The iconic Kuranda Scenic Railway will reopen today after QR’s head of safety gave the service the all clear.

The first service will leave Cairns Friday 7 May at 8:30am, and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall is encouraging tourists and residents to get on board.

Greg Ford, QR’s Corporate General Manager Safety, said a final test run today confirmed the service was safe to operate.

“Since the landslip on 26 March we have had an extensive geotechnical review of the track, we have undertaken a full risk assessment of our operations, and today we have completed test runs along the track,” Mr Ford said.

‘Where required we have put in place additional safety measures such as speed restrictions and increased track inspections.”

Andrew Kennedy, QR’s General Manager Tourist Trains, said QR, staff and local tourism operators were pleased to see the full service returning to operations.

“The shuttle services that we operated in the past week have been a welcome boost to local businesses, but we are very pleased to be able to announce the full Kuranda Scenic Railway is back on track.”

Barron River MP Steve Wettenhall said it was “full steam ahead” for the service in time for the peak tourist season during winter.

“Tourists flocked to shuttle services between Kuranda and Barron Falls over the long weekend, with more than 1700 passengers,” Mr Wettenhall said.

“Local businesses told us the shuttle services were a welcome boost, but they are looking forward to the full service reopening.

“I am pleased to see that will happen tomorrow, and I am looking forward to the many thousands of tourists who will get to experience this incredible attraction,” he said.

QR is working with industry partners including Tourism Kuranda, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism Queensland to promote the service reopening.

Tickets on the service are available from the Kuranda Scenic Rail booking office or Tourism Tropical North Queensland travel partners.

Further information can be obtained from the Kuranda Scenic Rail booking office on (07) 4036 9333 or visit the website http://www.ksr.com.au