Conflicting moves off peak with Oxley 4th platform & up sub electrification

[somebody]

Long post warning

Here is the promised list of remotely feasible patterns that I can see

Scenario (a)

2-3tph Richlands all stations
2-3tph Ipswich all stations
1tph coalies

All up pax trains via Corinda #2 and new Oxley platform
Down pax trains from Richlands via current Oxley #1 and Sherwood #2
Down pax trains from Ipswich via current Oxley #3 and Sherwood #2
Up (empty) coal via Darra #1 - merges but does not conflict
Down coal via Darra #2 - conflicts at Corinda 1 crossing 4-6

Scenario (b)
2-3tph Richlands all stations
2-3tph Ipswich all stations
1tph coalies

Up Richlands pax trains via Corinda #2 and new Oxley platform
Up Ipswich pax trains via Corinda #4, current Oxley #2 and Darra #3 - conflicts east of Milton - 2-3 crossing 2-3
Down pax trains from Richlands via current Oxley #1 and Sherwood #2
Down pax trains from Ipswich via current Oxley #3 and Sherwood #4
Up (empty) coal via Darra #1 - merges but does not conflict
Down coal via Darra #2 - conflicts at Corinda 1 crossing 2-3

Scenario (c)

3-4tph Richlands all stations
3-4tph Ipswich express
1tph coalies

Up Richlands pax trains via Corinda #2 and new Oxley platform
Up Ipswich pax trains via Corinda #4, current Oxley #2 and Darra #3 - conflicts east of Milton - 3-4 crossing 3-4
Down pax trains from Richlands via current Oxley #1 and Sherwood #2
Down pax trains from Ipswich via current Oxley #3 and Sherwood #4
Up (empty) coal via Darra #1 - merges but does not conflict
Down coal via Darra #2 - conflicts at Corinda 1 crossing 3-4

Scenario (d)

3-4tph Richlands all stations
3-4tph Ipswich express
1tph coalies

Up Richlands pax trains via Corinda #2 and new Oxley platform
Up Ipswich pax trains via Corinda #2, new Oxley platform and Darra #1
Down pax trains from Richlands via current Oxley #1 and Sherwood #2
Down pax trains from Ipswich via current Oxley #3, Corinda #3 and Sherwood #2
Up (empty) coal via Darra #1 - merges but does not conflict
Down coal via Darra #2 - conflicts at Corinda 1 crossing 6-8.

Am I missing something?

[mufreight]

Try instead of one freight movement per hour and make that four freight movements per hour over four Ipswich passenger movements and four Springfield line passenger movements per hour.
At the present time we have seen occasions where there have been better than four freight/light engine movements, two passenger service movements to both Ipswich and Richlands and two enpty car/driver training movements through the Corinda - Darra section so with the present infrastructure that level of movements is proven to be possible and there is little doubt that with the fourth line electrified and the fourth platform at Oxley an even higher level of movements is possible.

[somebody]

Haven't heard about the massive coal mine in the Lockyer Valley soon to open, but that isn't even the point!

These levels of conflicting moves are no better than what would apply if they just put in the missing crossover at Darra West.

Developing from scenario (c):

Scenario (e)

3-4tph Richlands all stations
3-4tph Ipswich express
1-4tph coalies

Up Richlands pax trains via Corinda #2 and Oxley #1 platform
Up Ipswich pax trains via Corinda #2, Oxley #1 and Darra #1
Down pax trains from Richlands via Oxley #3 and Sherwood #2 - optionally can use Oxley #2 as present when coalies are clear
Down pax trains from Ipswich via current Oxley #3 and Sherwood #4
Up (empty) coal via Darra #3 - merges but does not conflict
Down coal via Darra #2 - conflicts at Corinda 1-4 crossing 6-8 and Darra 1-4 crossing 6-8.  However, neither of these conflicts have a passenger train behind the freighter, needing the freighter to be clear to prevent delaying the passenger train.  I think that makes a large difference.

[ozbob]

Stopping the continual crossings between subs and mains is the huge advantage of electrifying the 4th line. This then opens up clear train paths for all services.

The best thing to do Simon is set aside a day, and observe the train movements, I think you will be somewhat surprised at the frequency of all trains and the delays caused by the crossings.

[mufreight]

As Ozbob has suggested Simon set aside a day and spend it at either Darra, Oxley or Corinda, my suggestion being a Thursday at Darra from about 7.30 am through till about 2pm, you might well have a considerably different view after such a day of observations, particularly if it is aheavy traffic day with the pipe train and a couple of grain movements as happens from time to time.

[somebody]

Stopping the continual crossings between subs and mains is the huge advantage ...

Well you could stop crossings between mains and subs for the down trains from Ipswich at a whim.  Clearly they see that stopping such crossings is not a big deal.

Not sure why you see it as a big deal either.

[ozbob]

Because it interfers with train paths.  It means outbound trains particularly at peak, run restricted because of the need for down trains to cross from down sub over eventually to down main. 

It means coal/freight trains are forced to stop on the UP sub waiting for paths as trains slow to cross from main down to down sub to up sub.

As suggested go and have  a look, a long look and you will then understand properly the situation.

[somebody]

You are referring to the PM peak with the trains running on restricted signals, I presume.

Forced to stop on the up sub?  Obviously, that can happen for an up train to get through Darra #1, but that's really the only limitation for up trains.  I'm guessing that you are referring to down trains.  Not sure how often these reach the up sub.

[mufreight]

You are referring to the PM peak with the trains running on restricted signals, I presume.

Forced to stop on the up sub?  Obviously, that can happen for an up train to get through Darra #1, but that's really the only limitation for up trains.  I'm guessing that you are referring to down trains.  Not sure how often these reach the up sub.

Well go and have a look yourself, a picture is worth a thousand words.   

[somebody]

Going to have a look will show me how the current set up fails.  It won't show me how it would still fail with the additional crossover at Darra West, or what would be different with the 4th platform.

[mufreight]

Going to have a look will show me how the current set up fails.  It won't show me how it would still fail with the additional crossover at Darra West, or what would be different with the 4th platform.

None so blind as those who do not want to see.       

[Stillwater]

Long drive from Sydney to Darra perhaps.

[somebody]

Going to have a look will show me how the current set up fails.  It won't show me how it would still fail with the additional crossover at Darra West, or what would be different with the 4th platform.

None so blind as those who do not want to see.       

[mufreight]

Long drive from Sydney to Darra perhaps.

Especially wearing a blindfold