Darra to Springfield Stage 1 construction Darra to Richlands

[somebody]

Oh yeah.

[ozbob]

This Nearmap photograph of the 12th September has a empty ballast train returning from the Richlands branch on the down sub between Darra and Oxley, heading back to Corinda.

Click here!

[ozbob]

Speed boards for the UP sub loop - 50 km/h, UP branch line - 90 km/h, DOWN branch - 50 km/h.  Makes sense as there would be lower speed limit coming down the slope on the branch into Darra.



Photograph R Dow 24th October 2010

[somebody]

Aren't the 50km/h due to using the diverging legs of the points?  Which is which?  Looks like heading from Darra #1 towards Richlands gets the 90km/h straight through path, but from Richlands to Darra #2 takes the diverging leg, which is a tad odd, but only 10km/h is the difference anyway.  One limitation that I see is that the crossovers aren't placed adjacent to the stations.  Oh well.  I don't understand the need for the down sub track extending past the branch turnoff.  Perhaps it is to make it easier in the future to build the Redbank triple.

[ozbob]

Yes the UP branch line is 90 km (the line to far left is the UP sub loop 50 km at that point).  Coming through the points is 50 km, which is the down branch.  The down sub line is 60 km at that point according to the board.  The two other lines further to the right are the main up and main down respectively.  

I wouldn't be surprised to see some rail traffic (other than the ballast/rail trains, track vehicles etc.) next week between Corinda to Darra West on the new lines (subs), signals seem ready to go.  Has been track crews out all weekend between Corinda and Darra doing tidying up tasks by the look of it as well.

[colinw]

http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=72450

Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Friday, November 05, 2010

New Centenary Motorway commissioned today

Motorists in the western suburbs are now enjoying the benefits of the recently completed Centenary Motorway duplication, which was officially commissioned today by Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk, representing the Main Roads Minister.

The duplication from Richlands to Carole Park was the focus of an inspection today by Ms Palaszczuk.

Ms Palaszczuk said the duplication is part of Stage 1 of the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project.

"This newly duplicated section will provide significant benefits to motorists by slashing travel times and easing congestion for busy motorists," she said.

"The upgrade will allow motorists to travel up to 100km/h and help meet the growing transport needs in our local area.

"I want to thank motorists for their patience during construction."

Ms Palaszczuk said Stage 1 of the Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project includes the building of a passenger railway line from Darra to a new station at Richlands and shared paths and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

"The rail component of Stage 1 - a new passenger railway line from Darra to Richlands – is on track to open next year," she said.

The Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor is part of the Queensland Government's $124 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2009-2026.

Minister's office 3237 1944

[Jonno]

Do they not see the irony of the Minister for Disability Services opening a motorway which providers those who can not drive with the most expense travel options.  Clang!!!

[ozbob]

Track closure Corinda to Rosewood this weekend.

Richlands branch line is being wired into the network by the looks of things this weekend.

Route tuition next week on the branch?   





Photographs R Dow 6th November 2010

[ozbob]

Still doing wiring tasks on the Richlands branch at Darra



Richlands looks nearly complete.  Bicycle cage and bicycle lockers too.  There is another bike rack down from the lockers, but not in image.































Photographs R Dow 7th November 2010

[ClintonL94]

Great photographs Bob

[Golliwog]

Good bike rack locations too. That was something I disliked about the concept design for the redone FG station. It had plenty on bike racks, but they were put so far away from access to the platforms. Unless the train was going from platform 3, the cyclist would have to lock up the bike, then walk the entire length of the platform, around the end of the train and then back onto the rear carriage, or further if they wanted to talk (Quiet carriage).

[#Metro]

Great work. If I didn't know it was Richlands, I would have thought it was somewhere in Perth.

[WTN]

Looks like there's a few shops already near the station. Miniature beginnings of a TOD?

[ozbob]

Progress Corner Shopping Centre has always been there.  Clearly in line for a major upgrade in value.  The food shops there have done a roaring trade with the construction work force opposite.  There are some new townhouses at Richlands (Archerfield Road, and  a new Woolworths is going in there too), and I expect that there will be more soon too.  

[QGT]

Great photos Ozbob I went past Richlands Station last night looks really good at night 

[ozbob]

I don't think there will be anything happening on the branch today.

Overhead wiring vehicles still on the branch, red boards both lines and earth wires noted.

Plenty of freight on the up sub and loop ...



Photograph R Dow 8th November 2010

[ozbob]

Darra West, a shiny SMU249 on route tuition on the up sub loop, underneath the branch













Photograph R Dow 8th November 2010

[QRIG]

Driving past Richlands this morning and noticed the speedboards up on the branch as well. Looks like 100km/h from just after the junction up until Garden Road where it drops to 90km/h under the Southbound Garden Road off ramp.

Looking very forward to seeing an MU in the platform over the next few weeks (albeit for route tuition).

[WTN]

Thanks Ozbob for sharing these interesting photos. Richlands opening day could be very soon. I can't wait.

It's good to see Richlands Station built near shops, houses and further development. Yay for walk up patronage and trip generators! And feeder buses too.

[ozbob]

Work on the branch just up from the Warrender Street bridge. 







Photographs R Dow 11th November 2010

[ozbob]

Darra West

RM 1901 on route tuition duties passes on the up sub loop line Darra West and underneath the Warrender Street Richlands branch rail bridge.









Photographs R Dow 16th November 2010

[ozbob]

Signals are lite on the branch line.

Half way between Richlands and Darra











Richlands - nearly ready to go ..











Photographs R Dow 28th November 2010

[ozbob]

Signal testing underway!   Possiblity of route tuition next week on the branch.

Also while waiting a quadruple header pipe train heading out west .. onto the up sub loop and a bit more variety ..


















Two DEL (1742D, 2471D) on the branch conducting signal testing from Darra to Richlands

Locomotives move onto the branch line at Darra, and some photographs at Richlands

Points set for the UP Richlands branch line










At Richlands

























Photographs R Dow 1st December 2010

[QGT]

Great photos Ozbob is the new bikeway to Richlands open to the public yet? as it looks great for photos

[ozbob]

  The bikeway is not open as yet.  I have a good telescopic lens.  But when it does open will be an excellent place for a stroll and good view of trains, although there won't be much on the branch apart from the suburban units.

[ozbob]

RM1901 Official Inspection Richlands 2nd December 2010

( First 'passengers' to Richlands ..  )

Boundary Road enroute to Richlands














At Richlands












Through Darra on return















Photographs R Dow 2nd December 2010

[ozbob]

I was at Central around 11:40 today and all services were running on the mains (platforms 5 & 6 at Central).  Don't know why.

Anyway, while I was there, a RM pulled up to let some workers off:



Question for those in the know... do RM's have gears?  As it pulled away, it sounded like bus or something - with gears!

RM 1901 coming back from Richlands!  Scoop there Derwan!!

[mufreight]

From memory when built 1901 and its companion 1900 like the 2000 class railmotors which had a similar drive train/ tranmission were equiped with an SCG gearbox or a converter drive which would have started off in torque converter mode then changing to a direct drive at about 18 - 20 kph

[QGT]

Is 1901 planning to make any more visits to the Richlands line?  

[mufreight]

Rumored that it will do another run out there next week, date and times unknown      

[ozbob]

A few more photographs of RM 1901 Richlands 2nd December 2010















Photographs mufreight 2nd December 2010

[ozbob]

Earth wires removed at Darra for the branch, looks like it has been energised.

Construction edging removed from the Warrender Street rail bridge.








SMU203 route tuition comes around on the up sub loop into Darra



Photographs R Dow 6rh December 2010

[ozbob]

Darra West, the new livery for QRN on show as 2364D heads an up coalie ..




























Photographs R Dow 7th December 2010

[bretto82]

great pics of the new paint job on the qrn collie today and just to let every one know tomorrow morning should see the first sub train into richlands should have been today but ops where a bit slow the on another note the loop road at darra west is called the up sub the freight loop is only at corinda

[QGT]

great pics of the new paint job on the qrn collie today and just to let every one know tomorrow morning should see the first sub train into richlands should have been today but ops where a bit slow the on another note the loop road at darra west is called the up sub the freight loop is only at corinda

Great news can you say what time?

[bretto82]

sorry qgt i dont know what time they were supposed to start driver training today i will only find out what time after 7am but if i can figure out how i can post the time off my phone in the morning i will have it up asap as a guess it will be just after peak. i have to be out there with the project team at the eol at the drivers platform but after the meeting today its a all systems go  . i dont know about when they start full service with pax next year tho. and with the changes to the way they want shutdowns 4 times a year expect projects to go alot longer next year

[QGT]

Thanks bretto82

[bretto82]

hey guys first train will be around 0730 a turn around train that would normally terminate at darra or corinda and will be like this all day from the info i found out

[ozbob]

 

[bretto82]

sorry guys got some info wrong a newer mail said its now going to be around 0930 sorry people and a train also for the big wigs today around the same time sorry