RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Interesting that the The Urban Developer has referred to Roma Street as Grand Central Station in regards to a new development on North Quay. The name must be catching on

QuoteCharter Hall regional development director Bradley Norris said its proximity to Brisbane's new Grand Central station on Roma Street is expected to be a draw card for prospective tenants. (The Urban Developer, TABET,  P8, 04 FEB 21).

Ridiculously pretentious name for a station in a provincial city like Brisbane. This ain't NYC folks, and Brisbane is pretty unimportant internationally. The name is a w*nk.

What's wrong with Brisbane La Stupenda Grande Centrale?

They could put giant chandeliers on each platform.

Grand Central = ' Grandus delusionus ' ...

It will always be Roma St to me ...

Happy to see people suggesting "Meanjin" as the name for the new station in the southern part of the city, as that was my idea for what it should be called. As for the others, it would make sense for Roma St to be identified as the interchange station, much like Sydney Central. Anzac Square would be a nice name for Central.

I see nothing wrong with the existing names and the proposed Albert St name. When it comes to the CBD, people tend to have a better idea of what street you're talking about, and having that extra description is useful. When you mention "Park Road", some people think of Park Road in Milton instead of Woolloongabba, but nobody is going to think of Albert St in Camp Hill instead of the CBD when you mention "Albert Street".

Roma Street has historical clout, changing the name would just be another bastardisation of the station's history. Central, while not central in terms of the CBD, is pretty 'Central' in the whole scheme of things. QR also has a bunch of offices there, so it is central for their employees... :conf

However, I could tolerate a name change to anything but "Grand Central". It would be an insult to the true "Grand Central"s of the world.

In Qld --> Much more than just a train station: Meet Brisbane's new 'Grand Central'

QuoteA new "Grand Central" precinct to replace the demolition site at Brisbane's Roma St station is set to boast a world-class sports and entertainment centre, public plazas and bars, and even a retirement home. ...

My 5c worth:

Roma Street to become Brisbane Central
Central to become ANZAC Square
Albert Street should be Frogs Hollow [great name] or just Albert Street if bland is to rule the day
South Brisbane to stay as South Brisbane - more to the region than just the Cultural Centre

Roma street shouldn't be renamed Central for the same reasons that North Melbourne station shouldn't be renamed.

Quote from: #Metro on February 19, 2021, 15:42:14 PM
Roma street shouldn't be renamed Central for the same reasons that North Melbourne station shouldn't be renamed.

Because it would require too much relabelling of equipment?

Quote from: Gazza on February 19, 2021, 15:52:20 PM

Quote from: #Metro on February 19, 2021, 15:42:14 PM
Roma street shouldn't be renamed Central for the same reasons that North Melbourne station shouldn't be renamed.

Because it would require too much relabelling of equipment?

I don't think the Government cares about new signs and changing names online. Sometimes when they have their heart set on something, money is no option.

^ Relabelling everything is relatively easy, it's more that train stations become significant landmarks in and of themselves. It takes a long time for a new name to "stick". That's fine really if you're using brand new names, but you should never rename a station to the name of some other station in living memory.

I think at one stage there was a proposal to call Arden station (in Melbourne) "North Melbourne" and to rename the original North Melbourne to "West Melbourne". Something along those lines. Strictly speaking those names are more correct but it was still a terrible idea.

Last name change was about a decade ago. Brunswick Street Station was renamed to Fortitude Valley.

Quote from: Stillwater on February 04, 2021, 18:11:02 PM
Remember when we had to wean the QR public relations jockeys away from calling the South-East rail network 'world class'? The term appeared in every second piece of information that QR generated. Now that QR has a pretty expensive 'Underground' (Cross River Rail), they are inclined to want to call it 'grand', stupendous' and 'jaw-dropping'.  Let's face it, the network has not seen a dollop of money like this for ages.

IIRC at the request of TMR/State Government to fit in with their marketing material. Much like the annoying "More trains. More often". Whatever that means.

'La Stupenda' is the obvious choice.

The government just needs to get some big chandeliers for the platforms.

The marketing boys and girls pushed a while back for the name Park Road to disappear in favour of Boggo Road as the name for the train station. The did some research among the locals and there was no appetite for a change. We now seem to have the train station called Park Road and its adjacent bus station called Boggo Road. Among an older generation 'I'm off to Boggo Road' meant something different to merely walking to catch a bus.

Roma St station was first called Brisbane Terminal station, changed to Roma St in 1889 when the line through to Central opened.

"Grand Central" for Roma Street is a rampant case of Wankus extremus ...  IMHO 

Central was so named because of its more central location with respect to Brisbane.

Park Road station was never really part of the gaol complex.

Boggo Road Gaol from the air, Brisbane, ca. 1950 - http://hdl.handle.net/10462/deriv/120011 - #slqdigital @slqld
Photograph can be viewed enlarged at SLQ.



Park Road station, standard gauge goods shed can be seen as well.

Quote from: Stillwater on February 21, 2021, 02:49:53 AM
The marketing boys and girls pushed a while back for the name Park Road to disappear in favour of Boggo Road as the name for the train station. The did some research among the locals and there was no appetite for a change. We now seem to have the train station called Park Road and its adjacent bus station called Boggo Road. Among an older generation 'I'm off to Boggo Road' meant something different to merely walking to catch a bus.

Yes

Quote from: ozbob on July 13, 2009, 07:34:04 AM
From the Westender click here!

Park Road railway station name to remain the same

QuoteNo change at Park Road
Park Road railway station name to remain the same

Anna Bligh, Premier and Member for South Brisbane, has announced that Park Road train station in Dutton Park will retain its name after the community voted in favour of the traditional name.

Ms Bligh said TransLink and QR had proposed changing the name to Boggo Road station to recognise recent urban development in the area.

"Park Road train station is in Quarry Street, Dutton Park, but a rail station called Dutton Park already exists just one stop further along the Beenleigh line," Ms Bligh said.

"Changing the name of existing infrastructure can be an emotive issue, so I was very keen for the community to be consulted on the proposed new name.

"The public were invited to provide feedback over three weeks in June with 217 responses received.

"The feedback was quite clear with 61 per cent opposed to the name change, 14 per cent offering alternative names and only 25 per cent in favour.

"Those opposed to the name change mostly expressed concerns about creating confusion as Park Road has been a long standing station name.

"Concerns were also raised about links to the area's history as a gaol site.

"Based on community feedback, TransLink and QR will retain the name Park Road station."

Ms Bligh said the proposed change to Park Road station was not the first time that community consultation had been undertaken to get feedback on changing a station name.

"In August 2008, TransLink and QR undertook consultation on changing the name of Brunswick Street station. On that occasion, the public were in support of a change to Fortitude Valley station," Ms Bligh said.

For more information about public transport, please visit www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Couriermail --> State government leaves door open to renaming train stations $

QuoteThe state government has left the door open for South East Queensland train stations to be renamed – if any good proposals are put forward – ahead of a major shake-up of services due to Cross River Rail.

A well-known public transport advocate says Central Station should be renamed Anzac Square Station when the new services begin in 2025, while Roma Street Station should potentially be renamed Roma Street Central.

Several services will no longer run through Central Station when Cross River Rail opens – instead stopping at the new Albert Street Station in the CBD.

All services, however, will run through Roma Street – making it the centre of the network, where commuters can change trains if they need to travel on different lines.

Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow said it was appropriate for Central Station to be renamed Anzac Square Station, due to its close proximity to the war memorial.

"(Central Station) never was central to Brisbane really. (The new) Albert Street (station) is going to be more central than Central," he said.

"You can then give Roma Street a name which is more reflecting its role in the network. It really is the key interchange point.

"Something like Roma Street Central I think is appropriate, because it's still maintaining an identity so people know that the area is Roma Street ... but Central is sort of reflecting its new role on the network." ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1555559240345202688

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1555560081441570816

Any suggestions for name changes?

At least there is now official acknowledgement that name changes are on the table.

When I was chatting with the CM journalist I seriously downplayed the idea of ' Grand Central ' for Roma St as a grand wank! 
This name has been MID by Govt sources a few times.

I will be doing a FB post on this later today.  I am interested what our FB followers think as well.

Just for interest, Roma Street station opened as ' Brisbane Terminal ' station in 1875 and was renamed as ' Roma Street ' station in 1889 when Central station was opened.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1356849260902326272

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1356852742510104577

I'm not sure if I agree with Central being renamed Anzac square because the actual building itself has the word central in old lettering, which presumably can't be changed for heritage reasons.
No disrespect to the ANZACs.

Main changes:

-Park Rd to Boggo Rd, or just Boggo

-Thomas St to Sadliers Crossing

-Springfield to Springfield Lakes, it was stupid. This wasn't done in the first place.

(The controversy around Hope island station shows that using the strict suburb name boundary is not always intuitive for the local community)

-Albert St as Meanjin

I think the problem is renaming any of the major CBD stations is going to be very controversial because the names are in such common use and a bit more than "housekeeping"

Roma St Arguably could just be called "Brisbane"

Nothing stopping Central being renamed, even with the " Central " lettering, just reflects the heritage.

I favour Anzac Square, it is where it is and is an acknowledgement to the fallen. Melbourne is naming their new domain station "Anzac' ( https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/metro-tunnel/stations/anzac ). No one has to agree.

I am comfortable with Roma Street being Brisbane if that is the final decision. Anything but " Grand Central " ...

Changing station names around SEQ is nothing new.  Here are a few that have been changed:

====

Dutton Park was originally Boggo Junction, changed 1914.  Junction of the Wooloongabba line from 1884 until 1989.

Wacol was originally Wolston 1874, changed 1928.  Changed to avoid confusion with Wilston.

Gailes was originally Dingo Hill 1919, changed 1925.  Changed because of the new adjacent golf course.

East Ipswich was originally Limestone 1879.  Changed to East Ipswich 1892.

Roma Street was originally Brisbane Terminal station 1875, changed to Roma Street 1889 when line to Central opened.

Fortitude Valley was originally Brunswick Street 1890, renamed Fortitude Valley 2008 following the major upgrade.

South Bank was originally Vulture Street 1893, renamed South Bank 2001.

North Boondall was originally Cabbage Tree Creek 1882, renamed Nudgee College 1911, renamed Boondall 1923, North Boondall upon opening of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in 1986.

Bethania 1885, renamed Bethania Junction 1888, renamed Bethania 1943.

Corinda 1875, was originally South Brisbane Junction, renamed Corinda 1888.

Eagle Junction was originally Eagle Farm Junction 1882, renamed Eagle Junction 1888.

Ascot was originally Hendra Siding 1882, renamed Racecourse eventually Ascot.

Doomben original station moved further west in 1976 and named Doomben-Whinstanes (merged with Whinstanes), reverted back to Doomben 1998.

Nundah, originally named German Station, renamed in 1882 within weeks of opening.

Petrie, originally name North Pine. Renamed about 1911.

Chelmer, originally opened 1876 as Oxley's Point, 1888 renamed Riverton, 1889 renamed Chelmer.

Sherwood, originally named Oxley West, renamed Sherwood 1883.

Ebbw Vale, originally St Helen's, renamed Ebbw Vale 1910.

Taringa, originally West Milton, renamed Taringa in 1875.

Indooroopilly, had a working name of Witton for a short time 1875-79. Both names in use for a short while.

South Brisbane, was first known as Melbourne Street station.  When relocated from the corner of Melbourne and Grey streets to higher ground renamed South Brisbane in 1891.

Shorncliffe, originally named as Sandgate. Appears changed to Shorncliffe late 1940s.

Sandgate, originally named as Sandgate Central.  Appears changed to Sandgate 1950s.

Glass House Mountains, originally named as Glass Mountains, renamed 1914.

Wynnum Central, originally named as Wynnum South, renamed 1931.

Facebook ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1555686664344768512

I saw a good suggestion on the Facebook page for Central to be renamed "Old Central station"

there is always the grand central hotel if anyone misses the name;)

Letter to the Editor Courier Mail 8th August 2022 page 8

Quote from: Gazza on August 06, 2022, 12:57:47 PMI saw a good suggestion on the Facebook page for Central to be renamed "Old Central station"

That would have been mine.

Personally, I object to the renaming idea on heritage grounds. Renaming a prominent, landmark heritage building that not only has been known by that name for over 120 years, but also features the name as physical fabric on the building, I feel is extremely inappropriate from a heritage preservation standpoint. 

I also question whether Central really needs to be renamed at all. I note that Melbourne also has their "Melbourne Central Station" that likewise isn't a true central station serviced by all lines. This misnomer doesn't seem to have caused major issues down there as far as I am aware. While Melbourne Central is actually named for the shopping centre it is beneath, that fact alone wouldn't change the situation greatly in terms of potential confusion.

However, IF it is decided that it absolutely has to change, I would either go for the "Old Central Station" route or a two part name like "Central Station - Anzac Square" - 120 years of name recognition and social heritage is simply too important to just throw away.

Strongly support Meanjin for the new city station. "Albert Street" is boring and meaningless and would be such a lost opportunity to create a distinctive and meaningful name.

Melbourne Central is exactly why stations need to be renamed. It's not central to anything and not a terminal for anything.

It's southern cross station that should be Melbourne Central.

Queen street Mall is a good name for Albert Street as is a well known landmark.

The funny thing is Melbourne Central used to be called Museum.

I am a bit worried that the authorities might try to name ' Roma St ' Grand Central '.

Roma St has exactly the same name longevity as Central in terms of name.  Roma St was originally Brisbane Terminal Station (opened 1875) and was renamed as Roma St when Central opened in 1889.

If they did rename Roma St ' Grand Central ' then Central would have to be renamed.  Good to have a fall back position.

In the end I expect they well leave them as is. It is good to test the waters ...

Quote from: OzGamer on August 08, 2022, 15:50:34 PMStrongly support Meanjin for the new city station. "Albert Street" is boring and meaningless and would be such a lost opportunity to create a distinctive and meaningful name.

Whilst I believe that recognition for the local Aboriginal tribe is great, I think that Albert Street would be much more meaningful to the average commuter than Meanjin. Albert Street is a physical street which gives it meaning to city commuters and helps with wayfinding.

I think instead it would be very fitting to have some sort of tribute within the building to acknowledge the Meanjin peoples, be that a mural, a semi-interactive experience, or something else entirely. That way it wouldn't hinder the every-day commuters or distract from the wayfinding aspect of the station whilst still recognizing the traditional owners and allowing visitors to learn a little about the history of the area on their way through.

The thing with Albert St is that it runs the length of  the CBD, in fact one side of Roma St station faces the top of Albert St so saying Albert st doesnt really tell you where in the CBD it is either.

^^ To be fair, the same thing could be said of Queen Street with regards to the Queen Street Bus Station.

Quote from: RowBro on August 08, 2022, 17:52:52 PM

Quote from: OzGamer on August 08, 2022, 15:50:34 PMStrongly support Meanjin for the new city station. "Albert Street" is boring and meaningless and would be such a lost opportunity to create a distinctive and meaningful name.

Whilst I believe that recognition for the local Aboriginal tribe is great, I think that Albert Street would be much more meaningful to the average commuter than Meanjin. Albert Street is a physical street which gives it meaning to city commuters and helps with wayfinding.

I think instead it would be very fitting to have some sort of tribute within the building to acknowledge the Meanjin peoples, be that a mural, a semi-interactive experience, or something else entirely. That way it wouldn't hinder the every-day commuters or distract from the wayfinding aspect of the station whilst still recognizing the traditional owners and allowing visitors to learn a little about the history of the area on their way through.

Meanjin isn't the name of the people, it's the name of the place. It's not a tribute, it's a recognition of the original name of the place the station is built. It is becoming more and more common for people to know and use the original names of places alongside the European names. If this station was called that it would be a step in helping that process.

As it was mentioned again in the media this week, I would like to see Central renamed to Anzac Sq and Albert Street remaining the same, but with additional wording in brackets.

Quote from: OzGamer on August 09, 2022, 15:01:43 PM

Quote from: RowBro on August 08, 2022, 17:52:52 PM

Quote from: OzGamer on August 08, 2022, 15:50:34 PMStrongly support Meanjin for the new city station. "Albert Street" is boring and meaningless and would be such a lost opportunity to create a distinctive and meaningful name.

Whilst I believe that recognition for the local Aboriginal tribe is great, I think that Albert Street would be much more meaningful to the average commuter than Meanjin. Albert Street is a physical street which gives it meaning to city commuters and helps with wayfinding.

I think instead it would be very fitting to have some sort of tribute within the building to acknowledge the Meanjin peoples, be that a mural, a semi-interactive experience, or something else entirely. That way it wouldn't hinder the every-day commuters or distract from the wayfinding aspect of the station whilst still recognizing the traditional owners and allowing visitors to learn a little about the history of the area on their way through.

Meanjin isn't the name of the people, it's the name of the place. It's not a tribute, it's a recognition of the original name of the place the station is built. It is becoming more and more common for people to know and use the original names of places alongside the European names. If this station was called that it would be a step in helping that process.

I think it would be very appropriate to have the station called Albert Street (Meanjin). I feel this would be the best of both worlds.