Random observations around the network ...

[techblitz]

sorry but ive just got to mention this(chuckles)
on a gcl headong to sherwood(15pax onboard).....bus heads under the muriel ave rail bridge.....and cant help but notice no less than 11 maintenance staff crowded around attending to a sleeper? 3 of them were actually doing something and the rest well.....one man designated to hold a small drill waiting to be used was the eyecatcher     

[dancingmongoose]

Drove past Nyanda platform yesterday afternoon and there's a great big hole in the middle of it. Don't ask me what for

[Stillwater]

Yesterday's lunchtime Gympielander heading north (an ICE) performed a dance of the trains at Mooloolah station with a Roma Street train heading in the opposite direction, southbound freight train standing on the Eudlo loop when the train got there.  North of Caboolture, the driver seemed to be going light on the brakes, slowing down in advance of each station and gliding in.  Good numbers on board.

[BrizCommuter]

6:47 Beenleigh train from Park Road forgot to stop at Dutton Park... Thought I got into Fairfield a little early.

Pretty unacceptable given that all Beenleigh trains are all stations services!

[BrizCommuter]

The turnback arrangements at Beenleigh are horrible.  It's a slow dance:

- Up Beenleigh train arrives and terminates on platform 1
- Down Airport train passes through platform 2
- Down Ferny Grove train leaves the turnback and enters platform 2
- Terminated Beenleigh train enters the turnback
- Up Gold Coast train passes through platform 1
- Repeat

Nothing wrong as long as one delay does not cause knock on effects.
If there is a delay in accessing the siding then maybe a second parallel turnback siding is required (as found on many metro systems).

[petey3801]

The terminating all stopper arrives on the platform and waits for around 6mins on average for the middle road to be cleared.

[BrizCommuter]

Yesterday, the 07:30am train from Fortitude Valley to Shorncliffe was made to run express between Bowen Hills to Northgate, despite running on time through FV. Go figure?

[ozbob]

Interpeak stabling platforms 2 and 3 Roma St ..



Photograph R Dow 29th April 2015

[ozbob]

Today's GympieLander ICE 156 up front ...  nice dump of rain as the train headed off ..

Roma St platform 9



Photograph R Dow 1st May 2015

[ozbob]

Down coalie at Corinda



Photograph R Dow 14th May 2015

[ozbob]

Noted a down suburban SMU267 with a ' City ' desto this morning at Oxley.  There is a closure inwards from Corinda.

Down trains were on the down sub, up trains on the up main for a change.

[ozbob]

Feedback received, thanks ..

I am just back from the Hunter Valley  Steamfest in Maitland, which was a huge success,  and whilst in NSW

I travelled all around the Sydney Trains network and my goodness what a pleasant surprise.

Every train was absolutely spotless.   The interiors were very clean – including seats and floors,  no litter

whatsoever and the windows all cleaned inside and out.    Only one or two scratched windows on an older

suburban set.  No graffiti either !

Every train was packed with passengers on every route.    The inter-urbans in particular were packed

and the trains are so comfortable, smooth riding and so clean.   Plus all trains offer a frequent service on all

routes and there are also great fare initiatives.

At Kiama I was told that a cleaning crew board and clean every train as it arrives and this is the same at

all destination stations.    What a wonderful difference it makes.

The XPT to Casino is of an excellent standard with such friendly crews .  The seating is very comfortable for

long distance travel with plenty of space,  great large windows,  good quality food and the crew come through

the entire journey collecting rubbish.   The toilets were also kept clean for the entire trip.

I arrived back into Queensland and took the 9.30am Gympie North train from Roma Street.

It was filthy.  Litter on the floor,  seats not facing the direction of travel, blinds – some up, some down and

many broken and dirty windows.   The entire train looking as if there had been no care for ages..  I might

add this would also be the premium train to take tourists to Beerwah for Australia Zoo.   What an impression

it would give tourists of QR !

We have to ask why Sydney Trains can offer such a great service whilst our schedules, train comfort and general

standards are years behind the times.

[dancingmongoose]

The AM Springfield to Nambour service was only 3 cars today, which of course is incredibly helpful considering how well it is patronised. We left passengers behind at Oxley and more at Corinda, but thankfully the 8:33 Roma Street to Caboolture started at Corinda instead of running dead to Roma St.

[Arnz]

^^

The 11:11am from Landsborough to Roma Street (the return) is going to be a bit of a squeeze today from Landsborough onwards considering I saw that service leave Fortitude Valley this morning as only a 3-car IMU.

[pandmaster]

A freight train at Yeronga today was making the sleepers bounce up and down on the Beenleigh bound track. Is this cause for concern or normal?

[petey3801]

That's quite normal, just the track and ballast absorbing the weight of the wagons.

[ClintonL94]

The terminating all stopper arrives on the platform and waits for around 6mins on average for the middle road to be cleared.

The option to use the depot as a turnaround is also available although very rare to see that occur

[dancingmongoose]

Well worth the read

Ways Sydney is Unexpectedly Different from Brisbane #2: Commuter Is Not Code for Dumb, Rich Criminal: https://www.facebook.com/pieceoutbrusselsprout/photos/a.397395210462744.1073741828.248411318694468/408807809321484/?type=1&permPage=1

[dancingmongoose]

Not my photo

[pandmaster]

Not my photo

[Stillwater]

Brisbane-bound Gympielander ICE set was nine minutes late into Nambour Station this morning, but the driver made up the time on the run into City and Roma Street.  Glorious to be going like the clappers between Elimbah and Caboolture!

[ozbob]

God bless the GympieLander and all who sail in her!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Saw the 610 yesterday.... going past the RBWH.

[Stillwater]

The historic Cooroy railway station building is getting some work.  To access the building from the car park, passengers have the choice of timber steps or a timber ramp.  The ramp was showing signs of wood rot, which someone at QR noticed.  The old ramp has been pulled out and is being replaced.

Let's hope the design allows for a couple of steps at the ramp turn, to allow access to the car park at that point.  QR planners are not that imaginative.

Meanwhile, the large pedestrian overbridge at Cooroy gets rudimentary and intermittent repairs -- more concrete in the rotting uprights, the odd handrail replaced and painted.

[ozbob]

Works train in yard at Wacol  ..  from inbound EMU





Photographs R Dow 14th July 2015

[ozbob]

Twitter

Queensland Rail ‏@QueenslandRail 2m

Winter wonderland in Wallangarra.

[ozbob]

Monday 13th July

EMU hauling  ICE set 152 +157 back to Mayne after failing at Cooroy. near Palmwoods

> https://www.flickr.com/photos/47626638@N02/19469826828/

[Stillwater]

Caught ICE shuttle Caboolture-Nambour today and had cause to use toilets.  It was obvious that someone at QR had donned a rubber suit and steam cleaned the interior to remove the 'stickiness'.  Sink was clean everything worked.  The addition of a toilet brush was a nice touch, as was the new door handle.  Thanks QR.

At Nambour, tiles have been removed off the walls of the pedestrian underpass.  Preparation for the DDA works perhaps?  Seems a more extensive upgrade may be planned, beyond just the lift installation.

[Stillwater]

Today's lunchtime GympieLander was a three-car ICE set, not five, as usual.

[Arnz]

Today's lunchtime GympieLander was a three-car ICE set, not five, as usual.

You mean a 3-Car IMU.  ICEs don't operate as 3-car sets.

[petey3801]

Any idea why Park road 1 to Dutton Park 1 is reduced speed to 15?

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

Only through the points off Park Rd. Must be a problem with them. Once clear of the points, it's back to normal speed.

[aldonius]

Big piles of sleepers now sitting around inbound of Wilston, ready for the track works later this month.

[SurfRail]

^ They claim that all track on the metropolitan system will be concrete-sleepered and continuously-welded by July 2016, which I don't particularly believe.

[red dragin]

Steam train pulled into to Roma St Platform 3 facing west this morning around 10.40am, just departed at 11.05am ish.

Couldn't see it directly but sounded like 1079.

[ozbob]

Steam train pulled into to Roma St Platform 3 facing west this morning around 10.40am, just departed at 11.05am ish.

Couldn't see it directly but sounded like 1079.

Thanks!  This ..

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

Twitter

Queensland Governor ‏@QldGovernor 36 minutes ago

Launching the 2015 @BrisOpenHouse at @QueenslandRail Roma Street Station #unlockbrisbane

[ozbob]

Media Release
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Train commuters rally against domestic violence

South East Queensland train commuters have got on board a Queensland Rail campaign donating more than 3,000 essential household items to help local families who are rebuilding their lives after domestic violence.

Donations collected from passengers at local stations include more than 600 bars of soap, 230 litres of shampoo, 300 toothbrushes, 13 flat screen televisions, a washing machine, and hundreds of other useful household items like prams, toasters, kettles, linen and dinnerware.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad and Minister for Women and Communities Shannon Fentiman joined Queensland Rail to donate the items to Assist A Sista – a not-for-profit organisation which works with families on the Gold Coast who have experienced domestic violence.

"Families who escape domestic violence often leave with nothing so I am overwhelmed by the generosity of passengers. Every item – no matter how big or small – will make a huge difference in their lives," Ms Trad said.

"For the past two months, Queensland Rail's collection points have been overflowing with donations which have resulted in more than two truckloads of items being gifted to Assist A Sista.

"We expect this collection will go on to assist hundreds of families, with thousands of items donated including household cleaning products and hundreds of personal care items like soap, toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner and nappies.

"A number of key household items like non-perishable food, toasters, kettles, dinner and cutlery sets, tea towels, glassware, bed sheets, towels and blankets were also donated which will go a long way to help families rebuilding their lives.

"The donations reflect the generosity of the community and include flat screen televisions, a washing machine, bedside tables and lamps, perfume and pamper packs, women's and children's clothing, prams and strollers, children's toys like scooters and skateboards, and even a cat feeder."

Minister for Women and Communities Shannon Fentiman said the generosity of donations reflected the increased community concern about domestic and family violence.

"There is a growing determination across our state to stand up and say no to domestic and family violence. It is so heartening to see such community support for helping victims of abuse in their efforts to rebuild their lives," Ms Fentiman said.

"Last week, the Government announced its wide-ranging response to the landmark Not Now, Not Ever report, which highlighted the role that the whole community needed to play if we are to tackle this terrible problem.

"The generosity of Queenslanders has been overwhelming and these donations will mean so much to Gold Coast families who are desperately trying to get back on their feet after leaving a violent home."

Assist A Sista Director and Cofounder, Nicolle, said the organisation was extremely grateful for the overwhelming contribution, which would go a long way to help those in their care to live safely and violence free.

"Nearly 500,000 Australians are affected by domestic violence each year, and we work each day to provide those in need with clothing, furniture, non-perishable food items, toys and other everyday essentials that many of us take for granted," Nicholle said.

Last week, the Government released its comprehensive response to the Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland report by the Special Taskforce chaired by the Honourable Quentin Bryce.

This includes a range of initiatives from education in schools, workplaces and homes, through to improvements to the health, police and justice responses, more coordinated help for victims, including greater information sharing and increasing perpetrator programs.

The Queensland Government has committed to establishing two new 72 hour crisis shelters - in Brisbane and Townsville - for women and children escaping violence.

Read the Government's full statement about its response to the Not Now: Not Ever report.

Queensland's draft Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2015-2025.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 1h

QR staff praised by commuters after train breaks down > http://www.qt.com.au/news/qr-staff-praised-by-commuters/2761913/ ... #qldpol Well done @QueenslandRail and thanks!

[red dragin]

Just noticed a southbound set at Toombul with the Destination showing as "ANZ Stadium".

Going to run into some issues when it veers right at Acacia Ridge 

[ozbob]

Riverlink  22nd September 2015

Train on the way to The Workshops at North Ipswich

R Dow 22nd September 2015

[ozbob]

Advertising screen now on station wall at Toowong, as viewed from train.