QUEENSLAND Rail says it is meeting with freight operators to support load management after flooding brought about by ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
The rail operator says it has mobilised crews and contractors from across the state to support an extensive recovery effort.
According to QR, due to the magnitude of recent rainfall, the Mount Isa line remains closed from Gemoka West to Undina and the Central West line remains closed between Emerald and Winton.
Queensland Rail head of regional Scott Cornish said he was proud of the effort of all the "hardworking North Queensland crews".
“Inspections have identified significant damage across the network, including major washouts, scouring, debris and damaged rail,” Mr Cornish said.
“Floodwaters are slowly receding on the Mount Isa line, where 56 sites have been identified for repairs and 13 kilometres of track have been damaged.
“As the weather event continues to unfold, we are unable to confirm recovery timeframes at this stage for our Mount Isa and Central West lines.”
Mr Cornish said crews had been working “around the clock” to undertake detailed planning to ensure resources and materials were deployed efficiently.
“Thanks to weather monitoring stations across the network, which detect and send early warning signals to our network control centre, our crews were able to assist in repositioning trains to safe locations before the rain hit,” he said.
“In areas where rain has passed and floodwaters have receded, crews have commenced inspections and recovery works using specialised machinery, including hi-rail vehicles, ballast trains and bog mats.
“On the North Coast line, crews have used 1300 tonnes of ballast to complete washout, scouring and resurfacing works. This was supported by three excavators and a loader to restore and prepare it for reopening.”
Mr Cornish said they would continue to keep their customers, freight operators and the community informed of updates.
A Port of Townsville spokesperson said the port was "aware the Mount Isa Rail Line between Port of Townsville and the North West Minerals province remains closed as it undergoes repairs following flooding in the region".
"Some customers are trucking their product to the Port while the rail line remains closed, and depending on the length of the closure, there may be some minor disruptions to the volume of cargo moved through the Port," the spokesperson said.
“The port understands coastal rail infrastructure to the south of Townsville has been restored and is operational.”