Queensland's fast but silent Tilt Train

By ARNOLD PICKMERE

The strange thing about Queensland Rail's Tilt Train is that when it starts moving it feels sort of comforting. In the business-class carriage you recline in an aircraft-like seat, with a foot-rest, fold-down tables, air-conditioning, video screens.

And there is this smooth acceleration as you head down the runway - oops, tracks. The difference soon becomes apparent. There's none of that incessant noise you get in an aircraft, especially as it takes off.

None of that discomfort from the pressure changes as the aircraft climbs and descends from altitude.

Now that is not to decry the singular benefit of aviation - speed.

But the electrically driven Tilt Train is intriguing for several reasons. And the first is the quiet.

The carriages (and the business class is right in front, just behind the driver) are so well insulated that you can hear a person turning the pages of a newspaper halfway up the carriage.

Three rows up a lady peeled a banana. I had never realised you could hear a banana being peeled before, but our family includes two student offspring whose music usually drowns out such important events.

So quiet, it made one wary of emitting bodily sounds normally considered uncouth.

The Tilt Train, which came into service a couple of years ago, is a high-speed train run on a narrow gauge similar to that in New Zealand. It can achieve speeds of up to 160 km/h.

It leans into the curves allowing an extra 25 per cent in speed around bends. Computers and compressed air combine in this advanced technology.

It is extremely effective, as well, in stopping sideways motion in the carriages.

And it reduces to seven hours the nine hours and 20 minutes the 550km journey between Rockhampton in central Queensland and Brisbane used to take.

It will be obvious from these times that top speed is not average speed.

The reason is that the tracks, in addition to bends, are not level enough lengthways for continuous high speed. Indeed at speed on some sections of the track, the backs of unoccupied seats tend to move backwards and forwards slightly. Obviously the train deserves a track laid with the precision now available from technology.

The train has a meal service in business class and snacks in the five economy-class carriages. The meals in business may not have quite the sophisticated look of some airline food. But on the plus side they don't taste like them either.

Very pleasant, accompanied by a glass of wine, zipping quietly through the countryside, sun shining through the scenic windows while I doze.

Although this train is fast this is not a journey for someone in a hurry.

The train stops five times between Rockhampton and Brisbane. But only for a minute or two at each stop.

The only reason this can be a trifle irritating is that the Australian authorities seemed obsessed with insisting on public service messages.

"No smoking is permitted on the train. Smoke detectors have been installed in all areas." And you hear it every time someone new gets on.

But the trip is worth a try, even if you smoke.

As I went in search of my suitcase on the platform in Brisbane a woman clambered out of her carriage and stumbled over to a supporting platform pillar.

"Oh my, thank goodness for that," she said, as trembling hands sought to light her cigarette.

"You don't mean to tell me you got on at Rockhampton," I said.

"I most certainly did," she exclaimed with great feeling. Could be a while before she takes another seven-hour smokeless trip, I thought.

* The tilt train costs $A67 ($82) for adult economy Brisbane to Rockhampton and $A152 ($186) for business.