Gladstone coal slows as rail lines remain cut
Part of Queensland's Blackwater rail system could remain closed until Tuesday, severely disrupting the supply of coal to the port of Gladstone.
A section of the track south-west of Rockhampton was damaged on Tuesday after the derailment of a Pacific National coal train.
"At this stage, we are hoping to resume coal train services on one line of the dual track by Monday but rain is forecast over the coming days and this may delay the process," a spokeswoman for Queensland Rail said.
"It will take longer for the second line to become operational."
The disruption to the line has affected access to the port of Gladstone, which closed all its operations for more than 24 hours on Monday because of poor visibility and strong winds.
Shipments are continuing but stockpiles will run low by early next week.
