Central Station

[ozbob]

Twitter

Brisbane City ‏@brisbanecityqld

The Central station rail pedestrian tunnel will reopen on Tuesday with minor works to continue out of hours. http://bne.cc/1JpJQnl

[SurfRail]

Definitely need to do something about platforms 1-4.  I expect you would just shut half of each island down at once and work on 2 platforms, then reopen them and work on the other side.  Raising to high level should improve the dwells and therefore the station throughput as people will be able to get on and off more quickly - you can see the difference on platforms 5 and 6.

[nathandavid88]

I just came across this QR press release from January about some historic discoveries made during the upgrade to Central Station's Subway, which is one of the oldest parts of the Station. I thought it might be of interest to anyone else who may have also missed it first time around.

Historic findings amaze project team at Central station

13/01/2015

Some interesting insights into Brisbane Central station's past have been uncovered as part of works to upgrade the station's underground subway.

Masonry believed to be from an original entranceway, an early station sign and wall linings, colour schemes and tiles believed to date back to 1901 are just some of the unexpected items found by the project team.

Queensland Rail Senior Manager Heritage Greg Fill said the subway was the oldest part of Central station – built in 1889 - and the historic items were an extraordinary discovery.

"Rail has a rich history in Brisbane and throughout the whole of Queensland," Mr Fill said.

"The first Central station opened on 18 August 1889 and was originally a simple timber and galvanised iron building with just two passenger platforms.

"Tenders to build the current Central station were called in 1899 for just 42,163 pounds and after many changes the station we know today was officially opened almost a century later in 1984.

"In 1930 the station subway, now used by thousands of customers daily, was extended under Ann Street to Anzac Square.

"Our project team were amazed to have uncovered pieces of this original work – some of which was built more than a century ago – as they removed the 1980s subway lining."

Mr Fill said the findings were timely as Queensland Rail prepared to kick off celebrations this Thursday (15 January) to commemorate 150 years of rail in Queensland with a special steam train service between Brisbane and Far North Queensland.

"The Queensland Rail network has come a long way in 150 years.

"This year we have already said goodbye to the Sunlander after 60 years of service following the completion of the state-of-the-art Spirit of Queensland fleet late last year.

"As we enter a new era of rail travel, this special steam train service will be a unique opportunity for people to step back in time and experience the roots on which Queensland's rail industry was built."

The historic findings at Central station will be preserved in glass cabinets to later become part of the new and improved station subway.

Other improvements to the subway will include a new ceiling, wall linings, lighting and signage which are expected to be completed in March this year.

[SurfRail]

Does anybody know whether PIDS will be placed at the platform entrances?  The fittings are all still exposed as are all the advertising panels.

My preference is that ultimately the subway should be open full time (or at least earlier and later in the day) and with the platform staff actually manning the gates.  One go-card dispensing ticket machine downstairs adjacent each entrance.

[aldonius]

Does anyone else think that there should eventually be a second, smaller concourse, at the Creek St end? I reckon there'd be *just* enough space to put sets of stairs, landing roughly at the edge of the open-air section.

Of course, that would unbalance the FG-line carriage loads even more...

[SurfRail]

There doesn't seem to be much movement on putting a new building on top of the "void" there.  Maybe if a development happens, which would create the necessary real estate.

Developing on top of railways has gone out of vogue though, particularly when you get most of the benefits by putting a project right next door but not actually over the lines.

[hU0N]

It's a while since I've been there in peak, so if the existing concourse and subway are congested in peak, then by all means. Otherwise, I'd put it in the nice to have category instead of the have to have. I think psychologically that extra entrances are more important than extra concourses. That is because I think that (within reason) your impression of how far away a station is depends mostly on how far the closest entrance is. That said, Central already has 7 entrances, so maybe that's reached the point of diminishing returns.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Jeff Addison ‏@Jeffrey_Addison 3 minutes ago

Renovated subway at Central station looking bright...
Stairs not so much in comparison

Renovated subway at Central station looking bright...
Stairs not so much in comparison pic.twitter.com/f4YB9nL80v

— Jeff Addison (@Jeffrey_Addison) April 15, 2015

[ozbob]

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AboutUs/Projects/Pages/Centralstationworks.aspx

Central station works 1 to 20 June 2015

From Monday 1 June to Saturday 20 June 2015, Central station will undergo floor maintenance work . The following entrances will be affected:

    Edward Street end at various locations from Monday 1 to Saturday 20 June
    Creek Street entrance will be closed from 6.30pm Friday 5 to 5.00am Tuesday 9 June

We appreciate your patience while works are underway.

[SurfRail]

The subway walls under the station itself are being kitted out with some nice colourful wayfinding signage - not really in a position to take piccies but somebody may want to toddle down if they have some time.

[Fares_Fair]

Friday 1st May, 2015
We had a spot of rain this day...

[Fares_Fair]

Friday 1st May, 2015
We had a spot of rain this day too...

[ozbob]

Subway ..



Photograph R Dow 3rd June 2015

[ozbob]

Central station subway artwork



Photograph J Addison 4th June 2015

[Fares_Fair]

Picture above by Jeffrey Addison is taken at northern end of subway past entry to Platforms 5 and 6

[SurfRail]

They have added the line names by the platform number at each staircase based on the most common usage (ie P1 = Beenleigh and Gold Coast, P2 = Cleveland).

[Stillwater]

So the wayfinding has a colour allocated to each platform?  Passengers follow the green strip to get the Platform 6 and the blue strip to Platform 5 etc?  Purple to Platform 4 .....

[SurfRail]

Yep.

[ozbob]

Central station subway













Photographs J Addison 5th June 2015

[ozbob]

Twitter

Jeff Addison ‏@Jeffrey_Addison  3m

New artwork in #Brisbane #Central Station subway (between [south] Anzac Sq and [north] Wickham Tce exits) 1/2

[ozbob]

Twitter

Jeff Addison ‏@Jeffrey_Addison  11m

New artwork in #Brisbane #Central Station subway (between [south] Anzac Sq and [north] Wickham Tce exits) 2/2

[Stillwater]

Appropriate, functional, practical, empathetic.   

[kram0]

I have heard that plans are well advanced for a major upgrade of central station platforms 1-4, with works including raising platforms and a general modernisation. Long overdue and welcomed.

[ozbob]

I have heard that plans are well advanced for a major upgrade of central station platforms 1-4, with works including raising platforms and a general modernisation. Long overdue and welcomed.

Excellent!  Thanks for the heads up ..

[red dragin]

I have heard that plans are well advanced for a major upgrade of central station platforms 1-4, with works including raising platforms and a general modernisation. Long overdue and welcomed.

I saw the tender for planning advertised about 6 months ago, don't know why I didn't share it. I remember one aspect of it was that the platforms needed to remain in service (of course) during the works.

[ozbob]

Central station to get a $67 million reno. Premier says there will be inconvenience to commuters @7NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/NB56KXYZgp

— Sarah Best (@sarahbestqld) September 5, 2016

[ozbob]

$67m to be spent upgrading Central Station to make it look "modern & futuristic." @tennewsqld pic.twitter.com/jKPVCvduWn

— Jonathan Lea (@JonathanLea10) September 5, 2016

[verbatim9]

Have the artists impressions been released yet?

[ozbob]

Just have to wait.  I am sure details will be forthcoming in due course.  They have just had the press conference.

[SteelPan]

I suppose it's something....but let's be honest....for something like Central Station, in almost now you could say 2017....what's A$67m going to get you?  A lick of Dulux? 

[ozbob]

>> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/centralupgrade

[verbatim9]

I can see the Harlequin Jack Bar, and Whistle Stop bar going and replaced with a Woolies Metro or Coles Central with a Modern Galley Sports Bar serving Coffee Snacks and Craft beer integrated into the Woolies and Coles. That's how it's done OS. No doubt new floor and wall tiling, updated Real time passenger info displays, lighting and security upgrade as well as lifts upgrades. etc.....I also heard that the Platform Bar will have a section of glass wall for punters to view the trains in an out of the station.

[ozbob]

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/centralupgrade

A three year program of works to revitalise and modernise Brisbane's Central station is scheduled to begin in September 2016.

Up to 140,000 customers travel to and from Central station each weekday, making it the busiest station in Queensland Rail's South East Queensland network.

A program of works designed to greatly improve the customer experience and cater for future growth will include:

    a new roof, which will extend over the Edward Street end of the concourse, injecting light and improved ventilation, and give the station a modern, airy feel
    complete modernisation of the platforms, including ceiling, wall and floor treatments and lighting, level entry boarding, extended cover on Platforms 2/3 and 3/4, new passenger information displays and seating
    new lifts and modernisation of the stairs and escalators leading to platforms
    an additional escalator from the concourse to ANZAC Square, to reduce congestion during peak periods
    a refurbishment of the back of house facilities, including offices, communications rooms and first aid areas.

Program delivery

The station will remain open and operational throughout the project. Work will be staged and occur mainly over weekends and at night in order to reduce customer impact. Peak hour timetables and services will not be affected.

The first works, starting in September 2016, will be the redesign and refurbishment of the back of house facilities, followed by platform works, starting in early 2017.

Queensland Rail will work closely with its valued tenants and stakeholders in the Central station precinct, to ensure project impact is managed effectively.

The upgrade to Central station is one of several major projects planned to provide for growth and create the railway service we need for the future. These include 75 new trains being delivered as part of the New Generation Rollingstock project and the $634 million investment in new signalling technology that will allow trains to run closer together and increase capacity through the CBD.

For further information about this project, please call 1800 401 944 or email centralstation@qr.com.au

Resources

    Virtual reality render - Fortitude Valley end (credit - pdt.architects)
    Virtual reality render - Roma Street end (credit - pdt.architects)
    Virtual reality render - Ticketing area and concourse (credit - pdt.architects)
    Artist impression - image 1
    Artist impression - image 2
    Artist impression - image 3

[BrizCommuter]

Queensland "modern and futuristic" look = 1990s design then?

[ozbob]

I am just glad the platforms are being raised.  I hope something can be done with the track as well. 

Dwells should improve.

I much prefer hyper-functional over glitzy looks ...

[verbatim9]

I am just glad the platforms are being raised.  I hope something can be done with the track as well. 

Dwells should improve.

I much prefer hyper-functional over glitzy looks ...

That should make boarding and disembarking faster for many in combination with faster lifts.

[verbatim9]

Queensland "modern and futuristic" look = 1990s design then?

Do you think it's 1990s design from the Artists impressions?

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Station set for $67m makeover

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'Futuristic' $67m facelift for Brisbane Central Station

[ozbob]

Brisbane's central train station will undergo a $67 million facelift. https://t.co/G0k4IDnqXU #7News pic.twitter.com/LVVxOhFcP5

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) September 5, 2016