POLL: Gold Coast Regional Rapid Rail

[#Metro]

5 day poll. Results available after voting. Change vote at anytime until poll close.

[ozbob]

Of course.  However these are longer term aims.  It is important that Cross River Rail is commenced (this will be an enabler for this down the track) and the present mess with Queensland Rail sorted.

[ozbob]

From the retrospectroscope  ..

August 31, 2010.

Couriermail --> High-speed European-style trains to run from Brisbane to coasts under new transport plan, says Anna Bligh

THE Cross River Rail project is the lynchpin of the new Regional Transport Plan for South East Queensland, announced by Premier Anna Bligh this morning.

High-speed express passenger tilt trains will be rocketing between the Gold Coast and Brisbane in just 60 minutes under the plan to double the number of people using public transport over the next 20 years.

Ms Bligh described the 20 year blueprint as "visionary", describing how it maps out 207km of new railway lines stretching the network to new suburbs and new towns.

Ms Bligh said the government is looking at replacing the Gold Coast to Brisbane trains with tilt train technology that enables increased speed on regular rail tracks.

But there is no timeframe for the trains to be introduced and no funding.

"We need to completely overhaul the way trains operate to achieve this level of growth and provide a level of service that is superior to driving a car," Ms Bligh said.

"We are working to deliver a rail revolution -- a network that carries more people, more often, more quickly."

She said the European style 'super commuter' trains would run express from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts direct to Brisbane city and reach speeds of up to 160km/h.

The current speed limit on the Gold Coast line is 140km/h with a travel time between Varsity Lakes and Central stations of about one hour and 20 minutes. Driving the same distance would take about an hour and a half in peak-hour traffic.

The plan also involves a 15km rail line between Alderley and Strathpine and new line extensions to Maroochydore, Coolangatta, Moreton Bay, Springfield, Ripley and Flagstone.

It also involves the 8km Brisabne subway from Toowong to West End to Newstead and Bowen Hills with Ms Bligh earmarking extensions to Hamilton, the Airport and Bulimba possible in the longer term.

Ms Bligh detailed more frequent services and higher capacity trains inbound from Darra, Strathpine, Loganlea, Ferny Grove, Manly, Springfield, Shorncliffe and the Airport.

Ms Bligh said a fully loaded suburban train carried 700 people, taking 600 cars off the road.

The number of three car trains is expected to increase from 200 to 400 by 2031 under the plan.

The plan also includes ambitious cycling target, including a 300km cycleway network by 2031.

[#Metro]

I think it is feasible. Tilting trains would be a good choice.

[ozbob]

I think it is feasible. Tilting trains would be a good choice.

[OzGamer]

Everything seems stuck. How about reimagining Cross River Rail as the portal for regional high speed rail from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts? So it would be purely an interurban corridor, with suburban services from Kuraby still using the Merivale Bridge?

Tilt trains could do 160km/h between the Gold Coast stations and Yatala on the existing line, go at 120-140 km/h on elevated line over the freeway from here to the inner southeast, then enter the tunnel at 100km/h which would take them past the city stations and out to Alderley, along the Trouts Road corridor at 120-140km/h, join the existing line between Strathpine and Petrie, then go on a new 160 km/h line parallel to the Bruce Highway from here to the Sunshine Coast.

I know it all sounds like a dream at the moment, but Federal Government money might be unlocked for nation building projects like this. A one hour commute to Brisbane from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts might be what the regional rail fund is all about.

[verbatim9]

In my CRR submission I mentioned provisions for dual guage sleepers. For future conversion. Also allowing tunnel specifications to accommodate future HSR rolling stock (Electrified)

[ozbob]

Everything seems stuck. How about reimagining Cross River Rail as the portal for regional high speed rail from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts? So it would be purely an interurban corridor, with suburban services from Kuraby still using the Merivale Bridge?

Tilt trains could do 160km/h between the Gold Coast stations and Yatala on the existing line, go at 120-140 km/h on elevated line over the freeway from here to the inner southeast, then enter the tunnel at 100km/h which would take them past the city stations and out to Alderley, along the Trouts Road corridor at 120-140km/h, join the existing line between Strathpine and Petrie, then go on a new 160 km/h line parallel to the Bruce Highway from here to the Sunshine Coast.

I know it all sounds like a dream at the moment, but Federal Government money might be unlocked for nation building projects like this. A one hour commute to Brisbane from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts might be what the regional rail fund is all about.

Spot on.  I have always looked CRR as really being the enabler for decent services to Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.  NW Transport corridor really needs to be brought into play for the Sunny Coast.  Gold Coast needs a new alignment from CRR southern portal to south of Beenleigh then onto the present track.

[Cazza]

Just thinking logically here (no money boundaries), CRR should be 4 tracks at least (2 either way- maybe 2 for interurban and 2 for suburban???) This would also future proof the tunnel. Also, stabling yards at both the north and south portals of the tunnels so trains aren't dwelling at platforms in the tunnel itself, freeing up track space for following services

[ozbob]

Just thinking logically here (no money boundaries), CRR should be 4 tracks at least (2 either way- maybe 2 for interurban and 2 for suburban???) This would also future proof the tunnel. Also, stabling yards at both the north and south portals of the tunnels so trains aren't dwelling at platforms in the tunnel itself, freeing up track space for following services

Smart thinking.  Early on I had a clandestine meeting with a tunnel engineer in Brisbane one day, would have been from memory c. 2009.  The meeting was about the need for 4 tracks in CRR.  His thinking was two double track tunnels.  Even if initially only one was used from opening the other kept in reserve until the other components stepped up for rapid rail north and south. It made sense as it will be very difficult to get back in to do further tunnels once CRR done.  He was after support.  Such forward thinking is missing in our infrastructure planning. 

[Cazza]

Very true. It's much better to over-cater than to under-cater. Do the hards yards early and in the future, not much needs to be done at all.

If CRR was to be 4 tracks, both tunnels should be built at the same time so it is ready to lay the track and do the finishing touches when necessary.

[QLDBUS]

Having 4 tracks wouldn't only allow for a line from the gold coast but also from Mt ommaney and UQ



Proposed Train Network: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=1noXdJxG2iCvYIs8cXW8JRn20UFM&ll=-27.4847835285017%2C152.94430015571288&z=12

[#Metro]

REMINDER - Voting closes TODAY!

[#Metro]

Full support for speeding up Gold Coast train services. Thank you to all who voted.