Keperra to Ferny Grove Rail Upgrade

[Golliwog]

At Roma St, aiming for the 6.29am Ferny Grove, which is due at FG around 7.02am?  Should hopefully be able to see if the 7.06am UP is a 7.04am UP ...

Always kind of funny how the down Ipswich trains miss the down Ferny Grove trains at Roma St by a couple of minutes.  Guess it is too leave time for a cup of hot chocolate ...

That missed connection is even more annoying off-peak...

The 7.06am service should indeed have been the 7.04am now. I caught the 6.45am service (which left as the 7.04am was arriving, duplication for the win) and QR staff were on hand giving out new timetables (which aren't yet online) free water, and a free k-time twists bar (mine was Strawberry and Blueberry flavour).

On my way through Bowen Hills, noted a FG bound service with grafitti covering one carriage, over all the windows and everything. Also noted the Flight Center train between South Brisbane and South Bank as a FG bound service. We get all the cool trains 

[ozbob]

A lot happening at FG.  QR Customer Service folk, TransLink helping hands.  Picked up a new FG timetable dated 10th April, the 7.04am is indeed a 7.04am, was EMU01, trailing set.  Saw it earlier at Roma St heading out to FG.

The new platforms in use, station buildings etc. still a lot to do.  Full height platforms.

The bus interchange looks good.  Got a pic of the bus from Samford arriving, BBL with operating go gear.

Headed back to town on the 7.26am UP service on the new line FG - Keppera, which was nearly full at Enoggera.

[ozbob]

Photographs from the first day of regular operation new platforms and double line Ferny Grove - Keperra 10th April 2012
































BBL bus Samford - Ferny Grove go card enabled, the only morning service arriving at FG







Photographs R Dow 10th April 2012

[Fares_Fair]

duplicated tracks ... *sigh*

[somebody]

The 7.06am service should indeed have been the 7.04am now. I caught the 6.45am service (which left as the 7.04am was arriving, duplication for the win) and QR staff were on hand giving out new timetables (which aren't yet online) free water, and a free k-time twists bar (mine was Strawberry and Blueberry flavour).

Do we know that this change was in fact proceeded with?  Could just as easily still leave at 7:06am.

[STB]

I'll head down to Ferny Grove station later on, hopefully this afternoon to check it out.  Now we just need to duplicate the Cleveland, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines, then we will be like any other normal railway!

[ozbob]

I'll head down to Ferny Grove station later on, hopefully this afternoon to check it out.  Now we just need to duplicate the Cleveland, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines, then we will be like any other normal railway!

Don't forget Coomera - Helensvale ...

[somebody]

I'll head down to Ferny Grove station later on, hopefully this afternoon to check it out.  Now we just need to duplicate the Cleveland, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines, then we will be like any other normal railway!

Not really.  Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington, Auckland, Japan all have single track sections!

Not sure about Perth.  Thornlie?

[STB]

I'll head down to Ferny Grove station later on, hopefully this afternoon to check it out.  Now we just need to duplicate the Cleveland, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines, then we will be like any other normal railway!

Not really.  Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Wellington, Auckland, Japan all have single track sections!

Not sure about Perth.  Thornlie?

Okay, comment changed to, we'll be more advanced them them .

Oops, of course, always forget about the Helensvale/Coomera section.

[somebody]

Okay, comment changed to, we'll be more advanced them them .

I would put it more like "we'll be doing less with more as compared to them".

[Fares_Fair]

I'll head down to Ferny Grove station later on, hopefully this afternoon to check it out.  Now we just need to duplicate the Cleveland, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines, then we will be like any other normal railway!

Don't forget Coomera - Helensvale ...

Is there a timeline for this work (Coomera to Helensvale) to occur?

[somebody]

I don't believe so.  Without extending the triple also it's somewhat pointless.  Both things restrict peak frequency to approx 12 minutes.

[ozbob]

Media release 10th April 2012

SEQ: Ferny Grove line - double line all the way!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has congratulated Queensland Rail, TransLink and Transport and Main Roads on reaching the significant milestone of regular passenger train operation on the final section of duplicated track on the Ferny Grove line (1, 2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Today, regular train operations commenced on the recently completed double track between Keperra and Ferny Grove, the final single line section to be upgraded on this line (3).  New high level platforms at Ferny Grove were also used from today as well."

"I was able to travel to Ferny Grove this morning and see first hand the significant progress made.  There was good support for public transport passengers by staff from Queensland Rail and TransLink with information on some minor timetable changes to bus and rail following this upgrade."

"The Ferny Grove line will be able to easily support increased train frequency, a policy commitment made by the LNP during the recent state election campaign."

"RAIL Back On Track has long called for improvements in train frequency on all lines. In time further track amplifications and  improvements will need to be made on the rest of the network."

"Congratulations and well done on successfully reaching this milestone on the Ferny Grove line today!"

References:

1. http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/networkservices/constructionupgrades/majorinfrastructure/currentprojects/keperratofernygrove/pages/introduction.aspx

2. http://translink.com.au/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/ferny-grove-station-upgrade

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3083.msg94413#msg94413

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[Golliwog]

The 7.06am service should indeed have been the 7.04am now. I caught the 6.45am service (which left as the 7.04am was arriving, duplication for the win) and QR staff were on hand giving out new timetables (which aren't yet online) free water, and a free k-time twists bar (mine was Strawberry and Blueberry flavour).

Do we know that this change was in fact proceeded with?  Could just as easily still leave at 7:06am.

Well thats when the new timetable (still not online) said it would be leaving. I did enjoy my k-time bar though

[BrizCommuter]

The 07:04 was running 3 minutes late by Enoggera, so anyone missing the service there had no excuse.

Anyway, another major infrastructure project milestone marred by TransLink's sloppiness.
An updated blog post. http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/if-you-catch-0706am-from-ferny-grove.html

[Golliwog]

For those (like BrizCommuter) who weren't able to get a copy of the new timetable yet. Inbound 1:

[Golliwog]

Inbound 2

[Golliwog]

Outbound 1

[Golliwog]

Outbound 2

[ozbob]

Time table update issues generally, split new discussion thread for that here --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8101.0

[somebody]

^ The most sense I've heard on single track in my existence on this board.

[#Metro]

then why waste the limited CAPEX OPEX money and spend it elsewhere where it deliveres more value.

Exactly my thoughts on legacy routing and other bus routes that belong in the Legacy Routing Historical Bus Route Preservation Society Museum

[#Metro]

I don't normally follow the bus comments too much as have very little experience on Brisbane buses apart from 1 or 2 trips on SE busway. By "Legacy" I assume mean historic and buses on route X are still following the same route X as they did when Clem was digging up tram lines.

I read somewhere that in Sydney something like 80-90% of the former tram routes converted to bus routes have barely or only lightly changed in nearly 50 years, hence killing the argument "get rid of trams, buses are more flexible"

regards
Shane

Yes, Sydney's bus network is a mess.
Unfortunately many of our rail lines are also legacy too - Ferny Grove, Doomben, Cleveland and Beenleigh have dog legs in them.

[somebody]

I read somewhere that in Sydney something like 80-90% of the former tram routes converted to bus routes have barely or only lightly changed in nearly 50 years, hence killing the argument "get rid of trams, buses are more flexible"

Difference there is that they haven't built massive bus infrastructure and then failed to use it.  Eastern Busway, I am looking at you!  Also in a lot of cases the buses already went more or less directly to where they need to go.  There are some exceptions (e.g. 301, 376).  I'm struggle to come up with a route half as bad as the 202.  M50 might be one of the worst, and it's one of the newest.

Sydney you can do like a 30min loop walk and cover 4-5 stations.

Not on the same line though!

[BrizCommuter]

The 07:04 ex FG was on time this morning. Unfortunately, this meant that some commuters were observed missing the train at Enoggera.

[Golliwog]

The 07:04 ex FG was on time this morning. Unfortunately, this meant that some commuters were observed missing the train at Enoggera.

Obviously not good if the PR about trains leaving earlier was PR'ed. Would have been good to annouce at each FG line station last week and sign post as well.

Yeah, but they didn't. There is now a sign at the entrance to FG station summing up the changes (leaving Keperra ~3 minutes earlier, the 7:04 train and the 5:something that also changed) and recommending people get a new timetable from the ticket office, which I assume is now up at all stations, but there really was nothing until Tuesday morning when the changes came into effect.

In other news, they've started shifting the bike lockers across to behind/next to the new bus interchange.

[ozbob]

From Couriermail Quest click here!

Rail duplication on track

Rail duplication on track

    by: Staff Writer, North-West News
    From: Quest Newspapers
    April 11, 2012 9:55AM

Train services are now operating on the final section of duplicated track between Keperra and Ferny Grove.

The 2.6km track was opened to train services in conjunction with the opening of the new platform at Ferny Grove.

The temporary track and platform, which was used during construction of the duplicated track, will now be removed to make way for the new Samford Rd bus interchange.

Work will also continue on the new station building, which is expected to be completed by mid year.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said it was a significant infrastructure milestone to support increased train frequency.

He said the newly elected LNP State Government would need to make further improvements across the rest of the rail network to enable improved services.

[colinw]

What also surpised me on the legacy things for Brisbane is that you have RS and Central stations something like 700m apart, then Milton-RS, Central-Valley-BH-Albion all 1.5km apart. Normally they get closer in the city. Sydney you can do like a 30min loop walk and cover 4-5 stations.

Speaking of legacy stations, I still find it hard to believe that Oxford Park station has been retained.  It is barely 400 metres from Grovely.

I always found it weird the way there are so many closely separated stations bunched together from Mitchelton to Keperra, and then suddenly that long section to Ferny Grove. Ideally there would probably be just one intermediate station between Mitchelton & Ferny Grove.  Grovely, on Dawson Rd, seems about the right place for it.

I also had similar concerns about the Salisbury to Kuraby triplication.  I thought it was insane when shiny new stations were just plopped in all the same locations from Coopers Plains to Kuraby, without taking the opportunity to cull at least two. IMHO Runcorn/Fruitgrove could have been amalgamated to a single station, as could Sunnybank/Banoon.  Altandi I'd keep where it is, and of course Kuraby is my local station so I'm not going to suggest cutting it even though it isn't actually in a particularly useful location.

[somebody]

Oh but there are shiny new tracks.  Isn't it awesome.  /sarcasm.

[colinw]

Oh but there are shiny new tracks.  Isn't it awesome.  /sarcasm.

Yep, 2tph shiny new tracks. I've seen single lines in Europe carry more trains.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Runcorn, Fruitgrove, Coopers Plains and parts of Altandi were all shifted down the road and rebuilt. The old outbound platform at Coopers Plains still remains. 9 car trains outbound could easily be implimented there

http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-27.568723,153.036468&z=20&t=h&nmd=20110114

[colinw]

Fruitgrove & Runcorn ended up more or less where they originally were.  Fruitgrove had a temporary platform for some time during construction, but the final platform location is more or less where I remember it when it was my local station in the early '90s.

[Fares_Fair]

Fruitgrove & Runcorn ended up more or less where they originally were.  Fruitgrove had a temporary platform for some time during construction, but the final platform location is more or less where I remember it when it was my local station in the early '90s.

with regards to your footnote... and for the Sunshine Coast you'll drive ?   

[Golliwog]

Grovely is certainly a useful location on the FG line, sitting right next to Dawson Pde, and I would never dream of scrapping it. Oxford Park and Keperra could probably go to allow for a faster trip, but that said, I don't think I'd support removing them. Keperra is in a good spot for the local shops and the golf course (I have actually seen a guy get off there with a set of clubs), and Oxford Park seems well used by locals. If anything I'd retain them and improve the local areas to support increased walk/cycle up potential.

Back on the topic of the current construction though. The car park between Arbor St and the Ferny Way traffic lights is to be closed from 1 May to start construction of the new tavern. For the locals sake, I hope they manage to open up the car park on the old tavern site before then. The area alongside the platforms on Conavalla St where the bus interchange used to be is looking closer to being ready. Saw some kerbing put in there. Not sure what the parking arrangements along there will be, but that could probably also open soon.

[colinw]

with regards to your footnote... and for the Sunshine Coast you'll drive ?   

Until such time as I can catch a train to Caloundra or Maroochydore - YES!

My last experience of the Sunshine Coast line, some years ago, was not a pleasant one.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Fruitgrove & Runcorn ended up more or less where they originally were.  Fruitgrove had a temporary platform for some time during construction, but the final platform location is more or less where I remember it when it was my local station in the early '90s.

They were in the same area but I'm pretty sure they all were moved off the curves leading into the stations.

[SurfRail]

Fruitgrove & Runcorn ended up more or less where they originally were.  Fruitgrove had a temporary platform for some time during construction, but the final platform location is more or less where I remember it when it was my local station in the early '90s.

They were in the same area but I'm pretty sure they all were moved off the curves leading into the stations.

The move was not huge in practical terms - the southern half of the Fruitgrove island platform was previously the northern half of the old outbound platform - it's pretty obvious from the placement of the slab. 

I think it will take a new alignment to get rid of these stations, and even then we will probably end up with some rubbish like Gold Coast trains running via the Pinelands tunnel they looked at, with no new station on the good alignment (eg an interchange station at Pinelands to reduce the need for all the rockets) and the all stations service remaining on the old, stupid alignment kept especially for it.

Don't know how they can get away with this sort of crap for railways while the M1 was regraded AND realigned when it had its capacity upgraded in the late 90s. 

[longboi]

A lot happening at FG.  QR Customer Service folk, TransLink helping hands.  Picked up a new FG timetable dated 10th April, the 7.04am is indeed a 7.04am, was EMU01, trailing set.  Saw it earlier at Roma St heading out to FG.

There is no such role as helping hands within TransLink anymore. The correct position title is Customer Liaison Officer.

[Golliwog]

On the topic of closures of stations on the FG line. I was just thinking about Oxford Park, and I think with proper liason with locals (and cooperation between the different local councils) this could become a decent cycling hub. At the end of Cribb Ave (http://www.nearmap.com/?q=@-27.397970,152.968510&ll=-27.39797,152.96851&z=18&t=h&nmd=20120302) is a ped/cycle bridge that connects across to Olearia St West (the creek is the boundary between BCC and Moreton Bay RC). If its the one I think it is, it is currently missing handrails as they were damaged in a storm when debris in the creek knocked them over, and not sure if they're allowing people to use it in this state. However, I think the houses between Pimelea St and Camelia Ave would be prime targets to push for cycling to Oxford Park rather than catching a bus from Camelia Ave to Mitchelton.

[p858snake]

A lot happening at FG.  QR Customer Service folk, TransLink helping hands.  Picked up a new FG timetable dated 10th April, the 7.04am is indeed a 7.04am, was EMU01, trailing set.  Saw it earlier at Roma St heading out to FG.

There is no such role as helping hands within TransLink anymore. The correct position title is Customer Liaison Officer.

Oh, I thought that got renamed to Muffin Delivery Consultant.