Corinda to Darra - was triplication (NOW QUADRUPLICATION)

[ozbob]

---> http://www.qr.com.au/SEQIP/projects/Corinda/default.asp

The Queensland Government is planning a third track from Corinda to Darra, a distance of 5.2 km, and, in the future, onto Redbank.  It will carry both passenger and freight services.

Both Darra and Oxley stations will be upgraded as part of the project, and a freight passing loop will be built at Corinda.

To start shortly.  The Oxley station masters house (see http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=167.0) is due to moved in October, so it can't be too far away.

Photo.

Oxley from platform 2.  Showing the general area that will be taken up by the third line.

[ozbob]

Present double line Oxley looking towards Corinda.

The foot bridge (from where photo taken)  still has a double span for the old third line that was once at Oxley.



Photograph: R  Dow  29 Nov 2007

[ozbob]

Corinda yard had a number of sidings removed end of September (roads 6 to 11).  This has made space for site offices which have been constructed.  The project status at SEQIP ( http://www.qr.com.au/SEQIP/projects/Corinda/default.asp ) has been updated too. 

Underway ..

Cheers
Ozbob

[david]

The project status at SEQIP ( http://www.qr.com.au/SEQIP/projects/Corinda/default.asp ) has been updated too.

I've had a look at the website and they haven't really updated anything at all (apart from the date)

In other news, the updated version of the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program (SEQIPP) seems to have some news of the Corinda to Darra Third Track (see http://www.qr.com.au/SEQIP/Images/01_SEQIPP_2007_tcm30-18536.pdf).

On page 23, it states that "Preliminary design has been completed and the preferred alignment has been selected for the third track from Corinda to Darra on the Ipswich rail line."

I haven't seen any sign of the "preferred alignment" of the third track. There is nothing on the SEQIP website which even hints at a preferred alignment. We were first promised information and community consultation about the track in November 2006. It has now been a year and no information has been released at all. There is more information available about the Darra to Springfield rail line which depends on the Corinda to Darra Third Track. Come on and release the design details so that the community gets a say!

[ozbob]

I have contacted QR requesting up to date information on the project.

Here is a photograph showing the footbridge.  Note on the left single span, right double span.  There was a third line to the far right and the right span originally covered two tracks.



Photograph R  Dow 7 Dec 07

[ozbob]

Thanks, received a reply to our request for up to date info.

-->  http://backontrack.org/docs/corinda/14dec07.pdf

:-)

[Mozz]

Interesting letter, I wish it was more positive about what the future holds, as it appears that for the next 7 months there will be some vegetation clearing and then once the 2008/2009 budget is finalised around mid 2008, they will start to plan what they are going to do with respect to the actual track work. Looking a little bit more flippantly at the letter - at least the results should be "designer" quality and aesthetically pleasing

[ozbob]

Seems a little out of kilter, at least the site office (Corinda yard) is in place.

Meanwhile ..  here are a couple of photographs of the unused platform 1 Darra. This will be brought back into service with the triplication for sure.  It will be needed particularly when the Springfield line in place.

Platform 1, looking in easterly direction.



Photograph R Dow  12 Dec 2007


Platform 1, looking in a westerly direction.



Photograph R Dow 12 Dec 2007

[david]

Thanks bob for making those enquiries. I also made some enquiries to the trackstar alliance and got a similar response:

Thank you for your email of 14 November 2007 about the Corinda to Darra Rail Upgrade project.
The project is currently in the planning and design stage. Please be advised that the future construction
timeframe has not been confirmed. More information about the final track alignment and upgrades to
Oxley and Darra stations will be available after this decision.
To prepare for future construction, some early works are being undertaken at various locations within the
existing rail corridor between Cardiff Road bridge and the Centenary Highway at Darra. These works
include vegetation removal, earthworks and some existing track realignment. The main site office has
been set up at Lynne Grove Avenue, Corinda. These early works started in October 2007 and are
expected to be completed by mid−2008. QR will continue to provide advance notice about these works to
the local community.

It's interesting that they mentionned "existing track realignment". There has been some work near the Cardiff Road bridge, but i thought that was due to the recycled water pipeline project . Oh well... at least there has been some progress on this project, which is desperately needed to relieve the pressure on the current infrastructure there.

[ozbob]

A major works area has been set up adjacent to the railway line between Oxley and Darra at the bottom of Pannard St.  Works are proceeding.



Photograph R Dow 26 Dec 2007

[ozbob]

Photograph from the Cardiff Road bridge at Darra showing the already extensive excavations for the third line (down side).



Photograph R Dow 30 Dec 2007

[ozbob]

View from Oxley road bridge looking west.  To the left of the up line can be seen the formation of the old third line (siding).  It is believed that the new third line will be to the right of of the down line.



Photograph R Dow 13 Jan 2008


View from Oxley road bridge looking east at Oxley station.



Photograph R Dow 13 Jan 2008

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Major rail and road infrastructure on track for delivery

Around $1 billion will be injected into new rail and road infrastructure in the boom western corridor of south east Queensland, Minister for Transport John Mickel announced today.

Mr Mickel said work included an upgrade of the Ipswich rail line between Corinda and Darra, a new rail line between Darra and Springfield and duplication of the adjacent Centenary Highway.

?This is about planning for the state?s growth and building on Queensland?s future,?? Mr Mickel said.

?The project includes the first new urban rail line to be built in the past decade and forms part of the Queensland Government?s $82 billion, 20-year infrastructure plan to manage growth.

?Our aim here is to provide smart, innovative road and rail transport solutions now and for the future,?? Mr Mickel said.

The first part of the upgrade will begin immediately while the rest of the project will start in the second quarter of 2008.

?The $189 million Corinda to Darra Third Track project is the first in a series of projects to improve rail services in the west, increasing rail capacity for trains and improving rail service reliability for passengers,? Mr Mickel said.

"The construction of a 5.2 km new track alongside the existing two tracks will be completed by the TrackStar Alliance, which includes QR limited.

"The project is expected to be completed by early 2010 and will include upgrades to Oxley and Darra stations with new facilities including shelters, lighting and security cameras, additional secure bike lockers and car parks, and improved access arrangements for passengers with disabilities.

?Early works started last month, including setting up the main site office near Corinda station and earthworks in the existing rail corridor and near the Cardiff Road bridge in Darra.?

Mr Mickel said work on the rail line between Darra and Richlands and duplication of the Centenary Highway to four lanes to the Logan Motorway interchange would begin in May. The project is being completed by the Horizon Alliance, which includes QR limited.

He said it was expected the rail line and the duplicated highway to the Logan Motorway interchange would be operational in 2011.

"The rest of the project, which involves the continuation of the rail line to a new station at Springfield and duplication of the road through to Springfield, is planned for completion by 2015,?? Mr Mickel said.

"This western corridor is significant for the planned development of South East Queensland and timely infrastructure is essential to support expected population growth.

"The Greater Springfield area has a population of 15,000 which is expected to reach up to 120,000 in the next 15 to 20 years. This is on top of the growth in communities such as Richlands, Inala, Forest Lake and Camira.

"This rail line will support the government?s public transport strategy for the area and generate new jobs, economic growth and significant investment in infrastructure and services as well as supporting Greater Springfield as an economic destination in its own right."

Mr Mickel said the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project was the first large-scale project in Queensland to deliver integrated road and rail infrastructure.

?Constructing the road and rail at the same time will save time, minimising disruption to residents and road users during the construction period,?? he said.

The road component of the project will continue duplication of the Centenary Highway from the new four-lane motorway link under the Boundary Road overpass initially to the Logan Motorway interchange and then in later stages through to Springfield.

Duplication of the Centenary Highway to Logan Motorway will help ease congestion in this western corridor and dovetail with planned improvements to interlinking road networks.

Minister for Main Roads Warren Pitt said the road component of the project will continue duplication of the Centenary Highway from the new four-lane motorway link under the Boundary Road overpass initially to the Logan Motorway interchange and then in later stages through to Springfield.

?Duplication of the Centenary Highway to Logan Motorway will help ease congestion in this western corridor and dovetail with planned improvements to interlinking road networks,? Mr Pitt said.

Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk said she welcomed the upgrade announcement.

?The completion of road works to the Logan Motorway interchange and the dual rail line from Darra to a rail station at Richlands mark the initial stage of the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project,?? she said.

The new station at Richlands will be built to the east of the Centenary Highway between Garden and Progress Roads. It will include a significant "park 'n' ride" facility for 650 cars, a bus interchange and passenger drop-off area.

As part of the project, construction of a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Centenary Highway linking Springfield and Springfield Lakes began in November 2007.

Further information on the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project is available on 1800 887 464, email info@horizon.incite.com.au or visit www.qr.com.au/seqip??


31 January, 2008

[mufreight]

While the long overdue amplification of track between Corinda and Darra is now underway surely it would be more cost efficient to construct the fourth line over that section at the same time.
There is no question that the fourth track will be needed to allow for the services to Springfield and additional services to Ipswich and possibly even at some future time Helidon or Toowoomba.
The original planning for four tracks over that section and some of the earthworks was carried out some 50 years ago sowhere is the problem, the equipment will be on site and there would be a considerable saving both in construction costs and then in operating costs due to greater flexibility with train paths.
Not to do it now will inevitably mean that some of the work now being done for the third track will have to be redone at a later date. penny wise pound foolish.
An example of expedient shortsightedness is the line to Kippa-ring.  The line could have been buit and have been in service for the last twenty years for considerably less than what has been spent of surveys and studies carried out since the line was first proposed in the early 1900's but while hindsight is a wonderful thing it would seem that the lesson has not been learnt

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

More trains to Ipswich, and faster: Mayor

More trains to Ipswich, and faster: Mayor
Tony Moore | February 1, 2008 - 12:03AM

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale says the extra rail line planned between Corinda and Darra could mean more express trains along the Ipswich line.

He welcomed the commitment of approximately $1 billion to transport infrastructure in the western corridor, but was surprised to learn the rail line would not be finished until 2015, a delay of four years on earlier projections.

"The announcement today that works will commence next month on the Darra to Richlands section of the proposed Springfield Rail line is great news for our city," Cr Pisasale said.

"The third track to be built between Corinda and Darra will also benefit Ipswich line commuters when it is completed by early 2010.

"This will hopefully lead to more express trains between Ipswich and Brisbane and a reduction in travel times between the two centres.

"The 2006-26 South-East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program identifies 2016 as the estimated completion of rail to Springfield.

"It is tremendous that the State Government has now committed to 2015 for the completion of this important project.

"This is another significant step forward in opening up the western corridor through Springfield and the Ripley Valley," Cr Pisasale said.

[ozbob]

Work proceeding west of Cardiff road bridge, retaining wall new main down taking shape.



Photograph R Dow 3 Feb 2008



View towards Darra Station from Cardiff road bridge.  Is that a new up line too?



Photograph R Dow 3 Feb 2008



View east from Cardiff road bridge.  New down formation on the left.



Photograph R Dow 3 Feb 2008



Cardiff road bridge, underneath work proceeding up and down to open up under bridge.



Photograph R Dow 3 Feb 2008

[david]

I was reading a couple of articles on the Corinda to Darra Upgrade and found this:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/flash/seqrail.pdf

It seems to show the new tracks being on the up line side rather than the down line side as there is a red line that passes through the currently non-existant Platform 1 at Darra rather than through Platform 4. My guess is that the current works at the Cardiff Road Bridge near the down line are either for an extension of the rail line from Platform 4 or a relocation of the down line as the current two tracks are extremely close to each other. It's funny though as this map is currently not on the SEQIP site. Perhaps there is more information about this upgrade (alignment/station works etc) that QR is withholding...

[ozbob]

Interesting David, thanks!

The third line is going on the down side (removed the Station Masters House at Oxley because of that --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=167.0 ) but there are some new loops for Corinda too.  The formation from Cardiff road to Pannard St is well advanced and is on the down side.

Platform one is the unused platform there might be a line from that (up that might join the remaining three lines after going under Cardiff road looking at the works today.  You are right, more information needed !   

What would be sensible is use the existing up as the through line and new down as down, and existing down as the up. This would be mean no crossing of main up and down by goods (coalies etc.) as they track to Tennyson.   

[ozbob]

From Trackstar Alliance  --> http://www.maunsell.com/MarketsAndServices/42/29/index.jsp

Project 3 - Corinda to Darra Third Track

The western line from Brisbane to Ipswich currently consists of four tracks to Corinda and then two tracks to Ipswich. It is a dual-purpose line catering for both passenger and freight services. It is proposed to increase the capacity of the corridor through provision of a third track from Corinda to Darra, a distance of 4.75 kilometres.

The project includes:
- Formation and civil works
- Additional (third) track over 5.2km
- Upgrade of Oxley and Darra stations
- Provision of 6 rail bridges
- Additional track at Corinda to cater for a freight bypass
- Resignalling of Corinda
- Overhead support structures and wiring as required
- Bidirectional signalling for 3 tracks
- Environmental study
- Community consultation.

This project is planned to be completed by 2009/10.

[david]

Thanks bob. QR has updated the SEQIP website with this:

http://www.qr.com.au/SEQIP/Images/station%20benefits%20and%20pics_tcm30-21970.pdf

It has more details and even concept photos of what the upgraded stations will look like. Mind you, Darra looks very flash! Looking the the Oxley station photo, it seems that you are right about the new line being on the down side, although space is going to be tight there, especially with the already narrow road beside the new platform. Perhaps there will be some rail realignment ie the current up line will connect with the currently unused third line at Corinda as bob suggested and then the third line connects with the up line at the Cliveden road bridge while the current up line connects with the down line at the bridge. What does everyone else think?

[ozbob]

Well that looks flash indeed,  and two platforms at Oxley!

Thanks David!

[ozbob]

Went a had look at the works around Cardiff road bridge and Darra.  Proceeding well.

General view of Darra.  There are to be two new tracks one at the present platform one, and another new platform to be built southern side of the track at platform one.



Photograph R Dow 17 Feb 2008

Looking west from the footbridge.  Plenty of room for the new tracks.



Photograph R Dow 17 Feb 2008

Another view west from the footbridge.  Off to the right will be new car parking.



Photograph R Dow 17 Feb 2008

Continued ...

[ozbob]

Cardiff road bridge area.

Looking west from the bridge, work proceeding on retaining walls up and down, and basic formations taking shape.



Photograph R Dow 17 Feb 2008


View from north showing the retaining wall of the new up line west of road bridge.



Photograph R Dow 17 Feb 2008


View from the south showing the retaining all of the new down line west of road bridge.



Photograph R Dow 17 Feb 2008




View towards the east from the bridge showing the new down formation well advanced.



Photograph R Dow 17 Feb 2008


Continued ..

[ozbob]

Down side, west of bridge.



Photograph R Dow 17 Feb 2008


Still a bit of dirt to be removed underneath the road bridge.



Photograph R Dow 17 Feb 2008

[ozbob]

Track closure Corinda to Rosewood for suburban trains 8 and 9 March 2008.

For maintenance and work on Corinda to Darra triplication

Sign at Oxley station 7 Mar 2008.



Photograph R Dow 7 Mar 2008

[ozbob]

The formation underneath the road bridge has now been completely cleared for new up and down lines.

Also seen are new supports for the overhead electric wires, 4 track span.

[mufreight]

An interesting snippit from the March issue of Railway Digest on the Corinda - Darra track amplification.

Quote.

Planning for this $118 million project to expand the capacity of the Ipswich Line between the end of the current Roma Street - Corinda quadruple track section and Darra has reached an advanced stage.
Although the project originally planed to simply add a third track between Corinda and Darra, investigations by the Trackstar Alliance have found that it may be more economical to provide two extra tracks simultaneously, Contractor Trackstar Alliance is also looking at ways to reduce track closures, with the cost of hiring replacement buses being of the order of $200.000 a weekend.
Both Oxley and Darra Stations will be upgraded as part of the project, which is seen as the first stage of track capacity expansion to Redbank.  Unqoute.

There are two points of interest in the article, the first is acknowledgment of the economies of building two additional tracks now rather than only one and that the present construction is part of the first stage of track capacity expansion to Redbank.  The majority partmer in the Trackstar Alliance is QR so just maybe some logic has prevailed.  We can but hope.

[david]

Although the project originally planed to simply add a third track between Corinda and Darra, investigations by the Trackstar Alliance have found that it may be more economical to provide two extra tracks simultaneously

That would explain why there is construction on both sides of the current rail tracks at Darra....

Thank goodness that they have come to their senses. That way, there won't be a fight between services to and from Springfield (or Richlands as it currently stands) trying to use one track. Also looking forward to a lot of extra services ex Darra in the near future!

[ozbob]

An interesting snippit from the March issue of Railway Digest on the Corinda - Darra track amplification.

Quote.

Contractor Trackstar Alliance is also looking at ways to reduce track closures, with the cost of hiring replacement buses being of the order of $200.000 a weekend.

Three cheers!  The constant track closures do irritate the punters no end, sometimes necessary but in many cases it would be possible perhaps to keep at least one line going providing power. No power, bring back steam!     (joke).  Maybe using del to pull units through dead sections might be a possibility?

Good to see the impacts (financial and community) are being acknowledged.

[ozbob]

The present works do suggest that four tracks will be the aim. 
I wonder when the official announcements will be forthcoming.
Nothing at http://www.qr.com.au/SEQIP/projects/Corinda/default.asp

[Zoiks]

Im very impressed with trackstar. First they figured out a really good reallignment of the north coast line, now this.

[ozbob]

No official announcements yet but we now understand the project is a quadruplication.
That would explain the new up and down formations in the photographs!  LOL

The new up line will be freight  only?  It has also been suggested that no overhead wiring either on this line.
All lines (4) will have full bidirectional operational capacity.

[mufreight]

Quad, while it is now conceeded that fpor tracks rather than three not only is preferable and will effectively prove more ecenomical than the originally proposed three tracks one must after having seen the current material in the Track Alliance website question do they know what they are doing and if so what are they doing as the proposed track arrangements at both Darra and Corinda have changed a couple of times based upon three tracks but do not currently appear to cater for four tracks over the entire section.
Has anyone actually sighted a current plan of the showing four tracks over the entire Corinda Darra section.
In terms of economy why dual signal all four (if there is to be four tracks) when di-directional running on two gives the same degree of operational flexibility and would require less pointwork with the two tracks for all stations services being set up for operation in one direction only.
Your thoughts

[ozbob]

Update 30 March 2008.

Few more photographs: --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?action=gallery;cat=10

Work is proceeding with up and down formations either side and under
Cardiff road bridge taking shape. Substantial retaining walls now almost complete.

[ozbob]

C17 974 heading towards Darra
ARHS Tour Suburban tour to Swanbank & Box Flat



Photograph R Dow 5 April 2008

[ozbob]

No official announcements yet but we now understand the project is a quadruplication.
That would explain the new up and down formations in the photographs!  LOL

The new up line will be freight  only?  It has also been suggested that no overhead wiring either on this line.
All lines (4) will have full bidirectional operational capacity.

Latest is that line will be just triple from Corinda to the brickworks (just east of Cardiff road) then quad under the bridge and on to Darra Station.

The works would suggest this at this time too.

[mufreight]

It would seem that logic, and common sense have gone out the window on this one, the apparent design of the Springfield line connection at Darra will make it difficult and expensive to at some later date extend quadruplication beyond Darra despite both operational and ecenomic benefits that would acrue from constructing the fourt trach from Corinda to Darra now and designing and building the junction for Springfield as a two lines off a four track main line with the four tracks extending at least a coal train length beyond the junction point and there reducung to three tracks at least as far as Wacol in the short term.
Such an arrangement would make it possible for peak hour express services to Ipswich to be run over a base all stations service and greatly simplify the operation of coal traffic even into the peak hour.
A third track as far as Booval with four tracks from that point to Ipswich would enable coal traffic to be operated as far as Corinda through the peak. and still enable the operation of express services.
The comment recently made that yes it is a good idea but we want someone else to pay for the infrastructure would seem to have substance but unfortunately the cost cutting short sighted expediency presenntly being exhibited in this current stage of the project will render it more difficult and considerably more expensive to carry ot further expansion of track infrastructure at a future time.
You might ask your local member or the Transport or infrastructure Minister were they elected to provide the infrastructure needs of the electors or to see how much of the taxpayers of this State money they can waste through their short sighted expediency.

Cheers and good luck.

[brad C]

Take a look at the article re Meet the Managers at Ferny Grove station this morning (see today' E Courier) and some of the consistent feedback is "trains from the city seem to spend an inordinate amount of time at Keperra waiting for an inbound train".
Again, the sheer lack of foresight in not extending  the duplication out to the terminous defies all logic.
Civil works only get cheaper when there are economies of scale as set up and plant acquisition costs remain constant.
The same thing will prevail on the western line with three tracks.
If the boffins argue that three tracks will be sufficient for demand, why did our brothers construct four tracks between Roma Street and Corinda in the years 1957-1963, including a new river crossing!!!
Short sightedness is synonymous with all Government decision making in today's Brave New World.

Quadruplication is the only way forward. Look at the bloody shambles with tidal flow on the Haughton Highway and the money spent on triplication from Brunswick Street to Northgate in 1977-79, only to have this substantially rebuilt during the 1990s and upgraded to Quadruplication.

Darra will become a more important junction station than Corinda with the new Springfield branch.
Its premium status can only be fully realised with appropriate infrastructure.
Brad C

[stephenk]

Take a look at the article re Meet the Managers at Ferny Grove station this morning (see today' E Courier) and some of the consistent feedback is "trains from the city seem to spend an inordinate amount of time at Keperra waiting for an inbound train".

Part of that problem is poor timetabling with uneven gaps between trains resulting in highly variable run times between Central and Ferny Grove. Another part of the problem is trains running early due to the padded out running times. I was on a train yesterday which arrived at Ferny Grove 5 minutes early!

Interestingly trains rarely had to wait for access to the single track section at Mitchelton with the old timetable.

[ozbob]

Take a look at the article re Meet the Managers at Ferny Grove station this morning (see today' E Courier) ...

Added article here --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=711.0