Truckie faces trial over fatal train crash

A truck driver charged over the deaths of two train drivers in a far north Queensland crash will face trial next year.

Michael Joseph Nugent was driving a truck that hit a train at a Bruce Highway level crossing south of Cairns in November 2008.

He is charged over the deaths of Townsville train drivers Richard Wetherell and Michael Smithers.

On Tuesday, the 67-year-old's case was briefly mentioned in the Cairns District Court, where his trial was set down for February 23.

Nugent, who is on bail, did not appear in court.

About 80 passengers were on board the train, which was travelling from Brisbane to Cairns, when the crash happened.

The engine rolled in the collision but the passenger carriages remained upright, although one other person was seriously injured in the crash.