Random observations around the network ...

[Arnz]

Caboolture station has been targeted for ticket checks for most of this week during the afternoon peaks. Yesterday it was QPS rail squad & QR AOs.  Today its a large squad of TransLink SNOs.

[ozbob]

G'day @QueenslandRail pic.twitter.com/muKmQQ5fY4

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 14, 2017

[ozbob]

UP coalie Darra pic.twitter.com/aZ1g2KUzW4

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 18, 2017

[Fattious]

Queensland rail commuter catch up this afternoon at Roma St. 10+ staff taking feedback from passengers.

[achiruel]

Queensland rail commuter catch up this afternoon at Roma St. 10+ staff taking feedback from passengers.

Did they seem overwhelmed? I would've thought they'd need about 100 to deal with the current level of dissatisfaction!

[tazzer9]

Noticed a SMU200 series coupled to a single ended EMU in mayne yard this morning. 

[QRtrains]

Hi everyone, this is my first post so I'm a bit of a noob and I've probably put this in the wrong part of the form, but some people may know me from Twitter as @qrtrains Just wanted to talk about the NGR test runs. Is it just me, or do I always see them testing on a Sunday morning? That seems the best time to go and see one if you wanted to. One went down the coast today. Have any NGRs tested to Kippa-Ring, Doomben or Springfield? I'm aware they've been on the other branches, but would anyone know?

[ozbob]

Welcome QRtrains!  I enjoy your twitter pic posts etc.  You do get around 

Not sure about the NGR trains on different lines.  I have only seen them on the Ippy but I do not get around as much as I used to.

Some of the others might know?

Footnote:  I have seen one report of NGR on the Doomben line come to think about it.

[tazzer9]

This morning I noticed 3 sx set cars and 2 unidentified cars in mayne north yard this morning.   Later on today I noticed those 2 miscellaneous cars were likely 2 more SX cars but they had been knocked off the track.  (laying on there sides right next to the track).
Maybe an emergency services drill coming up.

[ozbob]

^

We are participating in an emergency training exercise next week at Bowen Hills. See what happens during Emergency Preparedness training. pic.twitter.com/VsAJCRX8yI

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) April 28, 2017

[tazzer9]

I promise to use my psychic powers for good only.
Are these the SX set cars that were sitting around the Hamilton branch for years?

[BrizCommuter]

This morning I noticed 3 sx set cars and 2 unidentified cars in mayne north yard this morning.   Later on today I noticed those 2 miscellaneous cars were likely 2 more SX cars but they had been knocked off the track.  (laying on there sides right next to the track).
Maybe an emergency services drill coming up.

Might try and get a photo on my commute home...

...Forgot, it's Friday, bus home due to lack of train services!

[ozbob]

EXCLUSIVE: Tonight we can reveal details of counter-terror measures being taken in the south-east. @DarrenCurtis9 #9News pic.twitter.com/alK3YX34tL

— Nine News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) April 28, 2017

[ozbob]

http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2017/04/28/joint-training-exercise-bowen-hills/

Joint training exercise – Bowen Hills
QPS Media on Apr 28, 2017 @ 6:10pm   

While you're travelling on the train through Bowen Hills over the next few days, you might see some unusual activity in the rail yard.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is conducting a major training exercise next week in conjunction with Queensland Rail (QR), the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

While we can't give too much away, we can tell you that the exercise is specifically focussed on ensuring the QPS is ready to respond to a terrorist incident in Brisbane.

The exercise will run for three days and will involve a wide range of police including first responders, intelligence officers, detectives and other specialist units.

We would like to reassure the community that there is no need to be alarmed if you see a train carriage on its side at Bowen Hills or a flurry of activity in the rail yard – this is all part of making sure that police are as prepared as possible to keep Queenslanders safe.

[ozbob]

Queensland Rail going Melbourne/London style? pic.twitter.com/12TSj5iJpi

— QRtrains (@QRtrains) April 30, 2017

[QRtrains]

Spotted rubbish bins being installed Roma Street platform 10 yesterday, and they're already in at Bowen Hills. Only took them 3 years!

[QRtrains]

Queensland Rail going Melbourne/London style? pic.twitter.com/12TSj5iJpi

— QRtrains (@QRtrains) April 30, 2017

Those new announcements are really quite pointless. It would say for example "The next station is Robina" then 20 seconds later "Now arriving at, Robina station, if this is your station, prepare to disembark" then the guard would scream into the microphone "ROBINA STATION PLATFORM ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE." They should make the platform side announcements automatic, for example "Now arriving at, Robina station, if this is your station, prepare to disembark on the right hand side" and then the guard doesn't have to do any talking.

[James]

Honestly, anything aside from 'Next station: _______" is pointless, beyond announcing where to change trains. They don't announce the side the doors will open on in many other jurisdictions and people cope fine there. The endless 'waffle' on QR about "please don't leave personal possessions unattended" or "contact crime stoppers in case you see something suspicious" is just pointless noise pollution.

How do people in Melbourne cope? Sydney? Do they force the door open and get out on to the tracks if they're not told what side to exit on?

[ozbob]

Direct from the Queensland Rail control centre, may the fourth be with you – today and always! ✨#MayThe4th #StarWarsDay pic.twitter.com/5Rcc1rBzcq

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) May 3, 2017

[ozbob]

Activity about 2 get underway Bowen Hills rail yard on a simulated disaster to test emerg response @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/fUA0xB2V0P

— Darren Curtis (@DarrenCurtis9) May 3, 2017

[ozbob]

Shout out to @QPSMedia, @QldAmbulance, @QldFES & to everyone who helped make our emergency exercise a success: https://t.co/fEUEc2ancf 🙌 pic.twitter.com/sEkE3EYzWy

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) May 5, 2017

[ozbob]

Happy Saturday! Today we attended the Brisbane Model Train Show with our stall. Come visit us again tomorrow 😊 https://t.co/nogMFAGTSh pic.twitter.com/YqBKCjQBm6

— Queensland Rail (@QueenslandRail) May 6, 2017

[Cazza]

^Let's hope none of the trains were cancelled due to an 'operational issue'

[SurfRail]

There are 3 NGRs in the Robina west yard (50% of that side).

[ozbob]

There are 3 NGRs in the Robina west yard (50% of that side).

That's encouraging.  701 702 703?

[ozbob]

^ reflecting on this a little more.  Maybe the track closure this weekend Roma St <> Rosewood has lead to them getting away from Wulkuraka for the weekend so they continue testing/training? 

[ozbob]

Parallel run with Up grain Oxley pic.twitter.com/65fD1NmHtp

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 30, 2017

[petey3801]

28th of May marked 10 years since the first revenue run of a 160 class unit. Units were 161/164 on a Gold Coast to Bowen Hills morning peak run.

[SurfRail]

28th of May marked 10 years since the first revenue run of a 160 class unit. Units were 161/164 on a Gold Coast to Bowen Hills morning peak run.

A train which I was on!  Remember it well - I had only been working in Brisbane for less than a fortnight.  (I'm with the same mob too, so I hit my 10 year limit just the other week.)

[ozbob]

Meet the #Brisbane train guard that leaves commuters smiling with daily tips @abcbrisbane pic.twitter.com/xdhwvfvqI8

— Jessica Hinchliffe (@JessHinchy) June 1, 2017

[ozbob]

Extension Suburban Electrification. Darra <> Ipswich Official Opening 20 September 1980
> https://t.co/cv3xKEMv0n pic.twitter.com/3kUyax3WAg

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) June 4, 2017

[aldonius]

NGR 703 is sleeping in Mayne tonight!

[red dragin]

One of the BB18 1/4 (based on cab roof as it's all I saw) heading north up the Dakabin bank at about 9.20am

[tazzer9]

One of the BB18 1/4 (based on cab roof as it's all I saw) heading north up the Dakabin bank at about 9.20am

On it's way to conclurry.  Empty carriages on the northbound journey to townsville though.

[dancingmongoose]

There's apparently an Exhibition to Ferny Grove service this evening https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/stops/exhibition-station/timetable/2017-06-23

[achiruel]

There's apparently an Exhibition to Ferny Grove service this evening https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/stops/exhibition-station/timetable/2017-06-23

Looks like this is a regular Friday service? Maybe a short working due to overcrowding on the reduced ex CBD services to Bowen Hills. I wonder if it's actually possible to board it at Exhibition, though?

[dancingmongoose]

There's apparently an Exhibition to Ferny Grove service this evening https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/stops/exhibition-station/timetable/2017-06-23

Looks like this is a regular Friday service? Maybe a short working due to overcrowding on the reduced ex CBD services to Bowen Hills. I wonder if it's actually possible to board it at Exhibition, though?

Exhibition station has been locked whenever I've been near it outside of special event runs, doubt they'd unlock it for 1 service. I'm just assuming it's part of the positioning from Mayne that's accidentally included in the timetable

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/880269877340024832

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/881664893102866432

[verbatim9]

Just saw an electric locomotive on the Doomben line. Running past Ascot station