Random observations around the network ...

[p858snake]

PS to Admin: Perhaps we need a dedicated thread for posting observations or comments with regards to these station upgrades across the network, they currently appear to be posted across a few different threads. Just an idea .[/i]

You could create a thread about the stations under the "Rail Infrastructure Projects" section, that is where most of the major ones ones.

[Arnz]

SMU286 and IMU102 replaced the ICEs and operated the last Nambour-Caboolture shuttles and Brisbane-Cooroy service under the old weekday timetables today. 

We could be seeing the last of the Brisbane-Nambour-Brisbane ICE services this evening if the ICEs happen to not be available for the Saturday evening and Sunday morning runs this weekend. 

Brisbane-Nambour-Brisbane ICE services will be replaced by IMUs/SMUs as of this coming Monday.

[HappyTrainGuy]

A ICE set was sent to Redbank late in the week so it might of done something to do with the replacement.

[mufreight]

A ICE set was sent to Redbank late in the week so it might of done something to do with the replacement.

More likely for an overhaul and refurbishment which would include the fitting of upgraded ATP equipment.

[petey3801]

A ICE set was sent to Redbank late in the week so it might of done something to do with the replacement.

Back at Mayne again already.. Not overly sure why it wasn't fully refurbished though...

More likely for an overhaul and refurbishment which would include the fitting of upgraded ATP equipment.

This is a good point, quite possible it may have had the upgraded ATP fitted while it was in Redbank!

[Arnz]

Northgate - 1540-155hrs.

QRNational's 2812 and IMU123.

[ozbob]

A new SMU295 at Roma St heading off to the Gold Coast



Photograph R Dow 6th June 2011

[ozbob]

Vandalism on the Ipswich line
By Queensland Rail (Albums) · Updated at about an hour ago
   
This afternoon a City bound train travelling between Ipswich and East Ipswich stations was damaged when a brick was thrown at it from a rail overpass.

--> http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.222836877734680.66741.139321872752848

[HappyTrainGuy]

From what I heard it was lucky that it hit the metal spacer inbetween the windows.

[BribieG]

SMU286 and IMU102 replaced the ICEs and operated the last Nambour-Caboolture shuttles and Brisbane-Cooroy service under the old weekday timetables today. 

We could be seeing the last of the Brisbane-Nambour-Brisbane ICE services this evening if the ICEs happen to not be available for the Saturday evening and Sunday morning runs this weekend. 

Brisbane-Nambour-Brisbane ICE services will be replaced by IMUs/SMUs as of this coming Monday.

So what will happen to the old ICE units? If being refurbished then refurbished for what?

[ozbob]

ICE are running the Gympie North services.

[Golliwog]

From what I heard it was lucky that it hit the metal spacer inbetween the windows.

I can imagine. What idiots we have in the world these days.

[ozbob]

Onboard EMU71 UP Ippy at Oxley on  DOWN sub.  Looking good for a loop run at Darra!

Just passed a coalie on main down and up sub ...

[ozbob]

Yes, we went through platform one Darra and then onto the loop and underneath the Richlands Branch, nice change ...

[BribieG]

There's currently an ICE stabled at Caboolture on the most Easterly track right at the station.

I took the 7am express into town today from Caboolture, under the new timetable it occupies the same slot as the old Darra Express. The old service was always packed to standing by the time you got to Petrie. The one today was far less crowded and wasn't a "jump on and scramble" service like the Nambour train, it was actually parked at platform 1 and filled up at its own pace. There were still plenty of seats at Northgate and no standing till Toombul  

[Arnz]

Received a report that the 1:04pm Roma Street to Nambour scored a 6-car EMU today.  IMU broke down in yard before it can begin the service.  

The EMU was running 25 minutes late into Nambour and 15 mins late on the return (formed the 3:13pm Nambour-Ipswich express), and delayed the all-stopper from leaving Caboolture until the City-Ipswich express arrived.

[ozbob]

UP Ipswich service UP from Goodna passes under the soon to be replaced  rail footbridge



Photograph R Dow 18th June 2011

[ozbob]

A pleasent Sunday morning, travelled in on an ex Richlands starter 8.07am DOWN from Darra to City.

Platform 2 Darra, then travelled on the main UP Oxley platform 2, platform 4 Corinda then crossed to the down sub for Sherwood and all stations to City.







On my return leg 11.28am UP Ipswich service, platform 2 Corinda then down sub Oxley platform 1, crossed to UP sub at Pannard and Darra platform one, for a subsequent run via the loop to the mains at Darra West.





Photographs R Dow 19th June 2011

[ozbob]

Roma St, the Sunlander headed by 2387 with 2500D wait for the green light ..



Photograph R Dow 19th June 2011

[ozbob]

It appears to be all too hard, deteriorating station signs are everywhere on the network.

Auchenflower platform one



Photograph R Dow 19th June 2011

If they started to look after the little things, the big issues would become perhaps a little more manageable ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

Its a combo of how they were made mixed with graffiti remover (It won't remove it right away but it does slowly eat away the adhesive) and the elements. The newer Translink/Queensland Rail signs are full length compared to the printed maroon versions.

[somebody]

Caboolture train was delayed getting in to Roma St #9 just before 10am this morning, by a few minutes.  Seems this was because the Nambour train was delayed in leaving.  I don't know why the timetable is so tight here, or why the Nambour train subsequently dwells at Central.

I would go further and say that I don't know why Roma St/Bowen Hills starters/terminators have recovery time at Central, with the possible exception of peak hour where another train may be in front.

[ozbob]

Things were awry this morning (police incident Petrie - Dakabin) ... I wouldn't take too much notice of issues this morning, takes a while to recover from a major peak meltdown.

[Sunbus610]

It appears to be all too hard, deteriorating station signs are everywhere on the network.

Auchenflower platform one



Photograph R Dow 19th June 2011

If they started to look after the little things, the big issues would become perhaps a little more manageable ...

From my observations there appears to be quite a few railway stations around the network still with the earlier, and at times deteriorating, platform signage as shown by Ozbob's photo. I'm actually a bit surprised that Auchenflower hasn't been done yet as I'd heard sketchy rumours that most, if not all, stations along the Ipswich line had received the new the new signage just prior to the day the new Queensland Rail identity and logo was launched. as ex TMR Minister Nolan was to being travel into town from Ipswich on this line. This obviously wasn't the case!!

[SurfRail]

In case anybody wants to see the insanity, have a trip down to Loganlea.  Platform 2 has had the new signage up for months, platform 1 is still the old style...  :conf

[colinw]

Why is it so hard to make signage which is robust enough to withstand the elements?

The old QR Blue flourescent light signs lasted for years, but these maroon ones seem to peel & decay.

[Fares_Fair]

just don't give the job to Cubic !   

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

I suggested a few weeks ago that some simple plastic letters be fashioned and stuck up till they get the new signs (might be a while ... lol).  I have seen pax on trains look at the signs and not have a clue where they are, can be confusing particularly at night.  In England during the the second WW I seem to recall that station name signs were removed, to confuse the enemy ....  are 'customers' the enemy?  

[colinw]

What about white wooden signs with black cut-out letters?

[p858snake]

Why is it so hard to make signage which is robust enough to withstand the elements?

Because those ones are stickers, no matter what you do stickers will always decay, the new ones (new qr ones, not the translink ones) are actually printed on so should last for ages apart from sun light decaying the colouring a bit.

[aldonius]

Had some non-uniformed TO's on the train home today, which is new. I was under the impression that didn't happen.

[BrizCommuter]

07:06am from Ferny Grove forgot that it was express this morning, and stopped all stations - doh! This occasionally occurs if the following ex--Mitchelton train is cancelled, but the ex-Mitchelton train did run.

[ozbob]

What about white wooden signs with black cut-out letters?

Indeed LOL, durable and cheap ...

[Sunbus610]

Not sure if it's still there today but roughly 2 years ago there use to still be one of the earlier 'blue' with old QR logo platforms sign near Toowong Village (as shown in photos below).

[Arnz]

IMU101 is now refurbished and has the same front as IMU102.  Sighted on the Brisbane-Nambour runs all day since this morning, and caught it on the 3:30pm (ex-Roma St) service home.

However the new PIDs/Communication systems has not been installed on IMU101, so manual announcements were used.

[HappyTrainGuy]

IMU109 is also running around refurbed aswell IIRC.

[petey3801]

IMU109 is also running around refurbed aswell IIRC.

Close! 108 actually.

[ozbob]

Outbound on IMU178, the 8.30am Ippy service ex Roma St.  And to think I went to the loo at Roma St whilst waiting ... 

[ozbob]

Inbound on EMU84 ex Goodna, on the mains, subs closed Indooroopilly, giant emu-bob underway.  Still have the speed restriction on approach to Taringa.

Passed UP grain on the UP sub, third freight train I seen this morning on the UP sub, good.  Also a 1720 UP at Goodna with flat, Lander car, flat  followed shortly after by the pipe train.  Busy morning on the Ippy ...

[ozbob]

Outbound onboard Ippy service SMU278, Corinda.  Platform 2, looking good for a down sub run into Darra West ...

yes, on the down sub, just passed a down coalie parked on the main down ... down sparks just went through on the up main ...  well at least the bi-di work is paying off ...

Signals set for the cross to the UP sub at Pannard ...