Random observations around the network ...

[ozbob]

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

I think that is the track inspection vehicle ?

[ozbob]

From https://www.flickr.com/photos/brisbanebuses/16421771436

[verbatim9]

^^Was thinking optimistically for a sec thinking freight could be hauled once again via Electric Locomotives.

[Stillwater]

What's the small compound being built beside the railway tracks about 1.5km south of Traveston Station?  Looks as though it could be the site for a small electricity feeder unit.  Can anyone help or confirm?

[HappyTrainGuy]

^^Was thinking optimistically for a sec thinking freight could be hauled once again via Electric Locomotives.

None left.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QueenslandRail/status/884677762379677696

[Cazza]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates
A lot of timetable changes coming into operation today and next Monday to "better reflect actual travel times" 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MaasdorpJR/status/887025996662099968

[Cazza]

The majority of the buses now have more stickers pointing out the emergency exits (particularly on the doors) + the surveillance camera stickers. Hopefully these camera stickers will deter cowards from attacking drivers and passengers.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/889657556788011009

[red dragin]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/889657556788011009

Especially when your train isn't cancelled 

[mufreight]

1724 seen propelling IMU 237 through Riverlink Shopping Centre to Ipswich Workshops at 10.27 today 26/07/17

[ozbob]

1724 seen propelling IMU 237 through Riverlink Shopping Centre to Ipswich Workshops at 10.27 today 26/07/17

Interesting observation.  Any idea why?

[jesse]

1724 seen propelling IMU 237 through Riverlink Shopping Centre to Ipswich Workshops at 10.27 today 26/07/17

Interesting observation.  Any idea why?

Cab painting most probably Bob, exact same unit went there about 4 months ago to get the 5237 end (I believe) painted only. So my guess is that it's going to get 8237 painted. Smu 235 has had the same thing done to her about 8 months ago

[ozbob]

Thanks jesse!

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/891453425103249408

[Otto]

A broken down coalie had the Boom Gates shut for 2 and a half hours on Cavendish rd, Coorparoo, Monday from 3 to 5:30pm. Police were in attendance for traffic control.

[tazzer9]

A broken down coalie had the Boom Gates shut for 2 and a half hours on Cavendish rd, Coorparoo, Monday from 3 to 5:30pm. Police were in attendance for traffic control.

I'm pretty sure this is after is was rescued.  It was the rescue loco's that failed.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/darthcaligula66/status/894550400694501376

[jesse]

https://www.facebook.com/9NewsGoldCoast/videos/10154791554916723/?fref=gs&hc_location=group

I think Queensland Rail have learned from the recent Ferny Grove Line incident and decided to not to leave the doors closed at all. 

[ozbob]

https://www.facebook.com/9NewsGoldCoast/videos/10154791554916723/?fref=gs&hc_location=group

I think Queensland Rail have learned from the recent Ferny Grove Line incident and decided to not to leave the doors closed at all. 

Thanks Jesse. See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4463.msg196987#msg196987 for more on this.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MySportTips/status/900969852973727745

[Cazza]

^From not opening any doors for 3 hours and now they are keeping 2 open in a matter of days. Not sure which one is more concerning!

[Stillwater]

Gee, the driver shortage has reached a stage where it is a drive-yourself-train!     

[red dragin]

Had it happen once on a train I boarded at Dakabin, had clearly been open since Caboolture. Resisted the urge to sticky beak, went and told the guard who closed it.

Seemed the more logical thing than taking a photo.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/902767990042701825

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QRtrains/status/904101633994309632

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail train forced to reverse back to station to avoid hitting koala on tracks

A NINE-YEAR-OLD koala rescued from train tracks this morning would have been killed if not for the quick thinking of track workers.

Moreton Bay Koala Rescue volunteer Mike Fowler was called to tracks just south of Narangba around 6.15am after "Rowdy" was spotted by Queensland Rail workers.

A Brisbane-bound commuter train was forced to stop and reverse to Narangba station to switch tracks so that the koala could be rescued.

Mr Fowler said Rowdy, who has been previously tagged and released, was probably looking around for "one of his girls" when it got stranded on the tracks.

"[Koalas] don't have much sense when it comes to tracks and roads unfortunately," he said.

"He was healthy and in good condition. I would give him a body score of 6 out of 10, which is pretty good for this time of year,"

"He was in the middle of the tracks, there's no doubt he would've been killed."

Rowdy was removed from the tracks by the Queensland Rail workers before being handed over to Moreton Bay Koala Rescue.

Volunteer rescuer Mike Fowler then released Rowdy in a safe spot within a kilometre of where he was found.

Queensland Rail confirmed the train was "slightly delayed" due to the incident.

[KS]

On the train to the city and have noticed a new voice over.

It says "now arriving at <name>  station, if this is your station prepare to disembark" it also says "mind the gap"  as soon as the train stops.

[SurfRail]

Been in effect for a while.  Silly, isn't it?

Maybe we can have inane announcements that pipe directly into Rail Centre 1.  "If you are planning to operate a rail network, train an adequate number of staff.  Mind the driver gap."

[ozbob]

^   

[Aircooled]

Speaking of voiceovers, why do some sound like the guy has just sucked on a helium balloon?

Also anyone remember there used to be a "take all personal belongings with you when you leave the train" that was later changed to "personal possessions"? Hardly worth editing the tapes just for one word..surely... Must have been some kind of legal liability loophole reason for that change??

And why are all the voiceovers male? And sound like Moses delivering the Ten Commandments? The most pleasant train journeys/commutes I've been on around the world are usually female and spoken in hushed tones. Works beautifully! And none of that godawful "doors closing please stand clear!" insult to the intelligence when a simple buzzer will do.

I cringe at the voiceovers on QR and wish the "quiet carriage" were a refuge to get away from them.

[HappyTrainGuy]

You would be surprised how stupid rail uses are. The door closing bit you can blame the stupid passengers for that one. At first the EMUs had doors that closed very fast. Also with the introduction of the electric trains passengers missed diesel services if it meant they could get an air conditioned train instead of a diesel hauled service. That meant trains got very overcrowded and people always raced to the door to get out - if you missed a seat everyone crowded around the doors as that's where the coolest part of the train was next from the end of the carriages. They've been modified to take longer to close and now give a warning. And they still catch people out. Especially school kids and passengers that stand next to the doors with bags (straps used to get caught on the handles, under the doors or inbetween the doors). This can be said for many things that have changed on the trains overtime. Such as the central grab bars around the doors with passengers walking/running into them. This was further compounded by passengers getting head injuries after walking/running into the shorter versions which were removed during DDA works on the EMUs. They have all been removed from the SMUs and replaced with the handles from the roof. Every post at every station now has yellow paint on them due to people walking into them while on their phones. I and many others can keep listing thing after thing that stupid passengers manage to do so commonly that some bloke has to do an OHS report about it. Do you want to know why the flashing trains on the timetable vanished?? From what I recall they trialed flashing and non flashing and had lower incident reports of the non flashing pids where people were tripping/falling down stairs at innercity stations running for their train.

[ozbob]

mufreight spotted these M carriages being taken from Ipswich to Rockhampton.  Believed to be for ' office accommodation '.







Photographs mufreight 13th September 2017

[HappyTrainGuy]

Sure its not part of the Bundy Uni's recent purchases/loans for its crash forensics course?

https://www.news-mail.com.au/news/bundy-home-to-world-first-crash-study-carriage/3224007/

[ozbob]

Sure its not part of the Bundy Uni's recent purchases/loans for its crash forensics course?

https://www.news-mail.com.au/news/bundy-home-to-world-first-crash-study-carriage/3224007/

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/JoelDry9/status/912927032236847104

[Stillwater]

Between Traveston and Cooran, a pad has been cleared beside the track.  Looks as though an electricity sub-station might be going in there.  Anyone with knowledge?

[James]

During last weekend's track closure, the INB's Countess St Portal was open, and (I assume) being used by rail replacement buses.

There were some witches hats around, but no actual traffic controllers on the portal. Perhaps a trial run for the re-opening of the portal?

[red dragin]

The gate at the Roma St end? Gets used for suncorp events as well.