New Generation Rollingstock

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1044403798125371393

The locos were for picking up a 4000. So now 3 NGRs on agistment.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

26th September 2018

Grave concerns for the future of the SEQ railway network

Good Morning,

We have grave concerns for the future of the SEQ railway network.  Inconsistencies between the official line and actual RTI documents show it seems more effort is put into spinning a message of ' everything is fine ' whereas behind of the firewall of bureaucratic secrecy there are clearly serious concerns being expressed.  Concerns which are hidden from citizens generally.

We believe it is necessary for the Minister for Transport to detail exactly what is the situation with ongoing door issues, and other faults with the NGR trains.  What is really being done to fix the issues?  There are still 3 NGR trains on ' agistment ' at Progress Rail yards at Redbank.  $50 million of new trains ' eating grass' !


NGR trains at Progress Rail yards Redbank.  Photograph R Dow 25th September 2018

We have no confidence left in TMR to properly manage the NGR project.

Why is there only a net gain of around 40 new train drivers after now two years of rail fail?  At this rate there is no hope for a return to a proper rail service timetable for many years, let alone meet the demands for a post Cross River Rail network.  There are not enough new trains either, steps need to be taken now to ensure there will be enough trains.  Otherwise what is the point of Cross River Rail?

Frankly, we are all fed-up with being lied too, constantly given spin and bull dust.  There is no real transparency and the Government's message is one of doubtful merit and honesty.

' If the hat fits wear it! '

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

25th September 2018

New Generation Rollingstock - revealing news report

Good Morning,

Sadly more evidence of the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train issues was revealed by 7 News last evening.

See  https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1044137177553100800

or https://www.facebook.com/7NewsBrisbane/videos/302555340475202/

This is a very disturbing report.  We have long suspected that there a lot more issues with the NGR trains and project than that is publicly available.

It is a sad day for Queensland that media and ourselves are forced to RTI action for some indication as to what is really occurring.

Thanks to 7 News for this very significant report.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1044624878039515136

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1044681058002776064

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

27th September 2018

Re: Grave concerns for the future of the SEQ railway network

Good Morning,

Crickets!

The level of communication from transport in Queensland >>



Pathetic!

By the way, Right to Information Day is on the 28th September 2018 ( https://www.oic.qld.gov.au/training-and-events/right-to-information-day ).  Is this some sad joke?

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

26th September 2018

Grave concerns for the future of the SEQ railway network

Good Morning,

We have grave concerns for the future of the SEQ railway network.  Inconsistencies between the official line and actual RTI documents show it seems more effort is put into spinning a message of ' everything is fine ' whereas behind of the firewall of bureaucratic secrecy there are clearly serious concerns being expressed.  Concerns which are hidden from citizens generally.

We believe it is necessary for the Minister for Transport to detail exactly what is the situation with ongoing door issues, and other faults with the NGR trains.  What is really being done to fix the issues?  There are still 3 NGR trains on ' agistment ' at Progress Rail yards at Redbank.  $50 million of new trains ' eating grass' !


NGR trains at Progress Rail yards Redbank.  Photograph R Dow 25th September 2018

We have no confidence left in TMR to properly manage the NGR project.

Why is there only a net gain of around 40 new train drivers after now two years of rail fail?  At this rate there is no hope for a return to a proper rail service timetable for many years, let alone meet the demands for a post Cross River Rail network.  There are not enough new trains either, steps need to be taken now to ensure there will be enough trains.  Otherwise what is the point of Cross River Rail?

Frankly, we are all fed-up with being lied too, constantly given spin and bull dust.  There is no real transparency and the Government's message is one of doubtful merit and honesty.

' If the hat fits wear it! '

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

25th September 2018

New Generation Rollingstock - revealing news report

Good Morning,

Sadly more evidence of the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train issues was revealed by 7 News last evening.

See  https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1044137177553100800

or https://www.facebook.com/7NewsBrisbane/videos/302555340475202/

This is a very disturbing report.  We have long suspected that there a lot more issues with the NGR trains and project than that is publicly available.

It is a sad day for Queensland that media and ourselves are forced to RTI action for some indication as to what is really occurring.

Thanks to 7 News for this very significant report.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1044985035672018945

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1045038955505152001

[Stillwater]

Will the official inquiry have access to the documentation not made available under RTI requests?

[ozbob]

Will the official inquiry have access to the documentation not made available under RTI requests?

I would hope so.

[ozbob]

https://mastodon.social/@ozbob13/100821941265235947

[ozbob]

Finished at the COI
Clarified points on our submission and answered some further questions, and  was also given the opportunity to raise some additional matters of concern.
All worthwhile.

[Whippa]

703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710
711 712 713 714 716 717 718 719 720
721 722 723 724 726 727 728 729 730 736

736 has hit the tracks as the 5:09 ex Springfield this morning (non-ngr service till today)

[not_available]

703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710
711 712 713 714 716 717 718 719 720
721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730
736

736 has hit the tracks as the 5:09 ex Springfield this morning (non-ngr service till today)

And I keep seeing 725 but keep forgetting to add it here 

[ozbob]

703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710
711 712 713 714 716 717 718 719 720
721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730
736

736 has hit the tracks as the 5:09 ex Springfield this morning (non-ngr service till today)

And I keep seeing 725 but keep forgetting to add it here 

Thanks!  This is a useful list ..   

[red dragin]

Got 'run over' by one this morning as I drove down the Bruce Highway and it was headed to Kippa-Ring.

Also saw another (probably same service) heading over Dohles Rocks Rd overpass towards Kippa-Ring two weeks ago. Too far away to identify set number.

[not_available]

703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710
711 712 713 714 716 717 718 719 720
721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730
736

736 has hit the tracks as the 5:09 ex Springfield this morning (non-ngr service till today)

And I keep seeing 725 but keep forgetting to add it here 

Thanks!  This is a useful list ..   

I thought it would nice to keep track of the NGRs as they were progressively rolled out. At least 28 now.

[SurfRail]

From memory 715 was having some feature or another tested which may be why it has not entered service. 

I'm surprised there are still 3 car trains running, given they now have nearly 30 new 6 car trains available for service that were not running this time last year.  There should be no non-NGR services on the Gold Coast and Airport line but that isn't the case.

[ozbob]

715 was the unit that was damaged when it SPADed at Wulkuraka.
Presently at Redbank agistment with 701 and 702.

[HappyTrainGuy]

From memory 715 was having some feature or another tested which may be why it has not entered service. 

I'm surprised there are still 3 car trains running, given they now have nearly 30 new 6 car trains available for service that were not running this time last year.  There should be no non-NGR services on the Gold Coast and Airport line but that isn't the case.

Minus the emus retired/out of revenue commission, the a few issues with some smus, ice sets replaced, the ngrs on call so if there's an issue one can replace it straight away (one was replaced but another failed and an emu had to sub for it Gold Coast-airport-Roma Street where it was replaced with another ngr).

[red dragin]

715 was the unit that was damaged when it SPADed at Wulkuraka.

SurfRail was correct, it had it's crash worthiness tested.

[ozbob]

I have been informed that NGRs will be starting to run on the Ipswich <> Caboolture lines from around the 22nd October 2018.

[Cazza]

Any reason why the Sunny Coast hasn't had the "privilege" (term used loosely there, own interpretations allowed) of the NGRs yet? If anything, they should have been one of the first lines (after Airport/GC).

[Whippa]

Any reason why the Sunny Coast hasn't had the "privilege" (term used loosely there, own interpretations allowed) of the NGRs yet? If anything, they should have been one of the first lines (after Airport/GC).

Probably $$ reasons. The runs cross with Ipswich and Springfield anyway which means all those lines would have to be staffed, while for now they can contain it to Redcliffe and Springfield with the units they got.

[techblitz]

I have been informed that NGRs will be starting to run on the Ipswich <> Caboolture lines from around the 22nd October 2018.

Good..
Gold coast/airport lines do not deserve special treatment and hog most of them...they should be shared across as many lines as possible..

[Whippa]

I have been informed that NGRs will be starting to run on the Ipswich <> Caboolture lines from around the 22nd October 2018.

Good..

The only reason this is occurring is so NGR's can do the Springfield daytime runs as the majority of day units swap to Caboolture/Ipswich in the afternoon peak. I get the impression the isolated Springfield - Redcliffe runs have been exhausted for putting NGRS on or are very close to (Only consists of some peak extras and early morning pre-peak runs that depot by the end of peak, as well as most Saturday and a couple of Sunday runs.)

Similarly, they most likely started on Gold Coast/Airport  due to a combination of : the runs are very isolated, low station count relative to travel time most of which already being staffed most hours anyway (save $$) and the comm games (new trains look nice)

[Arnz]

I have been informed that NGRs will be starting to run on the Ipswich <> Caboolture lines from around the 22nd October 2018.

Good..

The only reason this is occurring is so NGR's can do the Springfield daytime runs as the majority of day units swap to Caboolture/Ipswich in the afternoon peak. I get the impression the isolated Springfield - Redcliffe runs have been exhausted for putting NGRS on or are very close to (Only consists of some peak extras and early morning pre-peak runs that depot by the end of peak, as well as most Saturday and a couple of Sunday runs.)

Similarly, they most likely started on Gold Coast/Airport  due to a combination of : the runs are very isolated, low station count relative to travel time most of which already being staffed most hours anyway (save $$) and the comm games (new trains look nice)

Some of the Redcliffe/Springfield runs are formed off Nambour runs in the morning and afternoon peak, so it would be tricky for rostering crew to not put an NGR north of Caboolture, plus as previously stated many off-peak/weekend Caboolture-Ipswich runs tend to form a Ipswich-Nambour service on the way back.

Plus there's the station staff issue at the unattended stations. Staff at the attended stations would need a staff member to head to the unattended stations. 
* Landsborough station staff (attended all day) would have to attend Mooloolah and Eudlo
* Palmwoods station staff (attended morning peak) or Nambour station staff (other times) would have to attend Woombye
* Glasshouse Mtns staff (attended morning peak) or Beerwah station staff (other times) would have to attend Beerburrum and
* Caboolture station staff would have to attend Elimbah
When the NGRs do make their way north of Caboolture (at the end of the year or early next year at the latest), which I'll assume it would probably be restricted to weekday morning peak and afternoon peak services at first.

[not_available]

I have been informed that NGRs will be starting to run on the Ipswich <> Caboolture lines from around the 22nd October 2018.

Good..

The only reason this is occurring is so NGR's can do the Springfield daytime runs as the majority of day units swap to Caboolture/Ipswich in the afternoon peak. I get the impression the isolated Springfield - Redcliffe runs have been exhausted for putting NGRS on or are very close to (Only consists of some peak extras and early morning pre-peak runs that depot by the end of peak, as well as most Saturday and a couple of Sunday runs.)

Similarly, they most likely started on Gold Coast/Airport  due to a combination of : the runs are very isolated, low station count relative to travel time most of which already being staffed most hours anyway (save $$) and the comm games (new trains look nice)

Some of the Redcliffe/Springfield runs are formed off Nambour runs in the morning and afternoon peak, so it would be tricky for rostering crew to not put an NGR north of Caboolture, plus as previously stated many off-peak/weekend Caboolture-Ipswich runs tend to form a Ipswich-Nambour service on the way back.

Plus there's the station staff issue at the unattended stations. Staff at the attended stations would need a staff member to head to the unattended stations. 
* Landsborough station staff (attended all day) would have to attend Mooloolah and Eudlo
* Palmwoods station staff (attended morning peak) or Nambour station staff (other times) would have to attend Woombye
* Glasshouse Mtns staff (attended morning peak) or Beerwah station staff (other times) would have to attend Beerburrum and
* Caboolture station staff would have to attend Elimbah
When the NGRs do make their way north of Caboolture (at the end of the year or early next year at the latest), which I'll assume it would probably be restricted to weekday morning peak and afternoon peak services at first.

Are all the Doomben line stations staffed now? Don't forget NGRs wander down there too

[not_available]

703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710
711 712 713 714 716 717 718 719 720
721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730
735 736

Saw a Springfield 735 pull into Roma St as i was leaving. (Pulling in next to a northgate bound 736 :p)

[STB]

Are all the Doomben line stations staffed now? Don't forget NGRs wander down there too

I was out on the Doomben line today and I didn't see any staff anywhere, however it looks like they are only staffing the disabled access stations - I got off at Ascot and there were no staff, however I only saw steps to get into the station itself - which makes sense, if there are only steps, you wouldn't need to staff that station as wheelchairs wouldn't be able to enter the station anyway.  There are nearby bus services too so if you are disabled, you'd probably be more likely to take the bus than the train (at least I would if I was wheelchair bound).

[not_available]

Are all the Doomben line stations staffed now? Don't forget NGRs wander down there too

I was out on the Doomben line today and I didn't see any staff anywhere, however it looks like they are only staffing the disabled access stations - I got off at Ascot and there were no staff, however I only saw steps to get into the station itself - which makes sense, if there are only steps, you wouldn't need to staff that station as wheelchairs wouldn't be able to enter the station anyway.  There are nearby bus services too so if you are disabled, you'd probably be more likely to take the bus than the train (at least I would if I was wheelchair bound).

I think from memory there is a lil' ramp at Ascot down on the Doomben end of the platform. I might need to check if my memory is mercilessly lying to me though

[ozbob]

I have been informed that NGRs will be starting to run on the Ipswich <> Caboolture lines from around the 22nd October 2018.

Queensland Times --> Queensland Rail deploys NGR train to cope with Ipswich line

QUEENSLAND'S controversial New Generation Rollingstock trains will join the Ipswich line for the first time, to cope with growing passenger numbers.

Queensland Rail has allocated the New Generation Rollingstock trains to start operating on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines later this month as part of the fleet's ongoing deployment.

Minister for Transport Mark Bailey said the change meant Caboolture and Ipswich line customers would experience the NGR fleet for the first time.

"I'm pleased to announce that the fleet will commence operating weekly services on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines, as part of the continued rollout," he said.

"Provided final testing activities are completed as planned, at this stage we expect these trains will begin replacing services on the Caboolture and Ipswich lines from Monday, October 22."

Queensland's new train fleet has been plagued with defects and disability access problems.

The rollout of the $4.4 billion trains has been slow, with $150million in modifications also required.

Problems with disability access have prompted Queensland Rail to strengthen its customer service presence on the Ipswich line ahead of the trains' arrival.

Mr Bailey said Queensland Rail would ensure customers requiring boarding assistance were supported from first to the last service.

"If customers require assistance boarding a service at this location, they can continue to wait at the assisted boarding point on the platform as they would for any other service," he said.

Thirty-one NGR trains are now available for service and one more will be added before the deployment to Ipswich.

"As more trains are commissioned and successfully undergo testing and safety assessments, the NGR fleet will gradually commence rolling out on other lines across the southeast Queensland network," Mr Bailey said.

NGR trains were first deployed to the Gold Coast and Airport lines to meet higher patronage demand and deliver an enhanced timetable for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"This was followed by the introduction of the fleet to the Doomben line in May 2018, Northgate to CBD services in July and the Redcliffe Peninsula and Springfield lines in September."

More scheduled services are expected on the Ipswich line as more New Generation Rollingstock trains are deployed, Mr Bailey said.

Queensland Times 11th October 2018 pages 1 and 2

[STB]

Are all the Doomben line stations staffed now? Don't forget NGRs wander down there too

I was out on the Doomben line today and I didn't see any staff anywhere, however it looks like they are only staffing the disabled access stations - I got off at Ascot and there were no staff, however I only saw steps to get into the station itself - which makes sense, if there are only steps, you wouldn't need to staff that station as wheelchairs wouldn't be able to enter the station anyway.  There are nearby bus services too so if you are disabled, you'd probably be more likely to take the bus than the train (at least I would if I was wheelchair bound).

I think from memory there is a lil' ramp at Ascot down on the Doomben end of the platform. I might need to check if my memory is mercilessly lying to me though

I didn't see any ramp at Ascot.  I was in the last carriage so got off at the citybound end of the platform and only saw a fence preventing access.  As I was unfamiliar with the layout of Ascot, I started walking in that direction thinking I could exit the platform that way, realising I was blocked I turned around and headed towards the station building and only saw stairs that leads to the racecourse at the Doomben end of the platform.  I then exited at the main entrance to the station building where there were a small set of steps to enter/exit the station.

[tazzer9]

I have been informed that NGRs will be starting to run on the Ipswich <> Caboolture lines from around the 22nd October 2018.

Good..
Gold coast/airport lines do not deserve special treatment and hog most of them...they should be shared across as many lines as possible..

The GC and airport lines should be getting the special treatment with them.   As others have stated, the runs are fairly isolated, but the train itself suits the GC line the best.  It is the fastest, with the least number of the stations.  It also allows other IMU's to be displaced to give more certainty to sunshine coast runs.  And it gives a small boost to OTR stats.
Having them used on the shorncliffe and ferny grove line is a bit of a waste when we have a heap of EMU's and SMU's that can do those runs perfectly.

[Arnz]

Looks like it's a limited number of isolated services on the IPS-CAB corridor to ensure the NGRs doesn't end up on one of the many rosters that involves going up to Nambour (as a large number of off-peak ex-Ipswich or ex-Springfield services involve a run going up to Nambour). 

My tip is that NGRs may eventually find their way on some peak-only IPS-Bowen Hills or CAB-Roma Street services before the end of the year.

[ozbob]

Days since NGR 701 towed to Wulkuraka

[verbatim9]

I caught a NGR on Saturday night from Fortitude Valley to Milton @ 2215. The station was manned at Milton to help clear the platform if need be.

Even though I don't mind manned stations. It's going to be a very expensive exercise once again, having a driver, guard, 2 security staff on the train and a station attendant at a station just for a few off peak passengers on a "Non event" Saturday night.

Start planning for Driver only operation now and DDA station accessibility incl boarding and disembarking the train.

[BrizCommuter]

I caught a NGR on Saturday night from Fortitude Valley to Milton @ 2215. The station was manned at Milton to help clear the platform if need be.

Even though I don't mind manned stations. It's going to be a very expensive exercise once again, having a driver, guard, 2 security staff on the train and a station attendant at a station just for a few off peak passengers on a "Non event" Saturday night.

Start planning for Driver only operation now and DDA station accessibility incl boarding and disembarking the train.

DOO won't happen under the ALP.

[verbatim9]

I caught a NGR on Saturday night from Fortitude Valley to Milton @ 2215. The station was manned at Milton to help clear the platform if need be.

Even though I don't mind manned stations. It's going to be a very expensive exercise once again, having a driver, guard, 2 security staff on the train and a station attendant at a station just for a few off peak passengers on a "Non event" Saturday night.

Start planning for Driver only operation now and DDA station accessibility incl boarding and disembarking the train.

DOO won't happen under the ALP.

It may not happen straight away, but they can still plan for it.

That's why we have Governments. Plan - Fund - Implement.

[Stillwater]

Even planning for it won't be tolerated by the union.

[not_available]

I think they increased the number of NGRs on Saturday doing redcliffe-Springfield runs. Now the next two services after the two services on the poster are now probably NGRs

[verbatim9]

Even planning for it won't be tolerated by the union.

I remain optimistic.

[#Metro]

Just DOO it, get the pun?  :