Darra Station - upgrade

[somebody]

Does that green subway look as bad in person as it does on the internet?

[ozbob]

The subway looks great actually. Nice and clean look.

Meanwhile the lifting of the bridge started after a few minor delays.  The first section to be lifted into early position was the stairs from platforms 2 and 3.  A tricky lift with the signal gantry, overhead wires, lights etc.  The section was moved under the gantry so that it can be lifted/connected to the span when that is put in place.

The crane is a tower crane.  First one I have seen out this way. Has extra reach and lift capability, although it would be the reach the important issue today.



























Photographs R Dow 23rd October 2010

[ozbob]

Basic structure for the foot bridge now almost complete





























Photographs R Dow 23rd October 2010

[mufreight]

Massive and ugly.

[dwb]

A stunning piece of architecture. NOT.

QR should stop blighting our environment and hire some designers, architects and really work on their materials and colours.

[david]

Does that green subway look as bad in person as it does on the internet?

No...it's actually quite refreshing and improves the safety of the subway.

That is possibly the fastest time a footbridge has ever been assembled. Still, it would be nice if they could get rid of some of that excess metal (especially those unaesthetic X's as shown below) unless they are absolutely necessary. Even then, couldn't they place them on the inside of the footbridge?

Photographs R Dow 23rd October 2010

Looks like we're getting extremely close to trains running up and down those new lines 

[ozbob]

If there is ever a 'meteorite alert' I know where I will be heading, the Darra foot bridge ...  

The old Darra footbridge was a great place for photographs, not to be with the new one.  It is certainly a grand structure, even if a bit cage like.

[Golliwog]

And does it have to be so narrow? I would be ok with the cage and all that (hey, you could try and convince them to grow a vine on it or something to look better) but its just so narrow and uninviting. The Park Rd station and busway station shows this well. Over the train station part you have the narrow bridge, but over the busway its much wider and more open and inviting.

[ozbob]

The basic bridge is complete.  Work proceeding with the finishing, will take a week or two I suppose.

The crane packing up.  About 8 semi-trailer rigs to move out the counter weights.





















Photographs R Dow 24th October 2010

[WTN]

I'm also impressed by the speed of "construction". It's a clever use of the limited track closure window.

But the bridge looks like something out of a high security jail. Maybe a paint job could lighten it up?

[ozbob]

Just went down to Darra chasing the locomotives doing the signal testing.

Couple more photographs.  It looks fine to me.









Bus stop A





Photographs R Dow 24th October 2010

[O_128]

 

And does it have to be so narrow? I would be ok with the cage and all that (hey, you could try and convince them to grow a vine on it or something to look better) but its just so narrow and uninviting. The Park Rd station and busway station shows this well. Over the train station part you have the narrow bridge, but over the busway its much wider and more open and inviting.

This is what I keep saying, how hard would it have been to build a busway style bridge? Maybe they will paint it lime green 

[#Metro]

I agree!
You hit the nail on the head!

If you make rail stations look like jails, surprise surprise, its not going to be nice and probably attract crime. (I am speaking in general, not specifically about this).

The busway is designed well- lots of air and light, things are sheltered and shaded.

[ozbob]

Now this is just a wild guess.  But would you believe if the footbridge at Darra was NOT included in the station upgrade as originally planned?  It was only at the last minute that it was decided that a new footbridge would be needed due to some issues with the bridge and the arrangements for the platform access.  So a bridge was designed in record time, and built in record time (compare this construction to the saga of the Oxley footbridge).  I think this might be a factor in the design chosen.  They were constrained by the fact that the signal gantry was already in place and the limited time window.

[O_128]

Now this is just a wild guess.  But would you believe if the footbridge at Darra was NOT included in the station upgrade as originally planned?  It was only at the last minute that it was decided that a new footbridge would be needed due to some issues with the bridge and the arrangements for the platform access.  So a bridge was designed in record time, and built in record time (compare this construction to the saga of the Oxley footbridge).  I think this might be a factor in the design chosen.  They were constrained by the fact that the signal gantry was already in place and the limited time window.

Design? really there how hard is it to slightly modify a busway bridge? or even replace the mesh with glass?

[ozbob]

I agree that there are some design issues with the station.  Yes, glass panels on the foot bridge would be nice (or at least some viewing portals ..   ) but you know what, most Darra folk are just pleased that the disruption will be coming to an end soon.  And that they can catch a train in relative ease and comfort, providing it is not p#ssing down with rain from the normal prevailing direction because if it is some folks are going to get wet.  And make sure you have a step ladder to climb up to the train if you are not nimble. But if you had to put up with the conditions the past few years (and prior to that actually) you would look at the new Darra Station as a latter day Taj Mahal.

[david]

Photographs R Dow 24th October 2010

Yay! They're finally covering up some of that very ugly concrete with paint!

I must agree with you Bob. Darra looks much better than what it was previously. Sure, the footbridge isn't the nicest looking thing ever, but it's certainly an improvement on what was there before. I think all users of Darra station appreciate the transformation that it has undergone to make it a much safer and easily accessible station. No longer do we need to squish up on platforms that were way too small. No longer do we have to endure a leaking subway that had an awful smell. I, for one, cannot wait until the project is declared complete!

[dwb]

The QR station design guide can be found here http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/tod-guide

[ozbob]

Interesting link Dwb.  I noted 'DDA is not an add on, it is the essence of station design ' and 'As a general requirement low level
platforms shall be raised to high level platforms to the greatest extent,(length wise), possible. Refer to Queensland Rail for advice.'

[Jonno]

I'm also impressed by the speed of "construction". It's a clever use of the limited track closure window.

But the bridge looks like something out of a high security jail. Maybe a paint job could lighten it up?

Compared the glass on busways and brand new stations it is disappointing.

[WTN]

Compared the glass on busways and brand new stations it is disappointing.

Totally agree. I thought ugly mesh was history!

[ozbob]

Signal is set for a down train on the UP sub Darra




RM1901 on Driver training/familiarisation on the UP sub Darra  -   yay!!











This is to continue most of this week as I understand it.

=======

















Photographs R Dow 25th October 2010

[ozbob]

SMU247 first suburban unit through platform 2 Darra






















SMU247 on the sub down line at Darra West.  The up sub loop is to the right.  The bridge is the Richlands Branch line.







Photographs R Dow 25th October 2010

[ozbob]

Some more photographs at Darra today























Photographs mufreight 25th October 2010

[ozbob]

SMU246 on driver training.  Enters Darra on the down sub, crossover to the up sub and then onto the up sub loop





Above signals for the up sub loop










Photographs R Dow 26th October 2010

[QGT]

Great photos Ozbob  are they going to Richlands yet? Or are they only going around Darra??

[ozbob]

Thanks. There is another planned closure 6-7 November Corinda to Rosewood.  I think all final OHT connections will be made then, possibly the commissioning of the branch signalling system too, and it will probably be on after that.  Only trains that have been on the branch at this time are construction trains and the construction vehicles as far as I am ware.

I would expect freight trains to possibly start running on the down and up subs (Corinda - Darra West) later this week, just a guess.

[ozbob]

Some change  



12th December 2007



26th October 2010




12th December 2007



26th October 2010

Photographs R Dow

[ozbob]

Just noted an UP coal (empty) being overtaken by an EMU between Oxley and Darra, viewed from my back veranda.

Would appear that coal train was one of the first freight services to use the UP sub (the freight line) or possibly it might have been on the DOWN sub (bit hard to judge from the viewpoint).

[johnnigh]

I can see clearly from my place. The freights are on the non-electrified line, at least by the time they get to Allan Tce. Did see one still using the old down line but I hope this was an exception.

[ozbob]

Just got back from Darra rail station.  Yes, freight trains are on the UP sub.  RM 1901 and SMU246 around as well.

Full grain train on the UP sub (platform 1)

Empty coal train passing through Darra on the UP sub



















Photographs R Dow 27th October 2010

An empty coal train on the new track between Corinda and Darra, the UP sub line, the new freight line 27th October 2010.



Photography R Dow 27th October 2010

[ozbob]

mufreight observed an outbound Ipswich service use platform 2 Darra a short while ago. Platform 3 was occupied by SMU246, as he arrived at platform 4 on a down train.

Platform 2 is ready, platform 1 still has to be finished off.

[ozbob]

Darra is a very interesting rail location these days.

Thursday 28th October 2010













Photographs R Dow 28th October 2010


RM 1901 on driver training duties for the new track and signals between Corinda and Darra West.  28th October 2010









Photography R Dow 28th October 2010

[ozbob]

SMU232 on driving training passing through platform one Darra, 28th October 2010





Photography R Dow 28th October 2010

[ozbob]

Darra 29th October




























Coal train (full) passing through the new platform one Darra



Photographs R Dow 29th October 2010

[johnnigh]

I assume Platform 1 is a new one.

By the way, quite a few freights still use the old electric lines, up and down. We wait to see whether this remains in place after 'the new timetables' with increased Citytrain frequency come in... if I live long enough.

[ozbob]

I assume Platform 1 is a new one.

By the way, quite a few freights still use the old electric lines, up and down. We wait to see whether this remains in place after 'the new timetables' with increased Citytrain frequency come in... if I live long enough.

Yes platform one is the freight line path.  I expect that during the changeover there will be alternating trains.  I would expect that once the new timetable kicks in late January train paths will be a lot more consistent.

[ozbob]

Ballast train went through platform 1 full pelt, not sure where headed (? Beenleigh)

Concrete crash barrier on the Railway Parade corner up end platform 1






















Please note the Darra Festival and Street Party has had to be postponed.  Details --> here!



Photographs R Dow 4th November 2010

[ozbob]

*

11.5 DRINKING FOUNTAIN
Queensland Rail will advise if drinking
fountain(s) are required.
If a drinking fountain is required, it
must comply with the DSAPT in shape,
location and operation.
Refer to Appendix C for further details

Platforms 2 and 3 and 4 do not have drinking water fountains.  Presumably one hasn't either but haven't been on that platform but I cannot see any. (Oxley platform 3 does not have drinking fountain either).

* http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/resources/guideline/tod/appendix.pdf  page 54  
Queensland Rail Station design guide PS-CS-MAN-0013 Version 3.1.July 2010

What dictates if drinking fountains are required?   No toilets and now no water, platforms not full height ...  snap out of it QR, time stations were made vibrant community centres ...

[#Metro]

What dictates if drinking fountains are required?   No toilets and now no water, platforms not full height ...  snap out of it QR, time stations were made vibrant community centres ...

Some stations have vending machines with water - but IMHO much better just to have a proper free fountain. Plain water should be allowed on the train. If you spill it, it will evaporate. Simple really.