RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100779

Queensland's Big Build in full swing with major train station upgrades

8th July 2024

Rocklea station has reopened following a full rebuild, delivering a 21st century rail experience and better accessibility for all customers.

Features include new station buildings, an extra platform, pedestrian overpass, three lifts and switchback stairs, improving access for all passengers.

The park 'n' ride has also been repaved to include better designed accessible parking, and drop-off and pick-up facilities.

There's also a new enclosed storage shelter for up to 40 bicycles.

The new Rocklea station was rebuilt as part of Cross River Rail works. Burpengary and Bundamba stations are also being rebuilt as part of Queensland Rail's Station Accessibility Upgrade Program and will reopen soon.

It's all part of the Miles Government's plan to expand, improve and modernise Queensland's rail network, meet the increasing demands of our growing state and prepare for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

More than $1.5 billion dollars is being invested in station infrastructure across the Queensland Rail network from improvements, to partial and full upgrades and even new stations.

This includes Nerang and Wacol, Fairfield to Dutton Park, Nambour, Auchenflower and more recently Morningside, Lindum, Banyo, Bundamba, Burpengary and Buranda stations.

These works include life changing accessibility upgrades like lifts to replace stairs, new overpasses, platform raising and resurfacing, car parks, public toilets, augmented hearing loops and ramps.

Other rail network improvements include upgraded lighting, enhanced CCTV coverage, bike lockers, new customer screens, and the construction of Queensland Police Service Railway Squad outposts and hubs.

Rocklea is one of seven stations between Dutton Park and Salisbury being rebuilt as part of a rolling program being carried out by Cross River Rail, south of the project's twin tunnels.

Cross River Rail is also building four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Albert Street, Woolloongabba and Roma Street, a new year-round Exhibition station and three new Gold Coast stations at Hope Island, Pimpama and Merrimac.

A new campaign has also been launched by Queensland Rail to promote the significant work and investment in station upgrades across the network and will feature on billboards, in train posters, station signage, radio and social media.

More > https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100779

https://x.com/QueenslandRail/status/1830805057564205194

^^ Not sure if it is just the light of the photograph, but the upgraded Burpengary appears to have a very oppressive, almost jail-like look about it.

Yeah they love using crimsafe mesh and galv steel.

A real contrast to the materials used on busway stations.

Pretty sure it's due to large sections being pre fabricated away from the site. Throw it into place. Bolt them together and you have a new station.

The newer builds have been a bit less brutal.  (The Kuraby to Coopers Plains upgrades have aged very poorly.)

Boggo Rd? Eagle Junction? Central to Bowen Hills corridor in between station? Others?

Why does TMR and QR avoid similar developments over rail corridor?

https://x.com/maxxthum/status/1831244251986079818?s=46&t=EDszjTErsxTIqAna7yuP-w

Not everywhere can be a tod. And a lot of the time there is a high expense attached to it. Take eagle junction. You need to know how the future rail corridor will operate and commit to rail realignment and property resumptions otherwise you will be locked into a poor design. You will also decimate all local businesses in the process. Now you have property resumptions so you can build apartment blocks. But wait you need a local feeder network to support it. With Toombul shopping centre closed the area has taken a massive hit to how people travel around. The eagle junction tod would need something to sustain constant use and to attract users. If it was designed as a tod you will still have people driving to Nundah, Chermside, lutyche to go to the shops sort of defeating some purpose of a tod.

The same can be said for many stations.

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101297

Upgraded Burpengary station reopens

9th September 2024

Customers are again catching the train from Burpengary station after it reopened today sporting a fresh new look.

The landmark upgrade ensures all customers can utilise the fully accessible Burpengary station.

The refurbished station, which temporarily closed for construction in January, is now equipped with lifts, an overpass and raised platforms making catching the train easier for everyone, including those travelling with a wheelchair, pushing prams or carrying luggage.

Other improvements include upgraded customer facilities like accessible toilets, a disability-compliant ticket window, improved seating, and extended platform shelters.

Customers will also benefit from hearing augmentation loops, tactile floor indicators, rubber fillers - to further reduce the horizontal gap between the platform and trains - new wayfinding signage, information screens and better security through CCTV and lighting upgrades.

The upgrade also includes a reconfigured carpark with space for almost 500 cars for customers, 350 of which are ready today with the rest to follow when ongoing minor works are completed.

Burpengary station also boasts accessible parking bays and an accessible pathway from the carpark to the platforms. An upgraded permanent kiss 'n' ride is also nearing completion.

The existing bicycle enclosure, which houses 24 bikes, has new security swipe access, while 102 bike lockers remain across the station precinct for our customers to ride to and from the train.

The station also includes the new artwork from local resident Brenden Hirst who won Queensland Rail's recent photography competition, giving community touch to the project.

Burpengary station is one of six Queensland Rail stations simultaneously undergoing an accessibility upgrade, with construction at Bundamba, Banyo, Buranda, Lindum and Morningside stations also progressing.

Cross River Rail's rebuild of Dutton Park station is also surging ahead and is expected to reopen to customers by the end of the year.

It's all part of the Miles Government's plan to expand, improve and modernise Queensland's rail network, meet the increasing demands of our growing state and prepare for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

More > https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101297

Railexpress ---> https://www.railexpress.com.au/tenders-out-for-shorncliffe-station/

QuoteTenders are out to refurbish the almost 130-year-old station with works to get underway in 2025.

The renovation will include:

• raising 90m of platform to include boarding points,
• refurbished heritage building,
• a new kiss 'n' ride,
• additional accessible parking,
• accessible ticket windows and bathrooms,
• improved customer comfort,
• hearing augmentation loops,
• improved lighting and CCTV,
• customer information screens.

There will also be space for 36 bicycles in a new, secure bike enclosure – complementing the suburb's substantial bike path network and promoting easy active transport.

Shame they are not adding an additional track for the final couple km's and not just doing a station upgrade. More corner cutting from Government.

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101448

Next step towards accessible future for historic Shorncliffe station

24th September 2024

It's back to the future for the historic Shorncliffe station with a major upgrade to honour its significant heritage while making it easier for everyone to catch the train for years to come.

Tenders are out to refurbish the almost 130-year-old station with works to get underway in 2025.

The renovation will include:

. raising 90m of platform to include boarding points,
. refurbished heritage building,
. a new kiss 'n' ride,
. additional accessible parking,
. accessible ticket windows and bathrooms,
. improved customer comfort,
. hearing augmentation loops,
. improved lighting and CCTV,
. customer information screens.

There will also be space for 36 bicycles in a new, secure bike enclosure – complementing the suburb's substantial bike path network and promoting easy active transport.

Shorncliffe station, originally called Sandgate, was designed by famed Queensland Railways Architect Henrik Hansen.

The heritage charm will be protected and enhanced during the upgrade with the 1940s air raid shelter retained and the building returned to its 1914 footprint.

The station is a historic treasure trove with more than 400 objects of heritage significance discovered in the subfloor of the old station building during early works, including train tickets, clothing, newspapers, and bottles.

The artefacts – some dating back to the 1890s – have been meticulously preserved and catalogued.

A 1940s sailor's cap, unearthed in the dig, was even reunited with its owner's family seven-decades later – just one example of the delicate care, precision and attention Queensland Rail has been giving to this historic upgrade.   

Since 2022, Shorncliffe locals have provided input into the project through community consultation, feedback and engagement sessions.

The Queensland Government remains committed to enhancing our rich rail history while delivering safer, modern and more accessible public transport for all customers.

Shorncliffe's tender process follows the recent reopening of Burpengary station with five more full station upgrades under construction at Bundamba, Morningside, Lindum, Banyo and Buranda. Cross River Rail's upgraded Dutton Park station will also reopen in coming months.

More --> https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101448

Quote from: kram0 on September 24, 2024, 21:20:50 PMShame they are not adding an additional track for the final couple km's and not just doing a station upgrade. More corner cutting from Government.

Absolutely, another half baked non-solution.

See this thread on Shorncliffe and better options > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=265784

Quote from: ozbob on September 25, 2024, 00:34:26 AM

Quote from: kram0 on September 24, 2024, 21:20:50 PMShame they are not adding an additional track for the final couple km's and not just doing a station upgrade. More corner cutting from Government.

Absolutely, another half baked non-solution.

See this thread on Shorncliffe and better options > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=265784

Is it worth raising with the new Government post election? Such a small section of track to duplicate.

Both Bundamba and Dutton Park stations reopen from Monday 21st October 2024.

Have you had a chance to visit Bundamba, Bob? Or too busy with BERTie today? I'm gonna head out there sometime in the next week or two, just to see what it's like.

Quote from: achiruel on October 21, 2024, 11:58:19 AMHave you had a chance to visit Bundamba, Bob? Or too busy with BERTie today? I'm gonna head out there sometime in the next week or two, just to see what it's like.

I was in fact invited to the official re-opening this morning (21st October), but had to attend PA Hospital.  I had a hour break which allowed me to get on BERT and go to UQ Lakes, do a quick interview and then back to PA Hospital.  I will be heading out to Bundamba next week.