SEQ - Train numbers for Citytrain

[ozbob]

From my calculations.  Please correct/comment as appropriate.

We know that the 100, 120, 200 and 220 Series are/have been overhauled/upgraded as part of a mid-life extension program.

That's 28 6-Car Units (10+4+12+30 3-Car Units).

We know the 160 and 260 Series will also undergo some form of upgrade program.
That's 32 6-Car Units (28+36 3-Car Units) accounted for.

[We know the EMU is being withdrawn and that's 43.5 6-Car Units (or 87 3-Car Units). ]

[We know the ICE has been withdrawn and that's 4 6-Car Units (or 8 'Power Pair'). ]

So there will be 75 NGRs (6 car) and 60 other QR Citytrain six car trains once all EMUs 'retired'.

The NGRs will have to run in CRR because of the ETCS requirements, grade issues, and PSDs.

After the retirements of all EMU and ICE and the addition of the NGR Series, there will be a total of 135 6-Car trains

The further 65 NNGR six car trains (Maryborough) will be additional to the 135 6-car trains that we have now.

Does anyone know how many 3 car EMUs are still available for service?  Been suggested to me around 25 at present.

Around half of the NGRs have been finished with the DDA upgrades.

[HappyTrainGuy]

200's are still on very shakey ground. 2 had their running gear replaced as another viability trial - sharing more 220 components. I think it was 210 that infamously broke down straight away after work at Maryborough 5 or 6 years ago. That's on top of the two dead ones. The MU80's are still reserved for future use should they be needed as far as I know.

[ozbob]

^ thanks. EMUs might be around for a while yet.

Summary

*Suburban Multiple Unit (SMU200) Unit Numbers    201 - 212 (12 x 3 car)  1994-1995  = 6 six car

Suburban Multiple Unit (SMU220) Unit Numbers    221 - 250 (30 x 3 car)  1999-2001  = 15 six car

Interurban Multiple Unit (IMU100) Unit Numbers  101 - 110 (10 x 3 car)  1996-1997  = 5 six car

Interurban Multiple Unit (IMU120) Unit Numbers  121 - 124 ( 4 x 3 car)  2001-2002  = 2 six car

Interurban Multiple Unit (IMU160) Unit Numbers  161 - 188 (28 x 3 car)  2004-2011  = 14 six car

Suburban Multiple Unit (SMU260) Unit Numbers    261 - 296 (36 x 3 car)  2008-2011  = 18 six car

= 60 six car

+  NGR 75 six car  = 135 six car total

+  NNGR 65 six car = 200 six car

Plus EMUs (around 25 by 3 car sets still available).

*SMU200 not all available for service at present.

[SurfRail]

I would have preferred say 80 trains out of the QTMP program, that would allow for replacement of the 100s, 120 and 200s completely, leaving effectively only 4 types of train in the fleet (SMU220s, IMU160s/SMU260s, NGRs and the new stuff). 

We shouldn't be planning on keeping trains around for more than 30 years, especially if we want to set up and retain local manufacturing.

The successor program to QTMP would then replace all remaining pre-NGR trains and grow capacity, with maybe another 60-70 6-car trains to be based at Mayne as the third major maintenance centre on top of Wulkuraka and Ormeau, leaving only 3 types (excluding anything that happens with Toowoomba).  That sort of standardisation would yield significant cost savings. 

The only platforms on the metropolitan system which can't take a 6 car train (IIRC) are Eudlo (can be fixed when the line to Nambour is upgraded), Traveston (selective door operation there) and stations west of Ipswich (which can all be extended or closed). 

I'd like to see all Ipswich trains except for peak trains using the Ipswich yard continue to Wulkuraka, the line deviated after Wulkuraka to straighten it, and Karrabin and Thagoona stations closed.  Longer term, when Toowoomba trains become possible, you would have trains mirroring the Ipswich express pattern from Bowen Hills to Darra, then express to Ipswich with an intermediate stop at Goodna or Redbank (Goodna would be better but Redbank may be driven by timetabling needs), then Sadliers Crossing (renamed Thomas St), Wulkuraka, Walloon, Rosewood, Laidley, Gatton, Gowrie Junction and Toowoomba.  Separate Rosewood trains would be withdrawn.  Depending on Inland Rail restrictions you might need a station at Helidon and a bus connection up the range if it is not possible to get the paths needed through the tunnel up the Range, but that should only be 20 minutes or so non-stop.  I wouldn't bother with Helidon for any other reason.

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1660396884039462912

[RowBro]

Because someone is gonna wait another 15 minutes for another train...

[ozbob]

The point about 3 car trains from my perspective is that train numbers are short.

This goes back to the initial NGR order being cut back from effectively a 100 six car trains to 75 six car trains.  The DDA fitouts are an additional factor, as is ETCS enabling. 

EMUs still around is another sign of the woe.

 

[#Metro]

Do we have enough trains for post CRR service upgrades?

I can see why they Queensland Government is doing everything except build tracks for the Sunshine Coast line... they probably wouldn't have enough trains in the fleet to service it in peak all the way to Maroochydore.

Am I on the money here? 💰

[RowBro]

Do we have enough trains for post CRR service upgrades?

I can see why they Queensland Government is doing everything except build tracks for the Sunshine Coast line... they probably wouldn't have enough trains in the fleet to service it in peak all the way to Maroochydore.

Am I on the money here? 💰

Probably on the money. They can barely run the current peaks as is with all the upgrades and reliability issues atm.

The real question is, is the gov ordering enough new trains? Last i heard it was only 65. Is this enough for CRR and CAMCOS? When do they plan on taking the IMU/SMU 100/200s out of service?

[ozbob]

They have around 135 six car trains effectively now.  This is supplemented presently by around 25 3 car EMUs as far as I can tell.  The EMUs are covering the trains out of service for DDA and perhaps ETCS as well.

Will there be big overall frequency increases when CRR opens?  No there won't, they don't have enough trains to do much than service the present timetable.

Will they by 2032, if the NNGR program goes as planned yes.  They will cover Maroochydore if it ever happened.  But how reliable are the NGRs? 

But the other problem for today is fleet reliability.  Around 25% of service disruptions are due to train faults and this is contributing no doubt to the poor OTR of late.

We are in a real mess.  Poor rail leadership from Government and DTMR has got us here. I see no way out other than split rail (public transport) away from the failed DTMR and start again.

Queensland Rail have put up many things that are needed, but they keep getting knocked back.

If the rail operator knows what is required they should act.  Unfortunately they don't.

Circus!

[ozbob]

Visit Brisbane for the 2032 Olympics!  Ride vintage EMU trains to the venues!!

[#Metro]

Is there a pattern to the train faults? Specific stock affected?

[ozbob]

Is there a pattern to the train faults? Specific stock affected?

Not directly publicly known, but my understanding it is both NGRs and the QR Citytrain fleet.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The type of faults vary and each generation have their own specific faults. Just remember some faults can be cleared/displayed on a screen and others require a more "personal " touch

When the fault occurs is another issue ie keep the train moving with the guard addressing the issue at quieter times or stop at the station and have the driver/guard traverse the platform as a result of passengers onboard.

[Cleveland Line]

Two PM peak services are 3 car trains today. 5.40 and 5.55 ex South Brisbane.

[HappyTrainGuy]

3 cars are running on multiple lines. SMU260/IMU160 are also
Operating on the gc line today.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/1660408306584698880