Intercity Express (ICE) and their future.

[Arnz]

http://www.qrig.org/motive-power/multiple-units/citytrain-walkers-adtranz-intercity-express-ice/

QR introduced the ICE sets in 1988, for use on the North Coast Line between Brisbane and Rockhampton a distance of approx. 640km. The ICE reduced the journey time by five hours when it was first introduced.

The ICE units have been displaced from their intended duty by the Tilt Train in 1998. With the introduction of the new Cairns Tilt Trains the ICE was eventually surplus to requirements on the Central Qld services and the Spirit of Capricorn service was ran for the last time on 24th May 2003. The ICE can now be found running Caboolture-Nambour shuttles, Cooroy service and Gympie North services.

I know the ICE's were originally meant to be long distance trains, and having received upgrades over time, including recent upgrades to DDA access, but they are very underutilised in its current form, Yes the seating is very luxurious for long runs, but isnt very suited for long peak runs with the exception of the Gympie North service. 

The ICEs will still be used, but it seems that more IMUs and SMUs will be running on improved Landsborough/Nambour services when the North Coast Line is gradually duplicated and re-aligned. 

Before anyone brings up operating ICEs during to peak to Nambour, this results in cramming issues to Caboolture and the seats are STILL FULL past Caboolture up to Beerwah/Landsborough due to the lack of seating capacity. 

Seems a shame that the ICEs, despite only being 20 years old, may be underutilised than they are now, perhaps the ICEs might be restricted to improved off-peak runs further up the North Coast to Cooroy and/or Gympie. 

[ozbob]

It was a rather ignominious moment in ICE history when we had the 'Tennyson Lander' ...

[Arnz]

It was a rather ignominious moment in ICE history when we had the 'Tennyson Lander' ...

Not to mention a 6-car ICE did run Brisbane-South Coast in the afternoon, then returned from the South Coast (Robina) to North Coast (Gympie, obviously) via City in the afternoon peak.

[mufreight]

These sets with their reliability attended to are ideal for longer distance interurban limited stop services, particularly runs such as to Landsbrough or longer services rembering that they are affectively back up units for the tilt train services until such time as a couple more tilt sets are constructed and placed into service.

[kw]

a bit off topic but...

Not sure if anyone remembers or was on board the Trainaway Tours excursion of an ICE unit around Brisbane, early to mid '90s.

> Roma St to Beenleigh
> Beenleigh to Rosewood via Tennyson
> Rosewood to Shorncliffe
> Shorncliffe to Ferny Grove
> Ferny Grove to Roma St

If I remember correctly we couldn't venture to Cleveland due to a platform on a curve being to tight for the ICE. It was a great way to see the suburbs.

- Kent.

[mufreight]

ICE sets on a through service from Gympie to Gatton would be something to look forward to