Redcliffe Peninsula Line [was MBRL (Petrie to Kippa Ring)]

[petey3801]

Nothing new has opened on the CAB line today as far as i'm aware.

[verbatim9]

The 1.5 km bridge and track structure is http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/moreton/trains-now-running-across-168m-rail-bridge-across-north-pine-river-between-petrie-and-lawnton--built-to-support-increased-services-on-moreton-bay-rail-line/news-story/56679cde9db96fe63513e71934bda41b

[petey3801]

That bridge has been use since NYE...

[verbatim9]

Must of been the official opening ?

[petey3801]

Odd time to do it, considering only half is being used at the moment and the other half likely won't be cut in til Kippa Ring opens! I think Courier Mail is just a bit behind the times..

[HappyTrainGuy]

This just in. Brisbane trains are electric.

[aldonius]

Be nice HTG, that's Tony Moore's story for next week.

[ozbob]

From Couriermail Quest Redcliffe 16th March 2016

[red dragin]

Heading through Petrie this morning, the missing section of rail between the Up Main at Anzac Ave and the flyover across the branch is back in favour. Sleepers have now been laid along most of this section. 2x Crossovers have been sitting beside the tracks since before Christmas.

The old North Pine Bridge is almost gone, remaining is the section directly over the river and about 4 spans just south of the centre - I suspect these are the spans to be donated to the local society.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/3/16/first-electric-test-train-hits-tracks-on-moreton-bay-rail-link

Media Release
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

First electric test train hits tracks on Moreton Bay Rail Link

The first electric train will roll onto the new Moreton Bay Rail Line this morning, with testing ramping up ahead of the opening mid-year.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said Queensland Rail's extensive commissioning program was progressing well and the test commuter trains would run the line to check the overhead power electrical systems and the signalling system.

"Significant testing is required to ensure the new rail infrastructure is operating as expected," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"From today up to four electric trains will run on the new rail line to test components of the infrastructure by simulating normal train operations.

"This is important work and needs to be carried out to ensure the services can safely and reliably start carrying its first customers from mid-year.

"From today local residents will be able to see commuter test trains running between Petrie and Kippa Ring as Queensland Rail carries out extensive tests of the line, trains, signalling and other equipment.

"Once the initial testing program has been completed, Queensland Rail drivers and guards will begin an extensive training program to familiarise themselves with the new track and infrastructure, ahead of the opening mid-year."

Mr Hinchliffe said Queensland Rail would work closely with the local community during the testing and commissioning stage.

"We understand living near a rail corridor may be a new experience for many people and Queensland Rail will be working with the community to let them know what to expect when operations commence," Mr Hinchliffe said.

In the coming weeks, Queensland Rail will be out in the Moreton Bay region holding information drop-in sessions at various locations on Saturday 9, 16 and 23 April 2016:

    8am – 12pm on Saturday, 9 April at Undurba State School Hall, Ogg Road, Murrumba Downs
    8am – 12pm on Saturday, 16 April at St Benedict's College Hall, next to Mango Hill East station
    8am – 12pm on Saturday, 23 April at Hercules Road State school Hall, Hercules Road, Kippa-Ring

The $988 million project is jointly funded by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council and is on-track to be delivered in mid-2016.

Queensland Rail in collaboration with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and CPB contractors are undertaking the testing phase.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Joel Dry ‏@JoelDry9 24m

History in motion. The first electrified passenger test train leaves Petrie Station along the Moreton Bay Rail link.

[red dragin]

A photo of it through Mango hill states its full of polywaffle and media types.

[jesse]

History in motion indeed.  the first units were 242/247, sighted them on return to Mayne through central 1518hrs 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Dave Andrews ‏@chopperdaveqld 25m

A lonely train waiting to start work at the new the Kippa Ring station 🚂 #chopperview 🚁

[kram0]

Twitter

Dave Andrews ‏@chopperdaveqld 25m

A lonely train waiting to start work at the new the Kippa Ring station 🚂 #chopperview 🚁

This project demonstrates what is possible when all levels of government work together.

[ozbob]

^ yep!  Just like the Gold Coast Light Rail ...

Meanwhile back in Brisbane  ...

[dancingmongoose]

I was up there on the weekend and got some photos

Kippa-Ring

Mango Hill East

Mango Hill

Murrumba Downs

Kallangur

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Twitter

QPS Media Unit ‏@QPSmedia now

Railway Squad officers have commenced training for new Moreton Rail Link http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/railsquad/2016/03/22/training-commences-new-moreton-rail-link/ ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

IRJ ‏@railjournal 6h

Test trains begin running on Queensland's Moreton Bay Rail Link http://bit.ly/1T4ZptI 

[tazzer9]

This project demonstrates what is possible when all levels of government work together.
[/quote]

It only took about 80 years for the teamwork to prevail.

[achiruel]

It only took about 80 years for the teamwork to prevail.

More like 111, but who's counting?

[kram0]

This project demonstrates what is possible when all levels of government work together.

It only took about 80 years for the teamwork to prevail.
[/quote]

Better late then never I guess. Maybe just maybe governements might be smarter moving forward and use this project of why they need to be work as a team.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Dave Andrews ‏@chopperdaveqld now

Two lonely trains now at Kippa Ring Station waiting for some passengers 🚂🚂 🚁 #chopperview

[red dragin]

5 cars would be an ICE set, right?

[ozbob]

5 cars would be an ICE set, right?

Looks like it.  At the recent CRG meeting, it was mentioned that ICE could be on the branch ...

[tazzer9]

At least they are making use of one of the essentially unused ICE sets.  And when it breaks down, it doesn't disrupt anyone.

Could it also be that they are also using it so they can qualify more drivers on it.

[Arnz]

At least they are making use of one of the essentially unused ICE sets.  And when it breaks down, it doesn't disrupt anyone.

Could it also be that they are also using it so they can qualify more drivers on it.

The ICEs are being phased out alongside the EMUs as the NGRs are being delivered.   

The general convo on the web is that the IMU100/120 fleet would be the replacements for the ICEs on the "Gympielander" services when they are retired.  Making it easier roster-wise rather than a dedicated (ICE) fleet to a twice-daily service.

[tazzer9]

At the moment i know the crewing is the biggest issue.   It is theoretically possible to use only the 1 unit on all the weekday gympie services but that never happens. 
Once the NGR's come in the 100/120's are going to be the odd ones out in the fleet due to their low acceleration, so isolation to the gympie services or rosewood shuttle makes sense.   (ironically the day i caught a 100 series up to gympie it arrived nearly 20 minutes early, compared to bang on time when i've used gone up on  an ICE.)   

Are the IMU's allowed to use the 10% overspeed.   Is the 10% overspeed for ICE still even a thing?

[Arnz]

Theoretically the IMU100/120s could just be placed into general rotation with the the GC-Airport, Roma Street-Gympie North & Nambour/Caboolture-Ipswich runs after the ICEs are pensioned off/retired, considering the new all-day express pattern on the Caboolture/Nambour line, and I would assume Ipswich would also get a all-day express pattern (with Springfield to Kippa Ring getting 15 min mostly all-stop service to service the missed stops) when more of the NGR are delivered and the EMU retirements begin.

The only other pattern on the Caboolture/Nambour lines is the Gympie North & 3-car peak Nambour trains which are both indicated in the draft timetable to run express Bowen Hills to Caboolture stopping only at Northgate and Petrie.  Though I would guess those few 3-car Nambour services would be extended to 6-cars, transitioned to the standard stopping pattern by stopping all stations to Petrie, and also possibly be extended/originate in Ipswich as well.  This would leave only the Gympie North trains to run express Bowen Hills to Caboolture when the NGR deliveries concludes.

[LRV 018]

Really stupid question, sorry: will the MBRL line be paired with the Springfield line?

[ozbob]

Yes, generally.

Draft timetable > http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/projects-initiatives/mbrl/moreton-bay-line-draft-timetable.pdf

[LRV 018]

Ooh that's an interesting timetable! Thanks for the info Bob

[ozbob]

^ no worries.  Good timetable overall. Note the early starts (weekdays), this needs to happen on the Springfield and Ipswich lines too!

[tazzer9]

It still comes across as a politicians timetable (half done so they do the other half next election).

Really no reason why it couldnt have been 15 minutes off peak (going all the way to springfield) and no permanent Ipswich express.

What is the point of spending a billion dollars for such a low frequency. 

[dancingmongoose]

It still comes across as a politicians timetable (half done so they do the other half next election).

Really no reason why it couldnt have been 15 minutes off peak (going all the way to springfield) and no permanent Ipswich express.

What is the point of spending a billion dollars for such a low frequency.

Because their rollingstock and crew are at capacity.

[#Metro]

It still comes across as a politicians timetable (half done so they do the other half next election).

Really no reason why it couldnt have been 15 minutes off peak (going all the way to springfield) and no permanent Ipswich express.

What is the point of spending a billion dollars for such a low frequency.

This is an absolutely valid and excellent question. In all the time they took to prepare the land and construct (multiple years) the Queensland

Government could have sourced sufficient trains and staff. But this is Queensland. The short political cycle means that long term plans are

rarely followed through and the gov't is always on election footing and interested more in political posturing than decent, proper outcomes.

I hope this will change soon with 4-year terms that are coming. Although there is not proportional representation, there is effectively so with

a cross bench now.


The second reason is the car-based mindset. If you are a decision maker and a car driver, you think that it is just like a road - once you

complete it, you can drive on it pretty much right away. This is not so with PT- when the infrastructure opens, it is completely useless.

Services need to be added to the infrastructure to make it work. Unlike Perth or Melbourne which have DOO, there is no DOO in Queensland,

and therefore labour costs are very high - double that of comparable systems (i.e. Perth). That means there is a strong incentive to skimp

on service frequency, simply because the operating costs are higher.


It is too easy to present these issues as physical constraints - like "too full" or "not enough of X". I think it is much different - just a result of

political cycle, funding decisions and politics. At least the infrastructure is there already, next hurdle is to increase the frequency to 15 min

all day.

[Derwan]

Really no reason why it couldnt have been 15 minutes off peak (going all the way to springfield) and no permanent Ipswich express.

What is the point of spending a billion dollars for such a low frequency.

Because their rollingstock and crew are at capacity.

That's the usual QR response and is what they first tried at the recent CRG meeting that I attended.  However when pushed (I think it might've been BrizCommuter who pushed), they admitted it was because of the "dollars".

If they have enough rollingstock to run 4tph or better during peak, then they have enough rollingstock to run 4tph during the off-peak.  The issue comes down to funding for additional crews to work throughout the day and the increased maintenance costs.

As LD pointed out, if we had DOO, we'd halve labour costs (roughly).  Unfortunately neither party is remotely interested in this.

[tazzer9]

It still comes across as a politicians timetable (half done so they do the other half next election).

Really no reason why it couldnt have been 15 minutes off peak (going all the way to springfield) and no permanent Ipswich express.

What is the point of spending a billion dollars for such a low frequency.

Because their rollingstock and crew are at capacity.

Rollingstock and crew are truly pathetic excuses.  Once I see public job ads for train crew roles I will accept the lack of crews as a real problem.  Just remember that there are former train crew from other parts of the world that could still fill the role here.

Rollingstock is also stupid.  Once you have spent a billion dollars, buying a few more trains isnt much added cost.  Even having every 2nd train as a 3 car unit is better than having nothing at all.

[Arnz]

In addition to the above, there would be the requirement to make sure that the promise from the former Transport Minister Jackie Trad and Member for Nicklin and Speaker Peter Wellington to ensure that "hourly" off-peak weekday services between Brisbane and Nambour begin from the "end of 2016" (SC Daily - 7 May 2016).   

I would assume they would have a few more NGR rollingstock by the end of 2016 to meet the toilet requirement as well, and I would also assume they would be basically extensions of the all-day Caboolture expresses in the post Kippa-Ring timetable.  Effectively making the NCL trains a 1tph Caboolture terminator and other 1tph to Nambour.

Source: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/trains-to-run-every-hour-govt-reveals/2630998/