Random observations around the network ...

[ozbob]

Some random observations ..

Goodna








Oxley - Corinda

Up grain train on the UP sub




Darra

Richlands Branch then down sub, main up and main down from train on the up sub (loop)



Photographs R Dow 22June 2011

[ozbob]

Question?

Does anyone know why when moving a single passenger carriage (as in the photo above) there is a flat wagon at each end?  Are they for coupling or something?

Just interested ...

[ozbob]

Another Question?

Does anyone know why platform 2 Goodna (the UP platform) is not platform 1, which would then be consistent AFAIAA with the rest of the network.

The down platform is platform one at Goodna ...

[petey3801]

First question; They were used as cover wagons, so at a guess, the passenger car didn't have working brakes, so the wagons were used for brakes.

Not sure about the second one though.

[ozbob]

First question; They were used as cover wagons, so at a guess, the passenger car didn't have working brakes, so the wagons were used for brakes.

Not sure about the second one though.

Thanks, makes sense. 

Platform number seems odd.  The only thing I can think of is that might have been a platform 1 on the other side of the Up line at some stage but there is no evidence of that here --> http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/812/3wacolebbwvale3.jpg/

[HappyTrainGuy]

They were used as cover wagons, so at a guess, the passenger car didn't have working brakes, so the wagons were used for brakes.

If its the same carriage that's been sitting at Mayne near the electric shed for the past year or so I'd say that's most likely the case.

[mufreight]

The string of old lander cars that was sitting at Redbank seems to have disappeared.  Simsmetal perhaps?

[somebody]

Mitchelton train approaches Park Rd, but the points are set for a Beenleigh train to depart.  There was quite a significant delay after the points being cleared before the Mitchelton train could cross the junction.  Why is that?

A train from Milton approaches Roma St #7 (simultaneous to a #6 arrival), and shortly after the 4:56pm Airport train uses #9.  Very odd.

[ClintonL94]

A train from Milton approaches Roma St #7 (simultaneous to a #6 arrival), and shortly after the 4:56pm Airport train uses #9.  Very odd.

That Airport train starts at Roma Street... There may have been a train at platform 8 ready to depart. Therefore the Airport train would have to wait for the train on #8 to leave before it can cross to #7. Going by what you said, instead it used #9 so no delays were caused. Although Yes the odd thing is trains can't get to the subs from #9 - continued onto BH on the mains?

[Arnz]

Sunlander observations on Thursday (Beerwah) and Friday (Caboolture)

[ozbob]

EMU14 fresh from a refurbishment sets out on its test run at Redbank Workshops.

















Photographs R Dow 25th June 2011

[mufreight]

The string of old lander cars that was sitting at Redbank seems to have disappeared.  Simsmetal perhaps?

Have confirmation that they were scrapped, the bogies still sit at Redbank for the moment.

[ozbob]

I don't know the operational reasons, but the 6.07am BNE airport service commenced from platform 10 Roma St this morning (normally platform 7).

Train at platform 10 Roma St





Photographs R Dow 26th June 2011

Trains departing (and arriving) at platform 10 do present some challenges for the punters.  As platform 10 is beyond the go card gate cordon this can cause some confusion, and this morning the mechanical walkways were not functioning.  I noted some pax endeavouring to make the service, carrying baggage up the stairway to platform 10.  No staff were around to assist, as a consequence some were left behind.

What could have been done is for some staff to be positioned to ensure those pax struggling to make the train were assisted, or at least some indication given to the guard to perhaps hold the train for a short period.  It was 6.07am on a Sunday morning ...

Mains being used for suburban services today Corinda to Roma St.  Track work on subs at Taringa and Chelmer.  Interesting run home UP, platform 2 Oxley, crossed to sub down at Pannard, then crossed to up sub at the crossing imediately before Darra.  A down Bowen Hills service was waiting in platform 2 Darra for our train to clear ...  noted a down coalie on the UP sub at Oxley.

[Arnz]

IMU123 and IMU124 sighted on the daytime Gympielander yesturday morning.

[ozbob]

IMU123 and IMU124 sighted on the daytime Gympielander yesturday morning.

Well. at least wee wee ...  

[SurfRail]

IMU123 and IMU124 sighted on the daytime Gympielander yesturday morning.

Well. at least wee wee ...  

Assuming they were actually open.  CityRail and V/Line commuters would have rioted by now if they were exposed to the non-availability of toilets on IMUs on such a prolonged basis.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Still faster than the ICE train

[O_128]

IMU123 and IMU124 sighted on the daytime Gympielander yesturday morning.

Well. at least wee wee ...  

Assuming they were actually open.  CityRail and V/Line commuters would have rioted by now if they were exposed to the non-availability of toilets on IMUs on such a prolonged basis.

Most Gold coast commuters to ormeu would be.

[WTN]

I've seen a few cases where toilets on IMUs don't work. You'd have to get to the other 3 cars at the next station and hope that one works.

Today I boarded a bus (208 inbound) that was so full I was told to touch on at the front and enter via the back! Normally the service has spare seats but a group of kids and their parents were having a day out. Nothing against them, but it showed what could happen when patronage suddenly surges.

Even worse overcrowding on an outbound service (same route, months ago) also prompted back door boarding on that occasion. Such squashed loads however, were unusual. Afternoon services usually have room left for a few standees.

[p858snake]

Today I boarded a bus (208 inbound) that was so full I was told to touch on at the front and enter via the back!

I've seen that a few times when I used to catch the 330 from chermside to BR tafe.

[Arnz]

Onboard announcement for Nambour to Ipswich IMU express (That's 5:04pm ex-Central for the Ipswich commuters).

[Fares_Fair]

Clear as mud !   

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

Dinmore















Photographs R Dow 29th June 2011

[ozbob]

Eagle Junction - soon to have a major transformation





Photographs R Dow 29th June 2011

[ozbob]

Wooloowin































Photographs R Dow 29th June 2011

[Cam]

Nice artwork at Wooloowin. I'd like to see images of that era on the Ipswich Line.

[ozbob]

Nice artwork at Wooloowin. I'd like to see images of that era on the Ipswich Line.

Got to agree Cam.  Wooloowin looks great!  (Even if I do like historical images - it is a nice effect).

[ozbob]

Roma St



Darra

All UP suburbans using platform one (Ipswich and Richlands - this seems to be almost normal now).  
Ipswich service heading off on the UP sub (loop)









The 8.37am down service arriving at Darra, a nice pair SMU206/207.



Photographs R Dow 3rd July 2011

[ozbob]

I came into Roma St this morning on the 6.35am ex Goodna, this is the first AM peak express Darra Indro Milton.

Took 6 minutes Darra to Indro (timetabled 10)

7 minutes Indro to Milton (timetabled 5), the speed check on approach to Taringa still in place.

[somebody]

Took 6 minutes Darra to Indro (timetabled 10)

That's quite a difference.  I think I can say that I was right about the excessive fat being added.

7 minutes Indro to Milton (timetabled 5), the speed check on approach to Taringa still in place.

Is it possible that the train in front was delayed?  Although you'd expect that train would be on the suburbans, and your train on the mains so therefore you'd be able to reach Milton on time.

[ozbob]

Thought that would be interesting, I recall doing 12 minutes on an EMU from Roma St to Darra on an express once.

Now back on EMU41, same train I came into town this morning on, heading back out to Goodna.

[ozbob]

Noted 4 go card readers now on platform 2 Roma St.
(Platform 2 is outside the fare gate cordon).

Platform 3 Roma St - seems to be in semi-regular use









Photographs R Dow 4th July 2011

[QGT]

Saturday 2nd of July
2311 at the Port of Brisbane

SMU 249 trailing heading to Richlands

EMU 11 arriving at Richlands

Old & the New at Richlands




Wednesday 6th of July








Cheers,
QGT

[ozbob]

Observation received, thanks:

I see a lot of Gold Coast/Airport services, and I am surprised at the large number of non Toilet Fitted trains working these services, usually modern units, but I have just now witnessed sets 01 &17 (first generation EMU's) working the 9.17 to the Airport ( and five minutes late).  With large number of IMU's now available I am somewhat surprised that this is still happening, recently I witnessed a 100 series train working Cleveland (with Toilets.)

[HappyTrainGuy]

Was that observation of the emu from this morning? If it was it would have been a scrambled unit. And the newer SMUs are used to give a more flexiable maintainence schedule/shared service (NCL)/reliable running time due to other rollingstock being speed limited.

[ozbob]

EMU may well have been, I have seen EMUs myself before on GoldCoasters though, I reckon they are lucky for the change. 

The Under the wires tour was great --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2668.0  EMU 01 to Robina (the then end of the line).

[SurfRail]

EMU may well have been, I have seen EMUs myself before on GoldCoasters though, I reckon they are lucky for the change. 

Love the sound when they open the gate on the long stretches, on-board and down behind my house on the Nerang-Robina stretch - and the air-conditioning actually works on them too - but I don't think most other Gold Coast commuters feel quite as nostalgic.

[Arnz]

On another note I've sighted 293 and 294 making the trip up north to Nambour today on the 11:30am run (from Roma Street).

As for IMUs, IMU101 seems to be "allocated full-time" to the allocated 3-car Nambour runs, at least for the short term, due to being the only IMU without Comms or PIDs fitted.  10:00am and 3:30pm ex-Roma Street are the usual services for IMU101.

I'm sure IMU101 will re-appear down on the Gold Coast once maintenance gets around to fitting the Comms/PIDs onto IMU101.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Not to mention one is still getting refurbed iirc.

[Arnz]

Realised my mistake on the Train service no once it was uploaded.  Intro was meant to say #T5X6.