Random observations around the network ...

[red dragin]

NGR 705 was parked at Mayne this morning, no test train signage. Marker lights on.

1089 & water gin where under the little shed where they normally spend their time at Mayne.

202 was parked on the line beside the Down Main just after the flyover, pantograph down, no marker lights & a large amount of graffiti on the side.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Bad behaviours driving Brisbane train passengers nuts on peak-hour commutes

... Train line   Top etiquette gripes

Beenleigh   Bicycle on train; eating, drinking; feet/bags on seats
Caboolture   Bicycle on train; feet/bags on seats; noise in the quiet carriage
Cleveland   Bicycle on train; eating, drinking; noise in the quiet carriage
Doomben   Bicycle on train; feet/bags on seats
Ferny Grove   Bicycle on train; misbehaving school children
Gold Coast   Eating, drinking; feet/bags on seats; misbehaving school children; noise in the quiet carriage
Ipswich   Eating, drinking; feet/bags on seats; misbehaving school children
Redcliffe Peninsula   Bicycle on train; priority seating; noise in the quiet carriage
Shorncliffe   Feet/bags on seats; noise in the quiet carriage; personal devices; misbehaving school children
Springfield   Bicycle on train; noise in the quiet carriage
Sunshine Coast   Bicycle on train; noise in the quiet carriage ...

[Otto]

During last weekend's track closure, the INB's Countess St Portal was open, and (I assume) being used by rail replacement buses.

There were some witches hats around, but no actual traffic controllers on the portal. Perhaps a trial run for the re-opening of the portal?

The gate at the Roma St end? Gets used for suncorp events as well.

That entry has been open full time now since TfB ( BT ) last timetable revision earlier this year with the addition of the new holding area on Countess St .

[Fares_Fair]

G'day Otto,

Is it just me or is the Senior Network Officer's checks reducing whilst the evaders rate is significantly increasing.

PS I like what you do with the stats. 

[Otto]

G'day Otto,

Is it just me or is the Senior Network Officer's checks reducing whilst the evaders rate is significantly increasing.

PS I like what you do with the stats. 

I would say you are correct. I very rarely see SNO's out on the bus network waiting at bus stops now. I have only had 3 of my services boarded so far this year for ticket inspections. I don't count the times they board and go and sit down the back seat and do nothing.
I have a friend who left QPS and became a SNO. After a year, she became so frustrated from all the BS from higher up the chain of command that she quit and went back to work at QPS.

[BrizCommuter]

SMU with "special" destination observed in the 3rd track at Kingston at 3:53pm. Interested as to what service it would form?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/922024926336368640

[Otto]

Saw a NGR departing Plat 3 at Roma Street tonight with "Beenleigh" on the rear Desto sign. Had to look twice as I thought I was seeing things as I drove along the Busway. Certainly notice the highback seating inside at night. No pax sighted so I guess the Desto sign may have been showing incorrectly.

[corners]

Just saw an ICE carriage set parked in the yard at Caboolture

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/926972753877508097

[Cazza]

Last night at about 8:30, I passed Newmarket Station at the level crossing and noticed two men standing at the northern of the temporary platforms (one on each platform). They were both wearing orange high-vis vests. They weren't actually doing anything, but standing there looking around.

Anyone know why they were there?

[verbatim9]

Last night at about 8:30, I passed Newmarket Station at the level crossing and noticed two men standing at the northern of the temporary platforms (one on each platform). They were both wearing orange high-vis vests. They weren't actually doing anything, but standing there looking around.

Anyone know why they were there?

Security? Or just early arrival of track maintenance workers?

[Cazza]

Last night at about 8:30, I passed Newmarket Station at the level crossing and noticed two men standing at the northern of the temporary platforms (one on each platform). They were both wearing orange high-vis vests. They weren't actually doing anything, but standing there looking around.

Anyone know why they were there?

Security? Or just early arrival of track maintenance workers?

Yeah I was thinking security at first but they weren't dressed anything like a security person would. They were just wearing an orange vest with long pants.

Maybe it was something to do with the station upgrade (as it is almost complete now).

[corners]

Track work machines parked at Petrie

[BrizCommuter]

Just saw an out of service EMU pass through South Bank with "Tennyson" as the destination.

[tazzer9]

A 220 series SMU on the gold coast line earlier today.  Spotted while eating a euphoric yatala pie.

[dancingmongoose]

My Gold Coast train home tonight had the desto "Varsity Lakes" instead of the usual "Gold Coast". Strange

[SurfRail]

It gets used periodically - it seems more common during trackwork.

[Cazza]

Saw an Emu doing an Airport run at Bowen Hills at around 12:20

[jesse]

Saw an Emu doing an Airport run at Bowen Hills at around 12:20

Hey Cazza,

This run (along with about 3 others) is usually scheduled as an emu service. This is because in order to maintain a 15 minutes counter peek frequency between the city and airport, a few units will perform shuttles between Roma street and The airports. Since they are not running these to the Gold Coast, I think they believe there isn't value in runnning an Imu to that job.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/936801081136373761

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/936731562531360768

[InclusionMoves]

Had a quite annoying experience with a train leaving Roma St last night around 11:30 was showing as an Ipswich/Rosewood on the signs but turns out you had to change at Ipswich to go further. No amount of arguing would convince them the sign was wrong. Is this normal? Was a 3 car too but expected that at that time of night out to the sticks. Blow was softened by seeing a running NGR around midnight just between east ipswich and ipswich. Thats taking under the cover of darkness to extremes.     

[ozbob]

I am sure it used to show Ipswich with connection to Rosewood.  Maybe it has changed.

The NGRs seem to about all hours!  I have seen them very early in the morning( ~4am ) when I am in the gym at Jetts Goodna. 

The gym overlooks the railway line .. 

[JimmyP]

When the boards say 'Rosewood' it is a through train. When the boards say 'Ipswich/Rosewood', it is a connection train.

[ozbob]

When the boards say 'Rosewood' it is a through train. When the boards say 'Ipswich/Rosewood', it is a connection train.

Thanks!

[Arnz]

A 6-car older SMU found its way to Nambour last night due to the weather related disruptions down the line.  It operated one of the early morning peak services back to Roma Street today (a few mins late).

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/941796362550517760

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/941779505818959872

[not_available]

At the Bowen Hills rail yard (whatever that place is called) at around 10:20 I saw NGR 714 with quite a few QR people in orange at the front.

At Bowen Hills Station they had platforms 1 & 2 closed off. When I left there were 3 workers near the northern end of the platform, with red sign things on the track.

At Central at around 1:30 All the trains that were going to be on platforms 5&6 that usually aren't were progressively put back on their usual platforms.
I saw NGR 704 (twice) as well, and I saw the distinctive high-back seats. and that toilet...

[tazzer9]

Psa. 
Corinda via South Brisbane services are operating today

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/947990871928070149

[Stillwater]

Does anybody know about the supposed minor derailing of a goods train at Cooran last week?

[ozbob]

Does anybody know about the supposed minor derailing of a goods train at Cooran last week?

Not listed here > https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/safety-investigation-reports/?mode=Rail

[Cazza]

Double sporting header tomorrow night. The Big Bash starts at 6:10pm at the Gabba and then the Roar kicks off at 6:50pm over in Milton.

With a sell out expected for the BBL, will there be a sufficient amount of buses to split between the two games, especially at the conclusion? Will the PT network cope? Only time will tell.

[tazzer9]

The biggest fare evasion blitz I have ever seen occurred at oxley earlier today.  While only around 4 QR AO's were there, about 15 police including fairly senior ranks including an inspector, SNr sergeants and detectives.  I would estimate they caught at least 15 fare evaders.    The blitz even held a empty coalie on the un-electrifed line, waiting for the passenger to overtake it.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/950956079524888576

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/950956407465025536

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/954568528736133120

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/956738897500753920