1st July 2010: Queensland Rail takes over!

[somebody]

The issue is to fix Translink not change the structure.  Translink style arrangements have been extremely successful overseas.

While I am sympathetic to this argument, do arrangements overseas involve:
(1) The power to veto a rail operator's plans
(2) Complete control over funding

[Jon Bryant]

Yes and usually cover all modes of transport in the region

[mufreight]

Sorry Jonno, must disagree again, in many cases the transit authority simply acts as a coordinating authority setting out minimum standards of service with operators having the flexibility of operate above that base level of service with payment for additional levels of service effectively being an additional payment received for justifiable levels of additional service.
This effectively encourages the service providers to operate to the highest justified levels of service to increase patronage with the spin off benefits being lower levels of private vehicle usage reducing demand on road infrastructure and a lower demand of other services such as hospitals by reducing the road accident rate.

[Jon Bryant]

The operational mechanism you outline is one that could be implemented by Translink in it's current form using smart commercial arrangements.

[somebody]

I would have to say that I think the points in my previous post are taking Translink's power too far.  Qld Rail need to be free to implement their own plans without needing to consult another agency.

[MichaelJ]

At a press conference at Roma Street on Thursday, July 1, 2010, Queensland Rail unveiled their new logo on SMU 279/280.  The new livery and logo was applied to the units at Banyo Workshops a week for the launch.

Silently Rolling By
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751296935

A New Era Begins
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751939396

Queensland Rail on SM7280
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751939066

End-To-End
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751298533

The Red People
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751940152

Having A Chat
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751299705

Right-Hand Side
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751297231

Arriving For Press Conference
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751297551

Queensland Rail on SM7279
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751297815

Sitting At Roma Street
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751298059

Surrounded By Security
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751298291

In The Heart Of Brisbane
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesmp/4751298711

Please feel free to pass on these links.

[Golliwog]

Cool pics. I was just wondering, does anyone know if the new paint job is going to gradually be applied to all QR passenger trains, or was it just those two for the press conference?

[brad C]

It would be extremely disappointing in the current 'cash strapped' environment to see dollars channelled into cosmetic upgrading for the sake of self prmotion.
If new rolling stock is on order, perhaps its livery can be altered, but to apply universally when the travelling public are still seething over high fares, poor frequencies etc would not be very savvy.
I am always wary about government QANGOS re-inventing themselves, particularly when they have had years to get it right in the first place.

[#Metro]

  Frequency   Frequency   Frequency   Frequency
Mass frequency boost please!

It would be extremely disappointing in the current 'cash strapped' environment to see dollars channelled into cosmetic upgrading for the sake of self prmotion.

Nowadays its all about the cosmetics. But there is a point, some improvement will attract people.
BUT if there is no train when they turn up, when they want it, it doesn't matter how good the wrappings look.

[ozbob]

All trains will be progressively updated with new livery.  I understand there is an EMU already done, although haven't seen it yet.

[somebody]

It would be extremely disappointing in the current 'cash strapped' environment to see dollars channelled into cosmetic upgrading for the sake of self prmotion.
If new rolling stock is on order, perhaps its livery can be altered, but to apply universally when the travelling public are still seething over high fares, poor frequencies etc would not be very savvy.
I am always wary about government QANGOS re-inventing themselves, particularly when they have had years to get it right in the first place.

Hear here!!

Perhaps if there were a change to basic service levels first it would be easier to feel a little sympathy for them promoting this change.

[STB]

Finally have some pics uploaded...










Mods: If the pics are too big, feel free to de-size them .

Edit:  Done! 

[Derwan]

You can thumbnail them by changing the tag to imgt instead of img 

[STB]

Cheers for the hint.  Obviously first time I've done it.

[ozbob]

New livery set at Darra 7th July 2010







Photographs mufreight 7th July 2010

[O_128]

It needs the red stripe back along the top.

[brismike]

I think it looks cheap and was obviously done in a hurry. Surely a decent designer could come up with something better? 

[ClintonL94]

Today I went train hunting for these new liverys! I gave up after 2 hours in the city - never found any. So I caught a Gold Coast train home and found one going in the opposite direction. So now I didn't give up and did my timetable research and the train arrived at Varsity Lakes at 1:15pm and departed for Brisbane Domestic at 1:48pm

Here is my shots,


















Have a great weekend!
Clinton.

[ozbob]

Good on you Clinton, great photos!

[Derwan]

Yep - great photos Clinton. 

[ClintonL94]

Thank you Andrew and Bob, Dedication is great I was up in the city from 6:30-9:30am searching for it, as the previous post says I never found it. Until the ride home which turned out to be a 3 hour ride home.

[brad C]

Don't ask me to explain it, but these same two sets, 279 and 280 were on an Ipswich bound service which departed Caboolture at 1932hrs TODAY!!
This would have left the CBD around 1725hrs and most probably originated from Mayne.
Assuming they are not replaced with a 'fresh turnout' in the intervening period, they will return to Caboolture at approx 2340hrs and will be stabled there.
They may see revenue service again tomorrow or be sent back empty to Mayne for 'safe keeping'.

[ozbob]

I have received advice that Mr Paul Scurrah has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Rail.

Mr Scurrah has been the Interim CEO.

Congratulations!

Admin

[stephenk]

Today I went train hunting for these new liverys! I gave up after 2 hours in the city - never found any. So I caught a Gold Coast train home and found one going in the opposite direction. So now I didn't give up and did my timetable research and the train arrived at Varsity Lakes at 1:15pm and departed for Brisbane Domestic at 1:48pm

Not being a train spotter myself, this makes me laugh. I ended up on one of the rebranded trains twice in the same day last Sunday. It should be noted, I only used rail twice that day! 

[Derwan]

I have received advice that Mr Paul Scurrah has been appointed  appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Rail.

This is great news!

[WTN]

That's fantastic! Congratulations to Paul! I've even met him in the past.

[tonigau]

Quote from: ozbob on July 01, 2010, 06:42:35 AM
Noted red polo shirt on staff on the way to Graceville.  Red logo is fine, red not normally a colour for rail uniforms though.  Might be just for the day ...

I was told the QR Employees have to return their uniforms after today's shift.


I asked one of the QueenslandRail managers about the red polo shirts (I've nicknamed them strawberries).  They are only for today for promo purposes.  New uniforms are still under internal consulatation.  I doubt they would be all red as the promo shirts are due to safety reasons (could be mistaken as a red signal by drivers from a distance).

At least red is a "safe" color (restrictive), no one would be silly enough to wear green shirts on a railway platform (would they?).

[ClintonL94]

QueenslandRail have changed their homepage navigation slightly.