On time running - the facts and fiction

[somebody]

Yep. Lets let Queensland Rail bring up DOO again to see how well Queensland operates when every single train driver in Queensland going on strike similar to the early 90's which was the last time IIRC where no trains in QLD were ran for an entire day. Abeit today it wouldn't be as devestating with QRN/PNQ still operating freight trains but it would be a giant f**** you to South East Queensland and millions of passengers/drivers/families/schools/workers and anyone venturing outside of their home.

Yawn.  Other cities somehow seem to survive.  What's so special about QR traincrew?

I'd rather be inconvenienced a few days than have to pay the salaries of a second crewperson on every train when clearly they are not required.  Get them driving!

Must +1 this particular suggestion.

However, if we have the few days of disruption with no DOO at the end of it, that would be pretty annoying.

Personally, I think this is well behind improving frequency.

[#Metro]

Wasn't there that issue with platform curves etc etc.

[HappyTrainGuy]

What about stations here that aren't configured for DOO? I'd love to see somone get a wheelchair into the front carriage of a city bound train at Virginia or station clearences. What about rollingstock that's configured for DDA requirements at the end of the carriage when there's damaged door near the drivers cab? Undercover protection for passengers waiting for a train? Its fine to say they only have to wait a little longer for the next train but while everyone else is under cover at southbank the poor bloke in the wheelchair has to sit in the rain at the end of the platform (And last time I checked Melbourne still has jack all shelters for these passengers). What about QR driver and safety policies about leaving the cab? A door fails, some wank prevents the door closing or someone presses the emergency door button?

And who is to say that if they go to DOO it would guarantee that frequency would be boosted on every line.

[Gazza]

^All of those issues are resolvable.

Yeah I consider the strikes just 'growing pains' we'd have to go through.
A quote from the wiki article on the Transperth A Series:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transperth_A-series_train

The trains were transported across the continent on standard gauge bogies and converted to Western Australia's narrow-gauge standard locally. The first set, set 01, arrived on the first of September, 1990 and immediately became the subject of industrial action at Westrail's workshops at Midland over a pay dispute and the impending one-man train operation which the new trains would ensure.

I believe the term for someone who attempts to block new technology, such as DOO, is a "Luddite".

[HappyTrainGuy]

^All of those issues are resolvable.

So is duplicating and realigning some track between Caboolture and Nambour and Cross River Rail.  

[Gazza]

Yeah, but the point is, anything that improves things for the long term costs money up front, but if you only look at the up front cost you're basically being as short sighted as the average politician.

Main line electrification in Qld was a huge project for the time (A billion dollars project back then would have been massive!) But the thing is, we've been better off for the past 30 years because of it, through lower running costs and faster travel compared to diesel.

Imagine if electrification had been dismissed as "Too hard" back then 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Who wouldn't love the sound of a massive diesel powering up and roaring through the tunnels in the city

[Arnz]

Who wouldn't love the sound of a massive diesel powering up and roaring through the tunnels in the city

Bring back steam.. Bring back steam..

[somebody]

And who is to say that if they go to DOO it would guarantee that frequency would be boosted on every line.

Indeed.

[somebody]

Hence the reason the guards hold the train at the station until the train is ontime!!

Not always.  That is what I am saying.

the doors will start closing up to 20 seconds before (so the train can reliably depart on-time). This is clearly advertised by QR and most, if not all, railways around the country/world.

Where is it advertised?

CityRail do it the same, apparently, and it is advertised somewhere on their website, but it would be easier to understand if this rule didn't exist and trains didn't start to depart until :00.

If they leave before the time (c'mon, xx:xx:55 or 59 or something is just bull$#it nitpicking...) then that is wrong and shouldn't happen. Anyone who misses a train because it left EARLY (more than 10-15 seconds...) has every right to make a complaint.

As for advertised... I take back the clearly part.. It used to be advertised, however a quick search on the QR site didn't turn much up. Either way, if you arrive at the station at xx:01:59 and expect to get the xx:01:00 train, you've got no right to complain. Get to the station at least 2mins early and you won't miss the train. Simple.

8:07am express train left Indooroopilly at least a full minute early.  Ran incredibly slow Milton-Roma St, waited for a signal so may have been on time @Roma St.

[O_128]

not train related but from about 10am onwards the 199s have to dwell at the city hall stop on adelaide street for unto 6 min to catch up but painful if your going to CC

[Gazza]

Who wouldn't love the sound of a massive diesel powering up and roaring through the tunnels in the city

I love it how I raise a valid example and get a dumb response.

[HappyTrainGuy]

What did you expect from me. I said it earlier. Who is to say that with DOO frequencies would increase. Yes its an advantage but so are many things. QR could realign alot of the network to improve service running times for an advantage. They could scrap half the fleet so every train can run on every line without delays as that's an advantage. CRR is an advantage for southbound trains. The duplication of the NCL past Caboolture is/was an advantage.

We've gotten rid of the guard to keep costs down. Oh you wanted a higher frequency too?!