Darra Station - upgrade

[ozbob]

Darra Station will be upgraded.

Some photographs around Darra Saturday 4th October.  Soon to change.







Looking west the new mainline is well established now.





Photographs R Dow 4 October 2008

[ozbob]

Latest on Darra ...

In late November 2008, work is expected to start on widening the Manburgh Terrace rail overbridge at Darra. This will involve lane closures under the bridge between Railway Parade and Manburgh Terrace, including:

?         intermittent single lane closures on weekdays and during peak periods

?         full lane closures on weekends only (outside peak times).

Further details of these works will be available within the month.

Construction of the Darra station upgrade will start in early 2009.

[ozbob]

The present platform 4 road will go when the station upgrade is complete.



This rail bridge is to be upgraded from double to quadruple track capacity.



The bus stop down side (the PID doesn't photograph well, working normally).



Photographs R Dow 31st October 2008

[ozbob]

Some more photographs of Darra.  Upgrade to commence January 2009.



















Photographs R Dow 23rd December 2008

[ozbob]

The station upgrade is about to start in earnest.  Good bye to the old Darra precinct. 







































Photographs R Dow 21st March 2009

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
29/04/2009

Darra station revamp underway

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today announced the start of major works to revamp Darra Railway station.

The Darra station upgrade is part of the Government's $189 million Corinda to Darra Rail Upgrade project, which involves constructing two new tracks between Corinda and Darra and upgrades to Oxley and Darra stations.

"Darra Station, which first opened in 1876, will undergo a major transformation to renew its look, feel and functionality," Ms Nolan said.

"A key feature of the upgrade is improved access for people with disabilities, mothers with strollers, the elderly and cyclists. This will include two new lifts, a new access ramp and three additional disabled car parking spaces.

"When the upgrade is complete in mid-2010 there will be wheelchair access to all platforms, providing easy entry to the QR network.

"Other features of the upgrade include a new side platform, 60 more car parks, new shelters, electronic passenger information, additional lighting, security cameras and landscaping.

"Cyclists will also benefit from the upgrade with a new cycle path to the station from the Centenary Highway and 40 extra bike lockers.

"There are other changes taking place as part of the upgrade. The bus stop and taxi rank in Railway Parade will be temporarily relocated in the near future to Darra Station Road to allow construction to get underway on the new platform.

"Manburgh Terrace Bridge is also being widened to accommodate the two new tracks."

Members for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mount Ommaney Julie Attwood today welcomed the start of work on the upgrade.

Ms Palaszczuk said the completed station would provide a significant benefit to the local community.

"It's an exciting time to live in this area. The Bligh Government is focused on delivering quality public transport for our region," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The Corinda to Darra upgrade will be complimented by the new Darra to Springfield railway line which includes the $40 million new Richlands station.

"These major pieces of infrastructure will put our region in an excellent position for future growth," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Mrs Attwood said the upgraded Darra station would be a first class facility offering easy and comfortable access to public transport for this community.

"This major upgrade for our local station is evidence that the Bligh Government aware of the potential this area has," Mrs Attwood said.

"These projects will have the added benefit of stimulating the local economy thus creating jobs for local businesses."

The number of tracks at Darra station will increase from two to four, providing additional freight and passenger rail capacity on the busy western rail corridor and catering for Richlands rail service which starts in 2011.

Ms Nolan said the Corinda to Darra Rail Upgrade project would create around 1500 jobs during design and construction.

While there would be changed pedestrian access to the station, passenger services would not be disrupted during the working week.

"Pedestrian access changes will be clearly signposted and additional staff will be available to assist passengers," Ms Nolan said.

"We would like to thank passengers in advance for their patience while this important work is carried out."

General project information: 1800 680 385 (freecall) or visit www.qr.com.au/seqip.

Passenger service, including disability access enquiries: 13 16 17

[Jon Bryant]

The upgrades are great but whay are they not done in coordination with the local community/Council to create development/pulic squares adjacent to them such as the one below. Instead we are left with a car park, a poorly lit road and a couple of houses.  The state and local governments are not taking public transport serious until they believe that every station should have such surrounding development as a minimum.  Meanwhile more car parks are being planned whch makes the stations extremely dangerous outside peak hour.  Our stations should be the heart of our communities not the No Go Zone.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Overhaul of Darra Railway Station begins

Overhaul of Darra Railway Station begins
Tony Moore
April 30, 2009 - 6:06AM

Sixty new car parks and 40 extra cycle lockers are included in plans for the new Darra train station, which started to undergo a major upgrade yesterday.

The overhaul is part of the State Government's plans to spend $189 million to add two new rail lines between Corinda and Darra and make changes to Oxley and Darra stations.

The improvements include better access for people with disabilities, mothers with strollers, the elderly and cyclists via two new lifts and three additional disabled car parking spaces.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said when the Darra upgrade was finished in mid-2010 it would also have wheelchair access to all platforms.

"Other features of the upgrade include a new side platform, the 60 more car parks, new shelters, electronic passenger information, additional lighting and security cameras," Ms Nolan said.

Nearby Manburgh Terrace Bridge is also being widened to accommodate the two new tracks.

The new $40 million train station at Richlands - the first phase of a rail line to Springfield - is also under construction and should be finished by 2011.

[ozbob]

Darra concept plan click --> here!  PDF

The subway closes from Tuesday 5th May.












Looking in an up direction from the foot bridge.  Embankment works for the Richlands line is starting to take shape.






Work has started on the extra bridge works for the additional two tracks.

















The parking spaces opposite the shops will be lost as the new platform is constructed.





Photographs R Dow 3rd May 2009

[mufreight]

One would question the full closing of the subway.
To close the Railway Parade end makes sense but there is no practical reason why it could not remain open from the Manburgh Terrace entrance to the access point to platforms 1 and 2 so as to minimise the inconvenience for passengers, many in the district are elderly and for them to access the platforms by means of the footbridge is a considerable deterrent to them using the train.
Obviously someone should have given this one a little more thought.

[Mozz]

Have to back up MU with this one. The absolute incredible debacle surrounding the Oxley footbridge suggests those responsible for project management of major upgrades need to be more cognisant of the local community and the commuting public.

Oxley footbridge is a well utilized local thoroughfare connecting the local Oxley community and well used by the rail travelling public.

Initial community consultation indicated the old footbridge would be decommissioned in August 2008 and the new one commissioned by 18 December 2008.

Local community and commuting public were accepting of the situation as presented initially.

However it  is now the 3 May 2009 and the footbridge is not commissioned.

Residents and the commuting public deserve better.

Whispers suggest there are issues with the footbridge, or the design, or the implementation or something else more significant which may result in months, yes potentially months more delay.

I have asked state and local politicians to become involved, I have also asked SEQIP but no responses as yet?..

[mufreight]

Although there were problems with soil and getting a foundation at Oxley it might have been preferable for a subway to have been built in preference to the overbridge, could have been built with ramps instead of stairs and would have provided disability conforming access both from the car park and from Ellen Street.

[ozbob]

Darra presently only has disability access to/from platform 2.  I understand that individual transport will be provided for disabled people who are no longer able to access or leave Darra station, to/from Oxley station. 

The situation with the subway at Darra is difficult.  They are putting in lifts which requires its closure.  Yes, better if it could have been kept open but guess not.  All attempts are being made to accommodate people as their needs dictate by QR and Trackstar.

As for the new Oxley foot bridge, I had a good look at it today.  Looks fine to me and ready to use.  I understand there have been some concerns with the brightness (too bright) of the lights on the bridge at night (this should be easily fixed by the use of some sort of shade on the lights).  I am not sure what the other issues might be that appear to be holding up the commissioning of the bridge.

[ozbob]

Some updates around Darra.













Photographs mufreight 8th May 2009

[ozbob]

Track closure this weekend, Sherwood to Rosewood.  Called into Darra, found punters waiting for trains on the platform!

Signs in place, seems some folks just don't see them!


















BBL Bus substitution over the weekend.  Temporary stop at Darra.



Photographs R Dow 24th May 2009

[ozbob]

Darra Station all subway access will be closed Tuesday 9th June 2009 till mid 2010.  All access to and from platforms via foot bridge.

If patrons have a disability and need assistance, contact the Passenger Service Hotline

* Telephone (24 hours) 3606 5555
* Text messaging service (24 hours) 0405 322 591

[ozbob]

Suburban services not running between Darra and Roma St.  Diesel hauled trains still running through to Corinda.

Some photographs around Darra this morning.  All going well but as expected some unhappy punters.  I watched the pax transfer from terminating down train at Darra to the buses.

QR Passenger Staff, security staff and TTOs all in attendance. Is well organised but I expect many not aware of the closures.

Highlight for me is the down coalies (full) running on the UP line.  This is an unusual working.  The last few photographs show a down coalie on the UP!  

































Photographs R Dow 6th June 2009

[ozbob]

Buses waiting for pax this morning at Darra.  It is a major effort this long weekend.









Photographs R Dow 7th June 2009

[david]

Noticed that the rail line next to Platform 4 has been blocked off by a red board. I'll be sad to see it go...

In an unrelated matter, I possibly witnessed the fastest turnaround of a QR Citytrain ever. It took 1 minute 20 seconds from when the train got to Darra to when it departed on an inbound service. Shows that there's really no need for massive turnaround times...

[ozbob]

Some updates from Darra.  




Work proceeding for platform one, platform one last used for trains May 1979.  Platform one will become two, when the new platform UP is constructed.




Platform 4 road to see trains no more, rails already rusted.









Photographs R Dow 27th June 2009

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Grenade found at Darra train station

Grenade found at Darra train station
Christine Kellett
July 8, 2009 - 3:28PM

Army personnel have removed a hand grenade found at a south west Brisbane construction site today.

Police called in army ordnance officers after specialist bomb squad police became tied up at a separate incident at nearby Forest Lake, where a suspect electrical device was found in house in Claremont Parade. The area was evacuated but the device proved to be nothing, police said.

An army spokesman said the grenade was unearthed by construction workers on a site near the Darra railway station this afternoon.

It is not known whether the grenade was live, however the area was previously used as a World War II training ground.

The spokesman said the grenade had been removed and would be safely disposed of.

"The construction workers did the right thing and did not touch it but called police," he said.

[ozbob]

Darra is slowly changing ...






















Work proceeding on the rail overbridge at Manburgh Tce





Photographs R Dow 19th July 2009

[ozbob]

Work goes on at Darra.  Looking radically different now ...














EMU79 looking fresh out of the workshops on a test run stops at Darra



Photographs R Dow 30th August 2009

[ozbob]

Darra, major construction zone ..



















Photographs R Dow 26th September 2009

[ozbob]

The base for the branch line in UP direction from the foot bridge





The new platform 1 line is now evident.







Photographs R Dow 11th October 2009

"The next train to Richlands is departing platform 1 in two minutes and a year or so ...."   

[WTN]

"The next train to Richlands is departing platform 1 in two minutes and a year or so ...."   

I think you mean, "[Chime] The train arriving on platform 1 is the Richlands train, in approximately two minutes and a year.  Please wait behind the safety fence until the train has stopped."

Or possibly, "[Warning Chime] The Richlands train due to arrive on platform 1 is approximately two years late". 

LOL.   

I'm enjoying the photo diary Bob.  Looking forward to the day it's finished.

[david]

By the look of the curve on the new platform, it seems that it won't be high-level...

What a shame...

[O_128]

By the look of the curve on the new platform, it seems that it won't be high-level...

What a shame...

I want to see solid evidence with  this whole high platform issue has anyone tried running a freight train around a curved high level platform?

[mufreight]

Well they manage to operate the Westlander through Central platform 6 with freight waggons attached to the rear of the train, they have in recent times operated a north bound intermodal freight hauled by a 2800 class (which is an over dimension loco) through Central also and regularly operate Queenslander and Sunlander services through both platforms 5 and 6 at Central with car carrier waggons attached and last time I looked those platforms are at carriage floor height.
Work it out for yourself, more misinformation to avoid doing anything.

[O_128]

its a pathetic exuse as lines like fernygrove and shorncliffe should be all platfrom level as should the cleveland line after lindum which is also completely straight i agree it is jsut misinformation to stop a real solution happening

[ozbob]

Work continues at Darra ..













Photographs mufreight 16th October 2009

[ozbob]

Darra ..







Photographs mufreight 28th October 2009

[ozbob]

Track closure, Darra is a very busy construction site this weekend.

Temporary platform UP from the pedestrian bridge has been started.  This will allow re-construction of the new platform 2/3 structure.  Some of the infrastructure on the present platform 1/2 is being removed.

















Photographs R Dow 7th November 2009

[david]

The new temporary platform at Darra is certainly an interesting development. Hopefully they will be reconstructing the original platform to full carriage height (at least the new platform 2 side anyway). Does anyone know the exact details of the reconstruction?

Talking of which, the position of the temporary platform is very interesting. How will people access it? Also, wouldn't that area be a prime candidate for the construction of permanent platforms there at Darra? The track is oh so straight, meaning that full carriage height platforms could be constructed! Too bad that it's too late for this current upgrade, but something to consider in the future? Perhaps when they finally do Darra to Redbank?

[O_128]

The new temporary platform at Darra is certainly an interesting development. Hopefully they will be reconstructing the original platform to full carriage height (at least the new platform 2 side anyway). Does anyone know the exact details of the reconstruction?

Talking of which, the position of the temporary platform is very interesting. How will people access it? Also, wouldn't that area be a prime candidate for the construction of permanent platforms there at Darra? The track is oh so straight, meaning that full carriage height platforms could be constructed! Too bad that it's too late for this current upgrade, but something to consider in the future? Perhaps when they finally do Darra to Redbank?

im with you why not build the permanent structure there. If these new platforms arent carrige height which they wont be it will be  a serious blow to the planners and most likely a public backlash

[ozbob]

Don't forget there will be more railway lines (Springfield Branch) running through where the temp platform will be.  The costs were probably too much to move it entirely.  Don't forget they are keeping the present platforms just modifying them.

The temporary platform will allow a faster upgrade and I am sure will have good access and so forth.  The alternative would have been shuttle bus to and from Oxley, so it is a good thing that folks will still have access UP at Darra.

[ozbob]

Temporary platform Darra taking shape ..











Photographs R Dow 10th November 2009

[O_128]

Don't forget there will be more railway lines (Springfield Branch) running through where the temp platform will be.  The costs were probably too much to move it entirely.  Don't forget they are keeping the present platforms just modifying them.

The temporary platform will allow a faster upgrade and I am sure will have good access and so forth.  The alternative would have been shuttle bus to and from Oxley, so it is a good thing that folks will still have access UP at Darra.

is there comfirmation on if the platform upgrades will include making them heigher?

[ozbob]

Updates around Darra

























Photographs R Dow 29th November 2009

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=300

Darra station changes - effective 3 December 2009

From Monday 7 December, the ticket office located on the central platform at Darra station will be closed. Tickets can be purchased from the temporary ticket office located in the car park on Darra Station Road.

These changes are due to preparation work for the Darra to Springfield extension.