Queensland may have poached a Pom who does not own a car and who has re-shaped Toronto's rail network over the past five years, to reinvigorate Queensland Rail as its new chief executive officer.

In Toronto, Andy Byford is responsible for getting good rail service for 540 million customers a year with a salary of over $340,000.

Queensland Rail's new chief executive officer is set to be announced in state parliament this week.

Sources close to the search for a new QR boss believe Mr Byford is likely to win the job.