A derailed train at Nelia is set to have 81 wagons removed from the site within a week, as flood recovery of the Mount Isa rail line continues.
Track repairs are now complete between Oorindi and Tibarri and Queensland Rail's CEO Nick Easy said more than 400 employees and contractors were continuing to focus on the remaining damaged section from Tibarri to Richmond, including building a rail deviation around the derailed Pacific National train.
"Our workers camps at Richmond and Julia Creek are now fully operational and our 400-strong workgroup is surging ahead from east and west, working toward each other in their recovery efforts," he said.
"From the eastern end of the closure, crews continue to undertake track resurfacing and ballast works between Richmond and Nonda, the final step before this 70-kilometre section is also complete.
"Between Nonda and Nelia, formation repairs and track slews continue, and up to 18,000 tonnes of materials such as ballast and rail continue to be delivered in preparation for the track recovery works."
Mr Easy said the recovery of the flood impacted Pacific National train at Nelia was also progressing well, along with the deviation around the train.
"Pacific National's progress at the derailment site has been very positive, with all 81 wagons on track to be removed from the site in the coming week," he said.
"Work to build a 1.2 kilometre rail deviation around the Pacific National train is well underway, with formation works now complete.
"Over the coming weeks, more than 1700 sleepers and 4000 tonnes of ballast are expected to arrive on site to lay the track on the deviation, which will allow us to resume trains through this area in the event the recovery of the Pacific National train site takes longer than the remainder of the line."
Mr Easy said between Quarrells and Nelia, Queensland Rail was planning around wet weather, with geotechnical engineers onsite over the weekend to test compacted layers of soil and arrange key works to be accelerated where possible.