<p>All QR services were running again in all Central Queensland coal systems today after flood damage to tracks was repaired and operations at the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal continued without disruption.</p> <p>Flooding in the region last week and over the weekend had not affected the terminal, a spokesman for operator Babcock and Brown said today (Monday, January 21).</p> <p>Flooding in central Queensland forced Queensland Rail to halt coal transport in the Newlands and Goonyella coal networks late last week, with mines forced to close and rail lines cut.</p> <p>The Newlands system was forced to close after flooding between Bowen and Collinsville affected the line on Thursday evening.</p> <p>QR worked quickly to repair damage to rail lines and the Newlands System was open to traffic again by 3.40 pm on Friday.</p> <p>In the Goonyella System, coal services were affected between Coppabella and South Walker Junction, but were also re-opened Friday after track gangs worked on site. </p> <p>Trains had been restricted to 60 km/h in the system as a general safety precaution, a spokeswoman for QR said.</p> <p>Further south, there had also been disruptions to services on the Rolleston branch line. </p> <p>Five trains were forced to stop last week after flooding cut the line between Memooloo and Rolleston.</p> <p>The Rolleston line reopened on Saturday with speed restrictions applying.</p> <p>Services to affected mines have been reduced on request of QRNational Coal customers.</p> <p>A QR spokeswoman said this afternoon that the company hoped to resume normal operations as soon as possible. </p> <p>Where possible, services had been re-scheduled to other mines, she said.</p> <p>Two truck drivers were rescued on Saturday after their vehicle was swamped by three metres of water near Therese Creek, north of Emerald.</p> <p>SES volunteers rescued the men from the swamped rig, after they spent the night trapped in the vehicle in rising floodwaters.</p> <p>More than 450 people have left their homes in Emerald, where the swollen Nogoa River was expected to peak this afternoon.</p> <br />
