QR City Network Future Projects/Initiatives Interactive Map

[Aydin]

Hi all,

I'm looking into possibly creating an interactive map of the projects and initiatives for the Queensland Rail City Network which will include both light and heavy rail for the members of RBoT. Seeing as this form of discussion can oftentimes become quite political, I will be implementing whichever project/initiative the majority vote falls under. Where this doesn't occur, I will implement all contending options, although this is clearly not a favoured outcome.

As for the map itself, I will be creating a full map of the complete and current Queensland Rail City Network with expandable folders containing the projects each decade will see (<2030, 2031-2040, etc). I will include station upgrades, line extensions, level crossing removals and everything in between so any and all ideas will be appreciated.

Some baseline projects/initiatives I've already thought of to implement are:
<2030
-   Cross River Rail (the alignment under construction along with all proposed stations)
-   Logan & Gold Coast Faster Rail (the proposed alignment, improved/relocated stations and level crossing removals)
-   Rail Duplication on the Airport Line (with a possible new station at Skygate)
-   Doomben Line Masterplan*
        This includes:
        rail duplication on the Doomben Line,
        Kitchener Rd/ Zillman Rd (road over rail) level crossing removal,
        Nudgee Rd (road over rail) level crossing removal
        *I'm a bit unsure on this last project as in all honestly I just think the Queensland Government will hire coaches for the Olympians/tourists staying in Northshore Hamilton.

2030 – 2040
-   Salisbury to Beaudesert Rail Spur Masterplan (Stage 1: Salisbury – Browns Plains)
        This includes surface stations at:
   Acacia Ridge (near Alderwood St)
   Algester (somewhere along Silkwood St)
   Parkinson (along Tathra St)
   Browns Plains (along Westwood Dr @ Weldon Ct)
        As well as an extension of Dalmeny St to Paradise Rd and Brookbent Rd to Paradise Rd to allow Pallara residents access to the line.
-   Springfield Central to Ipswich Extension Masterplan (Stage 1: Springfield Central – Redbank Plains)
        This includes surface stations along the reserved corridor at:
        Augustine Heights (an extension of Santa Monica Dr may be required)
        Redbank Plains (along Junction Dr or Watercress Bvd)
-   Gold Coast Line Extension (Varsity Lakes – Tugun/Sunshine Coast Airport)
        The extension will follow the Pacific Mwy alignment to Tugun/ the airport and will include surface stations at:
   Elanora (near Nineteenth Ave/Darnel St)
   Currumbin (along Station St)
   Tugun (Mirreen Dr)*
        *This station may be placed further south to better accommodate patrons at the Sunshine Coast Airport or another station may be built underneath the airport in addition to the one in
        Tugun. If the latter is agreed upon, a portal will likely be required near Boyd St at the Queensland/New South Wales border.
-   Cannon Hill to Hemmant Faster Rail
        This will include a straighter alignment which will be illustrated on the map,
        Relocating Cannon Hill Station to west of Creek Rd and removing Murrarie Station entirely,
        Barrack Rd (rail over road) level crossing removal,
        Queensport Rd S (rail over road) level crossing removal

2040 – 2050
-   Springfield Central to Ipswich Extension Masterplan (Stage 2: Redbank Plains – Ripley)
        This includes surface stations along the reserved corridor at:
        Swanbank (an extension of Frankland St may be required)
        Ripley (near the Ripley Rd & Centenary Hwy intersection)
        Ripley North (along Binnies Rd)
-   Trouts Road Rail Spur Masterplan
        This includes surface stations along the reserved corridor at:
        Everton Park (north of Everton Park Link Rd)
        McDowall (south of Hamilton Rd)
        Aspley (north of Albany Creek Rd)*
        Carseldine (north of Beams Rd)
        *The Aspley Station will include a bus interchange where routes which terminated at Aspley Shopping Centre will be extended to service the station.
        In addition to the stations, an underground segment bypassing Spider Hill will also be constructed with portals at Hamilton Rd & east of Waterford Pl.

I'll try to be as informative and descriptive as I can with each project/initiative I include; however, I don't have the best grasp on how much projects may cost, etc so I appreciate any help or advice here.

[ozbob]

Welcome Aydin.  Great post.

I am sure the members will give some feedback over time.

Suggestion to add < 2030 is enabling the UP sub Corinda - Darra East for normal suburban traffic. 
This includes a platform at Oxley and OHT sparked.  Portals are already in place. Plans were drawn up years ago for the additional platform.

Another is ETCS L2.  The entire citytrain network needs to be set up for ETCS as  a priority. 

[Gazza]

Could the map have stations with commited upgrades, as well as stations without accessibility and yet to be committed.
Different icons for each.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Doomben line isn't in the master plan anymore. Duplication is expensive as is the road overpass. Property surrounding the level crossing has been sold and development is pushing ahead with a new medical facility making an overpass very difficult. Infrastructure has also been removed across the line as has practices such as splitting trains. Only 1 train is permitted on the entire doomben spur at any one time now. No Sunday services are still maintained.

https://www.realcommercial.com.au/for-lease/property-1-3-zillman-road-hendra-qld-4011-503299026

[HappyTrainGuy]

I've always thought one of the most important projects is a unified weekend timetable and none of this sat only sun only services

[Aydin]

Suggestion to add < 2030 is enabling the UP sub Corinda - Darra East for normal suburban traffic. 
This includes a platform at Oxley and OHT sparked.  Portals are already in place. Plans were drawn up years ago for the additional platform.

Another is ETCS L2.  The entire citytrain network needs to be set up for ETCS as  a priority.

Thanks for the welcome . I will implement both these ideas shortly as they're both no-brainers.

Could the map have stations with commited upgrades, as well as stations without accessibility and yet to be committed.
Different icons for each.

I was already thinking of doing something like this; stay tuned until I send out my first draft and you can give me any criticisms so I can tweak and fine-tune the map. 

Doomben line isn't in the master plan anymore. Duplication is expensive as is the road overpass. Property surrounding the level crossing has been sold and development is pushing ahead with a new medical facility making an overpass very difficult. Infrastructure has also been removed across the line as has practices such as splitting trains. Only 1 train is permitted on the entire doomben spur at any one time now. No Sunday services are still maintained.

https://www.realcommercial.com.au/for-lease/property-1-3-zillman-road-hendra-qld-4011-503299026

Although it's been removed from the masterplan, I still believe the Doomben line will receive some modifications before 2032 to allow for better and more frequent services. I want to believe it's a no-brainer to at least duplicate the line along some stations at the very least to allow for the hailing of services so two trains can operate the line at a single time. At least then, we can see an improved frequency along a line that I'm willing to bet will see a significant increase of patrons during and possibly after the Olympics.

I've always thought one of the most important projects is a unified weekend timetable and none of this sat only sun only services

Although this isn't strictly infrastructure-related, I'll be sure to implement this idea into the map as it's one I most definitely agree with. I'm hoping that with this, the bus timetables will also see unified Saturday/Sunday services.

[Aydin]

Hi all,
Here is the link to the current map of the QR City Network Future Projects/Initiatives:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1tVFc7BssFJXCsNfBiWZ9BbagWcA_KFTo&ll=-27.36393858023129%2C153.0227038&z=9

I'm nowhere near completing the map; however, as it's something that will never truly be complete, I figured to release it now.

I hope to hear all your opinions on the map and let me know about any suggestions to add/change.

Cheers

[timh]

Not a bad idea for a map! But I'm not sure if your map is meant to be of actual planned upgrades or just stuff we would like. Because right now I'm seeing a bit of a mix of both. It'd be much better to have this as two separately layers IMO. One with stuff that is officially on the cards, and another with a bit of a "wishlist". Otherwise it gets a bit misleading.

Some examples:

-   Rail Duplication on the Airport Line (with a possible new station at Skygate)

There is no plan to duplicate the Airport line, nor is there really a need to at the moment. The airport is very well served by 4tph with the single track. The Skygate station is also not anything that TMR has on the cards to actually construct. It's something WE would like, it's something BAC would VERY MUCH like (but not pay for  ), but there is no official plan.

        rail duplication on the Doomben Line,
        Kitchener Rd/ Zillman Rd (road over rail) level crossing removal,
        Nudgee Rd (road over rail) level crossing removal
        *I'm a bit unsure on this last project as in all honestly I just think the Queensland Government will hire coaches for the Olympians/tourists staying in Northshore Hamilton.

You could probably put a Hamilton extension on the official one, as per the diagram on Page 8 here: https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/34238/northshore-hamilton-proposed-development-scheme.pdf
Because at least it was official policy ONCE. However it has since been removed. Other Doomben line upgrades I would definitely change to your "Wishlist" layer. Yes duplication was on the cards in the 1950s as an official plan, and there is some provision for it, however HTG has pointed out that the current provisions aren't good enough as they do not provide enough space to make the duplicated stations DDA compliant. So it's likely any duplication of the Doomben line would require substantially more work (despite my previous very heavy pushing for this to happen).

-   Salisbury to Beaudesert Rail Spur Masterplan (Stage 1: Salisbury – Browns Plains)
        This includes surface stations at:
   Acacia Ridge (near Alderwood St)
   Algester (somewhere along Silkwood St)
   Parkinson (along Tathra St)
   Browns Plains (along Westwood Dr @ Weldon Ct)

Station locations are incorrect. Please use stations as per this map:

So it would be more like:
   Acacia Ridge (near Wellington St)
   Algester (West of Nottingham Road)
   Parkinson (along Tathra St)
   Hillcrest (west of Seaton Street)
        Boronia heights (at the southern tip of Moody Road)
        Greenbank (at the Middle Road overpass)
        New Beith (west of Bradman street)
        Flagstone Central (at the Homestead Drive overpass)
        Undullah (at the Wyatt Road overpass)
        Gleneagle North (west of Veresdale Scrub Road)
        Gleneagle (west of Outlook Boulveard)
        Beaudesert (east of the Southern end of Helen Street)

        As well as an extension of Dalmeny St to Paradise Rd and Brookbent Rd to Paradise Rd to allow Pallara residents access to the line.

This is DEFINITELY for the wishlist layer

-   Springfield Central to Ipswich Extension Masterplan (Stage 1: Springfield Central – Redbank Plains)
        This includes surface stations along the reserved corridor at:
        Augustine Heights (an extension of Santa Monica Dr may be required)
        Redbank Plains (along Junction Dr or Watercress Bvd)

Station locations are incorrect. Please use stations as per this map:
https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/111078/Ipswich-to-Springfield-Public-Transport-Corridor.pdf
So it would be more like:
     Augustine Heights (at Keidges Road)
     Redbank Plains (at School Road)
     Swanbank (North of the Centenary Highway, straight north of Abrahams Road)
     Ripley Town Centre (west of Ripley Road around Main Street)
     Ripley North (between Binnies Road and Bryants Road)
     Deebing South (just northwest of the roundabout at Centenary Highway and Grampian Drive)
     Yamanto (west of Pisasale Drive)
     Churchill (north of Berry Street, east of the Abbotoir)
     University (west of University Drive, around Sports Lane)

-   Cannon Hill to Hemmant Faster Rail
        This will include a straighter alignment which will be illustrated on the map,
        Relocating Cannon Hill Station to west of Creek Rd and removing Murrarie Station entirely,
        Barrack Rd (rail over road) level crossing removal,
        Queensport Rd S (rail over road) level crossing removal

I've never heard of this as an official project so definitely the wishlist layer.

You've also got stuff on your map like a new station at Sherwood and a level crossing removal there, which there are currently no plans for. That's another wishlist layer thing. There are probably other bits I've missed, but I think you get the idea of where to draw the dividing line (in my opinion anyway)

[#Metro]

Would you perhaps consider separate layers for confirmed projects, planned projects and wishlist projects?

Also, is it OK to suggest:

- Relocation of Cannon Hill station to under Creek Road, Cannon Hill?
- Construction on Carole Park station on the Springfield line

[ozbob]

- Construction on Carole Park station on the Springfield line

= Ellen Grove station > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12176.0

[Aydin]

Not a bad idea for a map! But I'm not sure if your map is meant to be of actual planned upgrades or just stuff we would like. Because right now I'm seeing a bit of a mix of both. It'd be much better to have this as two separately layers IMO. One with stuff that is officially on the cards, and another with a bit of a "wishlist". Otherwise it gets a bit misleading.

Thanks for all the feedback Timh! I'll definitely get onto changing those station locations and trying to better define the official and non-official projects more clearly whenever I next work on the map.

The intention of my map is more of a prediction if anything of the future projects/initiatives TMR will commit to/construct. I do not aim for it to be an exclusive collation of everything myself or RBoT wants to see because at face value, everyone wants a train line from their suburb but that far exceeds the scope of reality (ESPECIALLY in car-centric Brisbane ). With that in mind, if everyone still prefers two independent expandable layers for each decade further separating the official and non-official projects, I'll happily do that seeing as it's our map.

Also, is it OK to suggest:

- Relocation of Cannon Hill station to under Creek Road, Cannon Hill?
- Construction on Carole Park station on the Springfield line

I'll include the Cannon Hill station relocation as part of the Hemmant to Cannon Hill faster rail initiative.

I'll also include the Carole Park station on the Springfield Line; however, I was thinking of perhaps adding another station south of Addison Rd to service both Ellen Grove and Camira. Although it will, in all fairness, travel along the suburb outskirts (and skip the densest part of the suburb), I was thinking it could also be tacked onto the line in hopes to boost development in the area.
A similar example to the concept I'm envisioning is how Ormeau Station is ~6km away from the actual estates in Ormeau.

[ozbob]

Carole Park is actually Ellen Grove.  Its location has already been determined.

Have a read here > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12176.0

[Aydin]

Also, is it OK to suggest:

- Relocation of Cannon Hill station to under Creek Road, Cannon Hill?
- Construction on Carole Park station on the Springfield line

I just finished implementing these two ideas into the map. Be sure to let me know any thoughts/criticisms you have, especially with the overall project encompassing the relocation of Cannon Hill Station.

Moreover, feel free to send in any more suggestions you have

Cheers