The rebuilt Brisbane to Rockhampton TILT train

[Tramwayjohn]

I haven't checked for a while, but the rebuilt TILT train was expected to enter service in March/April, and it did NOT. Why? I rang QR and was told that the first rebuilt set may not enter service until NEXT YEAR! Is 'that' correct? On a related topic, why was the 6th SOQ service NOT provided when the third set of cars entered service?

[ozbob]

Our new look Tilt Train has hit the rails today. Keep your eye out or jump onboard and let us know what you think. pic.twitter.com/laBmdwl1Pr

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) July 14, 2016

[verbatim9]

Looks good! Will like to ride it up to Bundy sometime.

[tazzer9]

It does not look like it has just come from a year long refurb program. 

[Tramwayjohn]

I  decided to book a seat on the re-built TILT train, but on the 1st of NOVEMBER and back to Brisbane on the TILTLANDER train. I was disappointed today that the Tilt train was NOT the rebuilt set. However, here is a link to my video of the train.

[tazzer9]

I caught the rebuilt electric tilt from brisbane to gympie today.  Got the regular train back (imu104/105).
Here is review and experience of it.  I travelled in regular economy.

The service itself: left on time at 11am sharp, sped through to caboolture in good time, arrived early.   Started smashing through at 160 until elimbah where the the tilt capability failed and we ran on regular (was actually slower than line speed) speed boards until landsborough were it was reset.  trumbled along through until gladmire until it opened up again and arrived at gympie north 10 minutes early.   
It should be noted that it regularly did not run at full speed and it wasn't in a hurry.   Only had to wait for and cross 1 southbound train which was at landsborough, so it was already built into the timetable.  Still there was plenty of freight.  I ended up seeing 7 freight trains in total today, with a freighter going from roma st to past gympie north in less than 3 hours.

So the timetable and service was pretty good but has alot of padding involved and it seems to be designed so it run without the tilt capability for the entire journey and still be within the timetable.

The train itself: I will start off with the bad.   
- The PA system is already broken
- I cannot use the footrest and tray table at the same time without it being very uncomfortable. (i am of very average height)
- Two galleys - why? there is no need for two.
- The aircraft style overhead baggage holder I am not a fan of them , nor the counter intuitive way of opening it.
- The vestibule doors are slow to open, the button is in a ridiculous poorly placed location but they are quiet and do their job of keeping noise out.
- (small pedantic one) the TV speed is either incorrect or the driver was sometimes speeding
- lack of a fancy coffee machine.  A new train designed for business travellers should be having something that can do a cappuccino.
- The TV screens sometimes had weird lines going though them and one of them was out of aspect.
- (funny one) there was a stray piece of lego, certainly an act of extreme terror and someone desperate to make someone else feel pain.
- too many onboard staff.  They could easily have run the service with only half the amount of customer service attendants.
- very little difference between business and economy class
- tray tables could be better
- the way booked luggage is stored has not be optimised.  could make better use of that space.
- no power points near seats, but there was one in bathroom. (this is fully regulated and safe)
- losing tilt capability and running at regular line speed even though it is still safe (maybe not comfortable) to travel at the TT speed boards.


The good points:
- extremely clean and shiny but that won't last very long.
- driver cam, it is blurry but its back.
- extremely comfortable ride.
- extremely quiet
- very good acceleration, comparable to the IMU100/120 series
- The seats are surprisingly roomy and comfortable.  maybe not the most comfortable things if you are doing the full brisbane - rocky trip however.
- TV screens are well located.
- the Meals offered and the prices were very good.  Good range, except if you are one of those low calorie gluten free vegans.
- interior was generally very pleasant.

I just cannot help feeling that this is an expensive re carpeting and its what the ETT should have been like 10 years.  The trolley service I feel is unnecessary.  If you are incapable for going to the galley, just get a staff member to do it for you. It was also a pain for people wanting to get past.
It does not feel rebuilt at all.  It feels like it simply got cleaned very well and that is it.

Before the other tilt goes into its refit, they MUST have consultation about what people want in it.  This is frankly an unacceptable upgrade, there must have been alot of mechanical and electrical refit because they didn't put much thinking into the interior.  Its a brilliant train that has been let down once again.


One some other random notes.  The 6 car stopping point has moved south at gympie.   there was a short empty cattle train heading north, using an older low axle load locomotive.  On the way back, they used imu104 and 105, despite having 3 available ICE trains sitting in mayne, while the 4th was in the shed. The middle carriage of imu10 decided to not open its doors, forcing them to close the entire carriage, and blocking the front carriage off from access to the toilet.   Ironic that they didn't use the ICE and things still went south. 

[#Metro]

Thanks for posting this.

What is it like with WiFi and power points for laptops etc?

Bit concerning to hear that the tilt mechanism failed. Last time I went on a tilt it did not get faster than 100 km / hr.

Indeed it was much slower than this the entire way.

[tazzer9]

There was no wifi that I was made aware of.   Pretty useless IMO as it would need to be satellite based and not worth the money.
Powerpoints, only in business class and in the toilet.

At least the they managed to reset the tilt at landsborough, it is apparently not the only time it has failed.   I also found out it failed again later in the journey.  Must only be able to be reset when it is stopped.  But it is very annoying going 160 and then heavy braking to get it 120 and overhearing the crew radio go "tilt mechanism has failed, will try an reset it at the next stop". 
Was still amazed how it only two 2 hours 29 mins to get to gympie.   I think if they pushed it, had quicker station stops (something NSW trainlink does well, some stations are sub 30 seconds)  and the tilt remained operational it could have done it in 2 hours 20 minutes.

The fact it already has mechanical and electrical defects is worrying.

[#Metro]

There was no wifi that I was made aware of.   Pretty useless IMO as it would need to be satellite based and not worth the money.
Powerpoints, only in business class and in the toilet.

Wow, that's a shocker. My personal experience on long distance trains overseas is that they have free wifi on board, some of them paid.

It allows people to do work. Even some airplanes also offer in-flight WiFi. Power points were standard on my travels as well, even in economy.

[dancingmongoose]

That is surprising. Spirit of Queensland had powerpoints in economy. Don't believe we had wifi though

[#Metro]

http://www.edreams.com/blog/in-flight-wifi/

At the moment only eight airlines offer free inflight WiFi:

Emirates
JetBlue
Norwegian
Turkish Airlines
Air China
Philippine Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines
Nok Air

[James]

A lot of these airlines only really offer 'trial' free WiFi though. On all the trains I've travelled on in Europe, WiFi either isn't present (your older/regional services) or you need to pay a fair bit for it (at least A$8 for 24 hours, often more). Lack of powerpoints is pretty disappointing though.

I can't help but think that the QR Tilt Train service is a very 'Queensland' service - something which exists solely for coverage purposes, is over-staffed and the renovation is half-baked.

[#Metro]

Policy in Queensland is made under a palm tree.

https://www.nsb.no/en/on-board/nsb-komfort

NSB State Railways, Norway

Power outlets
All seats have standard two-pin power outlets, so you can use your laptop for work or entertainment.

newspaper
Coffee, tea and newspapers
In NSB Komfort you can reserve a seat, have access to a selection of newspapers and complimentary coffee and tea.

We now offer free wireless internet access on board several of our trains.

Internet will be continuously installed on our regional trains. As the Norwegian National Rail Administration secures mobile and broadband coverage in tunnels around Norway, the quality of internet on board will continously improve.

[ozbob]

The only electric trains that run between Gympie-North and Rockhampton are the electric tilts.

I have sometimes pondered if the cost of maintaining and energising the OHT warrants the light electric train load.  Guess it must hence the refurbs ...   

When the 3900 class electric locomotives were on the freights it made sense. 

There is always the potential of extending services to Maryborough West using IMUs if the OHT is there though hey?   

[tazzer9]

The problem is the lack the trains.  If we had say 6 ETT's we could easily run 2 rockhampton services and 1 bundaberg service everyday to a regular normal timetable.   Once beerburrum to gympie is fixed.   The service will be faster than driving.  With normal traffic conditions it currently takes about the same time.  It is a service that is possible to break even on costs if they tried to get a good service.   

the service had 9 staff members including the two drivers. 

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/10/30/free-wifi-on-new-look-tilt-train

Media Release
Treasurer, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

Free Wi-Fi on new look Tilt Train

Queensland Rail has introduced a free Wi-Fi trial on its refurbished Tilt Train for passengers travelling on the rail network between Rockhampton, the Wide Bay and Brisbane.

The new look Tilt Train hit the rails in mid-July following a mechanical upgrade and internal refurbishment.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the Tilt Train's 'mid-life overhaul' created an opportunity to upgrade the train to enable Wi-Fi access on board, with the trial commencing this month.

"This is the first time we have offered Wi-Fi on the long distance Queensland Rail travel fleet and passengers will recognise a train offering the free Wi-Fi service via signage in the carriage," Mr Pitt said.

"We know our passengers on the Tilt Train enjoy having entertainment as they travel up and down the southern Queensland coast and introducing the free Wi-Fi trial increases their options.

"The 200mb limit means everyone on the train can get a fair share and will enable passengers to catch-up with the latest news, browse their favourite websites or check emails.

"We will still continue to show our usual on-board entertainment which includes a selection of TV shows and tourism-related programming as part of our support for boosting regional tourism.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Bundaberg and Rockhampton Tilt Trains, which travel between Brisbane and Rockhampton, are among the most popular trains in Queensland Rail's long distance fleet.

"Last financial year, more than 180, 000 people chose to take a journey from either Rockhampton or Bundaberg aboard the electric Tilt Train and the replacement diesel services," Mr Hinchliffe said.

Police Minister and Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne welcomed the upgrade.

"I'm very pleased Queensland Rail is undertaking a refresh right across its long-distance train services," Mr Byrne said.

"This is an enormously popular service with locals and we need to ensure it continues to provide modern services which connect communities, support customers, improve patronage and help boost local economies and tourism."

Agriculture Minister and Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson said the Tilt Train was an important connector to the city.

"I'd like to commend Queensland Rail for looking at what enhancements can be made to long-distance train travel and tourism services to ensure they continue to meet community and customer needs," Mrs Donaldson said.

"The Tilt Train is perfect for Bundaberg residents, cheaper than flying and often more convenient than driving, so this is a very welcome announcement."

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said work to overhaul the Tilt Trains was being undertaken by Downer EDI in Maryborough.

"This is exactly the kind of commitment I've been advocating for our and I'm thrilled that these works are being undertaken locally," Mr Saunders said.

"It's a boost to local confidence knowing that these works will provide ongoing employment for the local Downer EDI workforce of over 200 people."

The Tilt Train's mid-life overhaul means a longer trip on a diesel replacement train for some passengers, which will be in place until mid- 2017, with the second Tilt Train now in the workshop.

Queensland Rail has apologised for any inconvenience and appreciates customers' continued patience as it continues this vital piece of engineering to ensure the Tilt Trains remain safe and reliable.

[ozbob]

http://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Planyourtrip/timetable

Effective 28th August 2017 the second refurbished Tilt Train will return to our fleet, servicing the Bundaberg and Rockhampton Rail corridor.

Both Tilt Trains will operate the same timetable with minor changes including the reintroduction of the Tuesday and Sunday evening service to Rockhampton. Journey times will improve as we return to two Tilt Train services.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/904889807595200512