1 Feb 2011: SEQ: Call to replace temporary rail platforms on the Sunshine Coast

[ozbob]

Media release -  1 February 2011

SEQ: Call to replace temporary rail platforms on the Sunshine Coast line with permanent structures

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org), a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters, has called for the Queensland Government to reveal its timetable for replacing temporary platforms at seven railway stations on the Sunshine Coast and North Coast lines.

Robert Dow, spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Queensland Government improved safety margins markedly and lifted passenger train operational performance from the end of 2009 when it completed platform extensions at seven railway stations on the Sunshine Coast and North Coast lines at a cost of $3 million.  Temporary scaffold and plywood structures were built at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye, and north of Nambour at Eumundi, Pomona and Cooran.

"The short platform Traveston station, south of Gympie, was not extended and RAIL Back On Track seeks an assurance as to its long-term future.

"The work meant an end to the requirement that passengers getting on or off trains at the seven stops had to do so from the first or first three carriages, depending on the length of the permanent platform.  Some access restrictions still apply at Eudlo.

"At the time, the intention was that the temporary platforms could be erected and dismantled within a short time frame, with Queensland Rail (QR) indicating they would be replaced with permanent platforms after 12 or 18 months.  Consequently, it is time for QR to reveal its platform replacement plans for these seven stations, and to decide the future of the Traveston station.

"While the temporary platforms are in good order and do not need to be replaced due to age or wear, RAIL Back On Track does not want a situation to develop whereby they remain in place for several years and, due to a lack of planning, must be replaced with another set of temporary platforms because no work has been done on the long-term needs of the Sunshine Coast and North Coast lines (1).

"Replacing temporary platforms with permanent platforms on the existing alignment would appear to be poor economics because a new track alignment has been chosen between Beerburrum and Nambour.

"We accept, but are disappointed, that the State Government has postponed duplication of the Sunshine Coast Line north to Landsborough, even though that project would better serve a growing number of commuters, speed up train travelling times and allow greater flexibility in scheduling passenger and freight trains. This remains the most congested section of single track railway line in Australia and was judged the worst performing of all passenger lines in South East Queensland according to a recent RAIL Back On Track members' poll (2).

"Rather than be placed in a situation where a lack of action and planning will lead, inevitably, to temporary platforms having to be replaced with still more temporary structures, RAIL Back On Track believes it is prudent for QR to examine the four temporary sites south of Nambour as locations for short, dual track deviations on the proposed new railway alignment.

"This would remove the need to rebuild the temporary platforms and would provide a starting point for a staged duplication of the line to Nambour.  Together with planned improvements at Nambour Station, short lengths of duplicated track built to the new alignment would allow for more flexible scheduling of trains on the Sunshine Coast Line while reducing the number of 'rail buses', which account for approximately half the scheduled passenger services between Caboolture and Nambour.

"The towns of Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods, Woombye, and even Nambour, will be able to develop with certainty around the new alignment and relocated station hubs.

"Taxpayer funds are better spent on something that addresses the permanent rail solution for the Sunshine Coast, without throwing more money at temporary solutions."

References:

1. http://www.arup.com.au/clrs/genfiles/needs_assessment_report.pdf

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5087.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast discussion forum area --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=38.0

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Longer rail platforms please

Longer rail platforms please

9th February 2011


THE State Government has been urged to provide permanent extensions to railway platforms at seven Sunshine Coast stations to cope with increased passenger numbers.

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org), a web based community support group for rail and public transport, called for the Queensland Government to reveal its timetable for replacing the temporary platforms.

"The Queensland Government improved safety margins markedly and lifted passenger train operational performance from the end of 2009 when it completed platform extensions at seven railway stations on the Sunshine Coast and North Coast lines at a cost of $3 million,'' spokesman Robert Dow said.

"Temporary scaffold and plywood structures were built at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye, and north of Nambour at Eumundi, Pomona and Cooran.

"The short platform Traveston station, south of Gympie, was not extended and RAIL Back On Track seeks an assurance as to its long-term future.

"The work meant an end to the requirement that passengers getting on or off trains at the seven stops had to do so from the first or first three carriages, depending on the length of the permanent platform.

"Some access restrictions still apply at Eudlo.

"At the time, the intention was that the temporary platforms could be erected and dismantled within a short time frame, with Queensland Rail (QR) indicating they would be replaced with permanent platforms after 12 or 18 months.

"Consequently, it is time for QR to reveal its platform replacement plans for these seven stations, and to decide the future of the Traveston station.

"While the temporary platforms are in good order and do not need to be replaced due to age or wear, RAIL Back On Track does not want a situation to develop whereby they remain in place for several years and, due to a lack of planning, must be replaced with another set of temporary platforms because no work has been done on the long-term needs of the Sunshine Coast and North Coast lines (1).

"Replacing temporary platforms with permanent platforms on the existing alignment would appear to be poor economics because a new track alignment has been chosen between Beerburrum and Nambour.

"We accept, but are disappointed, that the State Government has postponed duplication of the Sunshine Coast Line north to Landsborough, even though that project would better serve a growing number of commuters, speed up train travelling times and allow greater flexibility in scheduling passenger and freight trains.

" This remains the most congested section of single track railway line in Australia and was judged the worst performing of all passenger lines in South East Queensland according to a recent RAIL Back On Track members' poll (2).

"Rather than be placed in a situation where a lack of action and planning will lead, inevitably, to temporary platforms having to be replaced with still more temporary structures, RAIL Back On Track believes it is prudent for QR to examine the four temporary sites south of Nambour as locations for short, dual track deviations on the proposed new railway alignment.

"This would remove the need to rebuild the temporary platforms and would provide a starting point for a staged duplication of the line to Nambour.

" Together with planned improvements at Nambour Station, short lengths of duplicated track built to the new alignment would allow for more flexible scheduling of trains on the Sunshine Coast Line while reducing the number of 'rail buses', which account for approximately half the scheduled passenger services between Caboolture and Nambour.

"The towns of Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods, Woombye, and even Nambour, will be able to develop with certainty around the new alignment and relocated station hubs.

"Taxpayer funds are better spent on something that addresses the permanent rail solution for the Sunshine Coast, without throwing more money at temporary solutions."

References:

1. http://www.arup.com.au/clrs/genfiles/needs_assessment_report.pdf

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5087.0

[Stillwater]

Those 'temporary' station platforms on the SCL are looking more permanent by the day!  If duplication to Nambour proceeds, that's four of the seven platforms replaced, leaving three north of Nambour.  If duplication occurs only as far as Landsborough, none are replaced.  They cost $3 million to install and around $300,000 per annum to maintain (including the hire of scaffolding).  The Palmwoods plywood platform has been replaced due to water inundation and the Pomona temporary platform had to be reconstructed after a major flood.  Originally the temporary platforms were intended to be in place for 18 months or so.  Oh to be a supplier of scaffolding to QR!

[ozbob]

Hello?  Anyone home ...

=====================

Media release -  1 February 2011 re-released 12 October 2014



SEQ: Call to replace temporary rail platforms on the Sunshine Coast line with permanent structures

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org), a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters, has called for the Queensland Government to reveal its timetable for replacing temporary platforms at seven railway stations on the Sunshine Coast and North Coast lines.

Robert Dow, spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Queensland Government improved safety margins markedly and lifted passenger train operational performance from the end of 2009 when it completed platform extensions at seven railway stations on the Sunshine Coast and North Coast lines at a cost of $3 million.  Temporary scaffold and plywood structures were built at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye, and north of Nambour at Eumundi, Pomona and Cooran.

"The short platform Traveston station, south of Gympie, was not extended and RAIL Back On Track seeks an assurance as to its long-term future.

"The work meant an end to the requirement that passengers getting on or off trains at the seven stops had to do so from the first or first three carriages, depending on the length of the permanent platform.  Some access restrictions still apply at Eudlo.

"At the time, the intention was that the temporary platforms could be erected and dismantled within a short time frame, with Queensland Rail (QR) indicating they would be replaced with permanent platforms after 12 or 18 months.  Consequently, it is time for QR to reveal its platform replacement plans for these seven stations, and to decide the future of the Traveston station.

"While the temporary platforms are in good order and do not need to be replaced due to age or wear, RAIL Back On Track does not want a situation to develop whereby they remain in place for several years and, due to a lack of planning, must be replaced with another set of temporary platforms because no work has been done on the long-term needs of the Sunshine Coast and North Coast lines (1).

"Replacing temporary platforms with permanent platforms on the existing alignment would appear to be poor economics because a new track alignment has been chosen between Beerburrum and Nambour.

"We accept, but are disappointed, that the State Government has postponed duplication of the Sunshine Coast Line north to Landsborough, even though that project would better serve a growing number of commuters, speed up train travelling times and allow greater flexibility in scheduling passenger and freight trains. This remains the most congested section of single track railway line in Australia and was judged the worst performing of all passenger lines in South East Queensland according to a recent RAIL Back On Track members' poll (2).

"Rather than be placed in a situation where a lack of action and planning will lead, inevitably, to temporary platforms having to be replaced with still more temporary structures, RAIL Back On Track believes it is prudent for QR to examine the four temporary sites south of Nambour as locations for short, dual track deviations on the proposed new railway alignment.

"This would remove the need to rebuild the temporary platforms and would provide a starting point for a staged duplication of the line to Nambour.  Together with planned improvements at Nambour Station, short lengths of duplicated track built to the new alignment would allow for more flexible scheduling of trains on the Sunshine Coast Line while reducing the number of 'rail buses', which account for approximately half the scheduled passenger services between Caboolture and Nambour.

"The towns of Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods, Woombye, and even Nambour, will be able to develop with certainty around the new alignment and relocated station hubs.

"Taxpayer funds are better spent on something that addresses the permanent rail solution for the Sunshine Coast, without throwing more money at temporary solutions."

References:

1. http://www.arup.com.au/clrs/genfiles/needs_assessment_report.pdf

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5087.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org