Random observations around the network ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1055179590933471232

[tazzer9]

Just past a revenue service EMU with "Springfield Ctrl" as the desto.  Had to do a double look.

[not_available]

Just past a revenue service EMU with "Springfield Ctrl" as the desto.  Had to do a double look.

I have seen some of the 200s do that as well

[Whippa]

Yeah, as of Monday just about all units changed to say Springfield Ctl. I guess given that's what the PID's say and also the name of the last station, seems reasonable IMO

[not_available]

Yeah, as of Monday just about all units changed to say Springfield Ctl. I guess given that's what the PID's say and also the name of the last station, seems reasonable IMO

Then what about the Kippa Ring Redcliffe trains?

[SurfRail]

Was I just tripping out or are they actually trialling and/or introducing double leaf back doors?

This is now standard going forward.  Unfortunately the cheap destination boards and route numeral only displays are as well.

[Arnz]

Just got off the the 1722ex Central to Caboolture NGR service. Noted staff travelled between Petrie and Narangba, assumably to check for any passengers at Dakabin requiring assistance.

[not_available]

Ice unit seems to be doing todays inter peak Gympie runs

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1062522300375826432

[HappyTrainGuy]

So when's this new 308 going to start based on the signage that's up across the Northside.... 

[techblitz]

it has always existed.....but now only as a sunday service....obviously to replace the GCL stretch between Chermside/Toombul and retain the crosstown link 7 days which is probably the most important link out of the entire GCL network due to the airport factor.
Aside from the fact that there is also inherant stuffing around with the 322 or 369@kedron brook....the 308 does the link in 11 mins flat.
Currently averaging just under 9 pax per service which is pretty good vs a lot of other hourly routes out there on a sunday...

[achiruel]

They should just make the 308 bi-dir and run it 7 days/week, and get rid of the horrible 322 experience. It's up there with the 172 as possibly the most indirect way to get anywhere.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/11/23/trainees-on-the-fast-track-to-rail-skills

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey
Friday, November 23, 2018

Trainees on the fast track to rail skills

Twelve newly-arrived Brisbane residents will jump aboard the skills train to join a specially-designed construction program at train stations on the city's north side.

Queensland Rail is partnering with Brisbane-based not-for-profit Multicultural Development Australia (MDA Ltd) to help deliver a paid traineeship program out of its Geebung depot, giving new migrants job-ready skills and qualifications.

Member for Aspley Bart Mellish said the trainees will work on projects to spruce-up stations across the north of the city.

"They will learn from QR's expert crews and gain practical experience in construction on projects that will benefit passengers," Mr Mellish said.

"MDA secured funding for the program through the Palaszczuk Government's Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative for an exciting program that will provide trainees with the skills they need to get jobs and create a lasting impact for the local community."

Mr Mellish said the trainees would work with Queensland Rail and TAFE until March 29 on projects including graffiti removal, car park and garden maintenance and working with plumbers, painters and carpenters to repair station buildings.

"They will finish their training with a Certificate 1 in Construction and equipped to take advantage of employment opportunities," he said.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the program followed the launch of Queensland's first-ever school-based rail training program earlier this year with TAFE SkillsTech.

"Australia's rail industry employs more than 140,000 people and contributes more than $26 billion towards the national economy each year, and it's important that we continue to foster job growth in this sector as well as other transport industries," Mr Bailey said.

"Through Queensland Rail's programs with MDA and TAFE Skillstech, we're helping to equip jobseekers with valuable skills and encourage them to consider a career in a rail-based trade."

MDA CEO Kerrin Benson said as part of the program, MDA would also employ a project supervisor to help guide trainees in gaining their qualifications.

"We're excited to launch the program, because not only does it give our trainees practical experience and qualifications, it also importantly helps them make a positive contribution in the community and build a better life in Australia," Ms Benson said.

"Our trainees are definitely eager to learn all they can from the Queensland Rail staff and to help breathe new life into the city's northside stations for commuters and locals to enjoy."

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said the trainees would join more than 32,800 Queenslanders who have already participated in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to creating jobs and making sure Queenslanders are job-ready.

"Through our Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, we're investing more than $80 million to assist Queenslanders who have struggled to get a job with training opportunities so they can gain meaningful employment," Ms Fentiman said.

"The Queensland Rail and MDA partnership are one of a number of projects that benefit from this initiative, including Marist 180, SANDBAG and Busy At Work.

"The government is hosting a Skills and Industry Summit where 200 delegates will discuss the future of work and skills challenges at the end of the month.

"We want to make sure we are investing in the right training and skills for Queenslanders to take advantage of career and job opportunities now and into the future."

For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative head to www.training.qld.gov.au/sqw

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1068609119517429760

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1068724136854212613

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1068632574354833408

[JustSomeTrainGuy]

Work currently underway at Central station. Looks like it's just track work but why the temporary fences if platforms 1 - 4 are closed anyway?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Dust mitigation I assume.

[Whippa]

Yeah they taped up a kind of tarp to the staircases on overnight on Friday so dust didn't run up into the concourse either. Can't comment on the trackside stuff though. Hive of activity at the station 24/7 this weekend.

[kram0]

Does this mean the LONG awaited station upgrade has finally begun at Central?

[corners]

The passenger information displays at South Bank now show whether a service is NGR or not

[HappyTrainGuy]

Does this mean the LONG awaited station upgrade has finally begun at Central?

Dust mitigation from ballast removal. There should have been a ballast train hiding at Roma Street last weekend.

[SurfRail]

The passenger information displays at South Bank now show whether a service is NGR or not

This was a change introduced last week to all the LCD displays.  I expect this is in part to ensure platform staff know to be on hand.

[corners]

It wasn't visible on platform 8&9 at Roma st yesterday afternoon

[SurfRail]

Might be an anomaly, it certainly has been showing all over the rest of the system.

[ozbob]

NGR 742 UP Goodna




NGR 712 DOWN Redbank



Photographs R Dow 19th December 2018

[not_available]

IMU 103/105 appears to be headed for Gympie North

[ozbob]

IMU 103/105 appears to be headed for Gympie North

[not_available]

IMU 103/105 appears to be headed for Gympie North

There also is a 747 sitting in the main Mayne yards and in the northern yards emu 51 seems to have had an unofficial paint job 

[Otto]

Not sure if this is old news or new,
I noticed today that the Buranda rail bridge has some new looking cameras keeping an eye on the approach from either side on Logan Rd.
Never seen this type of camera before.

[ozbob]

Not sure if this is old news or new,
I noticed today that the Buranda rail bridge has some new looking cameras keeping an eye on the approach from either side on Logan Rd.
Never seen this type of camera before.

Might be upgraded bridge impact detection.  Logan Road Buranda is one of the listed sites.

>  https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/inthecommunity/projects/current-projects/bridge-strike-protection

[HappyTrainGuy]

IMU 103/105 appears to be headed for Gympie North

There also is a 747 sitting in the main Mayne yards and in the northern yards emu 51 seems to have had an unofficial paint job 

And a few more of the emus have been towed to the Ipswich workshops to be stowed away.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1080172263800860672

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1080176803535249408

[not_available]

Just saw emus 52/53/81/13 hiding in the exhibition loop partially in that shed thing

[HappyTrainGuy]

Just saw emus 52/53/81/13 hiding in the exhibition loop partially in that shed thing

The wash shed? 

[not_available]

Just saw emus 52/53/81/13 hiding in the exhibition loop partially in that shed thing

The wash shed? 

So that's what it is...

[not_available]

The 9:01 kippa ring-roma st still sitting at mango hill
Ngr 729

[Arnz]

Today at Mango Hill station this morning around 10am.  Only 1 NGR service in the 2 hour period. 

Tad surprised a little bit considering most KR services are generally NGRs since they started running them to Caboolture/Ipswich late last year (the only exceptions on the Springfield/KR lines would be the units rostered to come from Nambour in the morning or those rostered to go to Nambour/Sunshine Coast later in the afternoon (seeing that the Sunshine Coast line aren't operating NGRs yet).

[not_available]

Today at Mango Hill station this morning around 10am.  Only 1 NGR service in the 2 hour period. 

Tad surprised a little bit considering most KR services are generally NGRs since they started running them to Caboolture/Ipswich late last year (the only exceptions on the Springfield/KR lines would be the units rostered to come from Nambour in the morning or those rostered to go to Nambour/Sunshine Coast later in the afternoon (seeing that the Sunshine Coast line aren't operating NGRs yet).

From what I've seen, during weekends the line is saturated with NGRs.
(then decreasing in NGR % of runs)
Weekday mornings
Weekday evenings
Weekday inter-peak

I guess most of the trains doing KR inter-peak runs end up heading up to Nambour at some point in the day