ICE OpportunityLost?

[mufreight]

The pending withdrawal from service of the ICE sets is an opportunity lost, these sets with their stainless steel construction and good riding bogies would have another 30 or so years of service life if refurbished and had their traction systems upgraded with the same equipment as the 160 series IMU's.
Such a rebuild could be done for 2/5's to 1/2 the cost of replacements, a larger doorway could be built into the present luggage compartment to allow for a wheelchair entry to comply with the requirements for disability access and a disability accessible toilet could also be fitted the same as those proposed for the NGR trains.
Refurbished and upgraded the ICE sets would then be the ideal equipment to operate Brisbane - Nambour - Gympie North services and if required could substitute for Tilt train sets if required.
Another case of the lack of expertise in rail matters of the clowns in TMR who advising the Minister going for gold plated solutions which are to the benefit of their mates at the expense of the taxpayers of this state when more cost effective options are avaliable.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I think you are underestimating the cost of such a job. Unfortunately as good as the idea is... its not that straight forward. They are just fault ridden. Full of mechanical problems. Parts are also becoming difficult to source. The computer and electronic systems is outdated and in some instances does not want to work with the systems that make them DAA compliant. Windows are a pain in the ass from a mtce and replacement aspect. The audio systems don't get me started. The toilets are just a massive pain to deal with. There's DAA issues. Issues with cyclists. Not to mention they've been driven into the ground and that was prior to them being moved to the citytrain fleet. Its cheaper and easier to expand the NGR fleet on a mass production (which is currently happening), remove the ICE fleet and substitute the IMU100 fleet to do those runs which would be at a minimal cost. Retrofitting toilets would also be a massive cost due to the modifications needed to undertaken underneath the train and for those parts that you don't generally see. Using the same traction equipment as the 160's will have even more issues without massive outlay to address the many other systems on the train first which will cost a lot of $$$. As good as they are and loved by passengers and those that work on them/drive them their days are numbered. For what you want they effectively have to be rebuilt as a new train. That's just how things are.