Due to years of neglect much of the network was m poor shape. The railways however were unprepared for the role which they were to be called on as at the end of 1941 war broke out with Japan in the Pacific. Until this stage the war had not seriously affected the workings of the Queensland Railways. Overnight this situation changed. Railway staff leave was suspended in December of 1941, as the realisation took hold that the defence of North Australia would be based on utilising the North Coast Railway.
The difficulties experienced by railway personnel were extreme at this stage. Running extra trains was possible by reducing turn-around time, running engines beyond the normal times for maintenance and overhaul, and finally by running locomotives in need of repair. Old locomotives stored during the depression were returned to traffic. There had been little recruitment of staff during the depression years and many men had to defer retirement during the war.
The railway workers had borne a major role in the defense of Australia and had played in many ways a near heroic role in keeping the trains going …
ttp://www.corporate.qr.com.au/history/rebuilding/rebuilding.asp