Cairns Kuranda Steam is a privately funded third party rail operator currently accredited to operate trains on Queensland's narrow gauge network. Current core business is operating the Savannahlander Tourist Railcar Services between Cairns and Forsayth. This service operates under a contract to the Department of Transport and Main Roads. CKS owns three small diesel hydraulic locomotives which are available for hire, and have in the past been hired to other operators for terminal work. CKS also provide rail services to Pacific National Queensland. Tasks include operating the Woree intermodal terminal, crewing intermodal trains on the network between Cairns and Townsville, and offering maintenance services. CKS have crews that are route competent between Townsville and Forsayth.
The CKS vision is to expand into a dedicated short haul operator, based around the Cairns Region. Offering low operating overheads, CKS believe it is possible to haul freight and loadings considered unattractive to the larger operators. Ultimately, the business will need to be able to sustain operations independent of the government railcar contract. A significant constraint to expansion is the difficulty in obtaining locally sourced Narrow Gauge Rollingstock, the limitations imposed by the standard of the local railway infrastructure - both issues that will require considerable investment in resources to overcome.
