Thomas Street platforms being extended

[Stillwater]

Queensland transport authorities always good at saying what's happening.  'We are doing xyz'.  Those charged with proclaiming that message never ask 'why' and are never told 'why' (can't give away too much information to the plebs, they may start thinking for themselves).  This situation arises out of a government paranoid about controlling the information flow.

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Hopefully an answer later today ..

Meanwhile enjoy the songs!   

[Derwan]

Having a look at the latest Google Maps images, it appears that the entrance track to the Depot will branch off just after the bridge over the Bremer River - with the line running past Wulkuraka Station.  (Has anyone been out that way recently?)

I'm wondering if they'll therefore need a crossover on the Ipswich side of the bridge - and that with clearance distances for points and signals, etc, they need a little more space to allow trains to stop at Thomas St without occupying the block with the crossover points.

Seems like a longshot but it's just a thought.

Either way, if you're going to spend the money to extend a platform a little bit, why not extend it to 6-car length?  I'd still like to see all Ipswich services extended to Thomas St.  Ideally they should extend to Wulkuraka but it looks like that won't be possible considering where it looks like it'll be branching off.  (You couldn't start a service from Wulkuraka with a set stabled at Wulkuraka.)

[petey3801]

By what I have seen of the new track layout plans, ^^^ is about the gist of what is going on.

[ozbob]

QR didn't get back to me.  So we wait a little longer ..

[#Metro]

^Perhaps this has gone all the way up to Jackie Trad who has 5 portfolio areas, and so it is 'in queue'.

[ozbob]

Could well be LD ... meanwhile another song to enjoy .. 

[Stillwater]

So the story, most likely, is that the platform extensions at Thomas Street have to do with train access at the Wulkuraka maintenance facility.  So why does QR/TransLink want to tell only part of the story?  They are not very communicative.

Are there systemic issues here?  QR did not handle the Woombye stabling facility PR very well, with people confusing the consequences of proposed track duplication with the stabling works.  Public meeting of cranky residents, Q and A sessions in the park and letterbox info drops had to be organised at last minute and could have been avoided had there been a steady stream of advice to people over time.  Governments talk about transparency and openness, but address both objectives poorly.

Lack of transparency about PT operational data in Qld is another case in point where our transport agencies don't want to take people into their confidence.  This contrasts with how other states handle these things, Victoria probably being the best of the bunch when it comes to informing the public about rail matters.

QR seems to want to beat people off with a big stick when it comes to informing the public of things going on and forget that people want to love their rail network and desire desperately to have ownership of it.  No, QR believes it has ownership of all things rail and people are things that get in the way of its functioning and effective operation.

Meanwhile, can we have the what and the why from QR on Thomas Street?  It doesn't require the mounting of an expedition from Roma Street to go there and find out, but that is the impression being given  -- an organisation that doesn't know what's going on at the coalface (a PR/customer relations team disconnected from the organisation it represents and serves.)

[#Metro]

So I hear the Queensland Government is planning to hold BBQ...   

[Stillwater]

Can't RailBOT members organise a BBQ at Thomas Street platform.  Invite QR staff to 'meet and greet the locals' at a sausage sizzle.

[ozbob]

I have emailed QR just now with yet another request as to why the platform extensions are only 35/40 metres.

[ozbob]

Meanwhile ...   

[#Metro]

I have emailed QR just now with yet another request as to why the platform extensions are only 35/40 metres.

This is turning into a real story! 

[ozbob]

Apologies received from Queensland Rail re time taken to get back in detail,  however this is the explanation.

As we worked out the stopping mark is effectively being moved 40 metres towards Ipswich.  This is to fit in with signalling and crossing requirements for NGR works etc.

Platforms will remain 3 car length in operational effect.

[Stillwater]

So the thrust of the PR (good news, we are extending Thomas Street platforms) is all hype.  The effect of the work is 'business as usual' (3-car operational length). 

[petey3801]

So the thrust of the PR (good news, we are extending Thomas Street platforms) is all hype.  The effect of the work is 'business as usual' (3-car operational length). 

Ummm, please, prey tell where you found this 'PR hype'? All I saw was an information paragraph saying they were doing works, including a short extention of the platform for the Wulkuraka Connection works.

[ozbob]

So, we now know why it is only a partial extension.  I think this calls for a final song ...   

[Arnz]

The "Queenslander!" effect seems to be affecting interstate projects of late as well.  I think it won't be long before we're going 'STRAYA' instead (minus the 4 letter word the 'cool' kids use).

[aldonius]

The "Queenslander!" effect seems to be affecting interstate projects of late as well.  I think it won't be long before we're going 'STRAYA' instead (minus the 4 letter word the 'cool' kids use).

You clearly mean "Grub" 

[ozbob]

For the record.  Adjustment paid ..

==============

09 Jul 2015
11:24 AM    Goodna    12:02 PM    Ipswich    $ 1.86         $ 3.50
03:33 PM    Top up/Adjustment  ( Ipswich )         $ 6.86    $ 10.36
03:33 PM    Ipswich    03:58 PM    Goodna    $ 2.33         $ 8.03

I also managed a weird fixed-fare at Ippy  Seniors

08:19 AM    Goodna    08:57 AM    Ipswich    $ 2.33         $ 12.22
09:07 AM    Ipswich    09:11 AM    Cancel Touch On    $ 0.00         $ 12.22
09:15 AM    Ipswich    09:37 AM    Thomas St    $ 0.00         $ 12.22
09:46 AM    Thomas St                 
Unknown    Failed to touch on    10:30 AM    Ipswich    $ 5.00         $ 7.22
   10:30 AM    Ipswich    $ 0.00         $ 12.22
10:43 AM    Ipswich    11:26 AM    Goodna    $ 1.86         $ 5.36

=================

Hope punters are alert to this!!  Adjustment claimed ...