RAIL - Back On Track Forum

A few 3-car trains on Cleveland line outbound in PM peak recently...more rolling stock issues?

Quote from: Cleveland Line on March 20, 2023, 17:44:17 PMA few 3-car trains on Cleveland line outbound in PM peak recently...more rolling stock issues?

Yes, been some issues.  For more background see > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=15085.0 (members only).

Hundreds of jobs on offer with Queensland Rail across the state | 7NEWS

Queensland Rail Facebook

Are you curious about joining the rail revolution?

Come and talk to us about how we can connect you to your career in rail, so you can connect Queensland.
Our Queensland Rail careers specialists will be at our stand at the concourse at Central station on Tuesday 11 July and Wednesday 12 July between 7am – 9.30am, and 2.30pm – 5.30pm ready to answer your questions about joining Queensland Rail.

Question on Notice
No. 766
Asked on 14 June 2023

MR M CRANDON ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to Queensland Rail staffing—
Will the Minister provide (a) a table showing the current number of CityTrain drivers, CityTrain
guards, long distance service train staff, and other QR employees and (b) for each of these
categories, the number of sick days taken this financial year (to 31 May 2023)?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Coomera for the question.

Queensland Rail takes the health and safety of its people seriously and encourages all employees
to stay home if they are unwell, or not fit for duty, in accordance with relevant Queensland Rail
safety policies.

Queensland Rail's employees (except casuals) accrue ten days of paid personal/carer's leave
per annum in accordance with the conditions of each of its Enterprise Agreements and the Fair
Work Act 2009. This entitlement is part of the broader category of unscheduled absence (UA),
which includes both paid and unpaid leave types such as sick and personal leave, family and
carers leave, isolation, pandemic and trauma leave and accident and workers' compensation.
Sick leave is reported alongside family and carer's leave as one part of UA. To separate and report
the sick leave of Queensland Rail's more than 7600 employees would take considerable time and
resourcing. However, Queensland Rail has been able to break down the details of sick and personal
leave for the financial year to date (as at 31 May 2023) below.

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/802-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 802
Asked on 15 June 2023

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister advise (reported separately by month) (a) the number of Queensland Rail train
drivers and guards who have undergone a drug and alcohol test since 1 July 2019, (b) the number
of positive detections and (c) the number of individuals who have refused to undertake a test?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.
Safety is Queensland Rail's number one priority, with all employees and contractors required to
be fit-for-work at all times while on duty. This includes having a zero concentration of alcohol and
a level of other drugs under the target concentration level as outlined in the Australian Standard
4760.

The number of traincrew who underwent Alcohol and Other Drugs testing from 1 July 2019 to
31 May 2023 (reported separately by month) is as follows:

. July 2019 – 169
. August 2019 – 108
. September 2019 – 124
. October 2019 – 140
. November 2019 – 132
. December 2019 – 114
. January 2020 – 80
. February 2020 – 109
. March 2020 – 116
. April 2020 – 134
. May 2020 – 132
. June 2020 – 171
. July 2020 – 93
. August 2020 – 97
. September 2020 – 57
. October 2020 – 70
. November 2020 – 109
. December 2020 – 80
. January 2021 – 68
. February 2021 – 104
. March 2021 – 100
. April 2021 – 59
. May 2021 – 102
. June 2021 – 92
. July 2021 – 98
. August 2021 – 44
. September 2021 – 63
. October 2021 – 98
. November 2021 – 79
. December 2021 – 69
. January 2022 – 83
. February 2022 – 49
. March 2022 – 107
. April 2022 – 79
. May 2022 – 87
. June 2022 – 96
. July 2022 – 87
. August 2022 – 97
. September 2022 – 54
. October 2022 – 150
. November 2022 – 100
. December 2022 – 79
. January 2023 – 90
. February 2023 – 116
. March 2023 – 139
. April 2023 – 101
. May 2023 – 80.
. TOTAL - 4605

Between July 2019 and May 2023, a total of nine positive test results have been recorded, one
each in the following months: August 2019, May 2020, June 2020, November 2020, May 2021,
October 2021, March 2022, April 2022 and May 2022.

Over the same period there have been no refusals by traincrew to test.

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/851-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 851
Asked on 16 June 2023

MR J LISTER ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER FOR
DIGITIAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:
\
Will the Minister provide the Queensland Rail performance metrics for the 2021–22 and 2022–23
financial years (actual) and 2023–24 and 2024–25 financial years (targets) for (a) operational
cost per revenue train km for (i) Travel and Tourism, (ii) SEQ Above Rail and (iii) SEQ Below Rail
and (b) opex cost per passenger train km for (i) SEQ Above Rail and (ii) Travel and Tourism?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Southern Downs for the question.

The below table outlines Queensland Rail's performance metrics for the financial years 2021–22
and 2022–23 (actuals) and 2023–24 and 2024–25 (forecast) for operational cost per revenue
train kilometres and operational cost per train kilometre.



Queensland Rail does not calculate operational cost per passenger train kilometre as a
performance metric.

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/1397-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1397
Asked on 14 November 2023

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)


QUESTION:

Will the Minister provide (reported separately by quarter) since 1 January 2018 (a) the number of
individuals who have commenced as train drivers at Queensland Rail and (b) the number who
have ceased to be train drivers?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.

Queensland Rail advises that at 31 October 2023, Queensland Rail has a total of 687 drivers in
supply for its South East Queensland (SEQ) network and 84 drivers in supply for its Regional
network. Queensland Rail continues to maintain an adequate supply of drivers to operate its
services across Queensland.

(a) Newly qualified drivers into supply on the SEQ and regional networks (excludes tutor drivers
and train operation inspectors) follow:

. March 2018 28
. June 2018 14
. September 2018 20
. December 2018 22
. March 2019 17
. June 2019 39
. September 2019 eight
. December 2019 30
. March 2020 18
. June 2020 27
. September 2020 19
. December 2020 22
. March 2021 29
. June 2021 22
. September 2021 13
. December 2021 33
. March 2022 18
. June 2022 one
. September 2022 zero
. December 2022 zero
. March 2023 zero
. June 2023 zero
. September 2023 21.

(b) Number of qualified drivers in supply who have ceased to be train drivers on the SEQ and
regional networks (including cessation of employment and transfers to other roles within
Queensland Rail) follow:

. March 2018 seven
. June 2018 11
. September 2018 10
. December 2018 10
. March 2019 seven
. June 2019 three
. September 2019 nine
. December 2019 16
. March 2020 14
. June 2020 two
. September 2020 two
. December 2020 five
. March 2021 eight
. June 2021 eight
. September 2021 five
. December 2021 six
. March 2022 14
. June 2022 seven
. September 2022 14
. December 2022 nine
. March 2023 eight
. June 2023 seven
. September 2023 17.

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/1414-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1414

Asked on 14 November 2023

MR M BOOTHMAN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister provide the number of Queensland Rail drivers (reported separately by current
age)

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Theodore for the question.
Queensland Rail continues to maintain an adequate supply of drivers to deliver reliable services
across Queensland.

The ages of all Queensland Rail drivers on both its South East Queensland and Regional
networks are as follow:

. 25–29 years old = 17
. 30–34 years old = 56
. 35–39 years old = 113
. 40–44 years old = 135
. 45–49 years old = 101
. 50–54 years old = 110
. 55–59 years old = 122
. 60–64 years old = 77
. 65 years old and over = 40.

ATSB: Briefing, communication issues prior to two near collisions on Brisbane suburban network

> https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/news-items/2023/briefing-communication-issues-prior-two-near-collisions-brisbane-suburban-network

Network operator Queensland Rail has taken a number of safety actions after two passenger trains nearly collided with an excavator, which had driven onto an active section of track in Brisbane, an Australian Transport Safety Bureau final investigation report notes.

During preparations for a planned works closure of the rail line between Brisbane's Thorneside and Birkdale stations on the evening of 7 March 2020, an excavator was driven onto a section of track that was still in operation.

As a Queensland Rail suburban passenger train approached at over 90 km/h, the train driver saw the excavator and applied the emergency brake.

The excavator operator also saw the train, and removed the machine from the tracks, with footage showing the excavator clearing the running line less than one second before the train passed at about 61 km/h.

After the train stopped, it was then approved to proceed by the network control officer (NCO), because the NCO was told the excavator was clear of the tracks, despite it still being within the 3 m danger zone.

Then, once the first train had departed with the excavator in the danger zone, the excavator operator was directed to remove the machine from the danger zone. As the operator began to do this, another suburban passenger train passed through the site.

During this second near collision, the excavator operator jumped clear down an embankment to escape danger.

The ATSB's investigation concluded a range of factors contributed to the near collision incidents. The final report notes a number of communication processes were limited and unclear, leading some individuals to misinterpret information, and some to unintentionally communicate incorrect information.

Among the contributing factors, the ATSB found the Queensland Network Rules and Procedures did not provide sufficient guidance for rail safety workers to ensure they used standardised, rail-specific terminology when communicating safety-critical information.

Additionally, a number of issues were identified with the work group's pre-start briefing, including the fact that the lead protection officer (PO), assistant PO and excavator operator were not involved.

"Substandard network pre-start briefings and communication irregularities have been identified as contributors to railway accidents in Australia and abroad," ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

"Despite this being well documented, rail infrastructure managers and track workers continue to experience issues with the application of effective safety-critical communication, and assuring network pre-start briefings are conducted in accordance with procedures designed to manage safety risks."

Mr Mitchell said it was essential all workers attend pre-start briefings, prior to entering the rail corridor, and fully understand the worksite protection that is in place.

Separately, while Queensland Rail had undertaken significant work in the years prior to the incident targeted at managing the risk of collisions between rail traffic workers and machinery, the ATSB's investigation found the design of the first-line assurance activities, and the limited use of second-line and third-line assurance activities, meant there was only limited assurance that the worksite protection aspects of pre-start briefings were being conducted effectively.

"The rail corridor is a safety-critical work environment, and work in that corridor fundamentally relies on procedural controls to remain safe," Mr Mitchell said.

"It is therefore vital that first-line assurance activities are appropriately designed to provide an accurate account of key work practices being assessed, and that sufficient higher level assurance activities are conducted to provide confidence in the results of the first-line assurance activities."

"The absence of accurate information limits the ability of an organisation to learn and continuously improve safety."

As a result of the incident, Queensland Rail issued a critical safety alert to all relevant staff, outlining a number of key actions, including that all workers must attend a pre-start briefing prior to entering the rail corridor.

Queensland Rail also entered an enforceable voluntary undertaking with the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator, committing to 13 initiatives to improve planning processes for track access, and a range of other safety steps.

Read the report: Safeworking irregularity involving passenger train 1898, near Thorneside, Queensland, on 7 March 2020

^

Couriermail --> Major safety flaws: Qld Rail trains seconds away from deadly collision $

QuoteTwo passenger trains just 30 minutes apart were seconds away from colliding with an excavator on a Brisbane train line, exposing major safety flaws with Queensland Rail, a damning investigation has found.

A two-year Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation laid out the frightening spate of back-to-back near misses where an excavator operator was forced to "jump" away from an oncoming train and "cling onto a fence".

The incidents, which could have been fatal and caused the derailment of one of the suburban passenger trains, happened on May 7, 2020. ...

Check out the progress on the Normanby train wash upgrade!

> https://fb.watch/p4fkClC6n_/

Some interesting facts from Queensland Rail Travel in their 2023 Seasons Greetings email:

More than 730,000 people travelled, discovered and explored Queensland by rail.  You travelled and holidayed your way through 2023, from the tropical far north, down to the bustling state capital, to the wide, western outback – there is so much to see and do in our vast state!

We travelled a total of 193 million kilometres with our customers.
That is roughly 13,360 trips around Australia!

More than 31,000 children saw Queensland through the windows of our long-distance trains ... and we welcomed over 138,000 pensioners and seniors on board.

Bundaberg was again our busiest regional long-distance railway station,
with over 45,000 people starting or finishing their journey here.

More than 95,000 people travelled to see the bright city lights of Meanjin (Brisbane) from throughout the state.

Queensland's outback enchanted over 24,000 train passengers with its raw beauty.

We served over 22,000 cups of tea and coffee  on board, and our most popular dish was our delicious roast pork.

Kuranda Scenic Railway in Tropical North Queensland carried the most passengers of all our trains this year.

Just over 400,000 guests experienced the incredible wonders of the world's oldest rainforest on the scenic train trip between Gimuy (Cairns) and Ngunbay (Kuranda).

I was wondering why that number looked so high - without Kuranda it would be less than 500,000 (where it usually sits).

That's why they should consider electrifying the Kuranda line, due to being well patronised.

Give it a rest will you.

Electrifying the Kuranda range for 2 return trains a day in that terrain will have an absolutely abysmal ROI/Cost-Benefit ratio. Hence why QR are looking at upgrading the locos to be battery (or hydrogen? One or the other).

400,000 per year is only 1,100 per day.

^ I'd still argue that's a pretty decent number all things considered.

Now I'm thinking about it: it may be slow and tourist-y, but Kuranda is probably QR's only regional service that's actually useful for the average person.
Imagine what would happen if they had a usable service between FNQ cities!

Useful in what sense?

I'd say the Bundaberg Tilt is reasonably useful, 4h40 min versus 4h15 min driving is reasonably competitive....Just a shame the timetable is so weak with the lack of rolling stock at present.

^ Yeah, useful in the timetable sense. In other words: a train can be used to make the journey, both ways, at a time that's not completely disruptive to travel plans.
The electric Tilt does the best it can for Bundaberg (Bundy was clearly the priority) but it's still 5 services per week - inadequate no matter how you dice it. SOQ doesn't really count either with its current timings.
The 'normal' timetable is only slightly better - not that we should call it 'normal' because being able to pull 1 train out of service is normal.

Stabling, maintenance facilities and Brisbane track capacity are also presumably issues (on paper the tilts could be doing a lot more work than they are).
But I'd like to think if QR just spent the money on an extra electric Tilt and maybe a diesel one too, and spread the timings accordingly, they'd have a not-bad coastal service on all counts.

Quote from: Gazza on December 23, 2023, 17:47:48 PMUseful in what sense?

I'd say the Bundaberg Tilt is reasonably useful, 4h40 min versus 4h15 min driving is reasonably competitive....Just a shame the timetable is so weak with the lack of rolling stock at present.

Tilttrain was 4h05m at launch on the old Elimbah alignment. Vs 4h40m on the old Bruce Highway alignment. Rocky was sub 7 hours on the ETT. Just saying.

ETT was to be expanded with further realignment and duplication projects but that has never gained anything further. And Kuranda is a weird one. It's an out and back but it's also a loop route with some people catching a bus, skyrail and return via train. Others train there, skyrail back down and bus back. Third option is train out and back.

LinkedIn

Well, there is your video of the train driver view. Maybe certain members who have an interest in such videos could contact them through their facebook/linkedin site and see if they would be happy to upload them.

Government Statement

Next generation of rail workers on track for successful future

5th March 2024

. Queensland Rail has welcomed 86 new apprentices and graduates, after receiving more than 3000 applications.

. This is one of the largest intakes in recent years, following last year's intake of 75, with roles based across the state from Brisbane to Cairns and Cloncurry.

More > https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99841

Couriermail --> Asbestos found on Queensland Rail train $

QuoteQueensland Rail has launched an investigation after discovering asbestos on a train.

The rail operator insists the electrical multiple unit (EMU) train remains safe to travel on given the hazardous material is in sealed areas. ...

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/asbestos-found-on-queensland-rail-trains/news-story/72322f40b1e7454669012953c03f63c7

Quote"Out of an abundance of caution, as the EMUs leave service today, they will be progressively inspected over the weekend before returning to service."

Ms Stapleton said the rail operator has paused overhaul and disposal work on the trains to allow further testing of other trains in the Queensland Rail fleet.

Train fleet numbers are precarious.  If the EMUs are grounded we be in deep doo doo !   

Media Release

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Media%20Centre/Media%20Releases/Pages/Queensland-Rail-statement-on-asbestos-present-in-an-Electric-Multiple-Unit-(EMU)-train.aspx

Queensland Rail statement on asbestos present in an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train

Please attribute to Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton:

Queensland Rail has launched a full investigation following a detection of asbestos present in an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train.

The asbestos was found in black bitumen paint on the ceiling and floor of the train during an asbestos clearance certificate process as part of the EMU disposal program.

I'm advised it remains safe for customers to travel on EMU trains as the paint is in sealed areas that are not exposed to the public.

Out of an abundance of caution, as the EMUs leave service today, they will be progressively inspected over the weekend before returning to service.

Safety is Queensland Rail's number one priority.

Overhaul and disposal work on our EMU fleet has been halted and further testing is underway on other trains in the Queensland Rail fleet.

We are in the process of identifying and notifying employees and contractors who may have been exposed, offering full support to any identified exposed individuals.

We will keep our employees, contractors, customers and the wider community informed of further updates.

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1771238091165983022?s=20

https://x.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1771458197238518265?s=20

No updates that I can find on QR socials, media outlets or media generally.

Hopefully the EMUs are cleared, if not I expect some timetable disruptions.

EMU's are on the road, EMU 37/55 are to blame for this morning's chaos on the network unfortunately.

^ thanks.  Would have been good if QR had followed through and let the public know all was well with the EMUs (with respect to the asbestos).

The QR Media Release of the 22nd March 2024: 
https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Media%20Centre/Media%20Releases/Pages/Queensland-Rail-statement-on-asbestos-present-in-an-Electric-Multiple-Unit-(EMU)-train.aspx 

states in part "  ... We will keep our employees, contractors, customers and the wider community informed of further updates. "

Queensland Rail Statement

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Media%20Centre/Media%20Releases/Pages/Updated-Queensland-Rail-statement-on-asbestos-present-in-an-Electric-Multiple-Unit-(EMU)-train.aspx

Updated Queensland Rail statement on asbestos present in an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train

27th March 2024

Please attribute to Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton:

Queensland Rail has reassured customers that the Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) trains are safe to return to service following the discovery of asbestos in a unit last week.

Over the weekend (23-24 March) an independent asbestos assessor progressively inspected the units and Queensland Rail's maintenance facility.

The asbestos was found in black bitumen paint in a sealed section on the ceiling and floor of the train, therefore when the shell of the EMU is covered there is negligible risk of exposure to asbestos amongst employees, contractors, and customers.

The independent assessor also carried out several further inspections within our maintenance facility reiterating the exposure risk to employees working in the facility is negligible.

To fully understand any potential impacts to employees who have undertaken work in the past, we will work with our Chief Medical Officer and a specialist hygienist in asbestos exposure and continue to provide advice and support to identified employees and contractors.

The safe working plan for the EMU overhaul and disposals program is being reviewed to ensure our employees and contractors are safe from exposure.

ENDS

Source Queensland Rail

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/organisation/seq-network-fleet

SMU 200 12 x 3 car

SMU 220  30 x 3 car

SMU 260  36 x 3 car

IMU 100  10 x 3 car

IMU 120    4 x 3 car

IMU 160  28 x 3 car

+ EMUs ? number left possibly 23 x 3 car

====

NGR 75 x 6 car

100 9x3. One set is not operational due to damage.