Darra Station - upgrade

[Stillwater]

Very impressive, but there's a lot of building debris lying around.   Let's hope someone gets an air blaster or water jet out to give the place a once-over.  Any while they are at it, stations like Clelmer and Graceville would look the better from a good steam clean.

[ozbob]

The way it was ..





Photographs R Dow 4 October 2008






Photographs R Dow 23rd December 2008

[ozbob]

Happy Christmas Darra! The foot bridge is open for use!!

Thanks Trackstar and QR!


























Photographs R Dow 21st December 2010

[ozbob]

Rumored that the footbridge might be in use for access to platforms 2,3 & 4 Monday or Tuesday of next week.

[Gazza]

Should have been glass, not mesh though, to allow for better passive surveillance.

[Arnz]

Glass would've been easier to break.

[#Metro]

They use it in the busway stations though, so why not rail?
It can be tinted too, which should make it harder to break.

[Arnz]

Good point, though some suburbs are "stuck" with "past bad youth reputations" (eg loiterers causing trouble in the past).

[mufreight]

The justification for mesh rather than clear panels is that they can not be cleaned over the live overhead, but there is no reason why they could not have a trainspotter clear panel on either side of each end of the structure over the platform.
Another good PR opportunity lost in the too hard basket.
Tinting unfortunately does not make the panels harder to break.

[#Metro]

You can get self-cleaning glass:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-cleaning_glass
http://www.pilkingtonselfcleaningglass.co.uk/

[Arnz]

Whilst a good idea for "one" clear glass panel for gunzels, unfortunately QueenslandRail doesn't cater entirely to gunzels, though they do acknowledge them (the photography policy being one example of gunzels being acknowledged).

[#Metro]

I just think glass is safer and nicer from a design view. I guess QR just goes with what is available with the $$$ they have.

[Stillwater]

Glass is difficult to clean and the vandals have taken to etching the glass of late, which is impossible to remedy.  While several layers of clear film can be peeled off with each bit of graffitti applied, the etching is the worst sort of vandalism to glass.  Yes, it is $$$.  To stop a constant flow of dollars on glass replacement, mesh is it, I'm afraid.  At least it lets the breeze blow through on a hot day. 

[mufreight]

It would be possinle to have those sections of panel at either end of the overbridge where it is beyond the overhead protection with a larger section mesh say a 100/120 mm mesh this would give less impaired visability, the required protection for the overhead and would not need cleaning. Might also cost a little less as well.
   

[#Metro]

Glass is difficult to clean and the vandals have taken to etching the glass of late, which is impossible to remedy.  While several layers of clear film can be peeled off with each bit of graffitti applied, the etching is the worst sort of vandalism to glass.  Yes, it is $$$.  To stop a constant flow of dollars on glass replacement, mesh is it, I'm afraid.  At least it lets the breeze blow through on a hot day.

I hate scratchitti. 
Who are these people that go around all day armed with scourers and steel wool making scratches.

They should be made to pay for clean up!

[ozbob]

Looks like works have ceased for the Christmas break.

Platform one is nearly complete.  The car park northern side west end is nearly ready for surfacing.























Photographs R Dow 23rd December 2010

[ozbob]

Darra down end from the up (southern) side



Photograph R Dow 29th December 2010

[ozbob]

Wet morning at Darra.  Still a bit of finishing to be done ...

EMU06 terminating at Darra, platform 2.




Platform one west






Darra bus stop B



Photographs R Dow 10th January 2011

[ozbob]

Western access to platform one looks almost ready, could open tomorrow






Laying out of the kiss n' ride down side Darra completed










Darra station deserted - stairs western end platform 4 to be completed  (track closure weekend)





Photographs R Dow 23rd January 2011

[ozbob]

Platform one west Darra not open. PIDs platform one still non functional.

Main entrance platform one has provision for another go card reader.






Shorncliffe service arriving platform 2 Darra, from Richlands



Photographs R Dow 24th January 2011

[ozbob]

Had a quick look at platform one Darra this afternoon.  Western entry/exit still not open.

PIDs on platform one still non functional.  A lot services use platform one now, it would be handy for the punters to have the PIDs on.

Stairs platform 4 western end still not open for  use.


Richlands service departing from platform one Darra



Photograph R Dow 27th January 2011

[ozbob]

Platform one western entry/exit still not open, PIDs still not working.  Stairs platform 4 western not open.

The mural is looking good!








Ipswich service platform 3








Richlands service about to depart from platform one



Photographs R Dow 31st January 2011

[mufreight]

No doubt the authorities will attempt to blame these failures on the floods but the reality is that the points raised are all matters that should have been completed some time ago but it would appear that with the contract winding down that Trackstar which has in the past put up a tremendous effort now no longer seems to care.
The steps at the western end of platform 4 could have and should have been completed and in service in October of last year. the PIDs on platform 1 should have been commissioned by the end of December with the January date for the commencement of Richlands line services.
There was no valid or credible reason why the access to the western end of platform 1 could not have been completed prior to the commencement of Richlands line services.
While we are pointing out obvious failures how about the scheduling of trains to Richlands where the train from Ipswich pulls into platform 4 with the Richlands train sitting on platform 1 which then pulls out leaving intending Richlands passengers with a 29 minute wait and the train from Richlands misses the Ipswich connection in a similar manner.
This all leads many to believe that the overall attitude of the authorities is we could not give a damn.
Not a good look when compared with the proactive efforts of QR management to restore services following the flood which could only be commended.

[ozbob]

PIDs platform one Darra now functional.  No changes with entry/exit western end platform one and stairs western end platform 4.









Photographs R Dow 5th February 2011

[ozbob]

Called into Darra rail briefly this evening.  The entry/exit point western end of platform one is now open, as are the stairs western end of platform 4.

PIDs working, looks good and functional.  Still some final fencing to be done on end of platform one, but the additional car parks are now ready.

Work on the mural is proceeding.  

[ozbob]

Updates around Darra















Photographs R Dow 14th February 2011

[longboi]

Paint job around the underpass is excellent 

[Gazza]

The mural reminds me of a level in Sonic:


http://gamingbolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/sonic4_texture-copy.jpg

[david]

Saw a sign at Bus Stop A (shops side) at Darra this morning saying that the bus stop was "closed due to safety issues". Is this the Oxley bus stop debacle occurring at Darra this time?

[ozbob]

Saw a sign at Bus Stop A (shops side) at Darra this morning saying that the bus stop was "closed due to safety issues". Is this the Oxley bus stop debacle occurring at Darra this time?

Bus stop A Darra thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5475.msg48620#msg48620

[ozbob]

Artwork around Darra proceeding.  Car parks northern side now open.

































Photographs R Dow 24th February 2011

[ozbob]

Art work complete at Darra, looks great!


















Down coalie through platform one - up sub ( a not so frequent sight at the moment )









Photographs R Dow 1st March 2011

[mufreight]

The station wall artwork is definately more colourful than that on the coal train hoppers.

[Otto]

Haha !! I took a train to Darra and Richlands this morning for a look, the 9:01 from Roma Street... I was thinking it would be funny to see Bob out there.. Seems like I nearly did !!
I noticed on the Richlands train, there was a crew change at corinda, and again at Darra.. One crew member had a white shirt and carried his own foldup chair. Drivers cabin must have been crampt with 3 inside between Darra and Richlands..

[Golliwog]

The station wall artwork is definately more colourful than that on the coal train hoppers.

Thats ok, they'll probably be cleaned off when QRN rebrands them with their logo instead of the old QR one.

[mufreight]

The station wall artwork is definately more colourful than that on the coal train hoppers.

Thats ok, they'll probably be cleaned off when QRN rebrands them with their logo instead of the old QR one.

Doubtful, seems that the only time the grafitti gets cleaned off the freight rollingstock is if it goes into the workshops for major attention, if they rebrand the rollingstock with the new logo it is more probable that they will just clean off the patch where the logo goes and leave the rest.

[ozbob]

Murals complete ..

















Photographs R Dow 1st April 2011

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
02/04/2011

NEW MULTICULTURAL FACE OF DARRA STATION UNVEILED

Darra Station has been given an artistic makeover, with a new community mural officially opening today.

Minister for Transport and Multicultural Affairs Annastacia Palaszczuk said the mural was part of Queensland Rail's Positive Partnerships Program, which aimed to bring together creative minds and artistic ability to enhance local railway stations.

"Positive partnerships community artists have done a fantastic job working with the local community to create this mural," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The two murals, which stretch across 588 square metres of the station, follow a strong Vietnamese theme to honour the multiculturalism of the Darra community.

"The initial design concepts for the mural were established by lead community artists, Kim Woolley and Fintan Scott-Magee, who worked alongside two teams of community artists to bring their plans to life.

"To ensure traditional Vietnamese themes and techniques were followed, the two artists consulted all plans with Vietnamese Community of Australia President Dr Bui, who is based in Darra.

"Both murals feature the famous dragon Lac Long Quan, which is a large cultural icon for the Vietnamese community.

"The murals also feature other Vietnamese mythology including the story of Au Co and the ongoing theme of international migration, which are all linked together with elements of traditional Vietnamese painting and abstract work."

Queensland Rail Chief Customer Officer Theo Taifalos said the murals were a vibrant addition to the station and integral to Queensland Rail's focus on customer service.

"We are dedicated to supporting activities across our rail network that enhance the experience for our customers and make a positive contribution towards the local community,'' he said.

"Queensland Rail has participated in 71 Positive Partnerships projects to date, covering around 12, 947 square metres.

"Programs like this allow residents to feel a sense of community pride and sample the works of community artists within Brisbane."

Positive Partnerships involves local schools and community groups in the beautification of train stations which can include station walls, shelter sheds, subways, car parks and bike lockers throughout the South East Queensland network.

If your school or community group would like to be part of the Positive Partnerships Program, contact the Art Projects Coordinator on 3235 1610 or pARTnerships@qr.com.au

ENDS

=====================

I attended the official opening of the art work at Darra this morning at the invitation of the Minister for Transport.  A strong representation from the local community attended, together with the Minister for Transport Annastacia Palaszczuk Member for Inala, Member for Mount Ommaney Julie Attwood, Councillor Milton Dick Richlands Ward, Dr C T Bui Community Representative, and the artist in charge Kim.

















Photographs R Dow 2nd April 2011

Excellent outcome!  

[Golliwog]

Mentioning the QR art program, they've been repainting a mural along the corridor between South Bank and South Brisbane. Its not finished yet, but its coming along nicely.

[longboi]

Haha !! I took a train to Darra and Richlands this morning for a look, the 9:01 from Roma Street... I was thinking it would be funny to see Bob out there.. Seems like I nearly did !!
I noticed on the Richlands train, there was a crew change at corinda, and again at Darra.. One crew member had a white shirt and carried his own foldup chair. Drivers cabin must have been crampt with 3 inside between Darra and Richlands..

White shirts are Train Management Improvement Officers. They're kind of like the traincrew police =P