to other seats in this carriage. The footrest is attached to the wall (as opposed to retracting from the seat in front) and the Onboard team will assist to install a tray table when required.

Seats 40 and 43 may be booked for customers travelling with an assistance animal. There is enough floor space alongside these seats to comfortably accommodate the animal. These seats are located at the leading end of the carriage.

The aisle width between the seats is 485mm. Grab rails are available on the top of each seat to help you move around the carriage safely. Passenger information display screens are at one end of each carriage. These screens show the next station and whether the toilet facilities are occupied or vacant. Audio announcements are made throughout the journey including information about the next station. A hearing loop is available for announcements.

Passenger emergency buttons to alert the Onboard team that assistance is needed and emergency stop handles to stop the train in extreme circumstances are located in the ceiling at both ends of Carriage E.

To move out of the seating area of Carriage E and towards the area where the shower and toilets are located, press the ‘Open door’ button (braille signage included), on the left of the door and at approximately waist-level. The door will slide open. There are luggage racks available for carry-on items.

There is a unisex toilet that also contains a basin and hand wash, a mirror, a baby change table, an emergency button and a power point. The narrowest point of the corridor is 800mm. There is a filtered water fountain in the corridor next to the unisex toilet. Grab rails are available for safety.

The accessible unisex bathroom is at the end of Carriage E. This bathroom features:

• a toilet with a height of 470mm
• a hand basin
• a mirror
• a shower which is height adjustable; the shower has a seat that is 470mm high, 750mm long and 370mm wide
• a body wash dispenser
• an emergency button
• and a power point.

The entry door to the accessible bathroom opens with the press of a button and is 780mm wide when open. There is braille signage on the left of the door and buttons on both sides. The door can be closed by pressing the ‘close’ button on the wall on the right as you enter the toilet, under the grab rail, and a lock lever must be turned. The bathroom floor width is 1500mm and the length is 2200mm.

At the trailing end of Carriage E, there are doors to join and leave the train. These doors are 840mm wide. Next we’ll move through the gangway from Carriage E into Carriage F. To enter this carriage, press the ‘open door’ button on the left at approximately shoulder height and which includes braille signage.

Carriage F

Carriage F is another Economy Seat carriage. It has 13 rows with 51 seats in total. There are two seats on each side of the carriage, except for the back row where there is a single seat on one side and two on the other. The seats are numbered from 1 to 51. Seat 1 is at the trailing end of the carriage and seat 51 is at the front (nearer to Carriage E).

The seats and features in Carriage F are the same as those in Carriage E. However, there are no Accessible Seats or Spaces in Carriage F and it does not have an accessible bathroom. Instead, there are two unisex toilets on one side and a shower on the other. The toilets have baby change tables. The unisex shower has body wash, a mirror, a fold down chair, an emergency button and a power point.

At the end of Carriage F there are entry and exit doors leading to the platform and a gangway leading into Carriage G.

Carriage G

Carriage G is the last carriage of the Spirit of Queensland and has Economy Seats. It has exactly the same layout as Carriage F.

That brings us to the end of the descriptive tour of the Spirit of Queensland. We hope you found it useful to assist with planning your journey and look forward to welcoming you on board soon!