Reported service disruptions rail - no longer in use

[Fares_Fair]

Hello somebody,

I believe that both situations, the delays caused on a single line section of track, and the reduction in express services (from 20 down to 10 stations)
reinforces the need for the duplication of the Sunshine Coast line.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

I'm not so sure about that.  The all stopping from Northgate in applies to the Caboolture line trains also.  Do I need to go on?

Hello somebody,

I'm not sure what you mean here by "do I need to go on."
Respectfully, about what ?

It does (obvoiusly) apply to Caboolture line services, but if there was duplication north of Beerburrum and more train paths available
then perhaps the express services could return to 20 stations skipped.
Is that not the case ?
What am I missing here ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[BrizCommuter]

Hello somebody,

I believe that both situations, the delays caused on a single line section of track, and the reduction in express services (from 20 down to 10 stations)
reinforces the need for the duplication of the Sunshine Coast line.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

To increase the express service (back to 20 stations skipped), an extra track would also be required between Caboolture and Lawnton and Northgate to Bowen Hills. Good luck with that in the near future!

Err, no.  At least on the 5th track Northgate-Bowen Hills.

Extra turnback capacity for the Shorncliffe requirement may add operating margin however.

CRR also would help to increase the ability to utilise the quad Bowen Hills-Northgate.  Currently the suburbans are underutilised due to the need to share with the Ferny Grove line.

Unfortunately, there is a high chance that the LNP may kill of Cross River Rail, at which the suburban rail network is stuffed!

[Fares_Fair]

Hello BrizCommuter,

May I ask why you think that is the case ?

I have also noted from one of the Cross River Rail Studies - Freight Strategy that the CRR would not be required as soon if the NCL duplication works were to occur.
However, this was in the context of freight movements only.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[HappyTrainGuy]

It does (obvoiusly) apply to Caboolture line services, but if there was duplication north of Beerburrum and more train paths available
then perhaps the express services could return to 20 stations skipped.

It might help somewhat but then you get the problems as you leave Caboolture with the express services catching the all station services or following at a reduced pace because of yellow signals before Petrie or all the way to the City because of ramped up services. A way around that is to extend the new Caboolture-Petrie all station then express to Northgate services to Nambour starters (Que the can of worms for no toilet trains. Not to mention the more staff required to operate the Nambour-Caboolture run or train upgrades) or get rid of the train service nearly every 2 minutes Northgate-Bowen Hills (NCL services alone make up a 3 min service in the peak) and make NCL trains run express Northgate-Eagle Junction-Bowen Hills. Next problem is then what to do with the influx of services that now have to terminate or run elsewhere at Roma Street.

[Stillwater]

There is a threshold beyond which CRR becomes unviable and should be killed off, irrespective of which political power is in office, LNP or otherwise.  That threshold is the point where the value of all the benefits flowing from the project (both direct [such as increased patronage] and indirect [such as fuel savings by people who switch from cars to trains, less congestion on the roads etc]).  These issues are usually examined in a Business Case, which is still being prepared.  It arrives at a benefit-cost ratio (BCR).  A BCR of 1:1 means break even, so why build it?  A BCR of 2:1 means benefits arising worth twice the cost of construction.  A government faced with a BCR of 2:1 for CRR and, say, 4:1 for another project would get better bang for buck from the other project and should, by all respects, fund it first, for the simple reason that the taxpayer gets better value for money from the other project.

This may prove critical if Qld is seeking to have the federal government fund a substantial proportion of the CRR project in circumstances where other states put forward for federal funding projects that have a higher BCR.

The art in these examinations is to capture all the benefits, and value them appropriately, in order to boost the benefits side of the BCR equation.  Likewise, innovative ways must be devised to come up with a cost-effective project concept and design -- one that wrings the maximum value of every dollar spent while not compromising the engineering, safety, functionality and future effectiveness of the project.

The $8.3 billion figure, based on the original project design concept, was an under-estimation.  Let's hope there are other more cost-effective CRR designs not yet revealed that can boost the BCR figure and also increase the attractiveness of the project to the governments that will be required to fund it.

[BrizCommuter]

Hello BrizCommuter,

May I ask why you think that is the case ?

Well a certain Campbell Newman recently stated that he would rather have a self-contained metro system instead of CRR.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/03/can-do-clueless.html
I have not seen a mention of any backflip on that idea. Mr Newman also has a well known toll road fetish.

We will have to wait and see what the LNPs policies will be, but BrizCommuter is very very concerned.

[mufreight]

Off topic in this thread but a highly reputable and experienced engineer currently working on one of the major tunnel projects presently under construction recently commented that a no frills version of the CRR could probably be built for a figure considerably less than the $8.3 billion that the government has touted, his estimate was in the region of $5.75 billion.  If his estimate is correct what is the purpose of this overinflated estimate from the government and question must rise as to if its purpose is to justify delay of the project in favor of more road construction or should the costing process come under the scrutiny of the CMC in the interests of public accountability.

[Stillwater]

Mufreight, let's hope he has input into the process.  What's needed is a sharp pencil and a drive to keep CRR on track (excuse the pun).  Before the election, we were presented with a wonderful set of concept drawings and a video, but no explanation as to how that particular design and project scope was arrived at.  Perhaps the objective was just to produce a concept, any concept, for electioneering purposes.  Now that has passed, perhaps wiser heads can come together to produce a workable, cost-effective project that can be built without compromising the engineering and 'future proofing' that would need to be built into a project of this type.

[Golliwog]

Hello BrizCommuter,

May I ask why you think that is the case ?

I have also noted from one of the Cross River Rail Studies - Freight Strategy that the CRR would not be required as soon if the NCL duplication works were to occur.
However, this was in the context of freight movements only.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

Exactly, freight movements only, which really focuses on off-peak operations. Extra capacity is needed in the inner city almost entirely for peak capacity purposes, namely the Merivale Bridge, but also the sSuburbans and Mains are getting pretty full.

Off topic in this thread but a highly reputable and experienced engineer currently working on one of the major tunnel projects presently under construction recently commented that a no frills version of the CRR could probably be built for a figure considerably less than the $8.3 billion that the government has touted, his estimate was in the region of $5.75 billion.  If his estimate is correct what is the purpose of this overinflated estimate from the government and question must rise as to if its purpose is to justify delay of the project in favor of more road construction or should the costing process come under the scrutiny of the CMC in the interests of public accountability.

Might I ask experienced in what type of engineering? I assume Civil (maybe mechanical/electrical), but further than that is he part of the estimates team, a site engineer or design or what ever else?

[mufreight]

Off topic in this thread but a highly reputable and experienced engineer currently working on one of the major tunnel projects presently under construction recently commented that a no frills version of the CRR could probably be built for a figure considerably less than the $8.3 billion that the government has touted, his estimate was in the region of $5.75 billion.  If his estimate is correct what is the purpose of this overinflated estimate from the government and question must rise as to if its purpose is to justify delay of the project in favor of more road construction or should the costing process come under the scrutiny of the CMC in the interests of public accountability.

Might I ask experienced in what type of engineering? I assume Civil (maybe mechanical/electrical), but further than that is he part of the estimates team, a site engineer or design or what ever else?

Yes you can ask, tunneling projects, which have ranged from tunnels for hydro works to road and rail tunnels both in this country and overseas in which he has been involved in both design and actual construction works.

[somebody]

Hello somebody,

I believe that both situations, the delays caused on a single line section of track, and the reduction in express services (from 20 down to 10 stations)
reinforces the need for the duplication of the Sunshine Coast line.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

I'm not so sure about that.  The all stopping from Northgate in applies to the Caboolture line trains also.  Do I need to go on?

Hello somebody,

I'm not sure what you mean here by "do I need to go on."
Respectfully, about what ?

It does (obvoiusly) apply to Caboolture line services, but if there was duplication north of Beerburrum and more train paths available
then perhaps the express services could return to 20 stations skipped.
Is that not the case ?
What am I missing here ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

No, it is not the case.

Duplications north of Beerburrum are needed to improve reliability.  They will do nothing to restore express legs.

What is required for the restoration of express legs is (a) moving the Nambour trains to the suburbans, which I wouldn't recommend in the AM (b) alternate service on the suburbans to the stations inside of Northgate (c) triplication between Lawnton/Petrie and Caboolture

With current peak train frequency, there is a need for all the trains on the mains to have the same stopping pattern.

[ClintonL94]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1304073672

Train delays - various lines

Trains are suspended on the Airport, Doomben, Caboolture and Sunshine Coast lines due to a police incident.

Passengers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

Affected Services

• Airport line
• Caboolture line
• Doomben line
• Sunshine Coast line

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1304290852

Caboolture line delays

Trains are suspended on the Caboolture line between Petrie and Narangba stations due to a signalling fault.

Alternative transport is being arranged and passengers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

[ozbob]

erail 9.45am

2 May 2011

Disruptions on Caboolture Line between Petrie and Narangba due to signalling fault. Expect 30 mins delay. Service to resume by 11:30 AM.

Alt. transport operating between Petrie and Narangba.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1304398584

Cleveland line delays due to signal fault

Services on the Cleveland line are experiencing delays of up to 30 minutes due to a signalling fault at Cannon Hill station.

[ozbob]

erail 4.10pm

3 May 2011

Disruptions on Cleveland Line due to signalling fault. Expect 30 mins delay. Service to resume by 7:00 PM.

Alt. transport operating between Dutton Park and Murrarie.

[ozbob]

Lightning strikes have caused the signal issues ..

[ozbob]

Twitter

TransLinkSEQ

Sunshine Coast line delays due to lightning strike at Beerburrum.
6 minutes ago

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1304404401

Buses replacing trains - Elimbah-Nambour

Trains are suspended between Elimbah and Nambour stations on the Sunshine Coast line due to storm damage caused by a lightning strike at Beerburrum.

Buses are being arranged. Customers should expect delays.

[Otto]

She who must be obeyed is sitting on the Cleveland Train which is stuck between Dutton Park and Park Road... She said the train diverted to Dutton Park to pick up Cleveland pax, then headed back towards Park rd but has now been stationary between the stations for some time....  :conf

[ClintonL94]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1304413705

Trains suspended: Eagle Junction station

Trains are suspended at Eagle Junction station on the Airport, Doomben, Caboolture, Sunshine Coast and Shorncliffe lines due to a police incident.

Expect delays.

More information soon.

--Update--

Trains are now moving again at Eagle Junction station on the Airport, Doomben, Caboolture, Sunshine Coast and Shorncliffe lines after an earlier police incident.

Passengers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes.

Affected Services:

• Airport line
• Caboolture line
• Doomben line
• Shorncliffe line
• Sunshine Coast line

[Otto]

Note the time from my post above....
She who must be obeyed is still sitting on the train currently going nowhere at Wello Point !!
She boarded the first train at Toowong at 4:30pm and still not at Cleveland...  

[Golliwog]

Note the time from my post above....
She who must be obeyed is still sitting on the train currently going nowhere at Wello Point !!
She boarded the first train at Toowong at 4:30pm and still not at Cleveland...  

Ouch, thats not cool at all. Heres hoping she has a book or someone to talk to.

[somebody]

Someone told me last night that no alternate transport was arranged for the Cleveland line.  While that contradicts what has been posted in this thread, either the communication was poor, or the alternates were inadequate. 

I for one still cannot believe that a trackwork bus would stop all stations to Ipswich, with no other services.

[ozbob]

I for one still cannot believe that a trackwork bus would stop all stations to Ipswich, with no other services.

My observations of trackwork buses on the Ippy is that there are combination of runs.  For example say the closure is Corinda to Ipswich.

There will be a number of bus stands at Corinda rail.  Express bus Corinda to Ipswich, bus Corinda to Goodna all stationsthen express to Ipswich, bus Corinda to Goodna express than all stations to Ipswich, and so forth.  The patterns do vary a little depending on what is being done I suppose.

[somebody]

Ok, so at least they do make an effort sometimes.

[ozbob]

erail 10.31am

4 May 2011

15 mins delay for services on CBD Line due to track fault. Service to resume by 11:00 AM.

For further enquiries or timetable information please contact TransLink on 13 12 30 or www.translink.com.au.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1304469361

CBD Train Delays

There are delays of up to 15 minutes on the Cleveland, Beenleigh, Gold Coast and Ipswich Lines due to a track fault in the CBD.

Affected Services

    Beenleigh line
    Cleveland line
    Gold Coast line
    Ipswich Rosewood line

[ozbob]

erail 10.43am

4 May 2011

30 mins delay for services on CBD Line due to track fault. Service to resume by 11:30 AM.

[ozbob]

erail 11.08am

4 May 2011

30 mins delay for services on CBD Line due to track fault. Service to resume by 12:30 PM.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1304589311

Beenleigh line delays

Services on the Beenleigh line are delayed up to 20 minutes due to a points failure at Holmview.

[ClintonL94]

Luckily I arrived at Beenleigh 19:53 on time from the Bowen Hills EXP. The 19:40 Gold Coast train from Beenleigh and my train at Coomera(19:40 as well) both changed to the opposite tracks. While I was waiting for my bus transfer the Ferny Grove train was still in the change over track at 20:02. Bowen Hills EXP was still stationary at Beenleigh.

[ozbob]

erail 5.19pm

6 May 2011

15 mins delay for services on Cleveland Line between Manly and Cleveland due to track fault. Service to resume by 6:30 PM.

[BrizCommuter]

The whole Ferny Grove Line was suspended this afternoon after an incident at Keperra. Read all about QR and TransLink's information failures
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/05/information-underload.html

[HappyTrainGuy]

Not really a QR failure here. The line was closed due to a fatality at a station on the line. Priority was given elsewhere because of the situation that unfolded.

[somebody]

Not really a QR failure here. The line was closed due to a fatality at a station on the line. Priority was given elsewhere because of the situation that unfolded.

Really?  Why couldn't trains turn around at Mitchelton?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Apparently there was no power due to emergency crews accessing the station/area around the lines at another station.

[Golliwog]

Not really a QR failure here. The line was closed due to a fatality at a station on the line. Priority was given elsewhere because of the situation that unfolded.

Has she since died? The last I heard she was taken to hospital. A friend lives nearby and said there was something like 1 ambulance, 2 firetrucks and half a dozen police cars.

EDIT: Just found the updated news story. Yes she did. Very unfortunate.

[p858snake]

Not really a QR failure here. The line was closed due to a fatality at a station on the line. Priority was given elsewhere because of the situation that unfolded.

Really?  Why couldn't trains turn around at Mitchelton?

As to my understanding from what I heard earlier they were, but that might of been a tad later if there were multiple issues on the line as has been suggested in other posts.

[BrizCommuter]

My blog post has been updated and re-worded after the tragic news.

Irrespective of the cause of the delay, information was (and is often) seriously lacking. No announcements - manual or automated. The cancelled trains were not removed from the train describers, resulting in the misleading PIDs. Incorrect information on TransLink's website approx. 45 minutes after the incident. Other rail operators such as London Underground and Japan Rail can provide sufficient customer information when similar incidents occur (and they occur almost daily on these networks), so why not QR and TransLink?