The Western System is located in Southern/South Western Queensland, stretching from Quilpie in the west to Rosewood in the east (the extent of the Brisbane Metropolitan Area). The system caters for all types of traffic. 

The Western System services the Surat Basin coal mines at Macalister and Acland, and Ebenezer. Export coal is carried down the Toowoomba Range through the Brisbane suburban area to the Port of Brisbane. Domestic coal is carried to Swanbank Power Station. 

Coal throughput is expected to increase to 5.6 mtpa in 2007–08. Further demand, up to 10 mtpa, from coal companies is expected if more train paths can be found down the Toowoomba Range and through the suburban system, and capacity expansion occurs at the Port of Brisbane. In the medium- to long-term, the development of Wiggins Island Coal Terminal and a Southern Missing Link (Surat Basin Rail) may provide an alternative corridor for coal from this region. 

QR Network Access is investigating and assessing the feasibility of implementing a number of specific projects to increase the capacity for coal services in the Western System. QR is involved in joint assessments with Queensland Transport to determine the likely implications on the availability of capacity for coal traffic, specifically through the Brisbane metropolitan system. 

Further details of possible expansion projects in the Western System will be included in the 2007 COALRAIL Infrastructure Master Plan.