Caboolture to Beerburrum (Earmarked commissioning date- 9th to 14th April)

[Arnz]

Update from Trackstar here.  Whilst comissioning will be done in April, the new stations to be officially completed (eg landscaping, carpark, access, etc) by mid 2009.

http://www.qr.com.au/SEQIP/Images/CAB_BEERBURRUMConstructionUpdateFeb09_tcm30-26456.pdf

[ozbob]

QR Media Release
30 March, 2009

Caboolture to Beerburrum rail upgrade progressing

Passengers using the North Coast rail line will benefit from new stations and an extra track, with work
progressing on the Caboolture to Beerburrum track duplication project.

To minimise impact on the community and Citytrain passengers, QR will close the track between Petrie
and Nambour/Gympie North over the Easter weekend (9 ? 13 April 2009) for infrastructure and
maintenance works in the rail corridor.

QR Passenger Executive General Manager Paul Scurrah said the $298 million project involved
straightening and duplicating two new tracks from Caboolture to Beerburrum and construction of new
stations at Elimbah and Beerburrum.

?This project demonstrates QR?s commitment to providing better, safer services and facilities for our
customers,? Mr Scurrah said.

?Two new 13.7 kilometre rail lines will replace the single winding track which at the moment slows trains
down and also eliminates the need to wait for other trains to pass.

?The new stations boast new lifts, footbridges, shelters, CCTV security cameras and other features to
improve customer safety and accessibility.

?We have also lengthened the platform at Beerburrum to accommodate six-car trains.
?I would like to thank local communities for their patience and understanding during construction of this
landmark project, which will increase rail capacity and improve services for the region when completed
later this year.?

During the track closure, buses will replace trains on all inbound and outbound services between Petrie
and Nambour/Gympie North stations from 7.30pm on Thursday 9 April 2009 until the last train on
Monday 13 April 2009.

?No time is a good time to close a rail line, however, it is necessary to close the line for four days in
order to complete vital signalling work that could not be done in a shorter timeframe,? Mr Scurrah said.

?This work has been scheduled for a traditionally quiet time over the Easter holiday period to ensure
minimal impact on QR passengers and customers.

?Buses will convey Citytrain passengers between Petrie and Nambour/Gympie stations, stopping at all
stations.?

Mr Scurrah urged customers affected by the closure to plan their journeys by allowing an extra 30
minutes to reach their destination.

?We are concerned that there will be extra traffic on the roads over the Easter holidays which could
cause some delays,? he said.

?We have organised ample buses on the route to replace rail services in a bid to minimise disruptions.
Customer service officers will also be on hand to assist people with their journeys.?

Buses will also replace all Traveltrain services between Roma Street and Nambour, with the exception
of four services. Passengers travelling to Rockhampton on the Spirit of the Outback on Saturday 11
April and the Cairns Tilt Train on Monday 13 and 15 April will travel by bus for the whole journey.
Passengers travelling on the Sunlander on Sunday 12 April will be transported by bus from Roma
Street station to connect with the train at Gympie North.

QR has contacted Traveltrain customers to advise them of the changes.

For more information on Traveltrain service changes, people can visit www.traveltrain.com.au or call
1800 627 655.

-----------------------------

Tour 14th April 2009 --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2059.0

[ozbob]

Due to the heavy rain over Easter normal services commenced around 9.30am on the 14th April.

Caboolture

SMU 232 terminated.  Later on in the morning this train was the first down (north) service






Elimbah

































Photographs R Dow 14th April 2009

[ozbob]

Beerburrum






Tilt Up (south)




Sunlander Up (south)




First Citytrain Down (north)






Where the old meets the new track, just immediately north of Beerburrum





Old station track formation








Bus we travelled on from Elimbah to Beerburrum



Photographs R Dow 14th April 2009


Some photographs from mufreight of trains around Beerburrum shortly after opening of the new section.











Photographs mufreight 14th April 2009

[mufreight]

And they built the platforms at carriage floor height, they only forgot toilets, rubbish bins and water bubblers, but overall its beaut next stage to Landsborough when?

[Fridge]

It appears that they have started earth works north of Beerburrum some time ago, they have also almost finished the new road overbridge at Beerwah

[rob2144]

And they built the platforms at carriage floor height, they only forgot toilets, rubbish bins and water bubblers, but overall its beaut next stage to Landsborough when?

The trains are the rubbish bins! Also to note that Nambour recently removed its water fountain from the platform

[WTN]

The toilets are on the train too, but only if you get an IMU/ICE.  Which is how often?

[Arnz]

Virtually all morning peak Gympie/Nambour-Roma Street services, the 11am Cooroy service (and return) and 5:17pm Roma Street-Nambour, Gympie North ICE and 6pm Nambour service are guaranteed IMUs/ICEs.  All other services are pretty pot-luck (default for other services is usually a EMU/SMU).

[ozbob]

We have been advised that toilets will be added to the stations at Elimbah and Beerburrum in time.

[stephenk]

We have been advised that toilets will be added to the stations at Elimbah and Beerburrum in time.

But not in time for someone with a full bladder after a train journey without a toilet!

[WTN]

Uh oh, someone might do it on the platform or the tracks.  There goes the shiny new station.

Would definitely help if more runs (Nambour-Roma St especially) were done with IMUs in the meantime to prevent this from happening.  Or is it why most runs have a train/service change at Caboolture so one can have a quick loo break at the station?

[Arnz]

Some EMU/SMU allocated Roma Street-Nambour (and vice-versa) services have crew changes/rest stops at Caboolture.  Unfortunately, not all of them do.

The express services listed below are the services scheduled with IMU/ICEs and toilets atm. (Mon-Fri).  The other services are EMU/SMUs.

Inbound:
4:35am Nambour-Central (IMU)
5:26am Nambour-Central (IMU)
6:00am Nambour-Central (IMU)
6:27am Nambour-Central (ICE)*
7:03am Gympie/Nambour - Central (ICE)
2:10pm Cooroy/Nambour - Central (ICE)*
4:57pm Nambour - Central (ICE)*

Outbound:
5:50am Central-Nambour (ICE)*
11:03am Central-Nambour/Cooroy (ICE)*
5:16pm Central-Nambour (IMU)
5:44pm Central-Gympie North (ICE)
6:07pm Central-Nambour (IMU)
9:28pm Central-Nambour (IMU)
11:02pm Central-Nambour (IMU)

*Nambour/Cooroy ICEs are subject to substitution with IMU/SMUs due to reliability or unavailability issues with the ICEs.

[Fridge]

I can say with great confidence that the 4 car ICE that is normally used for the 4.57pm Nambour-Central and 5.50am Central-Nambour has not been used for at least 12 months or more with exception of the odd once or twice appearance.  Usually it is an EMU/SMU 70% of the time and an IMU 30% of the time.  It's a shame as these two services has the highest travelling time for a weekday service after the Gympie North/Cooroy services and the last Nambour-Brisbane service (6.37pm-8.54pm and in my experience it is usually alway EMU/SMU)

[mufreight]

If these ICE sets are so unreliable why then are they not being put through the shops and geven an overhaul and upgraded by being retrofitted with more up to date more reliable components.
At this stage the carbodies and frames would be in a sufficent condition to justify such an upgrade which would be far less costly than replacement and they would have many years of service on the longer runs and as backups if a tilt set was out of service for any reason.

[Arnz]

I believe the ICEs were recently refurbished of late, including the switching of the ICE's systems to ATP, especially now that Brisbane suburban control has now extended to Beerburrum (see Near North Coast/Brisbane Suburban control signs just north of Beerburrum).

Even with the recent refurbs, the ICEs are still not doing the jobs they were originally designed for (long distance runs), hence adding to the problem of reliability.

The ICEs are NO LONGER the backups for the Electric Tilt Trains from when I last checked on the other boards, so if a Electric Tilt Train breaks down, passengers will be put onto buses.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
24/07/2009

Major milestone for $107 billion SEQ infrastructure program

Minister for Transport, Rachel Nolan today officially opened the new Beerburrum rail station, marking the completion of the Bligh Government's $298 million Caboolture to Beerburrum Track Duplication Project.

Ms Nolan said completion of the first stage of the North Coast rail line upgrade was a major milestone in the Government's $107 billion SEQ Infrastructure Program 2008-2026.


"It provides significant benefits for residents, commuters and industry and demonstrates this Government's commitment to building the transport infrastructure the region will need well into the future," Ms Nolan said.

"With the population of the Sunshine Coast expected to swell by approximately 50% in the next 20 years, this is a vital step in upgrading the North Coast line to support that growth.

"This project - at $298 million, a huge investment in itself - is just one component of the Government's $107 billion plan which is delivering a transport system that keeps people and goods moving freely, supports continued economic growth and enhances our lifestyle.

"We've seen growth of almost 50 per cent across the TransLink network in the past five years and this project demonstrates the Bligh Government's commitment to keeping ahead of the expected growth here on the Sunshine Coast.

Work started in March 2007 and involved straightening and duplicating 13.7km of the rail line, 5.5km of road realignments and two new landmark stations at Elimbah and Beerburrum.

Before this project, the line between Caboolture-Beerburrum was a single winding track, which restricted train speeds to and from the north.

Ms Nolan also used the occasion to make a presentation to the last stationmaster at Elimbah station, Eddie Sturwohld, who retired in 1988.

"Mr Sturwohld has seen the transformation of Elimbah station from a small building beside a single track to an architecturally-designed landmark beside two state-of-the art rail tracks," Ms Nolan said.

"Elimbah and Beerburrum stations are distinctive structures that set the benchmark in innovation and design after our investment.

"Commuters will benefit from new facilities, including lift access to the platform, new car and bike parking, lighting and CCTV for safety, and additional seating and shelters on the platform."

The Minister thanked residents for their cooperation and patience during construction of the project and asked for the continued patience of Elimbah East residents during additional works at the station.

"Additional works are soon to start on Rose Creek Road at Elimbah to construct a new kiss 'n' ride drop-off facility and access for pedestrians and cyclists," she said.

"This will provide direct access to the eastern side of Elimbah station and safe pedestrian and cycle access over the rail line for Elimbah East residents, including during floods."

Construction of these additional station facilities is scheduled for completion in late-2009.

The Caboolture to Beerburrum Track Duplication was delivered by the TrackStar Alliance through the Government's SEQ Infrastructure Program.

This program is funded by the State Government to build 29 rail projects over the next 18 years comprising 268km of new track and 102 new trains. It is part of the Queensland Government's $107 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan 2008-2026.

==============================================================

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
24/07/2009

Elimbah Station ramps up for pedestrian access

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan today announced construction of a new access ramp on the eastern side of Elimbah station.

Ms Nolan that before construction of the Bligh Government's $298 million Caboolture to Beerburrum Track Duplication Project there was no formal pedestrian access over the railway line.

"The local of dedicated pedestrian space was particularly a concern for students who needed access to sports fields on the other side of the railway and for residents of eastern Elimbah," Ms Nolan said.

"Pedestrian access is of paramount importance to residents and the best option was via the station.

"Providing ramp access on the eastern side of the station will have lasting benefits for Elimbah residents." Ms Nolan said

Ms Nolan said designs for the new ramp, with CCTV and lighting were now underway and included a 'kiss 'n ride' zone for convenient drop off at the station.

"I would like to reassure commuters that passenger services won't be disrupted during construction work," Ms Nolan said.

"When the ramp is complete in October there will be wheelchair access to the platform from the eastern side of the station, providing easy access to both the QR network and across the rail lines.

"This will provide a vital link for the Elimbah community."

This additional work is part of the Government's Caboolture to Beerburrum Track Duplication Project, which involved straightening and duplicating 13.7km of track, 5.5km of road re-alignments and new stations at Elimbah and Beerburrum.

"I would like to thank Elimbah residents for their patience and understanding during construction of this landmark project for the North Coast region."

==============================================================

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail 23rd April 2010 page 40

Funny train of thought

[dwb]

Peter Skinner was in my group at the Growth Summit and his idea was about the most contentious (and badly thought out) idea in the room.

The fact that there is a rail line and a station there doesn't mean much. TOD as concept, not a site development, at its core includes the integration of not only transit options with housing (read apartments) but also WORK. Building an apartment building next the the railstation isn't TOD, isn't good for the network and isn't going to do anything about reducing average distance travelled (which is what TOD should be achieving).

I do however like the approach of "what's missing here", as everytime I use the Northern Busway I wonder why the exit near Gregory Tce is so high in the air or why the Eastern Busway has an underground turn around or why the PAH station is so large?

I'm guessing with the station it was part of the bid of the design-construct tenderer. I can imagine this station would be much cheaper to construct here than at say Taringa and could be an interesting proof of concept for better station design in the inner urban network.

[ozbob]

We have been advised that toilets will be added to the stations at Elimbah and Beerburrum in time.

Report at ATDB from the Caboolture Shire Herald.  Elimbah is finally getting its toilets ..

--> http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=59398&p=708060#p708060

[p858snake]

Isn't toilet access required under disability laws? that might be why.

[ozbob]

When we went on our tour of Caboolture - Beerburrum in 2008 we asked if rain water tanks going to be used for Elimbah and Beerburrum Stations.  They looked at us and said 'why would you want rain water tanks?'.  We said for the toilets.  They said ' there are no toilets ....'.  At that point we suggested that toilets should be part of the stations .... and so began another campaign.  At last, it is nice to know that there will be toilets.  Is this another example of a 'half baked project'?  You be the judge ...

I think it would have been much more cost efficient to build the toilets as part of the original construction .... 

[Stillwater]

It is good to see that toilets will be built at Elimbah.  Following the discussion thread, I don't understand the nexus between peeing passengers (using the Co-op toilets) and the fact that they jump on the wrong train.  Caboolture station announcements about the comings and goings of trains are pretty good.

I am not so much concerned about the fact that toilets were not provided initially as I am that QR seems to be continuing the folly of building the 'bare minimum' project -- stations or track -- to spread the money around(and I don't have a problem with that either), only to find that in a few years time the infrastructure provided initially has to be demolished, or otherwise modified, to allow for the new works.

Why are there not master plans prepared for these developments?  Plan for toilets and other things at the outset, even if you don't build them up-front, so they can easily slot in at some later stage.  That may mean putting in the sewer pipes for the toilet, but not building the toilet on top.  It would be mighty frustrating if we now see workmen with jackhammers ripping up part of the existing station to provide for the toilets.

[SurfRail]

Mind you, I fully expect that more passengers use the toilets at Nerang than actually catch trains to and from Elimbah and Beerburrum all day.

I have also seen tender documents for the addition of more toilet facilities for all stations Kuraby to Coopers Plains inclusive - apparently the ones S2K put in are not sufficient...

[ozbob]

Following the discussion thread, I don't understand the nexus between peeing passengers (using the Co-op toilets) and the fact that they jump on the wrong train.  Caboolture station announcements about the comings and goings of trains are pretty good.

Yes, but unfortunately some still manage to head north when they really wanted to go south.  

I suppose the 'shock' of actually arriving at Elimbah brings on a micturation need ....

[Stillwater]

Elimbah is the planned site of a large commercial/industrial precinct.  Think Yatala.