2016 Ekka - services

[ozbob]

Ekka

>> http://translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/event-transport/6401

Pity about MBRL ...

[tazzer9]

Why should those outside of Brisbane suffer a public holiday timetable (and even more likely peak hour fares) when it's not a Public holiday.  They could at least offer a shuttle service for ipswich-goodna, varsity lakes - kuraby and cleveland - manly during peak hours.   

[ozbob]

Yes, not a gazetted holiday so peak fares apply.

Every year it is the same story.  I have given up on it.  Different regions of SEQ have different holiday dates.  It is all just too complicated for Queenslanders.

[petey3801]

Any other jurisdiction would have sorted this crap out the first time it happened, but Brisbane.....? 

[ozbob]

Queenslanders are refractory to commonsense.



^ keep this maxim in mind when pontificating on the failure that is Queensland.  It helps one to cope ...

[ozbob]

Enjoy the Ekka. 

There might be steam on the weekends. TransLink's Ekka travel ticket is a good deal.

[petey3801]

Yep, steam both weekends as well as Ekka Wednesday. 1089 I believe is doing the honours.

[ozbob]

Yep, steam both weekends as well as Ekka Wednesday. 1089 I believe is doing the honours.

[BrizCommuter]

The Steam trains are running 11am-3:30pm, though TransLink have not specified the days.

[petey3801]

The Steam trains are running 11am-3:30pm, though TransLink have not specified the days.

Both weekends and Ekka Wednesday.

[nathandavid88]

11am–3pm seems to be a rough guide – Dad and my Brother left the Ekka a bit after 4pm on Saturday but got a Steam Train service back to Central. Mum and I stuck around for the fireworks.

[BrizCommuter]

ICE on first service to Ekka today. Not the best train for crowds!

[ozbob]

^ whoa ...

The EKKA_LANDER !   

[ozbob]

Fantastic trip to #EKKA this morning on @QueenslandRail steam train with @gracextwo @StirlHinchliffe & @QldGovernor pic.twitter.com/k0ImcSyNf7

— AnnastaciaPalaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) August 10, 2016

[red dragin]

Good to see 1089 out and about.

That gives them:
1079
1089
221A (double heading with Swanbanks 448 this Sunday)
974
A10 No. 6

in operational condition, with 1051 going back together at the moment. A pretty good sized fleet of steam loco's, hopefully with their PB15 next in line for work and then a rotation system for maintenance going forward.

[ozbob]

Prem @AnnastaciaMP arrives at #Ekka2016 @7newsqueensland pic.twitter.com/FliDpkSsAv

— Patrick Condren (@PatrickCondren) August 10, 2016

[ozbob]

What a fitting way to travel to historical 139th @TheEkka on board @QueenslandRail's heritage steam train #Ekka pic.twitter.com/fWdGYBOtCi

— Queensland Governor (@QldGovernor) August 10, 2016

[ozbob]

Joined @QldGovernor @AnnastaciaMP & @gracextwo to inspect @QueenslandRail steam engine Betty. She took us to #Ekka pic.twitter.com/AiLtFhTLIJ

— Stirling Hinchliffe (@StirlHinchliffe) August 10, 2016

[ozbob]

Here at @TheEkka today welcoming everyone at the station! Did you see me? #ChooChoo #TouristBorobi #BOROBI pic.twitter.com/C8F5aJWxq3

— Borobi (@borobi2018) August 10, 2016

[tazzer9]

ICE on first service to Ekka today. Not the best train for crowds!

Probably a case of ICE or nothing. 
Something is better than nothing

[petey3801]

ICE on first service to Ekka today. Not the best train for crowds!

Probably a case of ICE or nothing. 
Something is better than nothing

Most likely just the ICE from Gympie which, as is normal at Ekka time, has been extended from terminating at Roma St to terminating at Ekka instead. Unlikely to have continued on the Ekka loop services.

[BrizCommuter]

ICE on first service to Ekka today. Not the best train for crowds!

Probably a case of ICE or nothing. 
Something is better than nothing

Most likely just the ICE from Gympie which, as is normal at Ekka time, has been extended from terminating at Roma St to terminating at Ekka instead. Unlikely to have continued on the Ekka loop services.

Yes, that was the case. It was going clockwise, so was not forming subsequent Ekka Loop services.
Got rather crowded at Roma Street and had a long dwell time due to passengers being in the way of the swing doors. Maybe a slightly earlier clockwise service would be useful?

However, BrizCommuter and family enjoyed lounging around in the comfy reclining seats for 10 minutes.

[petey3801]

Yep, agree re: earlier clockwise service.