30 Years of Electric Trains ARHS Qld "Under The Wires" Tour and discussion

[kw]

30 years of Electric Trains "Under the Wires" Tour
ROBINA AND LANDSBOROUGH

Saturday 21st November 2009

November 2009 marks the thirtieth anniversary since the start of the electric suburban trains in Brisbane. It was in November 1979 that the first electric suburban train ran between Darra and Ferny Grove.

We are going to celebrate the event by having a day out "Under the Wires" utilizing two different types of electric trains.

The first part of the day our tour will depart Roma St at 8.40am and travel from Roma St to Robina in one of the early model EMU type electric trains. After a morning tea break we then return to Corinda via Tennyson where there will be time for a lunch break. The tour then continues to a mystery location where we can photograph the train. At this location we also change to our second type of electric train for an afternoon run to Landsborough. Following a short stay the tour then returns to the city to complete a pleasant day of electric train travel. We have specifically requested Electric Multiple Unit (Set 01) and ICE Set 151 for this tour. Should either of these sets not be available for either leg of the tour then a similar electric train will be used.

Tour Brochure - http://www.arhs-qld.org.au/media/railtours/2009/November/BROSUB.pdf

[ozbob]

Great tour!  November 17th is the actual anniversary date.   Might have to do something special on that day too.  Ride from Ferny Grove to Darra!

Electrification brochure --> here!

Thread at --> ATDB on the Doomben Electrification Anniversary

More information -->  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railways_in_Brisbane

[ozbob]

This might be of interest too --> http://www.archives.qld.gov.au/downloads/cab_docs/DID3364.pdf

[ozbob]

Mitchellton, opening of Electrification 1979



Original Photographer unknown.

[Sunbus610]

I actually sent QR an email suggesting that they perhaps do a special AOA wrap on three car set EMU 01 to commemorate 30 years since of QR electrification - Ferny Grove to Darra. Never heard anything back and I'm certainly not going to hold my breath.

[ozbob]

RAIL BoT has had some discussions earlier this year with QR concerning the 30 year anniversary.  I am hopeful that in addition to the ARHS Tour there will be a special event of some sorts.

[brismike]

A repaint of Unit 01 in the original colours would be nice. 

[QGT]

I actually sent QR an email suggesting that they perhaps do a special AOA wrap on three car set EMU 01 to commemorate 30 years since of QR electrification - Ferny Grove to Darra. Never heard anything back and I'm certainly not going to hold my breath.

That would be a great idea  but QR would never do it 

[kw]

Fantastic article on 30 years of Electrification in Queensland in this months Railway Digest.

- Kent

http://www.arhsnsw.com.au/rdigest.htm

[Sunbus610]

I'm looking forward to picking up a copy for myself in town tomorrow

[stephenk]

Are there still places available on this railtour?

[Sunbus610]

Are there still places available on this railtour?

I don't think so, I believe bookings for this tour actually closed yesterday 8/11 although it wouldn't hurt to give ARHS-Qld a call on (07) 3252 1759 to double check, they do get late cancellations from time-to-time.

[ozbob]

Folks, still seats available on this tour!

Ring 3252 1759 between 10am and 3pm to book.

Hope to see you onboard EMU 01!

[kw]

Slight change of plans to the tour. The ICE Unit will be heading a little further north to Nambour instead of Landsborough. 
See you on the 21st.

- Kent

[QGT]

I will be on this tour and I'm looking forward to the Tour!   

[Sunbus639]

The ICE Unit will be heading a little further north to Nambour instead of Landsborough. 

Good one and glad to here .

[ozbob]

Media Release 15 November 2009

SEQ:  Thirty years of electric suburban rail services

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has congratulated QR and all involved with the implementation and operation of the electric suburban rail network in south-east Queensland on the occasion of the 30th year of operation.  The first electric railway service between Darra and Ferny Grove was officially opened on the 17th November 1979.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The introduction of electric rail suburban services in south-east Queensland was a major turning point in the provision of sustainable public transport.  Improved service frequency and access to convenient safe and efficient rail transport options made the electric suburban rail service a huge success, and is now a critical component of the public transport asset in south-east Queensland."

"Queensland made suburban trains have run many many millions of kilometres transporting passengers to and from work, business and pleasure.  The fact that the original trains that commenced running in 1979 are still performing tirelessly is testament to the quality and excellent design of the initial manufactured units and the proper maintenance by Queensland Rail."

"RAIL Back On Track thanks all who have toiled over the years in various capacities; train crew, train control staff, station staff, maintenance and support staff at all levels."

"Congratulations QR on this significant milestone."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Three generations of 3'6" electric passenger trains. Roma Street Station

Photograph R Dow c. 1998

[ozbob]

Tomorrow, the 17th November 2009 I intend to catch the 7.04am service from Darra, then the 7.43am Ferny Grove service from Roma St, and return back to Roma St on 9.01am service from Ferny Grove (due at Roma St 9.34am).  This will sort of represent the initial electric service, although I suspect it was originally Darra to Ferny Grove direct.

Car 1 if anyone can make it.  

[ozbob]

At Oxley rail, about to head to Darra on the 6.21am service, then  set off for Ferny Grove on the 7.04am from Darra, follow on twitter --> here!

[ozbob]

Thanks Spencer Howson and Rebecca Livingstone for highlighting today on 612 Breakfast!

30 years of electric trains in Brisbane
17 November 2009

It's been 30 years since the first electric train pumped along suburban railway lines in Brisbane.

Today, to pay tribute to that historic trip, 612 Breakfast reporter Rebecca Levingston and our regular train correspondent Robert Dow are retracing the original route from Darra to Ferny Grove.

http://blogs.abc.net.au/.a/6a00e0097e4e688833012875aa3609970c-200wi

Link to 612 Breakfast blog and interview --> here!

Some photographs from the trip this morning.

Started at Oxley




Darra








Ferny Grove








EMU 01 at Bowen Hills on the way to Roma St.



Photographs R Dow 17th November 2009

[ozbob]

There was an official morning tea held at Roma St station platform 3 this morning, on the 30 year occasion of electric rail in Brisbane.

The guests of honour were many of the former QR staff responsible for the initial electrification,  and  EMU 01 and SMU 278!








The Invitation




Some of the poster displays

Official opening was the 17th November 1979, some excursion trains on the Sunday 18th November, then normal revenue services from the 19th November 1979.

The fare was 17 cents.









Photographs R Dow 17th November 2009

[Sunbus610]

Thanks for sharing those pics Bob of 30th Electrification Anniversary breakfast at Roma St this morning. Speaking of rail electrification in Brisbane, I do like this photo HERE from the 'The Way We Were - Queensland' images site which shows progress work happening at Milton of the original plans to electrify the Brisbane railway network back in the 1950's, this electrification scheme was eventually scrapped of course.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 19th November 2009 page 4

QR's 1.2 billion and riding along

[ozbob]

21 Nov 2009  we are off to Robina in EMU01 !

Photograph at Roma St station shortly before departure



Photograph R Dow 21st November 2009

[ozbob]

Robina  on time






Next stop Varsity Lakes



Photographs R Dow 21st November 2009

[ozbob]

Corinda



Exhibition



Tennyson - the Tennyson-Lander ..



Photographs R Dow 21st November 2009

[ozbob]

Nambour





Photographs R Dow 21st November 2009

Overall, an excellent tour and a fitting way to mark 30 years of electric trains in Brisbane (SEQ).

Thanks to the tour organisers and QR staff, train crew and station staff, control and all who contributed to the smooth running during the day.

[ozbob]

Commemorative ticket




Tour Brochure

Page 1



Centre pages



Page  4

[stephenk]

Looked like a good rail tour. I was unable to make it.

Brisbane - only 100 years behind Germany in having an electric railway!

[nocost]

I remember having to flag the 5.00am rail motor from Auchenflower. The guard would light your smoke, then ask you which station he should wake you for. It was Riverview, I worked there.
And yes, EMU 1, I think its still running?  Electrification is great.
But, as well as the back slapping and B-B-Q's, lets not forget that the T.T.A and thier government masters are slugging us with a massive fare increase; all in the name of Go-card.
Have a close look at at g.c. fare structure.

[ozbob]

7 News are doing a flashback news item on the introduction of electric trains in Brisbane this evening.

Tonight in 7 News Flashback: The arrival of Electric trains in Queensland. #Flashback #7News pic.twitter.com/neRmwBkwiN

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) August 28, 2016

Brisbane E-DAY campaign to teach Queenslanders about the dangers of electric rail#Flashback @7NewsQueensland 6pm pic.twitter.com/9JzwMHut3g

— Peter Doherty (@PeterDoherty7) August 28, 2016

[ozbob]

Flashback: The arrival of Electric trains in Queensland. #Flashback #7News https://t.co/4Ra73ZoCYv

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) August 28, 2016

>> https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/32464088/7-news-flashback-electric-trains/#page1

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1196534649809301504

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail's original electric train fleet reach end of the line


The official inauguration of electric trains running from Ferny Grove to Darra in November 1979.

FORTY years after electric passenger trains began operating in Brisbane, the original fleet is finally being shunted into the sunset.

The electric multiple units (EMU) began operating on November 19, 1979, with a service from Ferny Grove to Darra, and have since clocked up 12 million kilometres of travel and three refurbishments.

There have been three more generations of trains introduced since then, including the state-of-the-art New Generation Rollingstock, which has been embroiled in controversy.

"The EMU trains are gradually being retired, and so far 47 units have been removed from revenue service," Queensland Rail chief executive Nick Easy said.

"This includes EMU01, which retired in August following a final week-long farewell tour across south-east Queensland, and a re-enactment of its Ferny Grove-to-Darra debut.

"To date, 40 EMU trains remain in operation throughout the south-east Queensland rail network."

Mr Easy said QR was planning to preserve a small portion of the EMU fleet for future generations.

The retirement of the original EMUs comes as the rollout of the $4.4 billion NGR fleet nears completion. A TransLink spokesman said almost all the 75 units had been deployed since late last year, and the rollout was expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The NGRs have been embroiled in controversy, being the first foreign-built train to operate on the south-east network, after all previous generations were constructed in Maryborough.

They were manufactured in India by Canadian contractor Bombardier.

The NGR fleet also failed to meet disability standards, requiring a $336 million modification program at Downer EDI in Maryborough.

This began in late October, and will take five years to complete.

TransLink said: "The first upgraded NGR train is expected to be back into passenger service next year, with all trains to be upgraded and back into service by 2024."

The upgrades include the addition of a second toilet on each train, 10 per cent increase in circulation space inside the toilets, improved sink design, more handrails and an increase in priority seating from 24 to 88 per train.

QR customers have one more free Monday of train travel, on December 9, after it was decided to divert executive bonuses back into services as recompense for the "rail fail" timetable woes of recent years.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1201613161796734976

[locojoe67]

I wonder if ngr 701 will function as well as emu 01 in 40 years time?