Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for maintaining a central queue for sequentially processing data within a distributed processing system. The method and system transports data to a first central queue from one or more remote processing locations for subsequent processing. Each processing location maintains in memory data transported to the first central queue as well as information relating to the data transported. Upon the processing location associated with the first central queue experiencing a failure, a second central queue is created from the data maintained in the memory of each remote processing location. The information relating to the data transported to the first central queue is utilized so that the contents of the second central queue substantially match the contents of the first central queue prior to the failure. In this way, a redundant or backup central queue can be formed without the expense of maintaining dual central queues during normal operation of the distributed processing system.