Traveltrain Holidays� classy coastal trip, Queenslander Class on The Sunlander, has been voted the top long-distance train in Australia by some of the toughest travellers on the tracks � members of the world-wide Society of International Railway Travellers (IRT).

Australia, as a destination, also scored top marks as members of the American-based society � made up of experienced travellers who prefer the comfort, romance and fun of going by first class trains � voted �Down Under� a rail travellers� dream.

According to Owen and Eleanor Hardy, founders of the IRT Society, to make their �Best-Loved List for 2007�, trains had to meet stringent standards for service, accommodation, scenery, itinerary, off-train experience and passenger enjoyment.

�Trains could not pay to be included,� Mr Hardy said. �We choose them.�

In the last 24 years IRT members have evaluated trains all over the world and given their critique to travellers around the world� and it was their vote which saw Queenslander Class on The Sunlander, with its �little touches� and attention to detail, steam ahead to take out top honours ahead of closest rivals � The Ghan and Indian Pacific.

Traveltrain Holidays� premium Queenslander Class was launched on The Sunlander train in April 2003, and offers a glimpse back to travel in a bygone era � with dedicated staff, exclusive dining featuring fresh Queensland produce, entertainment and touches of home all part of the service.

QR�s Group General Manager of Passenger Services, Mike Scanlan, said he was delighted that Queenslander Class experience had won fans amongst such seasoned railway travellers.

�To outclass our Aussie mates, The Ghan and Indian Pacific, and keep company with iconic train journeys like the The Rocky Mountaineer (Canada), Shangri-La Express (Beijing) and Royal Scotsman (Scotland) is something we are justifiably proud of,� he said.

�At Traveltrain Holidays we pride ourselves on delivering a total holiday experience � and this attention to detail from boarding to detraining has been steadily winning fans for the last four years.

�In fact we understand it was the total experience � including a little help from Queensland�s fantastic inland scenery - that contributed to this fantastic result,� he said.

Mr Scanlan maintained he was hopeful Queenslander Class� success on the world stage might rub off at the Australian Tourism Awards next month, where Queenslander Class is up for a national award.

Media Contact: Jodi Clark, Publicist, QR Passenger Services phone +61 7 3235 3862 or +61 405 621 812 email Jodi.Clark@qr.com.au