Random observations around the network ...

[SurfRail]

Interesting ... I wonder what 'zone' Kingscliff is in, or deemed to be in.

That's an easy one - Zone 48.

http://www.surfside.com.au/sit_images/NSWZoneMap.pdf

[Stillwater]

Will you look at that!  And there is a zone 55 too.  Thanks SurfRail.

[somebody]

Interesting ... I wonder what 'zone' Kingscliff is in, or deemed to be in.

That's an easy one - Zone 48.

http://www.surfside.com.au/sit_images/NSWZoneMap.pdf

So how many zones are involved in a Kingscliff - Brisbane CBD trip?  If more than 23, what's the fare?  Apparently Go Card fares apply to such a trip.

[SurfRail]

Interesting ... I wonder what 'zone' Kingscliff is in, or deemed to be in.

That's an easy one - Zone 48.

http://www.surfside.com.au/sit_images/NSWZoneMap.pdf

So how many zones are involved in a Kingscliff - Brisbane CBD trip?  If more than 23, what's the fare?  Apparently Go Card fares apply to such a trip.

There is a table here - I've never really investigated this in detail, so I wouldn't be hasty to draw conclusions about what the "zones" relate to (but I expect an amalgamation of NSW and TransLink fare zones).  I also expect that the NSW tickets are only any good on Surfside services north of the border, which would limit you to Beenleigh station on the 567.

http://www.surfside.com.au/sit_ticketing.htm

[somebody]

According to their website QLD fares apply for all cross border travel, even starting in NSW.  So no weeklies, unless I am mistaken.

[Golliwog]

After the recent FG line closure, QR have announced that after conducting bridge inspections on the Frederick St and Alderley Avenue wooden bridges at Alderley the the Alderley Avenue bridge will now have a 5 tonne load limit. The Frederick St bridge however, will be closed to vehicular traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be permitted. The commercial/industrial interests on Mina Parade are not pleased by this, and have been calling for the bridge to remain open and be upgraded.

If I remember correctly, the Frederick St bridge was the bridge that a woman crashed off of a few years back, landing on the tracks and causing delays on the Ferny Grove line.

[ClintonL94]

I went to Gympie North today on ICE 152 and 154.









On the way back to Brisbane CBD. We stopped as we were nearing Eagle Junction station because a external door had come loose from the magnetic latch. We were delayed there for about 5 minutes. Guard eventually locked the door manually.

Gold Coast train left South Bank at 16:54(11 minutes late due to points failure) and managed to get to Beenleigh at 17:29. Scheduled to depart Beenleigh at 17:24. We were flying through some 100km/h stretches!

[somebody]

That's only 2 minutes quicker than normal.  Scheduled time at South Bank is 16:47.

[Cam]

That's only 2 minutes quicker than normal.  Scheduled time at South Bank is 16:47.

How can a service make up time when it is limited to about half it's maximum speed for most of the trip? To improve on time running, next year's Beenleigh & Gold Coast timetables will introduce several minutes of unnecessary dwell time so that services can make up time if they are late - just like was added to the Ipswich Line in June.

For that matter, there is only a short section around Graceville where an Ipswich express service reaches about 100km/h. The trip on an express service is slow through Oxley, Corinda & just starting to speed up at Sherwood (inbound) before it slows down again before Chelmer station. The rest of the trip is fairly slow too. There is also the unecessary dwell time at Darra, Indooroopilly & Gailes added to the trip as well. 

Without exceeding the speed limit, I have driven across the rail bridge near Redbank Station after the inbound express service has left Redbank in the morning peak and parked at Wacol in time to catch the same service. The speed restrictions between Redbank & Goodna & the extra minute dwell at Gailes mean the rail trip is slower than a car along Brisbane Tce & Wilruna St which are 60km/h zones now the whole way. Once the Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Dinmore & Goodna has been completed next year, it will be about 5 minutes faster by car in peak hour between Dinmore & Wacol along the motorway than the current express rail services. I expect to see many more vehicles parking at Wacol late next year than currently do.

I'm dreaming here, but just imagine if there was a significant realignment of the Ipswich Line & services could actually reach speeds of 100km/h between most stations - particularly the Darra to Milton section where the current express services operate. Such a service could actually compete & possibly beat the travel time of a car in the off peak.

Unfortunately, there is no chance of matching the travel time of a car between Central & Beenleigh off peak, even on a Gold Coast service, without running such a service along the alignment of the Pacific Motorway. Bring on HSR to the Gold Coast!

[Golliwog]

Without exceeding the speed limit, I have driven across the rail bridge near Redbank Station after the inbound express service has left Redbank in the morning peak and parked at Wacol in time to catch the same service. The speed restrictions between Redbank & Goodna & the extra minute dwell at Gailes mean the rail trip is slower than a car along Brisbane Tce & Wilruna St which are 60km/h zones now the whole way. Once the Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Dinmore & Goodna has been completed next year, it will be about 5 minutes faster by car in peak hour between Dinmore & Wacol along the motorway than the current express rail services. I expect to see many more vehicles parking at Wacol late next year than currently do.

If you leave Ferny Grove at the same time as the train, as long as you don't get every red light along Samford Rd you can beat it to Gaythorne.

[HappyTrainGuy]

You could jump on one of the nightly 600m thousand ton freight trains and get from Caboolture-Northgate in roughly the same time the Nambour express trains take. Still substantially faster than a car Just imagine if the Dakabin-Lawnton and Carseldine-Zillmere sections wasn't slowing them down 

[Arnz]

There used to be a 120km/h section between Petrie and Caboolture before it was lowered to 100km/h.  Can't remember which part of this section it was (Morayfield - Narangba I think?)

[ozbob]

UP steam hauled PASS  Oxley/Darra BETY (1089) around 10.20am.  This was to be the special train to Workshops for the school holidays, but the day was cancelled due to power issues post the fire.  I did note some pax on board.

This was the last drive of Brian O'Sullivan after 50 years in the cab ...  there was a report on Channel 10 News this evening.

[O_128]

been getting trains to the GC lately, todays one left central on time, was going much faster than usual but we then dwelled at coopers for 3 min, loganlea for 4 min and beenleigh for 4 min, thats 11 mins of fat in the timetable and I feel that when CRR opens we won't see the benefits as more dwell will be added.

On top of that I noticed and all stopper now takes 62 min to get to beenleigh, I swear it was 58 just a couple of years back.

[Fares_Fair]

been getting trains to the GC lately, todays one left central on time, was going much faster than usual but we then dwelled at coopers for 3 min, loganlea for 4 min and beenleigh for 4 min, thats 11 mins of fat in the timetable and I feel that when CRR opens we won't see the benefits as more dwell will be added.

On top of that I noticed and all stopper now takes 62 min to get to beenleigh, I swear it was 58 just a couple of years back.

that's how progress is measured in Queensland PT these days ... backwards.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[SurfRail]

been getting trains to the GC lately, todays one left central on time, was going much faster than usual but we then dwelled at coopers for 3 min, loganlea for 4 min and beenleigh for 4 min, thats 11 mins of fat in the timetable and I feel that when CRR opens we won't see the benefits as more dwell will be added.

On top of that I noticed and all stopper now takes 62 min to get to beenleigh, I swear it was 58 just a couple of years back.

5 minute dwell at South Bank this morning to leave for the city on time at 8:00am. 

I hate how the timetable is designed too far in favour of contingencies and not with the generally good running conditions we have on the Beenleigh/Gold Coast line, absent idiots playing kiss-chasey with the boom gates at Trinder Park and Bethania. 

[O_128]

been getting trains to the GC lately, todays one left central on time, was going much faster than usual but we then dwelled at coopers for 3 min, loganlea for 4 min and beenleigh for 4 min, thats 11 mins of fat in the timetable and I feel that when CRR opens we won't see the benefits as more dwell will be added.

On top of that I noticed and all stopper now takes 62 min to get to beenleigh, I swear it was 58 just a couple of years back.

5 minute dwell at South Bank this morning to leave for the city on time at 8:00am.  

I hate how the timetable is designed too far in favour of contingencies and not with the generally good running conditions we have on the Beenleigh/Gold Coast line, absent idiots playing kiss-chasey with the boom gates at Trinder Park and Bethania.  

I no longer believe the whole beenleigh line is to windy for fast running, the train floored it from coopers to loganlea and loganlea to beenleigh, Using my iPhone app we were going about 100kph. City to beenleigh seems achievable in 35 min.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The problem is the Gold Coast trains can catch and follow the Beenleigh trains on the Kuraby-Beenleigh section where theres no passing. I'd imagine there's a buffer so a late running Beenleigh train doesn't delay the continuing Gold Coast Service. When Robina was the last station there was about a 15 min turn around time before it left for the airport and having a Gold Coast train held up before Beenleigh while its supposed to be doing 140kph would eat into the turn around time like a fat man at a free all you can eat cake store.

[somebody]

The problem is the Gold Coast trains can catch and follow the Beenleigh trains on the Kuraby-Beenleigh section where theres no passing. I'd imagine there's a buffer so a late running Beenleigh train doesn't delay the continuing Gold Coast Service. When Robina was the last station there was about a 15 min turn around time before it left for the airport and having a Gold Coast train held up before Beenleigh while its supposed to be doing 140kph would eat into the turn around time like a fat man at a free all you can eat cake store.

Can't see how that's an excuse, especially for the peak hour services SurfRail is referring to where you do have passing for most of the trip.  Off peak you could make the Beenleigh train tail the Gold Coast train more closely through the CBD for southbound and at Beenleigh for northbound.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Given the time buffers on trains Windsor-Bowen Hills for the subs running through the city, solve this then. If there is no overtaking between Kuraby-Beenleigh where would the counter peak Gold Coast train overtake the Beenleigh train in the am.

[somebody]

Solve this then. If there is no overtaking between Kuraby-Beenleigh where would the counter peak Gold Coast train overtake the Beenleigh train in the am.

I actually think that would be (relatively) easily fixed by tiering the counter peak service as well as the peak service, with Kuraby trains and express Park Rd-Kuraby to Beenleigh trains.  Doing so would allow increased frequency in the counter peak direction, actually.  There would be less dead running.  You can use platform #2 (centre) at Kuraby to turn around and all northbound through trains can use the third road through Kuraby and southbound use the up.  IIRC there are cross overs for the down to reach either #1 or #3 at Kuraby (correct me if I am wrong).

[HappyTrainGuy]

If only there was rollingstock to do so. Would be a nasty mess though if a train is delayed for whatever reason but then that line will always be a mess with that morning xpt lol. Cross overs from P1 to P2 are under the motorway with P2 to P3 and vice versa just before the station with a few more crosses mostly for the dual track to Beenleigh just after Beenleigh road/level crossing.

[somebody]

If only there was rollingstock to do so.

That's only an issue with the "increasing frequency" part of what I was suggesting.

[O_128]

Im no expert but isn't there electrified passing loops at kingston and bethania?

[ClintonL94]

I no longer believe the whole beenleigh line is to windy for fast running, the train floored it from coopers to loganlea and loganlea to beenleigh, Using my iPhone app we were going about 100kph. City to beenleigh seems achievable in 35 min.

It can be done in 30 minutes. I've been on a late running service that did this.

Im no expert but isn't there electrified passing loops at kingston and bethania?

Yes there is a passing loop at Kingston. At Bethania there is a third platform that gets used rarely.

[somebody]

However, utilising such a set up for a passing move would result in the service being passed being delayed by approx 5 minutes.  Also both have a diabolical track layout for outbound, with conflicting moves entering and exiting.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I'm pretty sure both used to be sidings/passing loops for the butter factory and old southbound freight trains.

[STB]

Im no expert but isn't there electrified passing loops at kingston and bethania?

Yes there is a passing loop at Kingston. At Bethania there is a third platform that gets used rarely.

There is no ped barrier at the entrance to Bethania station just before you cross that rail that services platform 3.  You would need to install some barriers before one could stop trains there on that platform.

[somebody]

Im no expert but isn't there electrified passing loops at kingston and bethania?

Yes there is a passing loop at Kingston. At Bethania there is a third platform that gets used rarely.

There is no ped barrier at the entrance to Bethania station just before you cross that rail that services platform 3.  You would need to install some barriers before one could stop trains there on that platform.

You lost me here.  2/3 is an island, unless I have my platforms backwards.  If you can access platform 2 as a pedestrian, you can access platform 3.  Or are you saying that pedestrian access to 2/3 is dependant on no trains on the #3 road?

[STB]

Im no expert but isn't there electrified passing loops at kingston and bethania?

Yes there is a passing loop at Kingston. At Bethania there is a third platform that gets used rarely.

There is no ped barrier at the entrance to Bethania station just before you cross that rail that services platform 3.  You would need to install some barriers before one could stop trains there on that platform.

You lost me here.  2/3 is an island, unless I have my platforms backwards.  If you can access platform 2 as a pedestrian, you can access platform 3.  Or are you saying that pedestrian access to 2/3 is dependant on no trains on the #3 road?

At the entrance to platforms 2/3 from the carpark (the side where route 563 stops at), there is no barrier for passengers to stop them walking onto the rail that services platform 3.  There are warning lights and an alarm, but no actual gate. I know this as I lived in Bethania for over a year and go down there often to see friends.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Its been a while since I've actually looked at the pedistrian crossing there but at the Station road level crossing end there is a walkway across the tracks for P3 and the siding/Beaudesert spur.

[somebody]

At the entrance to platforms 2/3 from the carpark (the side where route 563 stops at), there is no barrier for passengers to stop them walking onto the rail that services platform 3.  There are warning lights and an alarm, but no actual gate. I know this as I lived in Bethania for over a year and go down there often to see friends.

So it's Melbourne style?  Or does something stop you walking further on to the rail which services platform 2?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Its a zig zag ramp so if you want to access the P2 tracks you have to walk 10m along the P3/Siding tracks across the dirt and then your there. Similar to Coorparoo/Strathpine.

[PollyWouldLikeASeat]

This morning on the 5.50 from Nambour we sat at Glasshouse Mountains station for 10-15 mins waiting for a freight train to pass, then limped (as per usual) through the track work area between Glasshouse and Beerburrum.  Somewhere before Caboolture  they announced that because we were running late we were now going to run express from Caboolture to Bowen Hills stopping only at Petrie and Northgate .  Much cheering went on in my carriage at this announcement.  So we actually mananged to get into the city on time.    They do get it right sometimes. 

[Fares_Fair]

9:36am. Just watched a young man jump the perimeter fence at Wooloowin Station and then cross the train tracks and then jump onto our train just as the doors closed. The guard announced that he risked his life and would be reported.
He was wearing a long sleeved white shirt and blue jeans, aged about 30.

Regards,
Fares_Fair

[somebody]

This morning on the 5.50 from Nambour we sat at Glasshouse Mountains station for 10-15 mins waiting for a freight train to pass, then limped (as per usual) through the track work area between Glasshouse and Beerburrum.  Somewhere before Caboolture  they announced that because we were running late we were now going to run express from Caboolture to Bowen Hills stopping only at Petrie and Northgate .  Much cheering went on in my carriage at this announcement.  So we actually mananged to get into the city on time.    They do get it right sometimes. 

Still with the serving Northgate and not Eagle Junction though 

[Fares_Fair]

This morning on the 5.50 from Nambour we sat at Glasshouse Mountains station for 10-15 mins waiting for a freight train to pass, then limped (as per usual) through the track work area between Glasshouse and Beerburrum.  Somewhere before Caboolture  they announced that because we were running late we were now going to run express from Caboolture to Bowen Hills stopping only at Petrie and Northgate .  Much cheering went on in my carriage at this announcement.  So we actually mananged to get into the city on time.    They do get it right sometimes. 

We had the same thing happen twice this week.
There has been no announcement as to when the speed restrictions on that section of track will be relaxed (and it is getting very frustrating waiting at Beerburrum almost every morning and night)

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[somebody]

Look at this thread: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5981.0

Other speed restrictions have remained for over 6 months.  Perhaps less critical.

You do have to wonder why the freight train in the above instance wasn't held at Beerburrum to allow passenger priority principles, which AIUI are enshrined in legislation, just apparently not acted on.

[Fares_Fair]

Look at this thread: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5981.0

Other speed restrictions have remained for over 6 months.  Perhaps less critical.

You do have to wonder why the freight train in the above instance wasn't held at Beerburrum to allow passenger priority principles, which AIUI are enshrined in legislation, just apparently not acted on.

Hello Simon,

Thank you. 

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

The historic railway station at Yandina, opened on 1 January 1891, is having its old freight shed restored.  The roof was off today and the timber cross beams replaced.  Part of the timber apron has been restored also.  The shed is not used for storing anything, but it is on the local heritage register.