Random observations around the network ...

[Arnz]

Unfortunate tourist on the 5.04 Nambour train last night, when we rolled out of Caboolture he asked the people around him how much longer till Nambour, he was told it was still an hour away.  He then asked if there was an express train to Nambour, as this train had already stopped at lots of stations,  he got lots of sigh, groans and unhappy laughter when he was told by a chorus of people around him that he was on the 'express' train.  He shook his head in disbelief, I don't think he will be recommending train travel to any friends who may be contemplating visiting the sunny coast.

a question....how many pax actually deboard the peak pm nambour trains before northgate? Lots? or do the majority go straight to caboolture/onwards?  We all know too well how overcrowded these train get.....

From my acquintances observations, the crowding on the 5:04pm and 5:28pm "slow expresses" usually starting clearing between Narangba and Caboolture.  With the first seats being available beyond Narangba.  More backward facing seats become available beyond Caboolture (forward facing seats are usually still occupied beyond Caboolture).

The poor tourist chose a wrong time to catch the trains, or could've waited 44 minutes  for the Gympie express (Gympie trains are the only trains to run express on the Bowen Hills to Northgate corridor, but share the same track pair as Ferny Grove/Airport/Doomben/Shorncliffe).

[somebody]

(Gympie trains are the only trains to run express on the Bowen Hills to Northgate corridor, but share the same track pair as Ferny Grove/Airport/Doomben/Shorncliffe).

Nit pick: Current timetable has Shorncliffe trains doing so.  And the GYN trains only use the suburbans on the outbound.

[Arnz]

(Gympie trains are the only trains to run express on the Bowen Hills to Northgate corridor, but share the same track pair as Ferny Grove/Airport/Doomben/Shorncliffe).

Nit pick: Current timetable has Shorncliffe trains doing so.  And the GYN trains only use the suburbans on the outbound.

Good point re Shorncliffe.  And the daytime GYN inbound uses the Suburbans (despite the timetable saying otherwise, the TT also says the 3:23 ex-CAB uses P1 although it uses P3). 

Can't say for the morning peak GYN inbound.

[PollyWouldLikeASeat]

At least the unfortunate tourist didn't pick the middle of the day to go to Nambour would've taken him all day to get there on a all stations rail bus.

[Arnz]

11:30am and 1pm would've been the (weekday) midday express train departures to Nambour.  After that would be a 2pm all-stations connection to shuttle before the 3:30pm express (and the peak rush that follows).

[Fares_Fair]

Unfortunate tourist on the 5.04 Nambour train last night, when we rolled out of Caboolture he asked the people around him how much longer till Nambour, he was told it was still an hour away.  He then asked if there was an express train to Nambour, as this train had already stopped at lots of stations,  he got lots of sigh, groans and unhappy laughter when he was told by a chorus of people around him that he was on the 'express' train.  He shook his head in disbelief, I don't think he will be recommending train travel to any friends who may be contemplating visiting the sunny coast.

a question....how many pax actually deboard the peak pm nambour trains before northgate? Lots? or do the majority go straight to caboolture/onwards?  We all know too well how overcrowded these train get.....

From my acquintances observations, the crowding on the 5:04pm and 5:28pm "slow expresses" usually starting clearing between Narangba and Caboolture.  With the first seats being available beyond Narangba.  More backward facing seats become available beyond Caboolture (forward facing seats are usually still occupied beyond Caboolture).

The poor tourist chose a wrong time to catch the trains, or could've waited 44 minutes  for the Gympie express (Gympie trains are the only trains to run express on the Bowen Hills to Northgate corridor, but share the same track pair as Ferny Grove/Airport/Doomben/Shorncliffe).

I can concur.

[Set in train]

TOs seem to be out in force lately... Trying to recover some money?

Desperation for dollars will do that! Pointless locations, low pax bus services eg. P88 off peak, 5 at most on bus. Or going to the Gold Coast too late for 3pm schooligan behaviour on Helensvale buses.

[p858snake]

Is there any reasoning behind the array of stopping locations w/ 3 car services at a platform?

[somebody]

Is there any reasoning behind the array of stopping locations w/ 3 car services at a platform?

They're supposed to stop on the dot.

[petey3801]

Is there any reasoning behind the array of stopping locations w/ 3 car services at a platform?

There probably is, but buggered if I know what it is at a lot of stations!

Ferny Grove and Shorncliffe have the 3-car stopping marks in the middle of the platforms so the guard can operate the key release for the LX and starting signal off these platforms at the departure time (the key release is in the middle of the platform - where the guards compartment of a 6-car train would normally be).

Some have the 3-car marks halfway down the platform due to where the entry/exit area off the platform is located (ie: no point going to the City end of the platform if the exit is on the Country end), but this is not true for all.

The recently refurbished platforms seem to have the 3-car mark position moving towards the departure end of the platform, only around 1/2 a car back from the 6-car mark. Whether this is for consistency, or if it's so most of a 6-car train is on the platform if the driver mistakenly stops at the 3-car mark, or some other reason, I have no idea.

[ozbob]

On my journey to and from Alamein last week, the 3 car unit stopped central in each platform as I can best recall.  Platforms lengths are 6 car long but train stopped central.

_  _  _  _  _  _  < - platform

     X  X  X  < - train

eg.  3 car unit at Alamein ( you can make out it is central )



Variation in SEQ I always thought was partly because crew just forgot it was 3 car unit.  Seen all sorts of variations at some of the city stations ...

[somebody]

There's a few stations that have the 3 car dot in the same location as the 6 car one i.e. the end of the platform.  Can't think of any examples OTOH, perhaps Central?

[SurfRail]

Roma Street 4-9 have them at the same place as the 6 car mark for trains arriving from the north, so as much of the train as possible is located at the high-level end.  I'm note sure but I expect the mark would be at the middle for anything arriving from the south, for the same reason.

General rule of thumb for Melbourne I always though was that the front of the train always stops in the same place so the driver can assist disabled pax.  There is usually a little waiting shed up the end for them, even if the platform shelter does not extend that far.

[ozbob]

Alamein is the only line I think that runs 3 cars as a rule.  Everywhere else it is the front of the platform.

And the return journey from Alamein was in a 3 car and this service actually ran into town.  I got off at Richmond but I do recall it was stopped at the front of platform.  Didn't notice where it was at Camberwell onwards but assume at the front of platforms at the other stations.  On the branch didn't seem to be at the front ..

[BrizCommuter]

The recently refurbished platforms seem to have the 3-car mark position moving towards the departure end of the platform, only around 1/2 a car back from the 6-car mark. Whether this is for consistency, or if it's so most of a 6-car train is on the platform if the driver mistakenly stops at the 3-car mark, or some other reason, I have no idea.

It is so that the door nearest the guard's location lines up with the blue wheelchair marker on the platform.

[p858snake]

So it appears that QR told everyone to use the new carpark at fernygrove from sat so they close off the other one and seal it... Guess what is closed one day later? (For a market). Without any signage on the Sanford rd entry either.

[petey3801]

The recently refurbished platforms seem to have the 3-car mark position moving towards the departure end of the platform, only around 1/2 a car back from the 6-car mark. Whether this is for consistency, or if it's so most of a 6-car train is on the platform if the driver mistakenly stops at the 3-car mark, or some other reason, I have no idea.

It is so that the door nearest the guard's location lines up with the blue wheelchair marker on the platform.

Very true. I thought about this fact while I was at work last night (before I had seen your msg even), feel a tad silly not thinking of it myself in the first place...   

[Golliwog]

So it appears that QR told everyone to use the new carpark at fernygrove from sat so they close off the other one and seal it... Guess what is closed one day later? (For a market). Without any signage on the Sanford rd entry either.

I thought I saw a sign on Saturday? Either way, pretty sure those markets are always held on the first Sunday of every month. Or is it every Sunday?...

[HappyTrainGuy]

The northern carpark for Nundah is also closed on the weekends for markets.

[p858snake]

So it appears that QR told everyone to use the new carpark at fernygrove from sat so they close off the other one and seal it... Guess what is closed one day later? (For a market). Without any signage on the Sanford rd entry either.

I thought I saw a sign on Saturday? Either way, pretty sure those markets are always held on the first Sunday of every month. Or is it every Sunday?...

There was singage (At least I saw on Sat) in-regards to that one opening, so the other one could be closed for resurfacing, I didn't see anything else

[petey3801]

Currently in 8-201 (with an unknown 220 leading), just departed Darra ontime heading to the City, with me bound for the International airport, from whence it's off to The Netherlands! Everything running on time at this stage as far as I can tell..

[ozbob]

Currently in 8-201 (with an unknown 220 leading), just departed Darra ontime heading to the City, with me bound for the International airport, from whence it's off to The Netherlands! Everything running on time at this stage as far as I can tell..

Happy trip!   

[petey3801]

Currently in 8-201 (with an unknown 220 leading), just departed Darra ontime heading to the City, with me bound for the International airport, from whence it's off to The Netherlands! Everything running on time at this stage as far as I can tell..

Happy trip!   

Cheers Bob! I'll be able to (once again) see real railways in action!

[ozbob]

Had a short ride onboard EMU01 - Central to Roma St, terminated at platform 10.

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/270652355685527552/photo/1

[ozbob]

Onboard IMU 188 just passed UP coalie parked on the UP sub between Oxley / Darra, crossed at Pannard onto the UP sub ...

[jesse]

on board emu 83 heading to Roma street. 2 mins late

Jesse.

[ozbob]

At Indro waiting for the 1.41pm UP Ippy, about 10 minutes late, which means of course bus connections shot.   Such is life in the fast lane ...  hello pub!  LOL

[ozbob]

Just spotted RM1901 on the Richlands branch about to come into Darra.  Assume been out for a look at progress Richlands - Springfield Central.

[ozbob]

Just spotted RM1901 on the Richlands branch about to come into Darra.  Assume been out for a look at progress Richlands - Springfield Central.

RM 1901 passed through Goodna (UP) around 10.10am ..

[ozbob]

Onboard UP Ippy  EMU 87, just passed Taringa.  Mains closed work on the troublesome cutting wall happening.  Hopefully the speed restriction might be moved once it is fully stabilised.

[ozbob]

SMU221 (blank destos, no second set) was waiting on the UP Richlands Branch line (running down) for the Ippy flyer to clear platform one Darra, when I left the Ippy train at Darra.

I noted SMU221 at Wacol 10 minutes or so later on.  Assume out for a bit of route tuition etc.

[ozbob]

Heading home on the 5.06pm ex Roma St Ippy flyer, IMU161, just passed the UP Richlands train SMU265 at Taringa.  Intrigued me to note IMU 107 (3 car) heading out to Doomben.  Long way to go with a loo ... lol  well it is party time ... 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Intrigued me to note IMU 107 (3 car) heading out to Doomben.  Long way to go with a loo ... lol  well it is party time ... 

It will be a common sight. A couple IMUs have been split/put onto the shorter haul routes to cover off duties that EMU/SMUs usually do this week. Reason being a couple EMUs are out on testing/run in duties after recent refurbs while the next lot were set for their refurbs. 2 EMUs (I think its 38 and I can't recall the other) were sent out today for one of their acceptance runs and should be back in revenue service very shortly.

[ozbob]

Thanks for the info HTG.  Pleased that IMU 161 was the lead set on the Ippy flyer, was able to use the loo on the way home .. matter of principle!

[Arnz]

The 5:06pm from Roma Street to Ipswich begins from Nambour at 3:13pm on weekday, so the IMU is pretty much almost-permanent fixture of this service

(of course the IMU substitutions happen from time to time).

[ozbob]

Yes, IMUs run through regularly.  Always handy ... 

[jesse]

Went down to Nambour today on IMU 173/161, (173 leading). when i arrived there i saw a very perculiar sight on platform 2: Emu 59 coupled with ICE 155. They just sat there all day. 

Jesse.

[petey3801]

Went down to Nambour today on IMU 173/161, (173 leading). when i arrived there i saw a very perculiar sight on platform 2: Emu 59 coupled with ICE 155. They just sat there all day. 

Jesse.

I think there was Nambour/ATP crew training today, which would explain it (not sure why they do EMU/ICE combo for the training, but they do!)

[HappyTrainGuy]

Went down to Nambour today on IMU 173/161, (173 leading). when i arrived there i saw a very perculiar sight on platform 2: Emu 59 coupled with ICE 155. They just sat there all day. 

Jesse.

I think there was Nambour/ATP crew training today, which would explain it (not sure why they do EMU/ICE combo for the training, but they do!)

For that reason it caught my eye when it went back through this arvo. I didn't get a good look but it looked like there was only one powerpair on it (EMU leading with the power pair trailing). There might also have been ATP testing IIRC which might explain the EMU-ICE hybrids.

[jesse]

on another observation from yesterday i didn't think that the ICE trains were in service yesterday because the usual counterpeak shuttle (caboolture-Nambour) was completed by EMU 21   :conf.

and also the 9:33 am Roma street to Gympie North was operated by **Drum role** SMU 244-247. when it got to Nambour it was 5 mins late.

JESSE