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Fantasy Future Network Maps?

Started by timh, April 09, 2019, 10:49:45 AM

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timh

I've seen a bunch of these floating around on other websites. I know it's not really in the core values of the group to float ideas of this "pie in the sky" fantasy nature, but I thought it could be a bit of fun (hence why I put it in this section)

I've created this one, and have been sitting on it for a while. It's not perfect (especially in the formatting) but take a look and let me know what you think

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5z7lbr064z1mumh/Future%20Rail%20Map.pdf?dl=0

This is my "ideal world fantasy" of a rail/metro network in around 2056. I picked that date based on currently released projections from various government documents (SEQ PMMS, SEQ Rail Horizon, Connecting Brisbane, SEQ 2031 etc.), plus planning documents for current big suburban developments (Springfield, Yarrabilba, Aura, Ripley, Hamilton Northshore, etc.). Then I added a few years to allow the population of all these areas to actually catch up to require all this infrastructure. I'm also assuming this is a world where there is a much bigger move away from private ownership cars towards public transportation, or subscriber based automated rideshare services.

The infrastructure/lines represents an ideal world where every current planned/floated project goes ahead, plus some reopening of old lines, and a few little ideas of my own I have!

Things that I realise aren't perfect in terms of the actual network plans are my stopping patterns and through running decisions. I don't have any background in the rail industry/town planning or whatever so this is mostly just based on my own self taught opinions on the matter  :hg

I did however intentionally still route 90% of routes through the city. You'll note a massive amount of duplication of routes on the southern lines between Corinda-Milton and Salisbury-Park Road.

I based a lot of this map on other future rail maps I'd seen as well. Here's some notes on the lines:

WAMURAN LINE:
I love the idea of extending the Caboolture line with trains terminating at Wamuran instead, reopening the old section, with electrification and duplication. Stations at the new development at Caboolture West, Moodlu, and the existing end of the corridor at Wamuran. Caboolture trains could easily just extend their current run to Wamuran, and when they are done for the day can dead run to Caboolture, then run up to the stabling just north of there for sleepytimes.
The line follows the NorthWest Transport Corridor, and is the main line servicing this corridor (the other line runs express through here). I don't think stations have actually been planned for that route yet, so the station names I have are based on another fantasy rail map I found. I would expect this section would be duplicated, with possibility of triplicating to accomodate express (blue line) services)

GOLD COAST LINE:
I included all the future stations that have been mentioned. I would assume that there would actually probably be some shuttle services on this line (Beenleigh to OOL perhaps) that stop every station, with some other express services stopping only at OOL, Robina and Helensvale. I maintained the same express stopping pattern along the Beenleigh line, with an additional stop at Salisbury for customers wishing to transfer to the Cyan line. This route would run over CRR

AIRPORT LINE:
Added in Skygate station, and I would assume this would all be duplicated. I considered actually running this line to meet the Cruise Terminal, looping around north of the airport. But that would be pretty much impossible with the new runway development.

BEAUDESERT LINE:
Based on the current plans from the state government. So dual track passenger, with another dual tracks for freight south of Acacia Ridge. I would also run this line through CRR. Note the branch off at Gleneagle North to follow the old Beaudesert to Bethania line (more on that later). Salisbury station upgraded with additional platforms to become a major interchange.

FERNY GROVE LINE:
I would consider trying to quadruplicate this line between Bowen Hills - Windsor, to allow for the additional services running through here to the NWTC. Alderley Station severely upgraded with additional platforms to become a major interchange.

SUNSHINE COAST LINE:
This would be the new CAMCOS line. I went with the heavy rail option in this instance rather than light rail using that corridor. Stations are based on other future rail maps I've seen, plus the diagrams of the planned route from the CAMCOS study. Weird choice to have Maroochydore be a spur but eh. I would assume there would be some shuttle services between SCA and Maroochydore, with most trains terminating at Maroochydore, only some full-line services continuing to SCA (kinda like the Gympie Lander with Nambour? Idk). Dual track from Beerwah onwards obviously. This route runs over CRR, so there would have to be some track work done around Mayne to allow trains from the Ferny Grove line to get onto the Ekka loop, which I believe with current configuration can't happen. Wouldn't be too difficult to change though I imagine.

CORINDA LINE:
This one may seem quite redundant, but I made it for two reasons: 1) I wanted to through-run the Sunshine Coast line somewhere, and 2) I wanted to reinstate Tennyson station and the Corinda-Yeerongpilly shuttle. So that kills two birds with one stone. Corinda station upgraded with more platforms. Tennyson station completely rebuilt and modernised to accomodate larger capacity trains.

CLEVELAND/SHORNCLIFFE LINES:
Stays much the same, except I'd duplicate Manly-Cleveland and Sandate-Shornciffe.

BEENLEIGH LINE:
Stays much the same, but with an upgraded Bethania Station to accomodate customers wishing to change trains for the Yarrabilba line. This would need to be definitely quadruplicated at least (preferably more??) from Salisbury to Park road, preferably quadruplicated the whole way to Beenleigh, but that would be difficult with the existing corridor. I assume the corridor between Kuraby-Beenleigh would be upgraded and straightened somewhat.

PINKENBA LINE:
I would fully duplicate and reopen the Pinkenba line, with upgraded, modernised stations in their existing locations. I'd probably do some urban renewal around Pinkenba too. I sort of envisioned the entire reopening of the line to be one big TOD, kinda like what CLARA is doing from Melbourne to Shepparton, just on a smaller scale. Build communities around the railway stations. Obviously a lot of that area is industrial land but I think there'd be room for some little urban villages, especially in Pinkenba (despite the fact its a giant swamp). Also a big fantasy idea for me, extend the line to the Cruise Terminal! That way tourists from the terminal can quickly jump on a train and visit the rest of Brisbane :). Note also the spur line just past Doomben to Hamilton.

SPRINGFIELD LINE:
Extension built all the way to join up with Ipswich, based on existing plans from the State government. I assume it would be dual track the whole way.

KIPPA RING LINE:
Stays pretty much the same. Big TOD built at Petrie along with the university.

IPSWICH/ROSEWOOD LINE:
Stays pretty much the same, but triplicated from Ipswich to Darra to allow for Toowoomba express trains. Also upgraded Ipswich station to allow for connections to Springfield. The inner city line past Darra would be struggling with Quad tracks too but not sure how much more could be done there.

GYMPIE/NAMBOUR LINE:
Duplicate the whole thing all the way to Gympie! More regular services to Gympie, plus "Fast Rail" express services from Gympie and Nambour, much like is proposed for GC and SC. Strathpine to Caboolture would probably also need quad tracking to accommodate all the services which run through there. Big upgrades to Strathpine station to turn it into a major interchange.

TOOWOOMBA LINE:
This is the "Fast rail" connection to Toowoomba. I have no idea if they'd follow existing alignment past Rosewood (unlikely considering how windy it is) but I've kept it as is, with stations where the current Westlander stops are, plus reopening Grandchester station.

HAMILTON LINE:
I wanted the spur line to Hamilton, and needed to through run the Toowoomba service somewhere, so there you go! I imagine the spur line would pass underneath KSD, with the station itself being built underground at the Hamilton Northshore development, with a big TOD tower on top.

HIGH SPEED RAIL LINE:
This alignment is based on the 2013 Phase 2 study. Dual track. Starts underground at Roma Street, continues in a tunnel under roughly the Ipswich line alignment, emerging at St Lucia golf links, then continuing as viaduct all the way along the Oxley Creek floodplain to meet the Logan Motorway. Suburban stop at Parkinson near the Logan Motorway. Spur line near Beaudesert to head to Gold Coast (tunneling under Mount Tambourine no less) and meeting up with the GC line at Robina. Line continues to Sydney via Grafton etc.

BEAUDESERT-BEENLEIGH and YARRABILBA LINES:
Reopen Beaudesert to Bethania line, with a spur to Yarrabilba following roughly the Canungra line from Logan Village. These would be the newest lines on the network in 2056. Yarrabilba services continue to the city, running mostly express and through-run as Wamuran services. They run via Tennyson for two reasons: 1) to create a link from the southern lines to the west without going to Yeerongpilly and backtracking and 2) evens out the number of services running on each inner city line (4 and 4 now). The Brown line runs from Beaudesert to Beenleigh and is the first service that isn't a shuttle that gov tries not running through the city. This would be the start of a movement towards decentralising the rail network and then creating further suburban loop styles lines (ala Melbourne). Also the line would be dual track from Bethania to Logan Village, following existing alignment. Then single track to Gleneagle North, following roughly the old alignment, with some straightening.

METRO EAST:
This is based on existing plans for the Eastern busway. Metro services would run at the super high frequency currently proposed. All of this would be dedicated infrastructure, no running on roads

METRO SOUTHEAST:
Extension to Springwood based on existing plans, plus extension all the way to the Hyperdome, with another stop at the Slacks Creek Park and Ride. This would follow the M1 alignment. I don't think there are concrete plans for this section but I read an idea for it in the SEQ PMMS. There's definitely the patronage to support it by 2056 considering how popular the 555 is now.

METRO NORTH:
The "Missing Link" is constructed between Federation and Truro streets as a tunnel, mostly following Lutwyche road, but deviates to meet Windsor station, with a big underground station built there as an interchange with the rail line. Kedron North to Bracken Ridge is based on the existing plans for the Northern busway. Carseldine station upgraded to become a major interchange.

METRO WEST:
This one is a funny one and is based solely off the UQ Master plan, and some vague mentionings of "High Frequency bus routes" between Indro and UQ in the SEQ PMMS. UQ wants the state to help them continue the busway in a tunnel under UQ to meet up at the eastern end of the campus and build a big underground bus interchange at Chancellor's Place. I think hell why not, lets continue a big tunnel all the way to Indooroopilly, turning that station into a big interchange! Stations built at the Hawken Drive shopping precinct, and another one near-ish to St Peters Lutheran.

-----------------------

IDEAS I DIDN'T INCLUDE
Reopen Ferny Grove line to Samford Village (terrain too difficult, but the government might be looking at doing it based on success of Toowoomba line?)
Suburban Loop (not for another 20 years after this I reckon)
Bribie Island Line (don't think it'll ever happen)
Reopen spur line to Ipswich racecourse (not necessary)
Reopen Brisbane Valley line (patronage is not worth the cost at this stage but in 2056 government may be considering the option)
Reopening Normanby Station and running suburban services on the Ekka Loop to alleviate pressure further on CRR and Central-Bowen Hills Line (Normanby station not well located, would mean services basically bypass all inner city stations except Exhibition and Normanby)
Third Inner City line via Albert Street-Newstead-Bowen Hills as a tunnel (was considered as an option in initial CRR planning. This might be an idea the gov would be looking at beyond 2056)
Blight Government "Brisbane Subway" from Toowong - Hamilton (at least another 30 years away after this. Too expensive to build)



So yeah, let me know what you think. I realise it's a big dream but I find this stuff fun!

Show me your fantasy future rail maps if you have them!


verbatim9

#1
Quote from: timh on April 09, 2019, 10:49:45 AM
I've seen a bunch of these floating around on other websites. I know it's not really in the core values of the group to float ideas of this "pie in the sky" fantasy nature, but I thought it could be a bit of fun (hence why I put it in this section)

I've created this one, and have been sitting on it for a while. It's not perfect (especially in the formatting) but take a look and let me know what you think

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5z7lbr064z1mumh/Future%20Rail%20Map.pdf?dl=0

This is my "ideal world fantasy" of a rail/metro network in around 2056. I picked that date based on currently released projections from various government documents (SEQ PMMS, SEQ Rail Horizon, Connecting Brisbane, SEQ 2031 etc.), plus planning documents for current big suburban developments (Springfield, Yarrabilba, Aura, Ripley, Hamilton Northshore, etc.). Then I added a few years to allow the population of all these areas to actually catch up to require all this infrastructure. I'm also assuming this is a world where there is a much bigger move away from private ownership cars towards public transportation, or subscriber based automated rideshare services.

The infrastructure/lines represents an ideal world where every current planned/floated project goes ahead, plus some reopening of old lines, and a few little ideas of my own I have!

Things that I realise aren't perfect in terms of the actual network plans are my stopping patterns and through running decisions. I don't have any background in the rail industry/town planning or whatever so this is mostly just based on my own self taught opinions on the matter  :hg

I did however intentionally still route 90% of routes through the city. You'll note a massive amount of duplication of routes on the southern lines between Corinda-Milton and Salisbury-Park Road.

I based a lot of this map on other future rail maps I'd seen as well. Here's some notes on the lines:

WAMURAN LINE:
I love the idea of extending the Caboolture line with trains terminating at Wamuran instead, reopening the old section, with electrification and duplication. Stations at the new development at Caboolture West, Moodlu, and the existing end of the corridor at Wamuran. Caboolture trains could easily just extend their current run to Wamuran, and when they are done for the day can dead run to Caboolture, then run up to the stabling just north of there for sleepytimes.
The line follows the NorthWest Transport Corridor, and is the main line servicing this corridor (the other line runs express through here). I don't think stations have actually been planned for that route yet, so the station names I have are based on another fantasy rail map I found. I would expect this section would be duplicated, with possibility of triplicating to accomodate express (blue line) services)

GOLD COAST LINE:
I included all the future stations that have been mentioned. I would assume that there would actually probably be some shuttle services on this line (Beenleigh to OOL perhaps) that stop every station, with some other express services stopping only at OOL, Robina and Helensvale. I maintained the same express stopping pattern along the Beenleigh line, with an additional stop at Salisbury for customers wishing to transfer to the Cyan line. This route would run over CRR

AIRPORT LINE:
Added in Skygate station, and I would assume this would all be duplicated. I considered actually running this line to meet the Cruise Terminal, looping around north of the airport. But that would be pretty much impossible with the new runway development.

BEAUDESERT LINE:
Based on the current plans from the state government. So dual track passenger, with another dual tracks for freight south of Acacia Ridge. I would also run this line through CRR. Note the branch off at Gleneagle North to follow the old Beaudesert to Bethania line (more on that later). Salisbury station upgraded with additional platforms to become a major interchange.

FERNY GROVE LINE:
I would consider trying to quadruplicate this line between Bowen Hills - Windsor, to allow for the additional services running through here to the NWTC. Alderley Station severely upgraded with additional platforms to become a major interchange.

SUNSHINE COAST LINE:
This would be the new CAMCOS line. I went with the heavy rail option in this instance rather than light rail using that corridor. Stations are based on other future rail maps I've seen, plus the diagrams of the planned route from the CAMCOS study. Weird choice to have Maroochydore be a spur but eh. I would assume there would be some shuttle services between SCA and Maroochydore, with most trains terminating at Maroochydore, only some full-line services continuing to SCA (kinda like the Gympie Lander with Nambour? Idk). Dual track from Beerwah onwards obviously. This route runs over CRR, so there would have to be some track work done around Mayne to allow trains from the Ferny Grove line to get onto the Ekka loop, which I believe with current configuration can't happen. Wouldn't be too difficult to change though I imagine.

CORINDA LINE:
This one may seem quite redundant, but I made it for two reasons: 1) I wanted to through-run the Sunshine Coast line somewhere, and 2) I wanted to reinstate Tennyson station and the Corinda-Yeerongpilly shuttle. So that kills two birds with one stone. Corinda station upgraded with more platforms. Tennyson station completely rebuilt and modernised to accomodate larger capacity trains.

CLEVELAND/SHORNCLIFFE LINES:
Stays much the same, except I'd duplicate Manly-Cleveland and Sandate-Shornciffe.

BEENLEIGH LINE:
Stays much the same, but with an upgraded Bethania Station to accomodate customers wishing to change trains for the Yarrabilba line. This would need to be definitely quadruplicated at least (preferably more??) from Salisbury to Park road, preferably quadruplicated the whole way to Beenleigh, but that would be difficult with the existing corridor. I assume the corridor between Kuraby-Beenleigh would be upgraded and straightened somewhat.

PINKENBA LINE:
I would fully duplicate and reopen the Pinkenba line, with upgraded, modernised stations in their existing locations. I'd probably do some urban renewal around Pinkenba too. I sort of envisioned the entire reopening of the line to be one big TOD, kinda like what CLARA is doing from Melbourne to Shepparton, just on a smaller scale. Build communities around the railway stations. Obviously a lot of that area is industrial land but I think there'd be room for some little urban villages, especially in Pinkenba (despite the fact its a giant swamp). Also a big fantasy idea for me, extend the line to the Cruise Terminal! That way tourists from the terminal can quickly jump on a train and visit the rest of Brisbane :). Note also the spur line just past Doomben to Hamilton.

SPRINGFIELD LINE:
Extension built all the way to join up with Ipswich, based on existing plans from the State government. I assume it would be dual track the whole way.

KIPPA RING LINE:
Stays pretty much the same. Big TOD built at Petrie along with the university.

IPSWICH/ROSEWOOD LINE:
Stays pretty much the same, but triplicated from Ipswich to Darra to allow for Toowoomba express trains. Also upgraded Ipswich station to allow for connections to Springfield. The inner city line past Darra would be struggling with Quad tracks too but not sure how much more could be done there.

GYMPIE/NAMBOUR LINE:
Duplicate the whole thing all the way to Gympie! More regular services to Gympie, plus "Fast Rail" express services from Gympie and Nambour, much like is proposed for GC and SC. Strathpine to Caboolture would probably also need quad tracking to accommodate all the services which run through there. Big upgrades to Strathpine station to turn it into a major interchange.

TOOWOOMBA LINE:
This is the "Fast rail" connection to Toowoomba. I have no idea if they'd follow existing alignment past Rosewood (unlikely considering how windy it is) but I've kept it as is, with stations where the current Westlander stops are, plus reopening Grandchester station.

HAMILTON LINE:
I wanted the spur line to Hamilton, and needed to through run the Toowoomba service somewhere, so there you go! I imagine the spur line would pass underneath KSD, with the station itself being built underground at the Hamilton Northshore development, with a big TOD tower on top.

HIGH SPEED RAIL LINE:
This alignment is based on the 2013 Phase 2 study. Dual track. Starts underground at Roma Street, continues in a tunnel under roughly the Ipswich line alignment, emerging at St Lucia golf links, then continuing as viaduct all the way along the Oxley Creek floodplain to meet the Logan Motorway. Suburban stop at Parkinson near the Logan Motorway. Spur line near Beaudesert to head to Gold Coast (tunneling under Mount Tambourine no less) and meeting up with the GC line at Robina. Line continues to Sydney via Grafton etc.

BEAUDESERT-BEENLEIGH and YARRABILBA LINES:
Reopen Beaudesert to Bethania line, with a spur to Yarrabilba following roughly the Canungra line from Logan Village. These would be the newest lines on the network in 2056. Yarrabilba services continue to the city, running mostly express and through-run as Wamuran services. They run via Tennyson for two reasons: 1) to create a link from the southern lines to the west without going to Yeerongpilly and backtracking and 2) evens out the number of services running on each inner city line (4 and 4 now). The Brown line runs from Beaudesert to Beenleigh and is the first service that isn't a shuttle that gov tries not running through the city. This would be the start of a movement towards decentralising the rail network and then creating further suburban loop styles lines (ala Melbourne). Also the line would be dual track from Bethania to Logan Village, following existing alignment. Then single track to Gleneagle North, following roughly the old alignment, with some straightening.

METRO EAST:
This is based on existing plans for the Eastern busway. Metro services would run at the super high frequency currently proposed. All of this would be dedicated infrastructure, no running on roads

METRO SOUTHEAST:
Extension to Springwood based on existing plans, plus extension all the way to the Hyperdome, with another stop at the Slacks Creek Park and Ride. This would follow the M1 alignment. I don't think there are concrete plans for this section but I read an idea for it in the SEQ PMMS. There's definitely the patronage to support it by 2056 considering how popular the 555 is now.

METRO NORTH:
The "Missing Link" is constructed between Federation and Truro streets as a tunnel, mostly following Lutwyche road, but deviates to meet Windsor station, with a big underground station built there as an interchange with the rail line. Kedron North to Bracken Ridge is based on the existing plans for the Northern busway. Carseldine station upgraded to become a major interchange.

METRO WEST:
This one is a funny one and is based solely off the UQ Master plan, and some vague mentionings of "High Frequency bus routes" between Indro and UQ in the SEQ PMMS. UQ wants the state to help them continue the busway in a tunnel under UQ to meet up at the eastern end of the campus and build a big underground bus interchange at Chancellor's Place. I think hell why not, lets continue a big tunnel all the way to Indooroopilly, turning that station into a big interchange! Stations built at the Hawken Drive shopping precinct, and another one near-ish to St Peters Lutheran.

-----------------------

IDEAS I DIDN'T INCLUDE
Reopen Ferny Grove line to Samford Village (terrain too difficult, but the government might be looking at doing it based on success of Toowoomba line?)
Suburban Loop (not for another 20 years after this I reckon)
Bribie Island Line (don't think it'll ever happen)
Reopen spur line to Ipswich racecourse (not necessary)
Reopen Brisbane Valley line (patronage is not worth the cost at this stage but in 2056 government may be considering the option)
Reopening Normanby Station and running suburban services on the Ekka Loop to alleviate pressure further on CRR and Central-Bowen Hills Line (Normanby station not well located, would mean services basically bypass all inner city stations except Exhibition and Normanby)
Third Inner City line via Albert Street-Newstead-Bowen Hills as a tunnel (was considered as an option in initial CRR planning. This might be an idea the gov would be looking at beyond 2056)
Blight Government "Brisbane Subway" from Toowong - Hamilton (at least another 30 years away after this. Too expensive to build)

So yeah, let me know what you think. I realise it's a big dream but I find this stuff fun!

Show me your fantasy future rail maps if you have them



verbatim9

The Gold Coast Bulletin published some future possiblities in form of train maps in the region today. Most notably was the extension to OOL and further south across the border.

SurfRail

It was some dude drawing things in Minimetro.  He had a line from Robina to Runaway Bay not going via Southport.  Pass.
Ride the G:

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