Station Upgrades

[ozbob]

Thomas Street recent 1 car extensions https://t.co/WuNDX7L25S

[ozbob]

Wulkuraka.. Go card reader platform 2 has been relocated https://t.co/ynQp3Jgdeu

[ozbob]

Sadliers Crossing bridge > https://t.co/GHq1k9U3XB

[ozbob]

Wulkuraka 3 car raised platforms 3 lifts https://t.co/JZ8JM9gPCI

[ozbob]

Bridge protection Wulkuraka rail over road https://t.co/4IIijEQYlx

[Mozz]

$5.0M Southbank Train Station Upgrade proposed as part of the new Southpoint development at Southbank:

https://www.facebook.com/southpointsouthbank/photos/a.1735900816642958.1073741828.1636289103270797/1747988088767564/?type=3&theater

[SurfRail]

Like Milton we'll probably end up with nothing for the other platforms - unlike Milton I doubt there will be platform raising (the curve is fairly wicked on P1).

[joily]

Newmarket station is currently undergoing an upgrade, I took this photo today:



From the works already done I assume they are adding platforms on both sides rather than adding a lift as planned. A little bit different to QR's artist impression:



But the platforms on both sides is a much better alternative and will make it much easier for able-bodied people as well. Is it the only platform in Brisbane that will allow boarding the train from both sides? Or will they remove the middle platform? I suppose it would create a safety hazard as both sides would need to be monitored.

I'd be grateful if anyone had any further information on it.There is this tender (https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/qtenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?CSRFNONCE=D9A1C8C4946BBA6BB6206AB7942B40F2&id=12309&action=display-tender-details) but I can't download any of the specs and it is quite old.

I wish they'd remove the level crossing at Newmarket as well, but I guess that's a much bigger problem.

[aldonius]

Welcome to the forum, jolly!

The other option is that they're building temporary side platforms while they rebuild the permanent one.

Newmarket is partially in the side of a hill, which means it's actually better to be done as an island platform. (The level crossing end should be more like the Windsor or Keperra crossings). Being an island means it only needs the one lift. Side platforms there would need two lifts or else lengthy ramps.

[joily]

Being able to enter from the level crossing like at Windsor would be best and far cheaper than the stairs. I assume they had a good reason to not do it that way. I heard (from an unreliable source) that it used to be like that but it was taken away due to accidents. Perhaps they can't fit a safety gate between the tracks. Not that anyone walks through those gates due to the level crossing being wide open for cars to cross.

With the side platforms you'd presumably be able to enter from the level crossing, so there'd be no need for lifts or bridges and stairs. Because of the hill the ramp on the eastern platform wouldn't need to be steep as you'd just enter at the right level (assuming you don't mind entering at the end of the platform rather than the middle). You're right they'd need a long ramp on the western side, though it would be no worse than the Windsor station.

Now you mention it though - those concrete stumps in the ground do look more like temporary support anchors rather than how they'd build a permanent platform.

A shame, as I wish they would do away with the need to climb the large flight of stairs or use lifts to get to the station. Combined with Wilston road being so difficult to cross it takes a lot of weaving across stairs, bridges, roads, level crossings and ramps just to get from the platform to where I want to go, and likewise with the reverse. Hopefully the work proposed under this study (http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/roads-infrastructure-bikeways/wilston-grange-precinct-transport-study) will make it easier.

[BrizCommuter]

I would assume that it will be either:
1) temporary platforms whilst the lift shaft is added to the island platform.
2) 3 platform "Spanish solution" station designed to handle 50,000 passengers per hour.

All bets are on option 1.

Quite why this disability access work wasn't done during the previous Newmarket station beggars belief!

[SurfRail]

Shouldn't come as any surprise by now - you only need to pay a visit to Eagle Junction to see why.

I expect the platforms are only going to be humped here.

[BrizCommuter]

A lighthearted post for the weekend.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/what-is-going-on-at-newmarket.html

[joily]

The stairs have been removed from the northern end of the platform of Newmarket station. Poor quality photo attached:


Here's hoping a ramp will be added at this end to allow direct access instead of going up and over.

[SurfRail]

QR's policy (and it is one I agree with) is that there are not going to be any more pedestrian level crossings where they don't already exist.

[joily]

In this case the pedestrian level crossing does already exist, one of the more dangerous ones in Brisbane. Pedestrians are forced to cross over it due to it being impossible to cross Wilston road without the road island that only exists on one side of the tracks.

If there was a ramp in the middle to the platform commuters from the west side would only have to cross over one track instead of both. Although from experience I'm fairly sceptical of QR making it easier for commuters.

[tazzer9]

pedestrians gates are generally far batter than stairs where train frequencies arent too much and have few expresses.  This is especially shown on the FG line.  While it does pose a greater risk to being hit by a train, I am doubtful they save on maintenance and even injury.   Because unless the stairs are fully covered all the way to the waiting shelter, incidences like slips still occur.  and they certainly do not save customer time.  I'm all for lifts and generally access upgrades but i dont want them ripping up the ped gates just for something that looks fancy. 

[red dragin]

Came across this one for Shorncliffe

https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/inthecommunity/projects/station-upgrade-program/shorncliffe-station-precinct-heritage-restoration

Looks like serious efforts will be made to keep the station as it is, including moving the build for repairs and then reinstalling it. The overbridge is to be removed and potentially not replaced.

[mufreight]

Work has commenced on Disability access upgrades to Graceville and Dinmore stations.  Incredible as it may seem the platforms are not being raised to carriage floor level but apparently a short section will be raised in the middle of the platform where the guards presently are located on the current trains composed of 2 three car sets.
In light of the fact that the NGR trains will be permanently coupled 6 car set and the guards will be in the rear carriage it seems absurd that the full length of these platforms is not being raised at these locations.
In both cases they are straight platform so the usual phurphy that they can not raise the platforms because of clearance problems with freight services has no bearing.
There will be considerable costs involved in returning at a later date to raise the full length of these platform that will require modifications to the lifts that are to be installed, entrances to the station buildings and steps to the subways.
Surely it would be prudent to carry out these works now as part of the current disability access upgrades which would cater for the NGR trains. 
No doubt this will come at a cost that may mean that instead of five stations being upgraded in a year only four are done but better to do the job properly and do it once than to half do the job and have to go back and do it a second time at a greater expense.

[petey3801]

Not disagreeing at all, however both Graceville and Dinmore are actually curved platforms. Both platforms at Dinmore have a slight curve and the outer platforms (1 and 4) at Graceville are quite heavily curved.

Newmarket has also started, with temporary side platforms at current low level being built at the moment.

When the NGR is introduced, the disabled/assisted loading point will still be in the middle at the current position. This is partly for commonality between 2x3car trains and NGR trains as well as, at a number of stations, there is not enough room at the end of the train/too many obstructions at the end of the train to make it worth moving it to the end where the guard will be on the NGRs.
For example, platforms such as Indooroopilly on the mains are too narrow to allow wheelchair pax to board with the ramp (even if it was full height, it would still be pretty tight).

[mufreight]

Using a mobility scooter I find that I do not need a ramp to board or detrain at stations with a full height platform, there are a number of stations with low level platform where it is impossible to either board or detrain using a ramp as platform structures are too close to the platform edge, Milton platform 2 the stairs Auchenflower platform 1 the waiting shed in both of these if the platform was fill height and there was no need of the ramp boarding or detraining would be possible.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Exclusive: Six Gold Coast heavy railway stations to be upgraded in $10m Games works program

HI-TECH information boards, improved security and a fresh coat of paint will transform the Gold Coast's six railway stations in a $10 million upgrade for the Commonwealth Games.

The State Government will today announce the refurbishment to bring the stations up to world-class standard in less than two years for the 600,000 extra people expected to attend the 2018 Games.

The Gold Coast Bulletin can reveal the modernisation of the station buildings at Ormeau, Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, ­Robina and Varsity Lakes will include:

● New passenger information displays.

● A fresh coat of paint.

● Extra CCTV cameras.

[ozbob]

^

WTF?  Relatively new stations need upgrading?  What about the Goodnas of the network - rotting away ...

[tazzer9]

They will be 22 years old, not the youngest of things (exclude varsity lakes), none have had any significant upgrade.  But if thats all they're doing, its a bit of a waste of money.
Will this include a central turnback roads at coomera and robina (coomera temporary, robina permanent).  The extra rail traffic with focus on more local travel will warrant them.   

[mufreight]

Equally in need of attention Ipswich station and as an aside the parking at Redbank including the extended car park wat completely parked out at 8.00am, the parking at Goodna likewise, Gailes about 200 yards either end of the station on the roadside, Wacol the cars were parked on the roadside again some 200+ metres west of the station and the car parks packed and at Darra cars were parked in Manburgh Terrace up to Harcourt Street and the same in Railway parade.
I have no doubt that Richlands would also be parked out yet we have some who take the nine of TMR and assert that Ellengrove does not need a station.
The construction of Ellengrove would have room for a 300+ spaces car park which would relieve the parking problems at Redbank, Wacol, Richlands and Darra.

[mufreight]

Not disagreeing at all, however both Graceville and Dinmore are actually curved platforms. Both platforms at Dinmore have a slight curve and the outer platforms (1 and 4) at Graceville are quite heavily curved.

Newmarket has also started, with temporary side platforms at current low level being built at the moment.

When the NGR is introduced, the disabled/assisted loading point will still be in the middle at the current position. This is partly for commonality between 2x3car trains and NGR trains as well as, at a number of stations, there is not enough room at the end of the train/too many obstructions at the end of the train to make it worth moving it to the end where the guard will be on the NGRs.
For example, platforms such as Indooroopilly on the mains are too narrow to allow wheelchair pax to board with the ramp (even if it was full height, it would still be pretty tight).

The platforms at Dinmore are both straight while the curve in platforms 1 & 4 at Graceville is less than the curve in platform 6 at Central which is full height for its full length.
There is no reason why the entrances to the lifts if the full platform is not to be raised could not be built to the full height platform level and ramped down to the platform level which would save the costs of expensive modifications to the lifts when sanity prevails and the platforms are raised to full height for their full length.

[mufreight]

As an aside the claim that platforms can not be raised to full height on a curve because of clearance problems with freight movements is just a pathetic excuse to do nothing.
Platform 6 at Central is full height for its full length including the curve on the eastern end of the platform yet PN locos and 28 class locos hauling a freight consist have operated through platform 6 without fouling the platform or and other clearance issues.
Simply another TMR excuse to do nothing.

[petey3801]

the parking at Redbank including the extended car park wat completely parked out at 8.00am

Was that today? Since it opened, it hasn't been parked out at all that i've seen at various times of the day.

The platforms at Dinmore are both straight

Ahh, no, no they are not. They are on an (easy) left hand curve (heading towards Ipswich).

curve in platforms 1 & 4 at Graceville is less than the curve in platform 6 at Central which is full height for its full length.

Possibly true, however, Central p6 has a 40km/h speed limit while Graceville 4 has a 100km/h speed limit and p1 a 70km/h speed limit. Much faster running than Central. While yes, full height platforms may not have too much effect on freight, there would be a small factor that needs to be allowed for. It shouldn't prevent raising the whole platform though, I agree.

[LRV 018]

Gold Coast Bulletin — Six Gold Coast heavy railway stations to be upgraded in $10m Games works program

The Gold Coast Bulletin can reveal the modernisation of the station buildings at Ormeau, Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, Robina and Varsity Lakes will include:

● New passenger information displays
● A fresh coat of paint
● Extra CCTV cameras
● Upgraded toilets
● New signage

Great news! Was only thinking recently how much the GC line stations are in need of a fresh coat of paint (and new PIDs!)

[Gazza]

The construction of Ellengrove would have room for a 300+ spaces car park which would relieve the parking problems at Redbank, Wacol, Richlands and Darra.

But you could just add a 300+ car park by building an extra level at Richlands, and the cost of this would be lower than a whole new station and car park.

[bretto82]

Dinmore station is a left hand curve to the left looking west and from memory track speed is not above 80 pete can prob confirm that as I have not been there for a while now but I can recall we can't work on track there without a block there due to not having siting distance

[petey3801]

Yeah, 80km/h max both ways through Dinmore (although it is down to 60km/h due to a TSR at the moment for the works going on).

[bretto82]

Yes read that one and got the boards ready for the local gang to put up haha love being a ppo needed to help the local boys out but a good Po never works under a tsr always max road pem road speed 😛 Same restriction on at graceville as well for the upgrade works there

[SurfRail]

They will be 22 years old, not the youngest of things (exclude varsity lakes), none have had any significant upgrade.  But if thats all they're doing, its a bit of a waste of money.
Will this include a central turnback roads at coomera and robina (coomera temporary, robina permanent).  The extra rail traffic with focus on more local travel will warrant them.

Robina has a turnback already - it's called Varsity Lakes.

Coomera - not needed.  The goal should be to get intercity services up to every 15 minutes in the off-peal, but if trains are not running this frequently north of Coomera and you want to run better than half-hourly to the south, you can just change ends on the platform.

[tazzer9]

Robina has a turnback already - it's called Varsity Lakes.

Coomera - not needed.  The goal should be to get intercity services up to every 15 minutes in the off-peal, but if trains are not running this frequently north of Coomera and you want to run better than half-hourly to the south, you can just change ends on the platform.

coomera would be for turning back northbound trains (on the northern side of the station). Gold coast deserves 15 minutes off peak service in the first place, but when the commonwealth games are on, capacity will be stretched.  I also mean a proper turnback road, you know, one that doesn't block running lines and causes a headache for timetable planners.  Varsity lakes is a terribly designed terminus, obvious that its only temporary (still for far too long).  Don't know of any other decent rail system that has such poor turnback facilities. 

[petey3801]

Varsity Lakes is more than capable of turning back the trains required for the Gold Coast line. Hell, it already turns back trains every 7.5mins in morning peak! It also has the dead end track at the southern end where trains can turn back to open up both platforms.
Coomera turnback simply isn't required IMO. Want extra trains just on the Gold Coast line without heading through to the City? Build a proper Beenleigh terminus station and turn them back there. The few days of the Commonwealth Games isn't enough to warrent the building of a turnback road at Coomera that will see basically zero use after the games (and likely bugger all use during the games... Send them to Beenleigh!).

[tazzer9]

I agree but doing anything with beenleigh that would make it good would be rather expensive.     probably would have to relocate the entire station about 200m south.   Beenleigh is one of those stations that needs serious upgrades for both operational purposes and for passenger comfort and ease of use.  My personal preference is leave beenleigh station alone and extend the beenleigh trains to ormeau, add another platform there, and add a yatala station.  Speeds up GC expresses and ormeau and yatala would be better served by logan based all stops.  Leaves beenleigh as a station that offer more flexibility to the system.

[petey3801]

True, and neither of which are going to happen. I think the closest that it will come to it will be having 15min services on the GC turning back at Beenleigh with a turnback crew, using crossovers at Ormeau for the duration of the games, or somehow getting 15min services to the Coast from the City for the duration of the games (using Bethania p3 and delaying Beenleigh all stoppers etc).

[James]

True, and neither of which are going to happen. I think the closest that it will come to it will be having 15min services on the GC turning back at Beenleigh with a turnback crew, using crossovers at Ormeau for the duration of the games, or somehow getting 15min services to the Coast from the City for the duration of the games (using Bethania p3 and delaying Beenleigh all stoppers etc).

I have a feeling this will become the norm during the 2018 Commonwealth Games. You can always simply occupy a platform and turn around there - whether Ormeau or Coomera would simply depend on how the train timings are. It doesn't require pouring concrete.

[tazzer9]

Probably terminate at beenleigh, run dead to bethania to turn back.   What about using the rarely used cattle platform at holmview (if its electrified)?

Qr might also do what cityrail did during the Olympics and bustitute edens landing and holmview with altered running patterns for other lines.  (all stops to kuraby) everything else all stops to coopers plains-express to kuraby, then all stops to varisty lakes with the exception of holmview,edens landing.

Does anyone know how extra services from the GC airport and NSW trainlink coaches will work to connect with trains.