Steam on the Suburban Network - 19 - 21 April

[Otto]

We had a very enjoyable trip today, starting at Redland Bay on the 280 service to Eight Mile Plains, then transferring to a 111 travelling to Roma Street. We then caught 1089 from Roma Street (last carriage) to Shorncliffe.. Upon arrival at Shorncliffe, My son and I walked to the Shorncliffe Pier then returned to the station as the Electric service was clearing the platform to allow 1089 to enter for the return journey.

We reboarded the same carriage which was now the lead carriage for the journey back.. As we travelled towards Northgate, a Channel 9 news team was filming inside and talking to various passengers.
As the train stopped at each station, the expressions on peoples faces was truly priceless.. Some could not stop grinning from ear to ear, others looked like they were in shock to see such a dinosaur from the history books turn up, whilst others looked like they had no idea what to do..
We disembarked at Corinda and waited for the next City service which was a newly refurbished EMU.
The trip home was by a 150 from the QSBS to Griffith Uni, then the 280 to Redland Bay.

We watched the Channel 9 News for the report and to our surprise, saw ourselves on the news !!

It was a great day for all !!!!

[ozbob]

Excellent Otto!  Glad it went well.

[ozbob]

Channel Nine News click here!

[Derwan]

Wow - I think I sat across the aisle from you Otto.  I got on at Boondall with my camera.

I made it to the background of the channel 10 news!

I'll post some pics when I get 'round to it.  It's been a big weekend (including today) for me so I'm too buggered to go through photos.  (There are 127 from today.)

Yes - the look on some people's faces was priceless.  The station announcements were good (the ones that I heard).  It was made clear that people could board the train if they wanted to - using their standard ticket/go card.

One lady got on with her young daughter.  "It's Thomas's friend!" she exclaimed.  They only travelled a few stations but I informed them that it was running the next two days, so they might go for another ride.

I think the next 2 days will have more people as it wasn't really advertised until the news tonight!

I went all the way to Ipswich... first time I'd been that far on any train.

[ozbob]

Did you have a chance to have a look around at Ipswich station Derwan?  There are some interesting historical rail photographs up on the main concourse area.  Ipswich is rail history HQ of course.

The other thing which struck me this morning was the number of passengers on the 7.19am Ipswich service from Oxley.  On arrival at Ipswich it was like going up from platforms 5/6 Central in the morning peak.   Something else that will need addressing is the conventional anti-peak timetables, particularly as decentralisation gets further developed.

[Derwan]

Did you have a chance to have a look around at Ipswich station Derwan? 

No.  I was pooped.  I got straight on the suburban that arrived shortly after the steam train.  Glad I did it though.  It was a good trip.

I was just looking for a video of the channel 10 news segment.  They have a link for it but the video doesn't work and goes straight on to the next story. 

[Otto]

Derwan. Do you know if you were in carriage 1705 ?

[Derwan]

Derwan. Do you know if you were in carriage 1705 ?

I don't remember the carriage number.  It was the last carriage heading towards Shorncliffe.  I just remember sitting across from a dad and son, so I thought that might be you. 

[Otto]

Derwan. Do you know if you were in carriage 1705 ?

I don't remember the carriage number.  It was the last carriage heading towards Shorncliffe.  I just remember sitting across from a dad and son, so I thought that might be you. 

If the son was as tall as the dad, then yes, It was me ! 

[Otto]

.
Here are a few more pics..

[rob2144]

Here are my videos from yesterday

Corinda


Between Indooroopilly and Central



Central

[ozbob]

    Super!  Thanks for sharing the clips!

[ozbob]

Reports of a heavy pax load today on the way to Shorncliffe.  Hope to go for a lunch time ride from Roma St.  Due there 1.09pm.

[ozbob]

At platform 6 Roma St, nice and damp.  Steam service showing on concourse PIDs as Ipswich Exp 1.10 pm platform 6, not on the platform PIDs  

[ozbob]

PIDs were sorted, nice run out to Oxley.  Caught up with STB on board.  Reports of very good crowds earlier today.  Loadings heading home to Ipswich moderate as pax got off stations on the last leg.

























Photographs R Dow 21st April 2010

[ozbob]

ABC Gold Coast click here!

[WTN]

Looked like a very interesting journey.  Unfortunately I was too busy at work to come, but I really enjoyed the pictures and videos so far.  I'd love to see people's reactions though.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail 22 April 2010 page 22

Rail travel gets up steam again

[Jon Bryant]

What a great piece of marketing as well.  Well done QR. 

[ozbob]

22 April 2010

EGM QRPassenger


Dear Mr Scurrah,

I would like to express our appreciation for the steam on the suburban network these past three days.

I had the opportunity to travel a number of times, and it was pleasing to note the professionalism of crew and volunteers, and also the active engagement of all QR Passenger staff at various stations.

The joyful surprise of many regular rail commuters was wonderful to observe as they suddenly realised this steam service was a service they too could travel on!

As we stated in a media release on the 18th April, QR Passenger is to be commended both on the continued training of drivers in the operation of steam locomotives but also in having taken the initiative in making these services available to the general public.

Please pass on our thanks to all involved.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[awotam]

Working 11am-7pm shifts all this week, so managed to travel twice on the steam service, Mon & Wed. Standing room only by the time it reached Sherwood.
Also noticed on Thursday morning, as I waited for the 09.59 on platform 4, an old 3 unit railcar was sitting on platform 2. I'm no expert, so don't know the type or designation. Pulled out just as my service was arriving. Kept pace with it pretty much all the way to Indooroopilly, it must have been stopped by signalling there as didn't see it again after that. Was empty apart from one man in QR uniform in the front carriage, rear destination board said "Not In Service", front had Roma St. Surely QR aren't so pushed for rolling stock that they're thinking of bringing these back into service? 

[Derwan]

I've finally published some of the photos I took:  http://www.derwan.com/photography/album.asp?album=49

They focus on the turn-back procedure at Shorncliffe.  I didn't get many photos en-route as it was difficult to get photos of the front without sticking the camera out the window, which we were constantly reminded not to do.  But I got a good one with the city in the background.

Otto - yes I was in carriage 1705.  Saw the number as I was going through the photos.

[ozbob]

Excellent photographs Derwan, and the photo with the cityscape background is a great one.

[stephenk]

I've finally published some of the photos I took:  http://www.derwan.com/photography/album.asp?album=49

They focus on the turn-back procedure at Shorncliffe.  I didn't get many photos en-route as it was difficult to get photos of the front without sticking the camera out the window, which we were constantly reminded not to do.  But I got a good one with the city in the background.

Otto - yes I was in carriage 1705.  Saw the number as I was going through the photos.

Great photos of the rather complicated turnback procedure!

[WTN]

I never thought the procedure was so complex.  Thanks for sharing.

[QGT]

My Photos from Mondays Trip 
http://sites.google.com/site/qgtsphotos2010/home/train-pictures/special-qr-steam-train-trip-from-ipswich-to-shorncliffe-19-04-2010

Cheers,
QGT

[Otto]

All those great photos, and not one of me !!

Gawd, I must be elusive !!

[Derwan]

My Photos from Mondays Trip 

Great photos.  You did a better job than me at the "round the bend" shots!  I made it into one of the photos...  re-boarding at Shorncliffe. 

[kw]

Some footage I took 

[kw]

I've heard that the next suburban steam training days will be the Mon 17th, Tue 18th and Wed 19th of May and possibly a week of them at the end of June. 

- Kent

[ozbob]

Excellent work Kent!   Marvellous ...

[p858snake]

Is there a reason they only seem to do these on the Shorncliffe/Ipswich lines? Ferny Grove would be interesting if it can be done....

[longboi]

Is there a reason they only seem to do these on the Shorncliffe/Ipswich lines? Ferny Grove would be interesting if it can be done....

There's nowhere else to turn them around without affecting other services.

[mufreight]

Is the turntable still usable at Caboolture or has it been removed.

[ClintonL94]

Is the turntable still usable at Caboolture or has it been removed.

From a recent Nearmap capture(8th June) I believe the turntable is still there and after watching a video of a on youtube of a 1700 series train using it I'd say its still in operation.

Clinton.