28 Nov 2011: SEQ: Bethania to Logan Village by rail

[ozbob]

Media release 28 November 2011

SEQ: Bethania to Logan Village by rail

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called for the construction of a new railway line from Bethania to Logan Village using the former Beaudesert railway line corridor.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track members have supported the call for an extension to the rail network from Bethania to Logan Village. This could be a low cost extension, using modified  Diesel Mechanical Unit (DMU) trains to connect with the electric suburban train network at Bethania (1). It would also form the basis of a rail line to the planned satellite city at Yarrabilba."

Key points:

- The railway line Bethania to Logan Village is viable with 3 stations, Waterford near private school and on far end of current development and Logan Village. Maybe to Jimboomba in future, and a further extension through Yarrabilba with a final terminus at Tamborine Village in mid 2020's with stations in Yarrabilba and Tamborine Village which has a catchment from the mountain, Canungra and Tamborine Village area.

- A station near retirement villages could also be considered, although it is close to Bethania, its not easy access especially for the residents.

- Park 'n' ride at Logan Village, other stations smaller Sunshine Coast style with limited parking provided (for now). Also provide push bike storage at each station. Mid way stations are kept simple with sufficient room for say two door access only, but able to be extended as required. Logan Village railway station to have provision for toilets and crew requirements.

- Line could operate as single DMU shuttle using the current EMU design fitted with diesel generator for power, similar to Adelaide's 3000 class as this keeps the overall train as close as possible to existing fleet for parts. Each of the two cars have their own engine to provide redundancy in case of failure, option to add 3rd trailer car in future. Or just do what Auckland did and get a couple of suitable ex English cars with a built in cab at one end and strap a 1720 at the other. No shunting required.  Electrification can be progressively achieved as rail traffic builds.  A similar situation exists on the Stony Point railway line in Victoria.

- No need for electronic safe working.

- No passing loops  between Bethania and Logan Village. Logan Village may need to have extra road/loop for track maintenance vehicles.

- Current station at Logan Village is wrong side, rebuild it on the current loop line and place the loop on far side consider building the car park on inland side of small gully with access from that road that crosses the river and also in paddock across the side road.

- Utilise much of the existing rail corridor but to improve the bends and speed, while there is cheap land available perhaps make use of the paddocks as well for same. In many cases taking land on one side can be handed back on the other side.

- Keep the stations of simple design, but still provide weather protection and security and call help buttons.

- Track can be steel sleepers with recycled rail from elsewhere. Target 80km/hr with 60km/hr average. Its only  13km to Logan Village so if you can get the trip time to 20min you can do 1 return trip every 45min, but 30min capable would be better but this would require a higher track standard and cost.

- Train timetabled to connect with Beenleigh services say connecting around 6:00, 6:45, 7:30, 8:15, 9:00 at Bethania and same in afternoon probably starting in time for afternoon school run around 3pm and finishing around 6:30-7:00pm with a Saturday morning timetable. Minibus to supplement during day as normally numbers are unlikely to justify train in short term and provides window for track work. But otherwise one hourly during day. City bound trains Bethania at 06/36 and Beenleigh bound arrive 07/37, which is good for a connection service.

"One of the major issues with public transport in south-east Queensland is the failure to utilise existing infrastructure maximally and the resources that already exist.  Logan Village and Yarrabilba is a planned high growth area.  Providing rail public transport from day one makes a lot of economic, social and environmental sense!"

Reference:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5915.msg76879#msg76879

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5915.msg76879#msg76879

[Matt]

Does anyone know if there any volunteer run trains in Australia that provide a public service combined with a tourist/enthusiast experience. The Bethania to Canungra line would be excellent for this end.
Matt