Random observations around the network ...

[ozbob]

New corporate branding .. SMU247 at Gailes this morning. A down 3 car service ex Goodna 7.11am

Not the best pic, but you get the idea ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

Still too small 

[minbrisbane]

Gee, a lot of thought went into that now didn't it.  The ribbed car bodies really do limit the choices. 

[nathandavid88]

Personally, I think that they should go back to just using the QR logo in isolation, or maybe stack it with the QR logo on top and the "QueenslandRail" text underneath it.

Up close like Ozbob's photo it isn't too bad, but visibility and legibility from a distance takes a fairly big hit!

[SurfRail]

So are we to assume the "flash" decals are not happening on any more trains now than the 7-8 SMU 260s already done?

[ozbob]

So are we to assume the "flash" decals are not happening on any more trains now than the 7-8 SMU 260s already done?

I think that one is history.

Just noted EMU15 with them on (QR red squares) at Roma St ...  assume all trains are being progressively being turned out out with the red QR logos ...

[petey3801]

Yeah, unfortunately I think the 'Stripe' scheme has been given the flick in preference to these rather unattractive (IMO) decals. They seem to be getting done quite quickly actually, every day that I go to work there seems to be several more done.

[James]

Yeah, unfortunately I think the 'Stripe' scheme has been given the flick in preference to these rather unattractive (IMO) decals. They seem to be getting done quite quickly actually, every day that I go to work there seems to be several more done.

I don't think the 'stripe' scheme would have looked the part on the EMUs/older SMUs/older IMUs. Still, I don't see what was wrong with the original QR logo. It was an icon and easily identifiable, having 'QueenslandRail' written after the logo in quite modern typeface doesn't really work in my opinion. Maroon was also a far nicer colour compared to the red.

As nathan said, just keep the old QR logo. There was nothing wrong with it.

[p858snake]

The PIDs on the Eagle Junction platforms are getting used as glorified clocks...

[jesse]

i just watched a clip online and it involved the cleveland train station, the public transport minister, MR Emerson said that 5 trains had brake failures so they put them out of service, does anybody know what trains were withdrawn?? any help would be great


cheers, jesse

[p858snake]

Small discussion about paying fares due to increases and such: http://www.reddit.com/r/brisbane/comments/1i1p9z/ticketing_blitz_at_park_road_train_station/

[techblitz]

Sherwood Station Displays 

[ozbob]

Sherwood Station Displays 

[petey3801]

Graceville has also had them installed (i've been meaning to post this for a while!). Not sure if they are turned on at Graceville yet though.

Silly thing is they've only been installed on the suburban platforms...

[SurfRail]

I really wish they would come up with a standard installation for these things.

Sometimes they are a single screen.  Sometimes they have screens facing both ways.  Sometimes they have 2 screens facing both ways.  Sometimes it is a single screen facing one way and 2 facing the other.  Sometimes there is an orange platform number bracket around it, sometimes not.  Sometimes they rotate to show all northbound or southbound trains, not just from the particular platform.

Can't be that hard to sort out.

[p858snake]

I really wish they would come up with a standard installation for these things.

Sometimes they are a single screen.  Sometimes they have screens facing both ways.  Sometimes they have 2 screens facing both ways.  Sometimes it is a single screen facing one way and 2 facing the other.  Sometimes there is an orange platform number bracket around it, sometimes not.  Sometimes they rotate to show all northbound or southbound trains, not just from the particular platform.

Can't be that hard to sort out.

The ones on the EJ platforms are used as glorified clocks. (Lovely use of $$$ money there)

[HappyTrainGuy]

I should have posted this earlier so hopefully its still running on the Gold Coast or Shorncliffe line but keep an eye out for IMU177

[Golliwog]

Noticed some 60km/hr slow boards just on the city side of the Samford Rd level crossing. IIRC, it used to be 100km/hr up to the first bend of so, though when they did the duplication that was dropped to 90km/hr. Anyone know what they're temporarily dropping it to 60km/hr for?

[petey3801]

Noticed some 60km/hr slow boards just on the city side of the Samford Rd level crossing. IIRC, it used to be 100km/hr up to the first bend of so, though when they did the duplication that was dropped to 90km/hr. Anyone know what they're temporarily dropping it to 60km/hr for?

Just a track defect/mud hole on the Up road just on the city side of Samford Rd LX. Rides a bit rough across the problem area.

[techblitz]

a quick question on the incoming announcments at stations when trains are approaching....

Today I noticed no 2 minute warnings or 1 minute express announcements were not coming through at rocklea station today around 6pm.......also noticed the lack of the 2 minute Caboolture bound announcments at petrie last Friday..

Shouldn`t these 2 minute announcements be made across all stations and all platforms for safety reasons or?

[petey3801]

By what I understand, the automatic station announcements aren't made early morning or at night for noise pollution type reasons. Not sure what the cutoff times for the announcements are though.

[techblitz]

By what I understand, the automatic station announcements aren't made early morning or at night for noise pollution type reasons. Not sure what the cutoff times for the announcements are though.

cheers petey.
I will keep asking round at stations to see what staff have to say on the subject.

[ozbob]

Spotted two track walkers UP sub Oxley ....

[longboi]

By what I understand, the automatic station announcements aren't made early morning or at night for noise pollution type reasons. Not sure what the cutoff times for the announcements are though.

cheers petey.
I will keep asking round at stations to see what staff have to say on the subject.

Petey is right.

Although 6pm seems quite early. At Park Rd it's around 10pm, but it does depend on the local area and if complaints have been made in the past.

Don't quite see how it's a "safety" issue though. It's more of a courtesy.

[techblitz]

perhaps petey could clarify if they are meant as a courtesy or to let passengers know of an approaching train for safety purposes.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Courtsey only. Staff also have the ability to override the system which is why some stations will have announcments at later times vs other locations (usually maned later into the night/higher use stations). Geebung or Zillmere (pretty sure it was Zillmere - Geebung rallied to have the train drivers p%ss off from pressing the horn button while Zillmere residents and then other stations residents complained about the auto voice overs) had locals complain about the auto voice over system waking them up in the morning or annoying them at night (IIRC they didn't mind the train noise as they become a custom to the sound but the chime/announcements were more noticable). As a result IIRC they/other stations had the normal volume announcement during the day and then a new quieter voice over for early morning but more into the late evening - number of speakers used reduced and restricted to station buildings/middle of platform and the volume turned down. This is really going back but I think they kept mentioning some law or bylaw about noise restrictions. Not sure if its still in effect or just related to the BCC area.

[techblitz]

Courtsey only. Staff also have the ability to override the system which is why some stations will have announcments at later times vs other locations (usually maned later into the night/higher use stations). Geebung or Zillmere (pretty sure it was Zillmere - Geebung rallied to have the train drivers p%ss off from pressing the horn button while Zillmere residents and then other stations residents complained about the auto voice overs) had locals complain about the auto voice over system waking them up in the morning or annoying them at night (IIRC they didn't mind the train noise as they become a custom to the sound but the chime/announcements were more noticable). As a result IIRC they/other stations had the normal volume announcement during the day and then a new quieter voice over for early morning but more into the late evening - number of speakers used reduced and restricted to station buildings/middle of platform and the volume turned down. This is really going back but I think they kept mentioning some law or bylaw about noise restrictions. Not sure if its still in effect or just related to the BCC area.

Thanks htg 

[HappyTrainGuy]

I should have also added that there is also the no voice over option ie Loud during the day. Lower volume/smaller amount of speakers used in early morning or evening (usually the evening) and finally the system cuts out altogether with no voice announcments. All of which varies from station to station blah blah blah

[James]

Was onboard the 12:48pm (dep. Varsity Lakes) Brisbane City/Airport service today, used the Up Main track from Coomera to the points just before Ormeau. Found that to be a bit strange, didn't see anything that would have caused the Down Main to be unusable...

This service was also the first IMU I've been on on the Gold Coast line recently - previous two return trips were all on SMU 260s. There seem to be a lot of them operating on the GC line as of late...

[HappyTrainGuy]

Was onboard the 12:48pm (dep. Varsity Lakes) Brisbane City/Airport service today, used the Up Main track from Coomera to the points just before Ormeau. Found that to be a bit strange, didn't see anything that would have caused the Down Main to be unusable...

This service was also the first IMU I've been on on the Gold Coast line recently - previous two return trips were all on SMU 260s. There seem to be a lot of them operating on the GC line as of late...

Tried looking at the other unit?

[James]

Tried looking at the other unit?

For two yes, both units were SMUs. One I didn't get to as I was making a tight connection, but I don't believe it was an IMU.

Maybe it was just luck of the draw, but it should be addressed, especially given I saw an IMU operating on the Cleveland line minutes before. This was on a weekend too. No reason why an IMU should be there.

[ozbob]

Onboard EMU01  1.07pm Ippy ex Toowong.

Train lock down at Oxley.  Had my go checked by QPS +SNO.

[SurfRail]

Was onboard the 12:48pm (dep. Varsity Lakes) Brisbane City/Airport service today, used the Up Main track from Coomera to the points just before Ormeau. Found that to be a bit strange, didn't see anything that would have caused the Down Main to be unusable...

This service was also the first IMU I've been on on the Gold Coast line recently - previous two return trips were all on SMU 260s. There seem to be a lot of them operating on the GC line as of late...

Daily occurrence these days, around 50% of all services I catch would be suburban stock.  Fortunately they are running the combined workings these days for people who might get caught out.

[ozbob]

EMU01 on a down service at Graceville



Photograph R Dow 22nd August 2013

[petey3801]

Was onboard the 12:48pm (dep. Varsity Lakes) Brisbane City/Airport service today, used the Up Main track from Coomera to the points just before Ormeau. Found that to be a bit strange, didn't see anything that would have caused the Down Main to be unusable...

This service was also the first IMU I've been on on the Gold Coast line recently - previous two return trips were all on SMU 260s. There seem to be a lot of them operating on the GC line as of late...

Daily occurrence these days, around 50% of all services I catch would be suburban stock.  Fortunately they are running the combined workings these days for people who might get caught out.

Yeah, my run to the Coast first thing this morning (literally - I did the first Gold Coast train from the City ) I had 2x260s. Saw a number of IMUs running down there this morning, but there were at least 2 other 6-car SMU consists running down there other than mine as well.

[Fares_Fair]

Any news yet on the 5173 Petey? (Lead carriage in the Cleveland derailment)

[petey3801]

Not as yet. 5173/7173 are still at Downer EDi in Maryborough for repairs, with 8173 still sitting in the yard at Mayne.

[Fares_Fair]

Not as yet. 5173/7173 are still at Downer EDi in Maryborough for repairs, with 8173 still sitting in the yard at Mayne.

Thank you. 

[Mobility]

Where is the Go Card forum? I found a link to it in a moved thread/comment but the link gave me the "not found on this server" page.

[ozbob]

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=27.0