Darra to Springfield Stage 1 construction Darra to Richlands

[#Metro]

I think QR has done a good job, especially given the circumstances. Imagine Richlands opening with no trains!! Unbelievable.
See, if you prod them, they are more than capable of delivery.

I think what BrizCommuter has said is valid (OK, maybe not the hiroshima bomb tram comparison, I thought that was a bit out there to be honest) but, yes, if you want to get Public Transport out of "welfare mode" it is going to have to start earning its custom, and that means uncompromisingly good service. That means proper infrastructure, not half-baked, elimination of anti-public transport frequencies etc etc.

So BrizCommuter is right, and I can only hope TL and QR work together to remedy the situation.

[ozbob]

QR staff have been impacted by the floods as many others.  Under the circumstances I have no complaints.  They have some shortages of crew and other staff were deployed to work on making stations serviceable around the network.  

There were some things needed to be done to before the opening.  For example western end of platform one Darra, but that's the breaks.  Making the most of what was available, trains ran and folks got around.  I know staff worked all night prior to the opening on rosters, the timetables and balancing trains around the network.

Personally I am very grateful for the effort made particularly under the circumstances.  We can nit pick incessantly, this isn't the time IMHO.

Forgot, there were some point failures at Darra and Richlands yesterday as well.  This may have impacted a little as well.  

And a further comment.  Please stop lambasting QR for the very obvious infrastructure failings with the track arrangements.   It was not their issue at all.  We tried to get it sorted as did QR, fools up above who know little of the real operational requirements are the ones to attack, if you feel the need.  At one stage the Up sup loop looked like being not electrified as well, that was a late addition following representation by some.

And the new footbridge at Darra was a late addition as well!  The arrangements at Darra West could have been done better as well, particularly with an eye on future triplication to Redbank.   But it is functional but not optimal.

So it is not a perfect world ..

[Derwan]

It is only negative and harsh if you think that the following are acceptable?

Given the circumstances...

- QR's failure to use infrastructure effectively.

Given that Richlands was not supposed to open for another week, I'd say it was a rather effective use of infrastructure that was not yet commissioned.

- SEQIPRAILs failure to build sufficient infrastructure.

Yes we know this, but that had nothing to do with your journey.

- 67 minute journey time from Roma Street to Richlands.

Given the circumstances, teething problems and delays were inevitable.

- QR's failure to hold the connecting train (which would not have impacted upon on-time return journey).

This is a common gripe, often justified by the "delaying one train will cause flow-on effects on the network."  Given the circumstances, perhaps they could've made allowances in this situation and held the train.  (I'll give you this one!)

- QR's failure to communicate correct platform to passengers.

Given the circumstances, teething problems were inevitable.  Hopefully they've improved on this now.

[colinw]

IMHO a few teething problems and stuffups are forgivable given the circumstances.  I give QR a 10 out of 10 for their performance over the last couple of weeks, nothing short of outstanding.

The real test will be how Richlands performs once it settles into normal operation.  Then we'll see the effect of the Government's (not QR's) cost cutting on the electrification & 4th platform at Oxley.  I expect this will have to be fixed sooner rather than later, which makes the failure to provide it from the outset inexcusable, just like the missing stations at Ellen Grove & Springfield Lakes.

[somebody]

I suppose the concept of a reduced frequency under the circumstances, during the flood, was certainly acceptable.  The problem is the baseline frequency is so bad.  That made the reduction go to quite a poor frequency.  Also, reduced the size of the pool of crews from which they could draw from which no doubt made it more difficult to run a better service.

[Derwan]

Caught a Richlands train from Northgate to Central this morning.   

[colinw]

I suppose the concept of a reduced frequency under the circumstances, during the flood, was certainly acceptable.  The problem is the baseline frequency is so bad.  That made the reduction go to quite a poor frequency.  Also, reduced the size of the pool of crews from which they could draw from which no doubt made it more difficult to run a better service.

Could be worse.  In Scotland they just rebuilt and re-opened 24km of formerly closed line from Bathgate to Airdrie as electrified double track ... but are only running an hourly service on it!  Edinburgh also suffers from a disconnect in its rail system due to the Government's failure to electrify about 1.7km of track that would provide a through connection on one route.  The disease afflicting Government thinking on rail in QLD appears to be universal.

[ozbob]

Some more photographs around Darra and Richlands










Interesting, a Caboolture service about to depart from platform one Darra!












Kiss 'n ride area nearly complete





Richlands









Photographs R Dow 21st January 2011

[ozbob]

The original scheduled day for commencement of services to Richlands 24th January 2011

Interim timetable in place from today, trains running to timetable

Joined SMU276 (2.17pm service Darra) for a run out to Richlands .. bottom car park at Richlands nearly full, top car park about 1/4 full.

(Darra seemed to be lightly parked as well).

SMU276  has 'RICHLANDS' desto

































Photographs R Dow 24th January 2011

[QGT]

Great photos good to see Richlands is now on the trains.

[ozbob]

Richlands 2nd Feb 2011







Photographs R Dow 2 Feb 2011

[ozbob]

Had a wander around Richlands this afternoon.  Everything is settling down well.  Top car park about 1/5 full.  Bottom full.






















Along the walk way into Richlands rail station across from Progress Corner are posts with some historical vignettes ..























Photographs R Dow 11th February 2011

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:


5th March 2011

History today (5th March 2011) at Richlands Railway

Greetings,

Today steam is planned to make a triumphant journey to the newest addition to the suburban rail network in Brisbane for over 90 years.

Richlands railway station  and the railway is simply superb - an outstanding effort by all.  The Queensland Government, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the construction team at Horizon Alliance, Queensland Rail and TransLink are  congratulated on this fine project.

The Australian Railway Historical Society - Queensland Division ( http://www.arhs-qld.org.au/ ) has organised a steam hauled passenger train to visit Richlands rail today (5th March 2011), twice.

Broad timings are:

Morning Journey
Roma Street     10.15am
Richlands arr.     10.51
Richlands dep.     11.11
Roma Street     11.52
Afternoon Journey
Roma Street     12.45pm
Richlands arr.     1.21
Richlands dep.     1.41
Roma Street     2.25

(timings subject to change)

Three years ago or so, I stood in a bush paddock next to Progress Road Richlands and imagined the transport transformation that will be unfolding.  It has now 'unfolded'.  Richlands railway was brought into operation ahead of the planned opening in the immediate flood aftermath.  I was on the first regular passenger service train to leave Richlands at 5.13am on Monday the 17th January 2011 (photographs --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=639.msg45322#msg45322 ).

Richlands railway had a low key opening on that day but appropriately so and has already proved its utility.

The construction of the railway has been documented by us from day one here --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=639.0

What a glorious moment and living history as a QR Heritage steam hauled passenger train strides out on this most modern piece of railway today!

Best wishes
Robert

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Steam on the Richlands Branch 5th March 2011



Queensland Rail Locomotive BB18 1/4 number 1089 on the Warrender Street bridge.


Train departing from Richlands station


























Photographs R Dow 5th March 2011

[ozbob]

The second run for the day arriving at Richlands.  I joined the train at Richlands and travelled into Roma St.

Interesting path. Left Richlands up branch to Darra, overtaken by a suburban inbound on the down branch.  Through platform one Darra, passed the suburban stopped platform 2 Darra, crossed to the sub down out of Darra, then crossed at Pannard to up main and down main in turn.  All non stop!

































Note the end of the SX carriage.  This carriage was going to be one of the motor control units if the 1500V electrification of the suburban network had gone ahead in the middle 50s.

Photographs R Dow 5th March 2011

[QGT]

My photos from a great tour to Richlands yesterday

Morning tour







Afternoon tour











More photos
https://picasaweb.google.com/QueenslandsGreatTrains/ARHSSuburbanSteamTrainTourToRichlandsStation#

Cheers,
QGT

[#Metro]

Those carriages --- they look like subway carriages!

[colinw]

They were designed for conversion as 1500V DC EMUs, and are based on the NSW single deck U sets which ran interurban services to Gosford & Lithgow.  The similarity can be seen here:



An SX set running under chunky 1500V DC overhead, supported by wooden masts on all lines except Corinda to Zillmere, is left as an exercise for the imagination. The NSW U set gives some idea of what might have been in Brisbane.

U set:


SX set:

[ozbob]

For interest:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_electrification_in_Queensland

Steam operation was used on all services, with electrification first proposed in 1897 when the Chief Engineer of Queensland Railways was sent to study electrified railways in Europe and America. At the time the technology was cutting edge, but the costs outweighed the benefits, with the capital having a population of just 120,000. Further studies were carried out in 1915, but it was not until three decades later that more investigations were carried out.[4]

After World War II the Brisbane suburban network had become run down, and coal shortages were affecting the ability to run regular services. A committee was appointed to investigate, delivering their report in November 1947. It recommended the electrification of the suburban network by 1959 with the 1.5 kV DC system. 290 km (180 mi) of single track including sidings would be involved, covering the lines to Shorncliffe, Yeerongpilly, Ferny Grove, Petrie, Pinkenba and Kingston. The report was adopted in February 1950 and preliminary works started.[4]

However, the General Manager of QR's South Eastern Division decided track amplification was more important, with quadruplication of the line from Corinda to Zillmere given priority. A cutback in load funds in 1952-53 slowed the works further, and a change of state government in 1957 saw the scheme abandoned in 1959. The main legacy of the project was the 112 stainless steel locomotive-hauled SX carriages, that were intended to be converted to electric multiple units at a later date. Built by Commonwealth Engineering between 1961 and 1963, they replaced older wooden stock and were the first stainless steel carriages in suburban traffic,[5] a great leap forward for passenger comfort.

In 1965, a transport study recommended the closure of the entire suburban railway network except for an electrified corridor between Darra and Zillmere. In 1970, another study recommended the electrification of the entire network with the 1.5 kV DC system, and the construction of a link between South Brisbane and Roma Street (later realised as the Merivale Bridge).[6]

[#Metro]

In 1965, a transport study recommended the closure of the entire suburban railway network except for an electrified corridor between Darra and Zillmere. In 1970, another study recommended the electrification of the entire network with the 1.5 kV DC system, and the construction of a link between South Brisbane and Roma Street (later realised as the Merivale Bridge).[6]

More reason to keep an eye on these "experts"... close the entire system, are you kidding!!! 

[colinw]

I'm guessing they must have hired an American consultancy, as in the '60s the US was still abandoning rail transit on a grand scale.

There are further details about the 1940s/1950s electification proposal in this post

[ozbob]

Photographs yesterday as a flash slide show ..

http://backontrack.org/images/darra_rich/5mar11/5mar11.swf

http://backontrack.org/images/darra_rich/5mar11/5mar11_2.swf

[petey3801]

Somewhat late, but the Santas Express train (SMU286) got to Richlands on opening night:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=371481

Something a little different! Unfortunately there have been marker boards erected at the 3- and 6-car marks, obstructing this view a little now.

[ozbob]

The construction alliance buildings have been removed at Richlands.

Trees are growing.  Few updates.















Photographs R Dow 7th September 2014