Random observations around the network ...

[ozbob]

At Goodna rail, waiting to board the non-existent 12.27pm service to town. Everything is a shambles of course.  A vague announcement that the service is half an hour late ...  no doubt due to the CBD track fault.  Rather than using some initiative they just let the punters get stuffed basically.  There has been some UP trains in close succession, one of those could been turned back at Redbank and the other run through, but hey, that requires a train brain.

Another up train, number 4 in around 20 minutes.  Makes them look rather silly ...

Some footings on the down side here at Goodna. I asked a bloke what it was for but nil response. Another idiotic move no doubt right on where either a third road or a new platform would be with a track amplification I suspect.

Goodna rail station is a pathetic disgrace of course.  Bus stops disgraceful, station access downright dangerous, no lifts, minimal shelter, and very infrequent trains ...  the local pollies should hang their collective heads in shame.

[colinw]

Goodna ail station is a pathetic disgrace of course.  Bus stops disgraceful, station access downright dangerous, no lifts, minimal shelter, and very infrequent trains ...  the local pollies should hang their collective heads in shame.

Gosh, I wonder why rail patronage isn't keeping up with bus patronage?

Nah, that puzzle is far to hard for TransLink or the pollies to figure out.

Just keep doling out the same old crap.  Nothing ever changes in Queensland.

[ozbob]

System announcement, the CAB train is approximately 20 minutes late,  hello, it is already 20 minutes late ..  lol

Station announcement, the CAB train is to arrive in about 10 minutes ....

Good crowds waiting for the buses, 524, 530 and so forth.  Glad it is not raining, they would all get wet!

No muffins or water either, fail QR!  

[ozbob]

Now on board EMU27 down, 25 minutes adrift ..

[ozbob]

Another dummy spit.

Where are we?  Station signs unreadable ...  honestly it is time something was done with the station signs with the peeling letters.  How many more years??

[ozbob]

Take some plastic letters and pull off the bits of tacky film, and glue the letters on the signs.  At least it would look presentable and let people know what station they are at.  I am sure that would do until they are eventually upgraded circa 2076 ...  I actually think that would be of more value than more newsletters ...

Meanwhile, SMU233/232 down main, Test Train desto doing practice stop at Taringa, might be driver training run ...

[ozbob]

I have raised the issue of the peeling station name signs directly with QR. 

I have received an acknowledgement and am waiting on a more detailed response.

[p858snake]

I've seen it mentioned somewhere else, on here in the meetings minutes (?) maybe, and they were planning to do with them some upgrades at the same time or something.

[Derwan]

There's been a lot of what I assume is driver training on the Shorncliffe Line lately.  (Unscheduled empties with 2 people in the cab.)  They do stop-start operations - particularly around Boondall Station inbound.

No doubt preparing for the 6 June timetable. 

[ozbob]

Some random photographs onboard SMU 284 outbound between Oxley and Darra














The train has just crossed from the down sub to the up sub hence three tracks can be seen
(at the crossing near the brickworks where the electrification commences on the up sub)



Photographs R Dow 8th May 2011

[#Metro]

my goodness... look at all the patronage on that service!   

[ozbob]

my goodness... look at all the patronage on that service!    

Yes I was lucky, had the 3 cars to myself after Oxley ...  I can't recall the last time that happened (it was a Richlands service though late Sunday morning).  Pax boarded at Darra though ...

[mufreight]

Quite surprising the numbers that board at Darra for the run out to Richlands, some obviously come off services from Ipswich but many are making a local trip originating from Darra and connecting with the bus services from Richlands which are more frequent than thebus services from Oxley into Inala

[Arnz]

Saturday afternoon at Landsborough.  QRNational Loco 2818.

[O_128]

Quite surprising the numbers that board at Darra for the run out to Richlands, some obviously come off services from Ipswich but many are making a local trip originating from Darra and connecting with the bus services from Richlands which are more frequent than thebus services from Oxley into Inala

If there are decent feeder services people will use them

[ozbob]

At Central, heading out to FG for a bopeep.  The journey commenced at Darra 8.21am ex Richlands, about 100 pax on board by town.  The wait then for the Ferny Grove flyer at 9.33am.  It does remind just how sad train frequency is on most lines, particularly on Sunday mornings.  I don't expect too many will be travelling on the service to FG, I mean does the average punter like waiting at Central?  Doesn't worry me too much but then again  I am an exception  .  A 6 car SMU set just passed through platform 3, might be heading out for driver training or something?

I noted the Ippy leaving earlier. Good load of pax, frequency does drive patronage.  3 car shorncliffe set SMU 204 just arrived.  Second departing Shorncliffe service since my arrival here.  Has a few pax on board as well, around 50.

Cleveland trains terminating at Dutton Park, announcements to that effect.  If I have time might go for a run out to Dutton Park later.

[ozbob]

About 30 pax onboard EMU03 the FG flyer (3 car set only) as we go up from Bowen Hills. 3 QR Customer Service staff onboard at Central.  They are out and about on weekends.  Lovely day weather wise ... 

[ozbob]

Dutton Park, Cleveland services terminating, bus substitution to Cleveland (track closure weekend).

Some random photographs at and around Dutton Park















Photographs R Dow 15th May 2011

[ozbob]

SMU280 on a Ferny Grove service at Roma St



Mayne





Photographs R Dow 15th May 2011

[#Metro]

If there is one station that needs a makeover it is Dutton Park. The whole thing looks like a prison.
Get rid of the slopes and put a lift in.

[petey3801]

There was an ICE on the Ipswich line yesterday!
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=363523

....

Going to Redbank for repairs/overhaul

[mufreight]

If there is one station that needs a makeover it is Dutton Park. The whole thing looks like a prison.
Get rid of the slopes and put a lift in.

To add a lift yes, remove the ramps definately NO.  Lifts break down and Dutton Park is a station that is for a considerable time is unattended.
Does Dutton Park need a rebuild? there is no doubt and the numbers of disabled who use it daily should ensure it a relatively high priority on the list of stations to be made dissability access compliance list.

[Arnz]

Observations on the North Coast Line (Sunshine Coast) this weekend - 21/22 May.

QRNational's 2845 on the Saturday Afternoon.

Pacific National Qld's PN002 through Beerburrum on Sunday afternoon.

The train home - IMU123 on a Nambour service.

[ozbob]

Just departing Corinda, passed full coal stationary main down Corinda yard waiting for us to clear to come across from the main down .... 

[SurfRail]

I observed part of an EMU desto board at Central this morning - the part visible to me was showing "...ANDS". 

Possibly they have finally split the atom, or done whatever technological marvel was necessary to reprogram the signs for Richlands?

[ozbob]

   heading to Darra later this morning I will be alert (but not necessarily alarmed .. lol)

Meanwhile here is a SMU at Darra yesterday waiting for the green light for Richlands and with a correct desto ..



Photograph R Dow 24th May 2011

[petey3801]

I observed part of an EMU desto board at Central this morning - the part visible to me was showing "...ANDS". 

Possibly they have finally split the atom, or done whatever technological marvel was necessary to reprogram the signs for Richlands?

EMUs started getting Richlands added to the desto list a few months back...

[ozbob]

No EMUs around for Richlands when I was at Darra today.



Photograph R Dow 25th May 2011

[SurfRail]

No EMUs around for Richlands when I was at Darra today.



Photograph R Dow 25th May 2011

I'll say it again - anybody who proposes a livery based on vinyl stickers should be sacked... (not that that would ever happen to Queensland Rail / Brisbane Transport / TransLink private buses / Qconnect buses ... oh dear.)

[Golliwog]

Hmmm? Whats wrong with them? Not for or against, just curious.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Have you seen the TiltTrain recently? Vinyl stickers at their very best.

[SurfRail]

Hmmm? Whats wrong with them? Not for or against, just curious.

Nothing, as long as they don't need to be subjected to anti-graffiti chemicals and fade/rot, as long as they are replaced when they come off or when windows break, as long as they don't interfere with advertising, as long as they are placed correctly, as long as the budget can keep paying to keep them up to standard when something defaces them once a week...

[petey3801]

Hmmm? Whats wrong with them? Not for or against, just curious.

Nothing, as long as they don't need to be subjected to anti-graffiti chemicals and fade/rot, as long as they are replaced when they come off or when windows break, as long as they don't interfere with advertising, as long as they are placed correctly, as long as the budget can keep paying to keep them up to standard when something defaces them once a week...

Paint would be just as bad... It's damned if they do, damned if they don't really...

[Golliwog]

I reckon though, the benefit to vinyl stickers would be if the graffiti was only on them then you have the option of not bothering with the graffiti cleaning chemicals, just remove the old sticker and replace it later with a new one.

[colinw]

Yesterday afternoon around 4:50PM, the PID at Eight Mile Plains busway station platform 2 was not working.  It was displaying the current time correctly, but the list of departures was from some time in the morning.

This seems to be a frequent fault with this particular PID.  It appears to just stop receiving updates and remain frozen, sometimes for hours at a time based on the information shown.

[colinw]

... and 24 hours later it is still showing the same incorrect information.

TransLink has been informed.

[ClintonL94]

This was Wednesday afternoon as well.

[Arnz]

IMU102 Post refurbishment, interior video followed by exterior.

Pacific National Queensland's PN003 at Landsborough around 2pm on Friday.

[colinw]

... and 24 hours later it is still showing the same incorrect information.

TransLink has been informed.

Response from TransLink:

Hello Colin

Thank you for contacting TransLink about the information on the electronic boards at the Eight Mile Plains busway.

I regret any confusion that this may have caused and I have now passed your comments to the relevant team to have the matter addressed as soon as possible.

Colin, thank you for taking the time to bring this matter to our attention. Should you require further information, please visit the TTA website at http://www.translink.com.au/. Alternatively, the TransLink Call Centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 13 12 30.

[somebody]

I don't know why they don't just turn those wretched things off.  They just don't work.  In a lot of cases they even get the time wrong.