Olympics Games for SEQ 2032

[verbatim9]

In Queensland----> A rubber stamp is one thing, but this is where our Games will be won and lost

According to the council of mayors, the list of investments the Games will encourage includes new road projects in the Brisbane area, upgrades of significant regional road corridors, the Brisbane Metro, Cross River Rail, light rail on the Sunshine Coast, the extension of light rail on the Gold Coast, a Bus Rapid Transit solution through to Toowoomba, and the proposed Faster Rail system to Ipswich, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

All that is going to cost a lot more than $900 million.

[verbatim9]

^^I think what they mean here with the Toowoomba solution is that fast rail will run to Helidon or Withcott, with a transfer to rapid bus to Toowoomba from either of these two centres.

[#Metro]

This is a great opportunity to split off Translink from TMR and coordinate the olympics.

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Let the Games begin !

22nd July 2021

Congratulations to all involved with the successful bid for the 2032 Olympics.

This now presents Queensland with the opportunity to finally transform public transport in Queensland into a better future.
There is little doubt that Queensland must move forward with a proper stand alone Public Transport Authority. The TransLink brand can remain as such, but a proper authority similar to the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia ( https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/ ) is needed. Simply blundering along with the failure structures we have presently is only making everything worse, and will not deliver the best outcomes for the Olympics.

Background > Public Transport Queensland https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/4604043662943118

Additional public transport projects are required, that would enable an efficient and environmentally responsible Olympics, as well having a useful ongoing legacy for SE Queensland commuters.

These are discussed here > Brisbane 2032 Olympics - More Public Transport Required https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/4604043662943118

The countdown clock is now ticking!

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

[SteelPan]

^^I think what they mean here with the Toowoomba solution is that fast rail will run to Helidon or Withcott, with a transfer to rapid bus to Toowoomba from either of these two centres.

In 2021+ it's actually not unreasonable to tunnel right through to Toowoomba!
It has to be done...do it properly the first time!
Sidineee and Melbineee wouldn't take a railway line 90% of the way to an obvious destination....so the people of SEQ shouldn't accept it either!

Unless with rail in this struggling part of the world you aim for Pluto, you won't get to the Moon! If you tell them, only take it as a far as "X", they won't even go that far!

Fast/er rail to
Brisbane/Beenleigh
Brisbane/Sunshine Coast [propper]
Brisbane/Toowoomba

[Arnz]

Are there any official Olympic sporting events planned in Toowoomba? If so, there's a chance any rail upgrades could be fast tracked. 
If no Olympic events in Toowoomba, upgrades will be less likely.

[SteelPan]

Lot more important reasons to fast track a quality urban rail link between Bris/Twmba.

1) It's glaring gap in the system.
2) It's a glaring gap in the system, that two major eastern cities, virtually next door to each other, never reached out with a quality rail link over the multiple generations
3) It's a glaring gap in SEQ's strategic plan [let's be honest, "what plan?"] of taking pressure off land prices in the BOOMING coastal regions, heading toward 5 MILLION people, in just 20yrs and open up the already built communities on the 'Downs, as more affordable living space for many thousands more people, making every service and piece of infrastructure already there and built in the future vastly more viable to both justify and maintain! Sizeable numbers of people will not consider such places, as attractive as they are, until a quality inter-urban rail corridor is in place!

[verbatim9]

Are there any official Olympic sporting events planned in Toowoomba? If so, there's a chance any rail upgrades could be fast tracked. 
If no Olympic events in Toowoomba, upgrades will be less likely.

Yes there are.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> A bunch of mayors wanted better trains, so they won Brisbane the 2032 Olympics

[SteelPan]

ABC News --> A bunch of mayors wanted better trains, so they won Brisbane the 2032 Olympics

Their 100% right, winning the right to host the games will prove relatively "easy", compared to ensuring significant new and improved RAIL infrastructure is delivered!  It's now or never, for everyone who suports rail to step-up!   

[aldonius]

In 2021+ it's actually not unreasonable to tunnel right through to Toowoomba!

Let me lay out the scale of the problem.

The intersection of Margeret and Ruthven streets in Toowoomba is just over 590 metres above sea level. The CRR website claims Albert St station is "31 metres below ground" so let's say a Toowoomba Tunnel station is at 560 m asl.

Withcott, at the foot of the range, has its town centre at about 260 m asl. So in getting up the range, you need to climb a minimum of 300 metres. (This is after making life easier for ourselves by tunnelling - the A21 road climbs 400 metres from Withcott to East T.)

The maximum grade of CRR, and indeed most HSR projects, is 3%. 300m / 3% = 10 km. Withcott's only 7km east of our Toowoomba station in a straight line. Even the sensible deviations that you'd want to take under Prince Henry Heights and then along a convenient ridgeline don't add nearly enough distance. You'd come out of tunnel at about 425 m asl... about 1600m west of Roches Rd (which is at 300 m asl). You need to drop another 120 metres, but can only do 48.

edit to add: although, if you give up on running east-west and instead, as our forefathers did, run north-south, then (at great expense, let us not forget) the grades should permit getting out via Mt Lofty, or more specifically, getting down via Postmans Ridge. The trouble with going this far north, though, is that you start running into the Inland Rail corridor - especially as you go further east, to the point that Helidon to Grandchester is basically identical.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1419302281980170245

[SteelPan]

In 2021+ it's actually not unreasonable to tunnel right through to Toowoomba!

Let me lay out the scale of the problem.

The intersection of Margeret and Ruthven streets in Toowoomba is just over 590 metres above sea level. The CRR website claims Albert St station is "31 metres below ground" so let's say a Toowoomba Tunnel station is at 560 m asl.

Withcott, at the foot of the range, has its town centre at about 260 m asl. So in getting up the range, you need to climb a minimum of 300 metres. (This is after making life easier for ourselves by tunnelling - the A21 road climbs 400 metres from Withcott to East T.)

The maximum grade of CRR, and indeed most HSR projects, is 3%. 300m / 3% = 10 km. Withcott's only 7km east of our Toowoomba station in a straight line. Even the sensible deviations that you'd want to take under Prince Henry Heights and then along a convenient ridgeline don't add nearly enough distance. You'd come out of tunnel at about 425 m asl... about 1600m west of Roches Rd (which is at 300 m asl). You need to drop another 120 metres, but can only do 48.

edit to add: although, if you give up on running east-west and instead, as our forefathers did, run north-south, then (at great expense, let us not forget) the grades should permit getting out via Mt Lofty, or more specifically, getting down via Postmans Ridge. The trouble with going this far north, though, is that you start running into the Inland Rail corridor - especially as you go further east, to the point that Helidon to Grandchester is basically identical.

Engineers will figure it out and I can promise you, in real terms, it's never been more doable and affordable! It's now or never....I personally think "never" is a pretty certain bet in Qld, but let's at least TRY and not go negative and shoot ourselves in both feet!   

[Gazza]

In 2021+ it's actually not unreasonable to tunnel right through to Toowoomba!

Let me lay out the scale of the problem.

The intersection of Margeret and Ruthven streets in Toowoomba is just over 590 metres above sea level. The CRR website claims Albert St station is "31 metres below ground" so let's say a Toowoomba Tunnel station is at 560 m asl.

Withcott, at the foot of the range, has its town centre at about 260 m asl. So in getting up the range, you need to climb a minimum of 300 metres. (This is after making life easier for ourselves by tunnelling - the A21 road climbs 400 metres from Withcott to East T.)

The maximum grade of CRR, and indeed most HSR projects, is 3%. 300m / 3% = 10 km. Withcott's only 7km east of our Toowoomba station in a straight line. Even the sensible deviations that you'd want to take under Prince Henry Heights and then along a convenient ridgeline don't add nearly enough distance. You'd come out of tunnel at about 425 m asl... about 1600m west of Roches Rd (which is at 300 m asl). You need to drop another 120 metres, but can only do 48.

edit to add: although, if you give up on running east-west and instead, as our forefathers did, run north-south, then (at great expense, let us not forget) the grades should permit getting out via Mt Lofty, or more specifically, getting down via Postmans Ridge. The trouble with going this far north, though, is that you start running into the Inland Rail corridor - especially as you go further east, to the point that Helidon to Grandchester is basically identical.

The view I take is that Toowoomba passenger rail could start off sharing the inland rail tunnel and then loop back and use the line along mort st into Toowoomba station.
There would be a huge Park and Ride near the tunnel portal, and then the main bus interchange and passenger terminal in Toowoomba city.

Not perfect but it would be used well IMO.

Looking at the inland rail plans and comparing on google earths elevation levels the tunnel portal is at 410m and Toowoomba station is at 590m so i get 190m of climb in a tunnel at 1:33 so 6.2km of tunnel, with a curve radius of 1200m

So in the future you could do a separate twin track tunnel from Toowoomba station to a point adjacent to the inland rail portal.

[SteelPan]

In 2021+ it's actually not unreasonable to tunnel right through to Toowoomba!

Let me lay out the scale of the problem.

The intersection of Margeret and Ruthven streets in Toowoomba is just over 590 metres above sea level. The CRR website claims Albert St station is "31 metres below ground" so let's say a Toowoomba Tunnel station is at 560 m asl.

Withcott, at the foot of the range, has its town centre at about 260 m asl. So in getting up the range, you need to climb a minimum of 300 metres. (This is after making life easier for ourselves by tunnelling - the A21 road climbs 400 metres from Withcott to East T.)

The maximum grade of CRR, and indeed most HSR projects, is 3%. 300m / 3% = 10 km. Withcott's only 7km east of our Toowoomba station in a straight line. Even the sensible deviations that you'd want to take under Prince Henry Heights and then along a convenient ridgeline don't add nearly enough distance. You'd come out of tunnel at about 425 m asl... about 1600m west of Roches Rd (which is at 300 m asl). You need to drop another 120 metres, but can only do 48.

edit to add: although, if you give up on running east-west and instead, as our forefathers did, run north-south, then (at great expense, let us not forget) the grades should permit getting out via Mt Lofty, or more specifically, getting down via Postmans Ridge. The trouble with going this far north, though, is that you start running into the Inland Rail corridor - especially as you go further east, to the point that Helidon to Grandchester is basically identical.

The view I take is that Toowoomba passenger rail could start off sharing the inland rail tunnel and then loop back and use the line along mort st into Toowoomba station.
There would be a huge Park and Ride near the tunnel portal, and then the main bus interchange and passenger terminal in Toowoomba city.

Not perfect but it would be used well IMO.

Looking at the inland rail plans and comparing on google earths elevation levels the tunnel portal is at 410m and Toowoomba station is at 590m so i get 190m of climb in a tunnel at 1:33 so 6.2km of tunnel, with a curve radius of 1200m

So in the future you could do a separate twin track tunnel from Toowoomba station to a point adjacent to the inland rail portal.

I've heard from multiple sources, former Toowoomba Mayor Di Thorley, was very supportive of the idea of a "multi-functional tunnel" - made up of the necessary seperate inner-corridors for freight rail, inter-urban rail and services.

Needless-to-say, no one in the State govt ensured the blindingly obvious opportunity was taken advantage of, when stating Qld's case for the Inland Railway corridor!    [ie, the Feds would have stumped up a serious swag of the necessary coin] 

[timh]

The view I take is that Toowoomba passenger rail could start off sharing the inland rail tunnel and then loop back and use the line along mort st into Toowoomba station.
There would be a huge Park and Ride near the tunnel portal, and then the main bus interchange and passenger terminal in Toowoomba city.

This is what I think will be the most likely outcome. Would be nice if when they decide to do passenger rail they add sparks on all the at-grade sections (too hard to electrify the tunnels in retrofit) and use dual-power trains (diesel/electric), and maybe add in some more double track sections where it's easy (IE at grade sections). I don't think we'll see a duplicated tunnel any time soon

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

The view I take is that Toowoomba passenger rail could start off sharing the inland rail tunnel and then loop back and use the line along mort st into Toowoomba station.
There would be a huge Park and Ride near the tunnel portal, and then the main bus interchange and passenger terminal in Toowoomba city.

This is what I think will be the most likely outcome. Would be nice if when they decide to do passenger rail they add sparks on all the at-grade sections (too hard to electrify the tunnels in retrofit) and use dual-power trains (diesel/electric), and maybe add in some more double track sections where it's easy (IE at grade sections). I don't think we'll see a duplicated tunnel any time soon

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

I doubt that the State Government nor Councils would commit to buying diesel locomotives for the route. Especially since climate targets need to be reached in the transport sector. There would be also huge opposition from the community in higher density areas enroute, if diesel locomotives for commuter trains were mooted

The 20 new NGR trains specs need to include fast train specs. e.g. for speeds. They could then run these trains to all three centres being Maroochydore, Coolangatta and Toowoomba (later Wellcamp).

Electrification could happen in the existing tunnels. Modern insulating technology allows for less clearance between wires and the tunnel ceilings.

There would also be a need to upgrade ventilation at Ipswich and other stations enroute if diesel was proposed. In the long run diesel commuter trains would be very expensive to run and wouldn't provide the speed and acceleration that is needed for modern day fast rail.

What a step backwards it would be proposing diesel when the rest of the world is moving to electric. This includes rail freight here locally with the diesel locomotives being replaced with electric this decade.

There would be a huge opportunity to run electric locomotives to haul freight from Wellcamp to Brisbane in the future as well

The good thing about going electric, is that Se Qld have the renewable sources getting built to generate electricity from wind and solar in the region.

[Gazza]

I dont think you'd need to upgrade ventilation, Diesel trains already go through these stations.

Depends on how good mixed mode operation is, maybe by 2031 battery trains will do the job

[verbatim9]

I dont think you'd need to upgrade ventilation, Diesel trains already go through these stations.

Depends on how good mixed mode operation is, maybe by 2031 battery trains will do the job

There won't be battery trains in 2030, except for people who have model train sets.

If proven battery trains for heavy rail were the thing? They would be in wide-spread testing in Europe as well as China for use later this decade.

Diesel is controversial. They are phasing diesel trains and vehicles out, not promoting them to run for the next 50 years.

[Gazza]

They are in testing.

[verbatim9]

They are in testing.

Failed testing and for short haul. Not for 150 km fast rail runs.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1419676469119225856

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Olympic transformation for new 'South Bank' in South Brisbane $

A new multi-use parkland precinct would be built on the banks of the Brisbane River at South Brisbane under plans to transform an industrial site into an Olympics venue for the 2032 Games.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has revealed a seven hectare site on Montague Road is set to be purchased for the Games, and would be used to house the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) for the duration of the sporting spectacle.

Once the Games are over, the temporary venue would be removed and the site would then be turned into parkland – which Brisbane City Council says would be similar to South Bank.

Cr Schrinner pointed to how World Expo '88 led to the creation of South Bank and said the 2032 Games would "facilitate the next phase of this evolution". ...

[ozbob]

https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/lka-buys-three-newag-hybrid-units-for-regional-services/

LKA buys three Newag hybrid units for regional services

THE president of the Łódź Agglomeration Railway, Mr Janusz Malinowski, ŁKA management board member Mr Jan Kotynia and Newag president Mr Zbigniew Konieczek signed an agreement on July 23 for the purchase of three new Impuls 2 type 36WEh electro-diesel bi-mode three-car multiple units.

The deal is worth almost Zloty 103m ($US 26.5m), but there is an option for a further two trains that would increase that to Zloty 171m. They will be used on regional passenger services in the Łódź province. 

The trains will have a 160km/h maximum speed running on electric power and 120km/h on diesel traction. Each train will be able to carry 300 passengers, with 140 seated.

The trains will be fitted with air-conditioning, modern passenger information systems, ticket machines, a Wi-fi hotspot, USB chargers, defibrillators, and will be fully accessible for passengers with reduced mobility.

They are due for delivery in 2022. 

For detailed data on fleet orders from around the world, subscribe to IRJ Pro.

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1420273910256373760

[verbatim9]

Brisbane Times----> They'll be coming off the mountain when Games come

So the TV networks have confirmed as per previous reports to move down to a new central location in the CBD.

[verbatim9]

This will inturn make it easier for people that work at the TV networks to catch public transport, or use active transport, to and from their new proposed workplace location.

[HappyTrainGuy]

So much foam floating around

[verbatim9]

Brisbane Times----> They'll be coming off the mountain when Games come

So the TV networks have confirmed as per previous reports to move down to a new central location in the CBD.

This will inturn make it easier for people that work at the TV networks to catch public transport, or use active transport, to and from their new proposed workplace location.

So much foam floating around

There is a good chance of media production and admin to come off the mountain. In other cities throughout Australia production and admin are not located in the same spot as transmission towers. Digital broadcasting has allowed flexibility in that industry to also allow for the move.

Despite the media move, I would still like to see a commercial gondola running from the botanical gardens to the lookout then continue to the peak on the western side. It could be built to allow bikes, mobility scooters etc  It would be a great tourism drawcard. The impact on the mountain would be minimal,  if it follows the old quarry route.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Brisbane Times----> They'll be coming off the mountain when Games come

So the TV networks have confirmed as per previous reports to move down to a new central location in the CBD.

This will inturn make it easier for people that work at the TV networks to catch public transport, or use active transport, to and from their new proposed workplace location.

So much foam floating around

There is a good chance of media production and admin to come off the mountain. In other cities throughout Australia production and admin are not located in the same spot as transmission towers. Digital broadcasting has allowed flexibility in that industry to also allow for the move.

Despite the media move, I would still like to see a commercial gondola running from the botanical gardens to the lookout then continue to the peak on the western side. It could be built to allow bikes, mobility scooters etc  It would be a great tourism drawcard. The impact on the mountain would be minimal,  if it follows the old quarry route.

I wasn't referring to the media on Mt Coottha but the random infrastructure like new range tunnels, battery powered trains, using inland rail tracks (QR/Translink will have to pay track access fees and there is no priority over freight along with other restrictions such as track speed and signal spacing). Then there is phasing out diesel trains (Europe gets away with it due to short line running - the brisbane-cairns tilts are 1800km on way trips. Short haul passenger trips maybe but depends on the infrastructure required to support it and the coast associated with it. Expand that to freight and Europe doesn't carry the same freight volumes per train like they do here with coalies which make up the majority of the freight transport here in Queensland.

Also add that gondola idea to the list. The zip line faced heavy blowback and a complete 180 from BCC. There is a bus going up there. Utilise that quietly used mode before blowing away money on another foaming white elephant idea.

[Gazza]

using inland rail tracks (QR/Translink will have to pay track access fees and there is no priority over freight along with other restrictions such as track speed and signal spacing)

With all due respect how do you know the intricacies of the Qld/Fed agreement for Inland rail?
They could well have negotiated a certain amount of track access.

Will the Inland Rail line have a passenger service?
Inland Rail is freight infrastructure, however, the decision to run passenger services will be a matter for each State Government or for private operators. ARTC, the operators of Inland Rail, have a long history of working with Government and private operators to ensure passenger trains have access to the national rail network. This will continue to be the case for Inland Rail.

https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/what-is-inland-rail/using-inland-rail/

[HappyTrainGuy]

ARTC who will be the track manager already charge access fees on their existing lines weather it's a private tourist, heritage, state passenger, freight or private operator. No different than Aurizon charging QR to run the Spirit Of The Outback west of Rocky or the ARTC charging to run south of Acacia Ridge.

[HappyTrainGuy]

An example of their access charges.

www.artc.com.au/uploads/Access-Charges.pdf

[Gazza]

So why does that prevent a rail service?
The Qld government is already investigating it right?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Not saying that it prevents it. Just saying it's a further cost that has to be absorbed on top of a fleet that currently does not exist.

[Gazza]

Yep, we would need rolling stock to run a Toowoomba service.

Same as we would need rolling stock to sustain a Sunshine coast or Flagstone service (Or indeed extra trams for the Coolangatta tram extension)

Again HTC, you haven't actually said anything that would prevent a Toowoomba service.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Cost. You could do anything if cost wasn't involved. We could have had the CRR tunnel to Yeerongpilly but cost. Could have trouts road but cost. Could have had proper realignment north of Beerburrum but cost. Trams are vastly different. We have no facility provisions for DMUs or battery powered trains. Sunshine Coast/flagstone would use existing rollingstock. Inland rail would require new rollingstock, new maintenance facilities, backup provisions. Also remember State gov has been trying for ages to sell of the land around Mayne. NGR aren't serviced at Mayne. NGR2 will not be serviced at Mayne. EMU/SMU200 are being phased out. SMU220/IMU100-120 aren't too far behind leaving only the SMU260/IMU160. All that is instantly irreverent as inland rail is not narrow gauge. Then you have lack of stations/infrastructure associated with stations.

It's a massive cost. Realistically DMUs on the current tracks would be the best you can ever expect and even then that's pushing it.

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92946

Olympians' Welcome Home Parade
15th August 2021

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Queensland's inspirational Olympians and Paralympians will be welcomed home with a parade and reception through the Brisbane CBD on 8 October.

The celebrations in Brisbane will mark one of Australia's most successful Olympics yet with athletes bringing home a total of 13 gold, four silver and 11 bronze medals.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would join Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to welcome home and congratulate as many athletes as possible.

"COVID delayed the Tokyo games but in many ways they came along at exactly the right time," the Premier said.

"How wonderful it was to have something to cheer about.

"Our Olympians gave us that and I hope our streets can be filled to show them how much we appreciated it.

"Our athletes did Queensland proud. They deserve a warm welcome home and that's exactly what we'll give them."

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner encouraged parents and grandparents from across Brisbane to bring children to the parade and watch Queensland's amazing athletes be awarded the Keys to the City.

"With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games locked in, this is a chance for our kids to see our athletes up close and begin dreaming of emulating their incredible feats on home soil," he said.

Cr Schrinner said the successful Tokyo mission showed what could be achieved by working together and, as a result, he and the Premier planned to meet regularly.

"Whether it's discussing the Olympics or other topics, the Premier and I will keep the spirit of cooperation going because it will help Brisbane, and all of Queensland, get even better," he said.

The Premier said with the Olympics on the horizon, the Queensland Government would invest around $30 million to support the next crop of elite athletes to hit their peak in the lead up to 2032.

"Queensland performed better than most countries," the Premier said.

"If Queensland was a nation, we would have ranked seventh on the medal tally – ahead of the Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy.

"This parade will be a great opportunity for young Queenslanders to meet their idols like Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown and Logan Martin.

"Many of these athletes are young enough to represent Australia again in 2032. Imagine what they could achieve in front of a home crowd," the Premier said.

Preparations are underway to have the Olympians travel down the Queen Street Mall to a stage at King George Square. They are dependent on continuing to contain the spread of COVID.

ENDS

List of Queensland Olympic medallists:

> https://mmsprodsa.blob.core.windows.net/attachments/effd28b0-43e4-468e-9aa1-5b1b91f14300/Queensland%20Olympic%20medallists.pdf

[verbatim9]

On the topic of iconic artworks or buildings for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA is Iconic I think.

I believe Brisbane needs a wind sculpture too. But on a grander scale.

https://youtu.be/tDf-yF9RjRk

https://youtu.be/10dkp-N0iwU

A floating wide sculpture could be done above the Brisbane sign on the Cultural Forecourt.