Sunshine Coast Line draft 2011 timetable feedback thread

[Fares_Fair]

You're ignoring >11 000 commuters Virginia-Caboolture who are also inconvenienced by the proposed timetable.

Inconvenienced? They appear to have an increase in peak frequency, a more homogenous timetable, and shorter maximum gaps between services. I'd be very happy if I didn't have to wait more than 12mins in the peaks!

I know from the Caboolture commuters that they are (IMHO and observation) mostly unhappy about the length of their journey and having to stop at more stations which are currently express.
They currently have up to 14 stations express and various express patterns.
Under the draft timetable they have a single express pattern of only 9 stations by-passed.

The frequency may have been adjusted throughout the day to the 6 minutes widely reported but that is only between 6:42am-7:00am. That is still a good thing, even if it's only for 18 minutes of a 12 hour day. ( I only studied southbound services for the information presented here).
The vast majority of their services are at 30 minute frequencies from 8:00am - 11:52pm.

Perhaps non-Caboolture commuters are happy about it, if so they are very silent on the issue.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Arnz]

Not to mention that person who started that "maintain the timetable" petition, however wrong I think it may be, is actually a Caboolture commuter.

Not to mention I'd estimate at least half those 200+ sigs would probably be Caboolture commuters (and the other half Sunshine Coast commuters signing out of anger at the time, though most would would've changed their concerns to what RBot is outlining since the timetable consultation in Nambour)

[Fares_Fair]

Hello Arnz,

I can confirm that the petitioner is indeed a Caboolture commuter.
The information told to commuters by the petitioner has not been entirely accurate.
e.g. I overheard people told that they were removing the express leg from the 5:47pm services.
that simply wasn't true, in fact it is one of the few (4 Gympie North) services to retain the 20 station express leg.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[#Metro]

There is no need for our off-peak services to stop all stations between Northgate and Bowen Hills. Those stations will get 15 min frequencies in both directions off-peak. What would happen if all Gold Cost trains off-peak - and 75% peak services, stopped all stations from South Bank to Coopers Plains? The outcry would be obscene! And yet, we travel FAR longer in even worse conditions.

We could guess!

First, because the service was downgraded to rotten apple status, there would be an immediate and sharp drop in patronage, particularly in the off peak.

Then maybe due to this, service frequencies would be cut back in the off peak because "patronage does not warrant services at these times".

[Arnz]

You're ignoring >11 000 commuters Virginia-Caboolture who are also inconvenienced by the proposed timetable.

Inconvenienced? They appear to have an increase in peak frequency, a more homogenous timetable, and shorter maximum gaps between services. I'd be very happy if I didn't have to wait more than 12mins in the peaks!

Between Morayfield and Petrie still almost remains the same.  If we're gonna go by logic of "people must move closer to the city" as some people like to advocate, without even thinking about the infrastructure and what running patterns it can support (including conflicts, etc).  

Then let's get rid of express services all-together (including Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast) and have every train stop all stations every 5 minutes inner-urban. every 10 mins outer suburban, and every 15-30 mins interurban (15 for Gold Coast, 30 for Sunshine Coast)

That may appease those that are actually rich enough to afford a place closer to work and the few here that may support the draft Caboolture and Sunshine Coast timetables in their current forms, but that's only gonna force the larger population living in the outer and regional areas to get back on the roads, clog up the highways, and only reinforce the call for the road lobby for funding for more roads.

Surely we don't want the road lobby to win by forcing outer suburban and regional commuters back on the roads do we?

[#Metro]

There is a reason why there are different layers of service. Suburban- close to city, interurban/intercity- further away.

IMHO Sunshine Coast is a long distance interurban/intercity service that should be run express on all services at all times, just like the Gold Coast trains.

[BrizCommuter]

There is a reason why there are different layers of service. Suburban- close to city, interurban/intercity- further away.

IMHO Sunshine Coast is a long distance interurban/intercity service that should be run express on all services at all times, just like the Gold Coast trains.

But it can't as there is a lack of 3rd track for 2/3 of the route for overtaking, and more all stations services getting in the way than on the GC/Beenleigh Line. More infrastructure between Caboolture and Bowen Hills is required to allow for improved/faster Sunshine Coast services.

[#Metro]

Well it must be built then.
Sure, it takes time, costs money, but with it service will become acceptable.

Sunshine Coast commuters deserve no less. Nothing selfish about it.
A proper network allows proper services to be run. Not a sunny coast commuter's fault that there are restrictions
on that line that could have been dealt with by upgrades.

[somebody]

Inconvenienced? They appear to have an increase in peak frequency, a more homogenous timetable, and shorter maximum gaps between services. I'd be very happy if I didn't have to wait more than 12mins in the peaks!

You may have a point here.  However, I still think that an opportunity has been missed.  And it is a pretty marginal improvement after waiting 13 years for it.

Theoretically the suburbans can handle 23-25tph, in reality this would be extremely difficult. I would be surprised if the 2011 timetables have more than 20tph scheduled, but I would be happy to be proved wrong. Personally I can only see it being based around a 15 minute pattern, as a 12 minute pattern could not be operated on many lines that use the suburbans.

Yes, I would agree that it would be relatively difficult.

Well it must be built then.

Given that CRR1, implemented with any competence whatsoever, would result in what is the current 4 tracks north of the Ferny Grove flyover attaching to Bowen Hills 3 & 4 + CRR with no conflicts, any such amplification would be a pretty short term investment IMNSHO.

There is a couple of options in the meantime besides pushing a large number of trains through the suburbans, and the first would be crossing to the suburbans in the PM peak after the flyover.  Goes against sectorisation, so I know what BrizCommuter will say.  But there is a conflicting move when running through Northgate #3 anyway, so I'm not convinced that this is such a big deal, even if it means that Caboolture line frequencies wouldn't be better than 9 minutes.  The other option is to run 4tph down the Doomben line, with half short workings probably to Clayfield (assuming no safeworking issues with this), or a cross at Ascot.  That would ease loads on the to Eagle Junction stretch which would reduce pressure to run more than 4tph to Shorncliffe while still keeping 8tph at Albion & Woolowin. 

[Arnz]

 The other option is to run 4tph down the Doomben line, with half short workings probably to Clayfield (assuming no safeworking issues with this), or a cross at Ascot.  

Clayfield only has one platform, though there is already partially completed works (from the 60s) for a second track on Clayfield's island platform.  It would require duplication to Clayfield at least, with Clayfield #2 either built as a turnback platform, or merges into one track after Clayfield.

Goes against sectorisation, so I know what BrizCommuter will say.

Gympie is already it's own sector, due to the dedication of ICE rollingstock on those services.  Gympie North trains will be running on the suburbans instead of the mains (thus Conflict at Roma Street).

(ICEs will be reduced to doing only Gympie North services and 1 short working counter-peak Caboolture-Nambour run).  A counter peak Nambour run has been converted to a shuttle to fit in the extra morning peak Nambour-City service.

[somebody]

Clayfield only has one platform, though there is already partially completed works (from the 60s) for a second track on Clayfield's island platform.  It would require duplication to Clayfield at least, with Clayfield #2 either built as a turnback platform, or merges into one track after Clayfield.

Without squeezing the 8 minute dwell at Clayfield, I guess it would be difficult.  These could be 3 car sets which would make that 6 minutes.

Eagle Jct :00 :15
Clayfield :02  :17
Doomben :08

Doomben :24
Clayfield :26 :23
Eagle Jct :28 :25

But I think that crossing at Ascot is something that we should think about.  I really don't see much point in having a rail service with worse than a 15 minute service in peaks.

[STB]

FYI, Eagle Junction is the crossing station for the Doomben line, as the Doomben line is treated as a single line, except at Doomben station where the other platform can be used when the station is staffed to operate the points.

EDIT: Sorry to throw a spanner into your planning but safeworking rules in QR are quite strict.

[somebody]

FYI, Eagle Junction is the crossing station for the Doomben line, as the Doomben line is treated as a single line, except at Doomben station where the other platform can be used when the station is staffed to operate the points.

EDIT: Sorry to throw a spanner into your planning but safeworking rules in QR are quite strict.

So, there is some problem with the second platform/safeworking at Ascot preventing its use?

I don't mind you "throwing a spanner", but I'd like to know why we would have such a thing if it is unusable, and what we would need to do to make it usable.

[somebody]

Gympie is already it's own sector,

Not in the usual meaning of the term, which is that trains from location(s) A use tracks X and only tracks X, and no other trains use tracks X.

[STB]

FYI, Eagle Junction is the crossing station for the Doomben line, as the Doomben line is treated as a single line, except at Doomben station where the other platform can be used when the station is staffed to operate the points.

EDIT: Sorry to throw a spanner into your planning but safeworking rules in QR are quite strict.

So, there is some problem with the second platform/safeworking at Ascot preventing its use?

I don't mind you "throwing a spanner", but I'd like to know why we would have such a thing if it is unusable, and what we would need to do to make it usable.

Several reasons, platform is not serviceable, there is ongoing refurbishment works that have been on and off for a while, and finally the points are clipped.

EDIT: Have also just been informed that the semaphores are currently locked in position and would need to be reinstated by qualified staff.  In short, Ascot is a single platform, looks can be deceiving .

[somebody]

But still could be done, presumably for a fraction of the cost of full duplication.  Although the size of the fraction may be increasing.

[STB]

With those factors taken out, then yes.  Although a 30min frequency is actually able to be done already.

[BrizCommuter]

As far as I am concerned, all off-peak services on the Sunshine Coast line should maintain their current stopping pattern of Express between Caboolture and Bowen Hills with stops at Petrie and Northgate. And I'll go one step further and say that all Peak services should be the same but omit the Petrie and Northgate stops. Suddenly, a blinding flash of the obvious - it's logical and just so easy to remember!

Please read this.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2010/11/low-fat-sunshine-expresso.html
Yawn!

[somebody]

With those factors taken out, then yes.  Although a 30min frequency is actually able to be done already.

30 minutes isn't good enough.

Any idea of how expensive it would be compared with full duplication?  Are we talking completely demolishing the station and ripping up the tracks then putting in new points and signaling to cross at Ascot?

[STB]

Come on, look on the positive side!  30mins is an improvement of an hourly service.

In terms of costs, I can't give you an exact answer (not my area).  I will ask my contacts though and see if I can get some sort of reply to you.  Failing that, best to ask a rail planner or a long term planner, not someone who's primary area is buses (like me).

[Arnz]

As far as I am concerned, all off-peak services on the Sunshine Coast line should maintain their current stopping pattern of Express between Caboolture and Bowen Hills with stops at Petrie and Northgate. And I'll go one step further and say that all Peak services should be the same but omit the Petrie and Northgate stops. Suddenly, a blinding flash of the obvious - it's logical and just so easy to remember!

Please read this.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2010/11/low-fat-sunshine-expresso.html
Yawn!

If Gold Coast services suddenly started to stop all stations to Coopers Plains for the sake of giving inner Beenleigh line residents a better frequency (as well as scheduling around the Merivale Bridge restrictions + Providing Park Road connections in Peak Hour), you'd probably be joining the chorus of those GC commuters outraged.  Only confirming your ongoing bias against Sunshine Coast residents.

Edit: Though seriously, though you do make some good posts outlining the track restrictions.  You really need to grow up in your "Sunshine Coast people must move closer to Brisbane" posts, if you do insist on your view, how about applying it to the Gold Coast as well instead of being biased against Sunshine Coast residents.  Not everyone can afford to live close to the city.  Not to mention it is some of the people's choice to live out there (or their only choice if they cant find a place apart from the the proposed Caloudra South and Scienic Rim area "super city" developments).

[#Metro]

I have a question: will this bottleneck be fixed once CRR1 is in operation?

[somebody]

Come on, look on the positive side!  30mins is an improvement of an hourly service.

That's true but it is in that ball park in peak hour already.

Sorry, I can't get optimistic about that sort of service either in peak or off peak.  People won't want to use it.  And the current service uses 4tph CBD paths effectively for failing to provide a reasonable service.  If they don't upgrade it, it would be better to close it and replace with buses full time IMO.

Please read this.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2010/11/low-fat-sunshine-expresso.html
Yawn!

Maybe he's aware of your opinion, but just doesn't agree.

[somebody]

EDIT: Sorry to throw a spanner into your planning but safeworking rules in QR are quite strict.

One more thing, would the Clayfield terminator suggestion work out, or would the safeworking not allow for this?

[somebody]

I have a question: will this bottleneck be fixed once CRR1 is in operation?

Last I saw the plans for CRR1, it ran on a viaduct around to the east side of the Ferny Grove flyover, but then connected to the mains.  If the mains still connect to Bowen Hills #3 & #4, then there will be no improvement here, or in general for trains from the north.  Perhaps the plan is to connect Bowen Hills #3 & #4 back to what is now the suburbans at Albion.

[BrizCommuter]

As far as I am concerned, all off-peak services on the Sunshine Coast line should maintain their current stopping pattern of Express between Caboolture and Bowen Hills with stops at Petrie and Northgate. And I'll go one step further and say that all Peak services should be the same but omit the Petrie and Northgate stops. Suddenly, a blinding flash of the obvious - it's logical and just so easy to remember!

Please read this.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2010/11/low-fat-sunshine-expresso.html
Yawn!

If Gold Coast services suddenly started to stop all stations to Coopers Plains for the sake of giving inner Beenleigh line residents a better frequency (as well as scheduling around the Merivale Bridge restrictions + Providing Park Road connections in Peak Hour), you'd probably be joining the chorus of those GC commuters outraged.  Only confirming your ongoing bias against Sunshine Coast residents.

Edit: Though seriously, though you do make some good posts outlining the track restrictions.  You really need to grow up in your "Sunshine Coast people must move closer to Brisbane" posts, if you do insist on your view, how about applying it to the Gold Coast as well instead of being biased against Sunshine Coast residents.  Not everyone can afford to live close to the city.  Not to mention it is some of the people's choice to live out there (or their only choice if they cant find a place apart from the the proposed Caloudra South and Scienic Rim area "super city" developments).

Once again, you cannot compare the two lines as they have different infrastructure. Gold Coast services can overtake Beenleigh trains between Kuraby and South Brisbane - I'm pretty sure that this is considerably further than between Petrie and Northgate! Secondly, the Caboolture Line is much busier than the Beenleigh Line, and thus requires more stopping services getting in the way on the shared track sections.

You also have obviously not fully read my blog, as you would see that I have suggested that Gold Coast services will eventually have to stop closer to the city, as otherwise half full Gold Coast trains are a waste of precious track capacity across the Merivale Bridge.

Edit: There is also plenty of affordable property in Brisbane, and near public transport too! However, I have only ever suggested that people should consider living closer to their place of work, not that it's a necessity.

Finally, if anyone can write a draft timetable that gives the Sunshine Coast an improved service, whilst improving the current overcrowding situation on the Caboolture Line, and without stuffing up anyone else's train service then post it here.

[bladesplace]

Please read this.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2010/11/low-fat-sunshine-expresso.html
Yawn!

Maybe he's aware of your opinion, but just doesn't agree.

Yep!

I'm upset because the current off-peak services we have are basically being downgraded. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled about the extra Gympie North service (and somewhat wistful about seeing the Cooroylander vanish), but I cannot understand why the current times and stopping patterns of the current Weekend direct services are going down the drain. I'm disappointed that we have to leave earlier to arrive later. Why fix what isn't broken? Is TransLink allergic to Logic still?

[somebody]

So looking at the idea of expressing all Caboolture Line trains between Northgate and Bowen Hills - 2009 loadings for sectors Eagle Junction - Albion, Shorncliffe - Bindha, Northgate - Toombul = 8,969.

I'd be optimistic that if 4tph can serve Albion & Woolowin from some other source, 4tph wouldn't be too bad for Shorncliffe on even frequencies.  EJ would also be served by Caboolture/Nambour line trains IMO.  Of course, fixing up the lousy service on the Shorncliffe line would generate more pax loads so it doesn't really allow for that.

Once again, you cannot compare the two lines as they have different infrastructure. Gold Coast services can overtake Beenleigh trains between Kuraby and South Brisbane - I'm pretty sure that this is considerably further than between Petrie and Northgate!

15.9km Northgate-Lawnton vs 19km South Bank-Kuraby.  Hardly a considerable difference.  And the major reason for going as far as Kuraby was to reduce the tendency of the Gold Coast trains to catch up to the Beenleigh trains.

Finally, if anyone can write a draft timetable that gives the Sunshine Coast an improved service, whilst improving the current overcrowding situation on the Caboolture Line, and without stuffing up anyone else's train service then post it here.

Ooh, Aah!  Didn't notice this at first.

I do see a lot of difficulties, I would have to admit.

[Fares_Fair]

But it can't as there is a lack of 3rd track for 2/3 of the route for overtaking, and more all stations services getting in the way than on the GC/Beenleigh Line. More infrastructure between Caboolture and Bowen Hills is required to allow for improved/faster Sunshine Coast services.

Does Brizcommuter not realise there is only a single track north of Beerburrum. THAT is a bottleneck !

It has been suggested to me that:

an immediate relief to the problems on the Sunshine Coast line may be to build a new bridge across the North Pine River to get the third track into Petrie station (with provision for a fourth track).
To extend the current double track from Beerburrum to Glasshouse and to double track from Beerwah to Mooloolah and from a point some 4km south of Eudlo to Palmwoods and from 1.5km south of Nambour to Yandina with a new stabling facility at Yandina.

These works would enable the construction of a second through platform at Nambour and the realignment of the track through the sections would reduce the transit times by some 12 minutes by enabling the crossing of trains in opposing directions and overtaking movements. The duplicated passing lane sections could achieve a 15 minute or less frequency which would more than double the present numbers of train paths.

Food for thought.

Regards,
Fares_ Fair.

[somebody]

Finally, if anyone can write a draft timetable that gives the Sunshine Coast an improved service, whilst improving the current overcrowding situation on the Caboolture Line, and without stuffing up anyone else's train service then post it here.

I think the 8tph Shorncliffe with 2.5 minute headways on the suburbans is the best option. EDIT: Assuming that using the Doomben line for 4tph doesn't work out. /EDIT  In the AM peak half Sandgate starters are an option.  This wouldn't work so well in the PM!  Best option there is to have half the trains run past Shorncliffe and a crew swap at Shorncliffe (a.k.a. stepping back) for the other half, so a fleeted service to get around the single track.

Other problem in the PM is that I do not think that Roma St #7 can start 16tph or so from Mayne.  One way to reduce this is to have the inbound trains from the Ipswich line run to the suburbans, in the PM peak as per the current Airport-Redbank-Shorncliffe service.  Although this problem could be solved in other ways.  And empty trains returning from various locations will make it a problem which doesn't last the length of the peak.

What we all need to realise is that TransLink doesn't care about us inter-urban Rail commuters. All TransLink actually cares about is: stealing our money by looting & pillaging us; getting paid while they crap all over us; as unobtrusively as they possibly can!

I fixed it for you!

an immediate relief to the problems on the Sunshine Coast line may be to build a new bridge across the North Pine River to get the third track into Petrie station (with provision for a fourth track).

I don't see why this is needed, except that timings of the Caboolture/Nambour expresses have to fit in between the Petrie trains now and this could result in lost time.  It is not needed for capacity reasons.  And it would be relatively expensive.  There are still conflicts around both Petrie and Northgate which can be sorted, if they want to.

To extend the current double track from Beerburrum to Glasshouse and to double track from Beerwah to Mooloolah and from a point some 4km south of Eudlo to Palmwoods and from 1.5km south of Nambour to Yandina with a new stabling facility at Yandina.

These works would enable the construction of a second through platform at Nambour and the realignment of the track through the sections would reduce the transit times by some 12 minutes by enabling the crossing of trains in opposing directions and overtaking movements. The duplicated passing lane sections could achieve a 15 minute or less frequency which would more than double the present numbers of train paths.[/i]

I don't know why you'd leave a gap in the double track though.  The savings would be small and reduce reliability.

[#Metro]

What we all need to realise is that TransLink doesn't care about us inter-urban Rail commuters. All TransLink actually cares about is: stealing our money by looting & pillaging us; while they crap all over us; as unobtrusively as they possibly can!

I wouldn't blame TL. I know this puts me in the minority I suppose, but I have no desire to, metaphorically, lynch them.

Feedback
TransLinks's feedback and call centre is outsourced to Serco, who use a feedback software system and scripts/answer bank of some kind to answer questions. I'm guessing they do this to keep all the answers consistent, no matter who is running the telephones on the day. This might be why people feel frustrated at the vague answers they sometimes receive.

Infrastructure
TransLink manages the busways, but TL does not manage the rail system, which is what QR does. It is hard to tell who is doing what with the busway construction planning, whether it is TL or DTMR behind the TL logo, but with rail IMHO it would be DTMR.

The Sunshine Coast timetable can only be as good as the underlying infrastructure allows it to be. Obviously there are shortcomings on that front- it would be nice to have extra track to run express services, for example. But this is nothing to do with TL. More to do with DTMR and QLD Gov IMHO.

The public consultation and release of draft timetables is a good thing, previously the timetable got changed, there was an announcement and new timetables were handed out, and you were just lumped with whatever you got given. I think this happened to Ferny Grove a few years back and it was a PR disaster.

At least something has been learned it seems, could you imagine the PR catastrophe if the draft timetable had just gone straight to implementation without any public consultation! At least now mistakes can be picked up early and something done about them.

Bottom line: I don't think it's TL's "fault".

[somebody]

Feedback
TransLinks's feedback and call centre is outsourced to Serco, 

To rephrase: Translink are intentionally keeping feedback at an arms length.  Is it in the public domain that the feedback is outsourced??

Infrastructure
TransLink manages the busways, but TL does not manage the rail system, which is what QR does. It is hard to tell who is doing what with the busway construction planning, whether it is TL or DTMR behind the TL logo, but with rail IMHO it would be DTMR.

QR are an agent of Translink.  They have veto power over changes AIUI.

Bottom line: I don't think it's TL's "fault".

Very generous.

[#Metro]

It is in the public domain. http://www.serco-ap.com.au/transport/translink_transport_information_services.html

While TL may have veto power over the rail timetable, IMHO TL would simply send the timetable back to QR and ask for changes.
Even if a timetable were vetoed, a timetable for the Sunshine Coast would still be subject to infrastructure constraints.

Can anybody construct a timetable for the Sunshine Coast that:
1. Retains express running
2. Increases service levels on the rest of the network?

PT in the pre-TL days was just unthinkable! I, for one, do not want to return to the bad old days pre-TL.
I agree that money is tight, service frequencies on rail are low and there is fat that could be squeezed from
the system (i.e. route 88!), but none of that would be made better or be fixed by calling for the abolition of TL.

[Fares_Fair]

For the record, Queensland Rail operate under contract to TRANSLink.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[somebody]

It is in the public domain. http://www.serco-ap.com.au/transport/translink_transport_information_services.html

I've posted before that they seem to have an attitude that they are an information service.  This seems to confirm it.

Can anybody construct a timetable for the Sunshine Coast that:
1. Retains express running
2. Increases service levels on the rest of the network?

Yes, but it would be tight through the suburbans on the best strategy.  And also require crew swaps at Shorncliffe which QR doesn't like.

PT in the pre-TL days was just unthinkable! I, for one, do not want to return to the bad old days pre-TL.

I don't think too many people do.  But service improvement has all but stopped since TTA was formed.  There seems to be plenty of money being spent on giving train stations coats of paint also.

[mufreight]

.

an immediate relief to the problems on the Sunshine Coast line may be to build a new bridge across the North Pine River to get the third track into Petrie station (with provision for a fourth track).

I don't see why this is needed, except that timings of the Caboolture/Nambour expresses have to fit in between the Petrie trains now and this could result in lost time.  It is not needed for capacity reasons.  And it would be relatively expensive.  There are still conflicts around both Petrie and Northgate which can be sorted, if they want to.

To extend the current double track from Beerburrum to Glasshouse and to double track from Beerwah to Mooloolah and from a point some 4km south of Eudlo to Palmwoods and from 1.5km south of Nambour to Yandina with a new stabling facility at Yandina.

These works would enable the construction of a second through platform at Nambour and the realignment of the track through the sections would reduce the transit times by some 12 minutes by enabling the crossing of trains in opposing directions and overtaking movements. The duplicated passing lane sections could achieve a 15 minute or less frequency which would more than double the present numbers of train paths.[/i]

I don't know why you'd leave a gap in the double track though.  The savings would be small and reduce reliability.

Taking things in order, an additional two tracks will be needed into Petrie with the construction of the KippaRing line, the third track needs to be extended accross the North Pine River into Petrie now for capacity reasons so building the bridge for the additional two tracks is showing a little foresight that will save millions.
The third track into Petrie would reduce conflicts between turnback Petrie services and other NCL services be they Caboolture, Landsbrough, Nambour Gympie services or Travel train services such as the Tilts or the Landers or Freight services.
As for leaving the gap in the double track sections with the double track sections proposed providing passing/overtaking lanes it raises the capacity of the line that much quicker with less immediate expenditure, the missing links get filled in over time and by reducing the length of the single track sections to no more than 12 minutes it makes a 15 minute opposing movement possible

[somebody]

Taking things in order, an additional two tracks will be needed into Petrie with the construction of the KippaRing line,

Only if Caboolture + Nambour + Kippa Ring exceeds 20tph, as far as I can see.  I do not see this occurring on opening.  And if it does, I would suggest that the bridge is the least of the worries.

the third track needs to be extended accross the North Pine River into Petrie now for capacity reasons

I don't follow.  Only 2 tracks through Northgate & Bowen Hills are used by these services, why does it suddenly need more tracks to get across the river?

The third track into Petrie would reduce conflicts between turnback Petrie services and other NCL services be they Caboolture, Landsbrough, Nambour Gympie services or Travel train services such as the Tilts or the Landers or Freight services.

Maybe it would, but it is not required to do so.  All that is needed is for terminating services to be able to access the middle platform without crossing the counter direction track.  This is not presently possible.

As for leaving the gap in the double track sections with the double track sections proposed providing passing/overtaking lanes it raises the capacity of the line that much quicker with less immediate expenditure, the missing links get filled in over time and by reducing the length of the single track sections to no more than 12 minutes it makes a 15 minute opposing movement possible

Maybe, but it is always something that RailBoT gets upset about when such cost cutting occurs, so I don't see why we'd advocate it.

[BrizCommuter]

But it can't as there is a lack of 3rd track for 2/3 of the route for overtaking, and more all stations services getting in the way than on the GC/Beenleigh Line. More infrastructure between Caboolture and Bowen Hills is required to allow for improved/faster Sunshine Coast services.

Does Brizcommuter not realise there is only a single track north of Beerburrum. THAT is a bottleneck !

BrizCommuter does realise that, but the single track north of Beerburrum doesn't make the slightest bit of difference to the slowing down of your express service. BrizCommuter also thinks at an extra Landsborough service (extended from Caboolture) could be fitted in the peaks with existing infrastructure if there were sufficient trains, crew, and suitable return paths/stabling arrangements.

Finally, if anyone can write a draft timetable that gives the Sunshine Coast an improved service, whilst improving the current overcrowding situation on the Caboolture Line, and without stuffing up anyone else's train service then post it here.

I think the 8tph Shorncliffe with 2.5 minute headways on the suburbans is the best option.

I think 8tph Shorncliffe with 2.5 minute headways on the suburbans is an almost impossible option in the short term future (not without upgrading the signalling system which is not going to happen anytime soon). QR can barely cope with 3 minute headways on the suburbans.

[somebody]

I think 8tph Shorncliffe with 2.5 minute headways on the suburbans is an almost impossible option in the short term future

Then what do we have the bifurcation at Central & Roma St for then?

It would be possible to have 4tph from the mains to Shorncliffe + 4tph from the suburbans to Shorncliffe, crossing to the suburbans after the FG flyover but that would be a little annoying for pax and also have a conflicting move.  There is 1 Shorncliffe train in the PM peak from the suburbans at present, and 1 Petrie, all to Nambour train from the suburbans, so mixing them mightn't be the end of the world.

[BrizCommuter]

I think 8tph Shorncliffe with 2.5 minute headways on the suburbans is an almost impossible option in the short term future

Then what do we have the bifurcation at Central & Roma St for then?

Possibly the powers that be forgot about Bowen Hills?

90 secs platform reoccupation time + 60 secs crew changover + 30 secs operating margin = 3 mins.