RAIL - Back On Track Forum

I went on a little adventure on the weekend. There are some incredible views on the range ascent from Warwick up to Stanthorpe. It's a slow trip to be sure (lots of 30kph speed boards), but a great journey through Queensland's highest elevation line.

It was also great to see the old station buildings are being well-maintained by local communities. The little buildings for The Summit and Thulimbah are in good condition, and Stanthorpe is being used as a local art gallery and cafe (as is Wallangarra, but there was track maintenance south of Stanthorpe last week so we couldn't proceed further).

We were indeed diesel hauled, as Southern Downs Steam Railway's C17 is still awaiting some new axle boxes and The Yank is back at North Ipswich after an unfortunate incident at Hendon recently. Turns out the local Council had partially filled in the passing loop and triangle at Hendon and attempts to shovel out the dirt by hand had not worked, leading to the notoriously heavy American locomotive derailing. Or at least that's the story doing the rounds amongst the SDSR team in Warwick!




   

^ Great photographs.  Thanks for sharing them.

Been a while, but I have travelled to Wallangarra behind steam.  Great journey.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1656435967329439745

Electric tilt UP Beerwah



R Dow 15th May 2023

These should be running hourly up and down the Coast. 

With more modern interiors like Europe Regional Trains. 

24 or so trains + enough out for maintenance/cleaning?

 

And the Spirit of Queensland Tilt stops not at Beerwah, but (wait for it) Landsborough -- the busiest station on the Sunshine Coast Line.

Quote from: Stillwater on May 17, 2023, 22:46:07 PMAnd the Spirit of Queensland Tilt stops not at Beerwah, but (wait for it) Landsborough -- the busiest station on the Sunshine Coast Line.

Will most likely change once the DSCL is built...so maybe in about 80 years?

Spotted EMU 50+56 at Helensvale just after 7pm last night heading towards Brisbane Airport. I was quite surprised to see one venture to the GC!

I'm used to the NGRs screaming past at 140km/h whilst I'm going full tilt at 70km/h between Parkwood and Helensvale. At least it was a (slightly) closer race with the EMU.

^ thanks, interesting. 

We know things are a bit tight with trains, but sending out the EMUs as the rear guard makes me puff out my chest!   

Can't verify, but my guess is there was an issue with an NGR at Beenleigh, and this was used as a stand-in, given that there's usually a few EMUs hanging around there (as we all know, the Beenleigh-Ferny Grove corridor is the primary domain of EMUs). Also must have been the case of no IMU/SMU combos available.

https://twitter.com/giuliku/status/1668735813499359232

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1668794044275896326

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1670543385751613440

^

1800 class rail motor  so called "The Blue Lagoons" built Commonwealth Engineering Granville 1950s

DD17 4-6-4T #949 built in Ipswich 1948

^ things are crook in Tallarook eerrrr brisBANE !

EMU soldiering on, 3 car service.  Fleet availability is very tight!

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1681521424266334209

10 News First Queensland are doing are story on 3 car Citytrain services today.

Quote from: ozbob on July 24, 2023, 09:41:44 AM10 News First Queensland are doing are story on 3 car Citytrain services today.

Interview completed.  10 News is at 5pm.

^

Staff shortage... not enough staff to join trains?

Everything running on the mains through Central this morning. I guess this is part of the reason QR doesn't want 15-minute weekend services, because this would be absolutely impossible.

Also, according to the PIDs, the 8:37 to Nambour will be a 3-car service. This should be fun! 

Edit: 718 just left on a Northgate service, and the wheel squeal was deafening!

Dribble. Weekend occurrence for track work. Not uncommon. It's a given that early morning the NCL is sub access only as foot inspections or work is undertaken. Same for the western mains and subs. QR don't give a damn anymore about frequency as that's something established by Translink/TMR in regards to funding services. In the last days before Translink was formed QR was actually looking at additional services but was vetoed on cost grounds. Do you know what else was?? ATP in the suburban area and not for the first time either.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1691234782620061699

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/98749

Free public transport to cheer on the pride of Brisbane Town

22nd September 2023

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Mark Bailey

. The Gabba and Suncorp Stadium both hosting sell-out preliminary finals on Saturday.

. Public transport is free for ticket holders and is the best way to get to and from either game.

. Extra services running to help fans get to and from matches.

Brisbane is playing host to two sell-out finals football matches on Saturday, with the Lions and Broncos both playing for a spot in the grand final.

The Lions are hosting the Carlton Blues at The Gabba, with the first bounce at 5:15pm, and the Broncos are hosting the New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium, with kick-off at 7:50pm.

Public transport to and from the matches is free for ticket holders (excluding Brisbane City Council ferries and Airtrain).

To help make sure fans don't miss a second, additional shuttle services will also be running before and after both of the matches.

Buses will take fans right to the Woolloongabba busway, right on The Gabba's doorstep, while buses and trains will be helping fans get to Suncorp Stadium.

To plan your public transport journey in advance, use the MyTranslink app, visit www.translink.com.au, or call 13 12 20.

Quotes attributable to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey

"Saturday is a massive day for Brisbane, with both the Lions and Broncos playing for a spot in the grand final.

"Both games have sold out, and I'm sure the sea of maroon and gold will give the teams the push they need on the weekend.

"There will be around 40,000 fans heading to The Gabba and around 50,000 fans going to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday – and catching public transport means you can get dropped right on the doorstep of either stadium.

"Public transport is the best way to get to and from the matches on the weekend, and better yet, it's free for ticket holders.

"We'll be running additional bus services before and after both of the games, to make sure no one misses a second of the action.

"We're making it as easy as possible to get to our key stadiums, both in the short-term with easy and free public transport, and in the long-term with major public transport projects like Cross River Rail.

"Best of luck to the Brisbane teams playing on the weekend – I'm looking forward to watching both play for a premiership next weekend."

Quotes attributable to Translink Director, Event Scheduling and Busway Operations Roman Gafa:

"It's not every day we get two preliminary finals in Brisbane, it is a historic occasion for the city and we're looking forward to ensuring it is a memorable one for fans travelling to the games.

"Public transport remains the best way to get to and from major events such as this as it will provide convenient access to and from the Gabba and Suncorp Stadium.

"There will also be free travel for ticketholders on Brisbane City Council buses and Queensland Rail trains, excluding long-distance and Airtrain services.

"It's going to be a big evening of football, so we will have extra buses and trains available before and after the games.

"We encourage fans to plan their journey in advance and please have some patience as we work to move crowds quickly and safely."

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1706456375650632068?s=20

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1706541758958718980?s=20

They are no longer in service and have been pulled from the pool. They get towed to Ipswich when sims is ready for disposal. AFAIK only the 80's are reserved sets which is why they are largely kept in yards still and not outside Redbank or fishermans island.

Quote from: HappyTrainGuy on September 26, 2023, 17:20:26 PMThey are no longer in service and have been pulled from the pool. They get towed to Ipswich when sims is ready for disposal. AFAIK only the 80's are reserved sets which is why they are largely kept in yards still and not outside Redbank or fishermans island.

 

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1706506568681005078?t=Gsxs-jWukSKrJyyQ_Qk_hw&s=19

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1716915366885281976?s=20

I'm headed to Ipswich and just saw 2414 with (I think) 3 or SX cars headed northbound just south of Corinda. Not sure about the cars, only got a really brief glimpse. Maybe it was the Westlander. Is it that small now?

Yes, probably the Westy. DEL, van, 3 carriages.

^^

For information on recent fire damage to the Wallangarra railway line
 >> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=15405.0

Sorry. But they've had minimal actual work on them done for DAA. The trains aren't wider. The cab ends have had 2 bars and a glass plane removed. A large portion of the delays stem from the digital signage for advertising, configuring a notification button in the cabs (piggy backs of another notification system), most of the mods relate to aesthetic/cost cutting and some wayfinding signage (such as "you are on SMU7262/SMU8262"). Oh and some seat removal around the doors on the cab carriages. Nothing much to really gloat about but let's see how well this will be milked for what it's worth. They could have atleast got him to sit next to a window that wasn't scratched.