Darra Station - upgrade

[ozbob]

Temporary ticket office in the car park












Sunday afternoon at Darra



















Photographs R Dow 6th December 2009

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=353

Darra station changes - effective 21 December 2009

From Monday 21 December, Darra station's central platform will be replaced by a temporary platform at the west of the station to make way for upgrade works.

Passengers can access the temporary platform via a new entrance and stairs off the footbridge. The temporary platform will be equipped with go card machines, ticket machines, CCTV and public announcement facilities. Tickets will also be available from a temporary ticket office at the exit to the car park on Darra Station Road.

This temporary platform will operate until late 2010. The inbound platform (to Brisbane City) will remain open during construction.

These changes are due to preparation work for the Darra to Springfield extension.

===========

Hope to check it out later today ...  

[#Metro]

Ozbob, is that a bikeway to the far right in the photo 29nov09/p12.jpg?

[ozbob]

No, it is  for vehicle access during construction and for maintenance.

Meanwhile, Darra is humming!

Temporary platform is ready for the opening tomorrow.  Finishing touches today and an AVVM to be placed.  Noted two go card readers east and operable.

The Manburgh Tce rail bridge is in place!

New signal gantry placed!   New platform one structures starting to appear ...































Photographs R Dow 20th December 2009

[somebody]

is there comfirmation on if the platform upgrades will include making them heigher?

I actually like the low height platforms better.  It prevents the possibility of someone putting their foot in the gap, and don't the high height still require wheelchair bound people to have assistance to get on/off?

CityRail have a hundred and something people put their foot in the gap every year.  I knew someone that did it, of course she was blind.

So, what will the arrangements be when all of this is finished?  Will there be 4 platforms at Darra, and a bi-di track between Darra & Corinda (exclusive of the stations)?

[ozbob]

Yes, Darra will have 4 platforms, new platform one, platforms 2 and 3 (formerly 1 and 2) and platform 4 (formerly 3).

All four lines inbound from Darra to Corinda will be bi-directional, the 4th  line (freight) will be electrified to about the brick factory.  This was to be the initial plan (4 tracks merge into 3) but the later modification was to extend the 4th from this point into Corinda.

If you have a look at the new signal gantry roads 1 and 2 have the signal markers for the Richlands Branch already.

[somebody]

Yes, Darra will have 4 platforms, new platform one, platforms 2 and 3 (formerly 1 and 2) and platform 4 (formerly 3).

All four lines inbound from Darra to Corinda will be bi-directional, the 4th  line (freight) will be electrified to about the brick factory.  This was to be the initial plan (4 tracks merge into 3) but the later modification was to extend the 4th from this point into Corinda.

If you have a look at the new signal gantry roads 1 and 2 have the signal markers for the Richlands Branch already.

So how will the freighters get around the pax trains?  Will they need to cross to platforms 1&2 east of Darra?

[ozbob]

As I understand it they will cross over between Wacol and Darra and come through Darra on roads one and two.  There are crossings being put in place west of Darra.

[ozbob]

This concept plan shows the general layout for Darra click --> here!

Unfortunately it doesn't show the track arrangements west of Darra.

[ozbob]

At Darra West I have noted there is room for a third line next to the existing double and some evidence in terms of OHTs and so forth that this will be in place.  I think  from the Darra the roads 1 and 2 will continue past the point where the Richlands branch diverge and then form single line which will then track through to Darra West forming a third track on the mainline.  This is in fact the very first part of the triplication between Darra and Redbank.

[somebody]

Thanks for all that.  I'm really not sure why they get so worried about the freighters, figures I've seen were (OTOH) 188 services/week or 27/day which is only just over 1/hour.  I'd expect that they run around the clock.

[ozbob]

I have just come back from Darra.

Here is a photograph the helps explain the arrangement.  Looking west end of temporary platform.

To the left the main line (road one) that goes underneath the double coming down from Richlands (centre formation).  Road 2 goes roughly where the temporary platform is (note the very wide OHT).  Road one and two form a single line near Centenary Highway and the crossings back to the existing mainlines around Bullock Head Creek.  I understand these lines will all be electrified as well.

A better arrangement would have been maintain the quad through to Wacol.





Also found the AVVM on the temporary platform.  It is up the western end!    About 2/3 way up the platform.  Long walk from the footbridge ..





Photographs R Dow 20th December 2009

[ozbob]

First up Citytrain tomorrow at Darra 5.34am!  Will have to go for a ride to Wacol ... LOL

[Arnz]

Have to say the "Temporary" platforms at Darra are of the same type as the "Temporary" platform extensions on the Sunshine Coast Line, being held together by Bricks.

[ozbob]

Photograph from an inbound train, underneath Centenary Highway space for the additional lines.



Photograph R Dow 21st December 2009

[ozbob]

Photographs from the opening of the temporary platform 2 21st December 2009 click --> here!

[ozbob]

This is a photograph from the new temporary platform at Darra, recent works have brought back into view what appears to be an old platform, probably goods?



Photograph R Dow 21st December 2009


Was a goods platform.  Some photographs right on top of the platform.  Cattle were unloaded here once.





Photograph R Dow 27th December 2009

[ozbob]

Some photographs around Darra





















Photographs R Dow 27th December 2009

[ozbob]

Darra, new platform 1 and 2 taking shape























Rails and sleepers waiting for the new branch line ..









Photographs R Dow 23rd January 2010

[ozbob]

Few photographs around Darra by mufreight









Photographs mufreight 23rd January 2010

[ozbob]

All hands on deck at Darra!  Track closure, lift well supports being positioned, lot of work on platforms.

























Photographs R Dow 30th January 2010

[ozbob]

With the ongoing we weather there is a chance that the down platform may  not be ready for services tomorrow.  I am going to check later this afternoon ...

[ozbob]

Just had a look at Darra. Platform 4 will be ready, rain has held off and they will be working overnight.

Platform 4

1.30pm




4pm



Photographs R Dow 31st January 2010

[ozbob]

Just checked out Darra. Platform 4 is operational, good work!  Rain overnight didn't help and the first down train coincided with a very heavy shower.  The shelter is similar to platform 3 Oxley and wasn't the best for the punters.

It has been a tough weekend for the construction teams.  Good job!

[ozbob]

Photographs at Darra this morning (1 February)

















Photographs R Dow 1st February 2010

[ozbob]

Station buildings on platforms 2 and 3 gone.









Photographs R Dow 2nd February 2010

[ozbob]

Steady progress ..















Photographs R Dow 14th February 2010

Aerial view from Nearmap.com as of 23 Jan 2010

[mufreight]

Another opportunity lost due to shortsighted pennypinching stupidity one completely new platfor and total rebuilds of two others and still the stupidity of building platforms below carriage floor heifgr persists,
Why? the argument of the platforms being on a curve has no validity as any three year old could prove with a simple exercise in geometry can readily prove using a compass and a sheet of paper.

[O_128]

Another opportunity lost due to shortsighted pennypinching stupidity one completely new platfor and total rebuilds of two others and still the stupidity of building platforms below carriage floor heifgr persists,
Why? the argument of the platforms being on a curve has no validity as any three year old could prove with a simple exercise in geometry can readily prove using a compass and a sheet of paper.

Why bother at all. The new Station upgrades in melbourne look amazing. This was the chance to up the platforms or at what they are pretty much doing rebuild the whole station 100m down the tracks. A concourse above or below would have been nice aswell.

[ozbob]

Some more updates from Darra, Sunday 21st February 2010































Photographs R Dow 21st February 2010

[ozbob]

Darra is changing ..



















EMU 28/27 down











Photographs R Dow 28th February 2010

[ozbob]

There will be some additional  weekend closures of the present platform 3 Darra to allow completion.  Shuttles buses will be used between Darra and Oxley for passengers wishing to travel towards the City (down trains will not stop at Darra during these additional closures).  Details will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.  These additional closures will be necessary to get the job finished.

[ozbob]

Track closure Corinda - Rosewood.  Work continues in the wet conditions this weekend ..






















Overhead wire vehicle between Darra and Oxley



Photographs R Dow 6th March 2010

[ozbob]

The lift has most of the glass fitted.

New signal gantry east end has been put in place this weekend ..

More  overhead shelter on platform 3 will available from tomorrow morning













Photographs R Dow 7th March 2010

[ozbob]

Now official ..


http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=494

Darra station - inbound platform temporary closures - effective 13 March 2010

Darra station inbound platform (platform 4) will be closed for upgrades on the following weekends:

    * Saturday 13 March to Sunday 14 March 2010
    * Saturday 27 March to Sunday 28 March 2010
    * Saturday 3 April to Sunday 4 April 2010
    * Saturday 17 April to Sunday 18 April 2010
    * Saturday 24 April 2010.

Shuttle buses will take all inbound passengers from Darra to Oxley station for rail connections to Brisbane City and other lines. go card holders please touch on at Oxley. Passengers should allow an extra 10 minutes for connections.

Passengers travelling to Darra station from stations between Rosewood and Gailes can catch shuttle services at Wacol station. go card holders please touch off at Wacol.

Outbound passengers will not be affected by this closure.

The platform will be closed to ensure passenger safety while while structural steel installation, concreting, roofing and electrical work is taking place. When completed, this work will provide improved facilities for Darra station customers.

QR and TransLink appreciate your patience as we build a better system.

[ozbob]

Darra, protection from the rain now on platform 4 (of course, it probably won't rain for a while now ... lol)





Photographs R Dow 24th March 2010

[ozbob]

Platform 4 closed this weekend













Photographs R Dow 28th March 2010

[ozbob]

Some more Darra updates ..












Towards Richlands



Photographs mufreight 30th March 2010

[ozbob]

Track closure this weekend Corinda - Rosewood.  Darra is a very busy construction zone this weekend.






















Beginning of retaining wall to protect the up sub line (back of the temp platform)



Photographs R Dow 10th April 2010

[ozbob]

Platform 4 Darra closed this weekend, bus shuttle inbound Darra to Oxley, also Wacol to Darra for down pax for Darra.  Down suburban trains run through non-stop Darra.

See --> http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=494  for full details

Inbound  BBL railbus between Darra and Oxley.



Photograph R Dow 17th April 2010