Darra to Springfield Stage 1 construction Darra to Richlands

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

The expected route tuition on the branch didn't eventuate by the time I left. Presently inbound on EMU43.
But managed to get a photograph of RM1901 on the Warrender Street bridge, heading out to Richlands with an official QR party.

Maybe tomorrow .. 













Photographs R Dow 8th December 2010

[railguy83]

Driver Training did commence on the 8th at about 1030, the first electric train down to richlands, you just missed it ozbob!   

[ozbob]

No worries, heading out there shortly.  Couldn't hang around yesterday due to a meeting in town.

Route tuition is under-way today apparently.

Opening date for Richlands services has been confirmed as 24th January 2011.  Big open day on the 23rd at Richlands.

[ozbob]

Driver Training did commence on the 8th at about 1030, the first electric train down to richlands, you just missed it ozbob!   

The first electric train believed to have gone out Monday afternoon actually.  But plenty now ... lol

[ozbob]

Suburban trains on the branch!

Bike paths are now open, allows for very convenient access.  

One of the first electric trains to Richlands.
































On the bike / foot path near Boundary Road.  First six car set to Richlands.



























Photographs R Dow 9th December 2010

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane click here!

BREXCLUSIVE: New Richlands Railway Station preview

BREXCLUSIVE: New Richlands Railway Station preview

09 December 2010 , 11:50 AM by Anne O'Keeffe

If you face the daily lengthy commute along the M5 (Centenary Highway/Western Freeway) - to or from Springfield - you'll be pleased to know that your long awaited rail line is on track!

Early next year, the $800m Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor project will tick off another one of its tasks - the passenger railway line through to Richlands.

This morning 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast reporter Anne O'Keeffe takes you on an exclusive preview of the new Richlands Railway Station which will officially open on Sunday 23rd January:

[QGT]

Great photos Ozbob and great News I will be there on the Opening Day with my Camera!  

Cheers,
QGT

[nitramluap]

Great Photos, thanks.

I rode my bike from Taringa to Carole Park using the new bikeway - my favourite smallgoods store is out that way!

The new bikeway is very, very nice but I'm worried about what treatment we will see when it comes to a Logan Motorway crossing. The crude plans that I have seen make no mention of a cycleway over/under the motorway but do show a rail bridge. Does anyone know any different?

Also, I'm disappointed to see that bicycle parking facilities at the train stations appear to be a combination of insecure racks or those overly expensive, and 'exclusive' bike boxes. Looking at the Dutch model (if only on a small scale) would be the way to go. They have buildings with double-decker racks (like they have at www.cycle2city.com.au in King Georg Square). Access could be by GoCard - but only if you 'subscribe' to bike storage.

Why we keep focussing on driving cars to train stations is beyond me. Anyone can cover 5km in 20 minutes without breaking a sweat - no waiting for a bus, minimal parking space required, etc. But... it has to be made safe, convenient and the parking for bicycles needs to feel as normal as car parking - mum's & children need to feel comfortable using the facilities. They're halfway there with the new bikeways.

[#Metro]

Welcome nitramluap!,

Also, I'm disappointed to see that bicycle parking facilities at the train stations appear to be a combination of insecure racks or those overly expensive, and 'exclusive' bike boxes. Looking at the Dutch model (if only on a small scale) would be the way to go. They have buildings with double-decker racks (like they have at www.cycle2city.com.au in King Georg Square). Access could be by GoCard - but only if you 'subscribe' to bike storage.

GoCard access to the loo after hours and bike storage cages is the way to go IMHO; Integrated with GoCard as well- but IMHO RailBot has brought this up before, it doesn't seem a priority for TL, which is disappointing because it improves integration of the system. Bicycle-rail integration is a largely untapped market which could really increase the catchment zones around rail stations.

[ozbob]

Went for a stroll along the bike path from Pine Road to Ellen Grove side of Progress Road, managed to just avoid the rain!






























End of line looking towards Ellen Grove







Photographs R Dow 18th December 2010

[colinw]

I rode my bike from Taringa to Carole Park using the new bikeway - my favourite smallgoods store is out that way!

Adam's I presume?

Mmmmm ....  bad for the waist line :-)

[Gazza]

Saw this this morning.

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4394/foamer.jpg

[ozbob]

Nice shot, surprised that route tuition trains are out on a Sunday, and Boxing day to boot!

[ozbob]

ARHS Q plans to run a steam hauled tour, morning and afternoon on Saturday 5th March between Roma St <--> Richlands.  Indicative loco is BB18-1/4 and SX carriages ...

Tour details received by mail today, not yet on their web site.

[petey3801]

Saw this this morning.

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4394/foamer.jpg

That was a Trainee Driver route tuition train, not purely a Richlands tuition train. It went out to Richlands for the benefit of the trainees onboard (all of whom had signed for Richlands, just wanted another drive over it) after completing the rest of the tuition needs for the day. Not only was it a Boxing day tuition train, it was a very early! Boxing day tuition train

[QGT]

From the Translink Website
Corinda to Rosewood track closure

From the first train on Saturday 22 January until the last train on Sunday 23 January, all train services between Corinda and Rosewood will be replaced by buses.

Buses will stop all stations between Corinda and Rosewood in both directions. Passengers are advised that delays of up to 30 minutes may be experienced.

Works will include:

Ipswich Motorway Upgrade works Goodna to Dinmore
Replacing sleepers and rails at Thagoona
Overhead line works at Darra
Track work at Darra
Overhead line modification between Corinda and Oxley
Oxley station renewal works
Various other maintenance works.
TransLink apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks passengers for their understanding and patience.

They should change this as Richlands Station has an opening day on the 23rd of January

Cheers,
QGT

[mufreight]

From the Translink Website
Corinda to Rosewood track closure

From the first train on Saturday 22 January until the last train on Sunday 23 January, all train services between Corinda and Rosewood will be replaced by buses.

Buses will stop all stations between Corinda and Rosewood in both directions. Passengers are advised that delays of up to 30 minutes may be experienced.

Works will include:

Ipswich Motorway Upgrade works Goodna to Dinmore
Replacing sleepers and rails at Thagoona
Overhead line works at Darra
Track work at Darra
Overhead line modification between Corinda and Oxley
Oxley station renewal works
Various other maintenance works.
TransLink apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks passengers for their understanding and patience.

They should change this as Richlands Station has an opening day on the 23rd of January

Cheers,
QGT

Obviously another example of the right hand not communicating with the left, the open day and opening dates for Richlands have been public knowledge for some time yet they now announce a closure for that day.
Time for some heads to roll and for one of these incompetent idiots responsible to activate a brain cell and have guts enough to admit that they have stuffed up again and defer the closure.

[Golliwog]

Can they just "defer the closure"? There are a bunch of seperate projects that would all potentially be delayed if the trackwork doesn't go ahead. I would think it would be easier to perhaps open the line the week before.

[ozbob]

When do we get to vote?

[Gazza]

Doesn't track work take precedence over the the open day though, I mean its not the end of the world if the open day is rescheduled is it?

[ozbob]

There has been previous public advice that the Open day for Richlands would be 23rd January, with service commencement 24th January.  A track closure that weekend would ruin the opening of course.  I have requested confirmation of the dates of the opening and closure.  The opening could be brought forward.  Track closures can be moved as well and have been in the past for various reasons.

[Gazza]

Ok...Somehow I had it in my head it was opening on the 29th lol.

[johnnigh]

Even Translink might blanch at headlines "Richlands Railway Station opening by bus". I would guess that you'd get a quick response from your Translink contacts, Bob, but failing that, a media release would be great fun to write

[ozbob]

I have received advice that has confirmed that services will commence from the 24th January.  Appears some initial communication issues which has resulted in both the track maintenance being locked in and the services commencing (including supporting bus into Richlands) clashing with the track maintenance. The authorities have decided that the opening of Richlands as planned for the 23rd is to proceed, supported by shuttle bus on the day.  Not sure if I will bother.

Presently onboard Sprinter rail car 7022 heading back into Frankston from Stony Point.  This is a great rail-motor service!  (on myki as well ...)

[#Metro]

The train stations with no trains! Just like the pub with no beer.
It's very unfortunate, but what can you do.

[ozbob]

Many folks will be bitterly disappointed about the opening fiasco of Richlands.   One opportunity to put forward rail in a favourable light botched.  All parties have done themselves little credit.  Track maintenance communication  issues have been  an ongoing issue for years.  Big salaries deserve that these mediocre outcomes are avoided.

[O_128]

this is actually quite funny, what a great start translink is off to, heres a tip, fire everyone of the pathetic incapable people on the board and put some intelligent people in, how could this kind of clash possibly happen? and worst of all its still a year till the election 

[colinw]

This is a disgrace, but I must say typical.  After all on the Beenleigh line we have on at least one occasion had a rail shutdown to coincide with Riverfire, and Ipswich Cup day seems to bring about an Ipswich line closure like clockwork!

Then again, this comes from the planners who seem to think it is good value to build a line without half its stations, or skip building a platform & overhead wiring which their own studies say are needed by 2016.

I suppose the next thing will be a 1-2 year slip in delivery of Springfield & Kippa-Ring.

[#Metro]

oh well. The ballot box is not that far away now...

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

The train station with no trains

The train station with no trains
Daniel Hurst
January 6, 2011 - 5:43AM

Southeast Queensland's newest railway station won't have any train services when it opens to the public later this month, due to a track maintenance clash.

Queensland Rail will officially open the $40 million Richlands station on Sunday, January 23, on the same weekend major upkeep is scheduled for the Ipswich Rosewood line.

Train services between Corinda and Rosewood – including Darra station, which will connect to the new Richlands facility – are to be replaced by buses on January 22 and 23.

Queensland Rail's executive general manager for corporate and external affairs, Martin Ryan, yesterday confirmed the open day would clash with the wider track maintenance.

"The train station, people will be able to go and have a look at it, but there won't be train services operating," he told brisbanetimes.com.au.

The prospect of a train station with no running trains evokes memories of an episode from the satirical series Yes, Prime Minister, when character Jim Hacker tours a hospital with no patients.

Mr Ryan said while "it would be nice to have trains operating", he pointed out the Gateway Bridge and Clem7 tunnel were opened to walkers before traffic was able to use them.

He said he still expected lots of people to come to check out the long-awaited station, which was part of the first stage of the Darra to Springfield transport project.

Mr Ryan said on the opening day, shuttle buses would take people to the Richlands station from key locations in the local area, including shopping centres.

"We actually expect quite a few thousand to turn up," he said.

When Queensland Rail opened the Varsity Lakes railway station on the Gold Coast in December 2009, it ran regular train services to and from Robina station so locals could try out the new line.

Normal timetabled services began the following day.

The first service from the new Richlands station is due to leave at 5.40am the following day after final testing of the new railway points system.

Stage one of the Darra to Springfield transport project included construction of a new 3.6 kilometre railway line and train station at Richlands, along with an adjoining bus interchange and park and ride facilities.

The project also included Centenary Highway upgrades.

The $646 million second stage will see the railway line extended 10 kilometres from Richlands to a new station at Springfield by 2013.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/01/only-in-queensland.html

[Stillwater]

A train station without trains ... Yes Minister should be compulsory viewing for all Ministerial staff in Queensland.  At least in the fictional comedy the government of the day could get the hospital pays right.

[Stillwater]

The foibles of devising an integrated transport plan:

[Peter J]

After providing feedback to QR in regards to the date and lack of train on the day, I received this email from them on Friday 7 January.

Quote..........

"Track closures are scheduled by Queensland Rail up to one year in advance to ensure all the relevant parties are notified, advertising can be undertaken and that buses are available to convey customers.

This issue was communicated to several key persons who requested the opening be on that date. Queensland Rail has made representations to the Minister's office requesting the date was to be reviewed. This review is still taking place and we hope to have a definitive answer very soon.

I apologise that I can not be of further assistance, however I do feel confident that the two events will no longer coincide."

In regards to first paragraph........ yep, knew that.

2nd paragraph.......the interesting part is from the second sentence, I have put the part concerned into bold text.

3rd paragraph...... from reading that, the bold text part, one of the events is virtually confirmed as being changed. My guess is the opening day as it would be easier to change than the re-organising the maintenance. Since the request for the date to be reviewed went to the Ministers Office, I suspect the opening will be brought forward 1 week as making it later will give the impression of delays and will look bad publicity wise.
I could be wrong on this and stand corrected if so.

[ozbob]

Thanks Peter for sharing that info.  Interesting ...

[david]

Well at least Queensland Rail is being open and honest (as it usually is). Translink is once again shrouded in secrecy...

I'm also concerned at the lack of train and bus timetables two weeks out from the scheduled opening... 

[ozbob]

I'm also concerned at the lack of train and bus timetables two weeks out from the scheduled opening... 

Appalling I agree ...

[#Metro]

Where are they? 
What are the chances there is no feeder bus with decent all day frequency of 15 minutes like BUZ?

[somebody]

Where are they? 
What are the chances there is no feeder bus with decent all day frequency of 15 minutes like BUZ?

I think the chance of there being a poor performance is >99%.