"It took 37 years to bring annual coal railings up to 100 million tonnes per annum. It took only six more to increase them by a further 50% to the current record haulage level. And the year isn't over yet," Queensland transport minister Paul Lucas said.

QR chief Bob Scheuber said the growth was expected to continue, with the company anticipating hauling 200Mtpa by 2007-08.

QR has had a busy year, recently securing an international tender to transport up to 10Mt of coal in the Hunter Valley region.

The company plans to spend $A3.5 billion over the next five years on rail infrastructure projects, fleet upgrades and additions.