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

[James]

Is this for real? How will it handle peak hour when there are many trains on the line?

Might explain the poor off-peak frequency.

I think this is an electrical issue above anything else, and most certainly wouldn't be behind any frequency reductions. I'm no electrical engineer, but I think the main thing required would be an upgrade to substation(s) near the MBRL to handle 33kV.

If this is the case though, this is quite the stuff up.

[ozbob]

As I have stated before, removing Queensland Rail from the construction alliance was a very dumb move by Emerson et al.  When Queensland rail was part of the alliances everything went very well.  There was also ' cost savings ' forced on the MBRL project by the Newman regime which has also helped lead to less than optimal outcomes.

Has backfired spectacularly.  Dumb politics again ...

I have also heard some issues (unsubstantiated but would not be surprised) with the NGR trains as well.  Thanks again LNP!

Queensland is not in good shape, both major sides of politics  are morons ...

[red dragin]

Is this for real? How will it handle peak hour when there are many trains on the line?

Might explain the poor off-peak frequency.

I think this is an electrical issue above anything else, and most certainly wouldn't be behind any frequency reductions. I'm no electrical engineer, but I think the main thing required would be an upgrade to substation(s) near the MBRL to handle 33kV.

If this is the case though, this is quite the stuff up.

There is no 33kv to connect to. It requires a new HV line, which Energex refuses to install at their expense (understandably) as the railway would be the only customer. TMR refused to pay for it. This paragraph is fact too, not hearsay.

[#Metro]

There is no 33kv to connect to. It requires a new HV line, which Energex refuses to install at their expense (understandably) as the railway would be the only customer. TMR refused to pay for it. This paragraph is fact too, not hearsay.

Well that is a first! Queensland Government refuses to fund itself. 

LOL.

They're both Queensland Government owned!

[ozbob]

Another sign of the ' dysfunction junction ' that is the Queensland politic ..

[tazzer9]

Not having an 33KV line is a big mess up. Energex should have installed one with a substation to feed the peninsula anyway.  I'm surprised its only fed by 11KV lines.
The issue isn't that there isn't enough power (unless they bungled up the substations), 11KV lines could easily give enough power to run the required trains, they are only narrow gauge 6 car trains, not the biggest things in the world.   However the electricity quality may not be close enough to what is supplied by the usual lines and having to switch over on the go to an electrical supply system that has different properties may be affecting the trains.  (stuff like phase changes, current flow)  This may also be coupled with the substations not being able to handle the increased current being fed in.


Another question, is the platform 4 track at petrie ever going to be connect to the mainline?

[mufreight]

Project under the control of the genius's at Transport and Main Roads so no surprises at the level of incompetence, the only surprise is that they have got as much done as they have without major problems.

[ozbob]

As I have stated before, removing Queensland Rail from the construction alliance was a very dumb move by Emerson et al.  When Queensland rail was part of the alliances everything went very well.  There was also ' cost savings ' forced on the MBRL project by the Newman regime which has also helped lead to less than optimal outcomes.

Has backfired spectacularly.  Dumb politics again ...

I have also heard some issues (unsubstantiated but would not be surprised) with the NGR trains as well.  Thanks again LNP!

Queensland is not in good shape, both major sides of politics  are morons ...

It is essential that Queensland Rail be put back into these construction alliances.  The legacy of the Newman Government lingers on sadly.

[ozbob]

Here we go troops ..

================

Twitter

Patrick Condren ‏@PatrickCondren 1m

.@StirlHinchliffe re Moreton bay rail signalling problems delay Moreton Bay Rail Link @7NewsQueensland

[ozbob]

The major issue is the signalling and the interlocking between the new system on the branch and the existing is not reliable.

Funds were stripped from this project and Queensland Rail was removed as well.   Are we surprised?  NO SIR!

The fault for this lies with the Newman Government (and Abbott Government) and some very flawed decisions made which instead of saving money will lead to delays and cost overruns (NGR in same boat).

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Waiting for the statement ....   

[ozbob]

Twitter

Patrick Condren ‏@PatrickCondren 36m

.@StirlHinchliffe signalling system faults mean mid2016 opening of Moreton bay rail postponed indefinitely. @7NewsQueensland

===============

Twitter

Patrick Condren ‏@PatrickCondren 28m

No revised opening date for Moreton bay rail link. Was 2 b mid2016. @7NewsQueensland

[ozbob]

POSTPONED INDEFINITELY     




Good job Queensland! 

[ozbob]

 

[Fares_Fair]

oh dear.. 

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Billion-dollar Moreton Bay rail project delayed

A major Queensland rail project worth almost $1 billion has been delayed due to "serious concerns" over signalling issues.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Moreton Bay Rail Link project, which would provide a long-promised service to the Redcliffe peninsula, would not be opened by mid-2016, as previously expected, due to advice received from Queensland Rail.

"This is not an easy decision but it reflects the seriousness of the advice," Mr Hinchliffe said, adding that an independent review would take place.

- AAP

[STB]

I guess on the plus side at least it might give some more time to sort out the NGR sets, and have more delivered, and hopefully get them ready by the time this opens.  Or perhaps this is just wishful thinking...? 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Rail rule Moreton Bay Rail Link signalling system not up to standard

COMMUTERS will have to wait longer to use the Moreton Bay Rail Link with the Palaszczuk Government announcing signalling issues have caused its delay.

A train using new tracks on new bridge over North Pine River.

The rail link was due to be operational from the middle of this year but Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said he had received advice this morning from Queensland Rail regarding the signalling system.

"I have serious concerns about the signalling system," Mr Hinchliffe said.

He said the line would not be commissioned until it was safe to do so.
Attorney General and Member for Redcliffe, Yvette D'ath and Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe front the media on serious safety issues on the new Moreton Bay Rail Link.

An independent audit will be conducted, he said.

"Rail signals are the traffic light system of the network," Mr Hinchliffe said.

He said advice from QR was that the signalling system was not up to standard.

Mr Hinchliffe said under the current system three trains could not pass through the Petrie station without the system crashing.

He said QR did not believe the system was safe.

"Safety must come first," Mr Hinchliffe said.

He said QR would determine when the link will now open.

Attorney-General and Redcliffe MP Yvette D'Ath said she was extremely disappointed the link had been delayed.

She questioned the savings initially announced on the project and welcomed an audit into its delivery.

"I have concerns that there was pressure on this project team to find savings," Ms D'Ath said.

She said that included whether the signalling system chosen was inferior to other systems available.

"We were constantly being told it was on track for a mid-2016 opening," Ms D'Ath said.

"It is important that we have a system that is operating appropriately, effectively and safely."

Mr Hinchliffe said the system should be able to handle 26 signalling changes at once when trains pass through Petrie but was failing after 15.

He said that could potentially lead to an accident.

Ms D'Ath said former Newman Government had announced in 2014 that $159 million had been saved on the project.

When completed the Moreton Bay Rail Link will deliver a 12.6km dual-track passenger rail line between Petrie and Kippa-Ring, including 6 new rail stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Kinsellas Road, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring.

The $988 million project is jointly funded by the federal government ($583 million), state government ($300m) and Moreton Bay Regional Council ($105m).

[ozbob]

I guess on the plus side at least it might give some more time to sort out the NGR sets, and have more delivered, and hopefully get them ready by the time this opens.  Or perhaps this is just wishful thinking...? 

Hate to be a party pooper STB, but the NGR project is not going well either ...   

[ozbob]

Obviously the timetable improvements for the Sunshine Coast line (sector one North) are now on indefinite hold as well hey?

[Stillwater]

So, is this the case of TMR keeping QR at arm's length during the construction phase?  Now that TMR has handed the project over to QR to undertake its operational role, QR seems to have picked up the glitch.  Mr Hinchliffe's media statement: "advice from QR (not TMR) was that the signalling system was not up to standard."  I hope the independent audit identifies the incompetence and the incompetents.  A few people in high office at the Health Department had to fall on their sword after the extent of the payroll problems were found.  I wonder how Neil Scales is handling this issue internally.  We don't hear much from him of late.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/5/30/statement-on-moreton-bay-rail-link-project

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
Monday, May 30, 2016

Statement on Moreton Bay Rail Link Project

Earlier this morning I received a brief from Queensland Rail about outstanding issues with the signalling system for the jointly funded $988 million Moreton Bay Rail Link (MBRL) Project and this advice has also now been shared with my federal and council funding partners.

Based on this advice, I have serious concerns about the signalling system and whether the timeframe for delivery of MBRL can be met by mid-year.

I want to be clear from the outset, the Queensland Government's priority in delivering Moreton Bay Rail Link is to ensure residents receive safe high quality infrastructure and service reliability from day one when the rail line opens.

Given the significance of this project and today's advice I've made the following decision – the rail line will not be commissioned until Queensland Rail assesses it as entirely safe and fit for our entire peak and non-peak services.

This is non-negotiable.

I am advised that this means the rail line will not be open by mid-2016.

I am an extremely disappointed that this timeframe will not be met, but my priority has to be the safety of the travelling public and integrity of the entire South East Queensland rail network.

This is not an easy decision, but it reflects the seriousness of the advice and problems identified through the testing phase.

To determine what's gone wrong, I will be appointing an independent audit investigation into the project – how the signalling system was selected and the costs associated with it.

Let me be clear, the consistent advice the Government has received is that the project was on track to be delivered mid-year. In fact the advice as recently as this month was the project would likely open mid-year. Further my incoming-minister brief in December last year clearly stated that the MBRL was "on track to be delivered by mid-2016."

While the advice has been that the project is on track, I was concerned when the scheduled date for closures to undertake critical connection works and signal testing for MBRL was postponed.

This was a red flag for me and it's why I sought separate written briefs from both the Department of Transport and Main Roads and from Queensland Rail. I instructed the Department to provide Queensland Rail with all commercial and technical information requested in order to provide me a final assessment of the status of the project. This is the advice Queensland Rail has given me today.

For background, the former Newman Government brought delivery of this project under a single entity and since 2012 the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads has been the Principal for the contract and charged with delivery of the project.

Queensland Rail has served in an advisory role and participated in operational readiness exercises since the MBRL line was electrified at the start of the year. Since this point they have been given access to undertake comprehensive operational testing which has been ongoing for months across all aspects of the system, including signalling.

As you would appreciate rail signals are the traffic light system of the network, they are critical to the safety and running of trains and the integrity of our rail system.

This testing has determined that the signalling system currently installed for MBRL does not meet the operational and safety standards found across the rest of the network.

Queensland Rail's position is the signalling is not adequate to service a junction as critical as Petrie.

The main safety issues from Queensland Rail's investigation is the increased risk of 'signals passed at danger', this is like running a red light. The operation of these signals is critical to safety and I never want to see a rail accident caused because we allowed a signalling system that didn't pass muster to operate. Some of the other safety issues identified by Queensland Rail include lack of sufficient stopping distance and increased confusion for train controllers.

Advice that I have received is that the problems with the signalling system will also contribute to major impacts to on-time running that would spread across the entire network and delay trains for tens of thousands of commuters in South East Queensland each day. That means, if we open the line as it is, with the signalling system in its current state, the entire South East Queensland network would effectively catch a cold that would spread around the network leaking to delays.

The advice from Queensland Rail is very clear, due to the status of the signal testing to date they do not have confidence the rail line can safely be commissioned until the problems are resolved.

On the current assessment the signalling procured under the former Government will not allow for more than three trains to pass through Petrie Station without the system failing.

That is simply not acceptable and it is why I have ordered an investigation.

From today, Queensland Rail is responsible for the commission of this project. The Government is now entrusting them to take the lead in finalising the commercial and technical arrangements required to get the signalling system up to standard, online and tested.

I have told Queensland Rail to work to the timeline of safety and I will update you further when this work is completed.

The full implications of today's announcement will be felt by commuters who were looking forward to the opening of the MBRL line.

They've been waiting more than 100 years and it is a further blow that the signalling system installed has not passed muster and will delay this project further.

As Minister and as a public transport user, I was really looking forward to this project opening to benefit the people of the Moreton Bay region. I am disappointed that this has played out the way it has, leaving the Government with only one option.

I want to reassure Queenslanders that the Government will do everything in its power to deliver the project as soon as we can and ensure it will be at the highest standards of safety and quality.

I share commuters' disappointment and frankly, anger, that this project has had this set back.

As I have outlined, I have acted swiftly to get to the bottom of this issue when it was clear to me it was more than just the regular teething problems of any major project.

I need to be absolutely clear here. Safety must come first.

So if it means asking for someone to investigate the Department's delivery of this project, and wearing political heat, then so be it. Safety is more important than politics.

It is also very important to be open and transparent about the concerns in relation to this project, because we want other governments and business to continue to invest in critical infrastructure in Queensland.

This investigation will be transparent and I will confirm details in the coming days about who I will entrust with this task.

I will now invite the Attorney-General and State Member for Redcliffe Yvette D'Ath to say a few words and then I will take questions. 

Ends

[ozbob]

Hallelujah .. Queensland Rail is back in charge now.  A lot of damage has been done though .. thanks Newman, thanks Abbott, thanks Emerson!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th May 2016

Moreton Bay Rail Link - Minister Hinchliffe strongly supported

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track strongly supports our Transport Minister Mr Stirling Hinchliffe and Queensland Rail for taking the correct approach to resolving the difficulties with the MBRL project.

Statement on Moreton Bay Rail Link Project http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/5/30/statement-on-moreton-bay-rail-link-project

We congratulate the Minister for putting Queensland Rail back in charge essentially.  It was a very flawed decision by the Newman Government to remove Queensland Rail from the construction alliance, particularly in view of the excellent track record with Queensland Rail's involvement in a number of alliances - Caboolture to Beerburrum Track Upgrade,  Corinda to Darra Track Upgrade, Darra to Richlands Railway construction, Richlands to Springfield Railway Construction.  Stripping the project of funds by both the Newman and Abbott Governments claiming it was ' gold plated ' was politics not reality.  We now see the real costs of crappy politics.

We have every confidence that Queensland Rail can now bring this project to completion and operation.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[STB]

Memo to any future Government - if you want infrastructure built properly, keep your damn ideologies and politics out of it and leave it to the experts to deal with it, as in this case, make sure that the actual rail operator - Queensland Rail - is involved from the start through to the finish!

 

[ozbob]

Memo to any future Government - if you want infrastructure built properly, keep your damn ideologies and politics out of it and leave it to the experts to deal with it, as in this case, make sure that the actual rail operator - Queensland Rail - is involved from the start through to the finish!

+1

[nathandavid88]

+2!  Absolute stupidity by the former government, and it does not shine well on DTMR's ability to organise large infrastructure projects.

[ozbob]

 

[tazzer9]

Wasn't the MBRL at one stage nearly 6 months ahead of schedule and even touted to be opened very early in 2016?   
Is the issue to do with the actual track and equipment or the integration of that equipment with the rest of the network. 
Because if the problem is the integration of signalling at petrie with the rest of the network, there is no reason that you couldn't run a shuttle operated by essentially a local control panel.

[STB]

Wasn't the MBRL at one stage nearly 6 months ahead of schedule and even touted to be opened very early in 2016?   
Is the issue to do with the actual track and equipment or the integration of that equipment with the rest of the network. 
Because if the problem is the integration of signalling at petrie with the rest of the network, there is no reason that you couldn't run a shuttle operated by essentially a local control panel.

Not really as it's more than just the signalling on the line itself, it also needs to link in with the Train Controllers at Mayne - and according to the media release from the Transport Minister, it's more than just the signals themselves, but also will create confusion with the Train Controllers and cause issues for the drivers themselves with stopping distances.

[verbatim9]

https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/qtenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?id=15890&action=display-tender-details

"Queensland Rail intends to implement a European Train Control System (ETCS) trackside solution between Caboolture and Gympie North. The enhancement of operational safety is expected to be the primary benefit and the solution is anticipated to be ETCS Level 1."

Is the signalling system they having problems with the new European control system?

[ozbob]

https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/qtenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?id=15890&action=display-tender-details

"Queensland Rail intends to implement a European Train Control System (ETCS) trackside solution between Caboolture and Gympie North. The enhancement of operational safety is expected to be the primary benefit and the solution is anticipated to be ETCS Level 1."

Is the signalling system they having problems with the new European control system?

No. 

[ozbob]

The ' retrospectroscope ' can be a very valuable instrument .. 

Ok, so now this project has been taken off QueenslandRail and given to a ROAD agency. What exactly is their expertise in delivering railway projects?

This Government is behaving like a bull in a China shop. Decisions for the sake of changing things.

Not impressed. Seriously.

Why not put the project to an alliance like Springfield and Caboolture - Beerburrum? The reason why alliance projects work well is because they have a commercial incentive to come in on time & budget, and find solutions to problems. My own employer dealt with both those alliance projects, and one of the most noticeable differences compared to working directly with State agencies was that you could actually get them to make decisions and respond to things in a reasonable amount of time. Until a few years ago, the old QR was like that as well, but after the split it became like talking to a brick wall, if you could even identify exactly who the responsible person was at all.

Although I wonder if this means that the smouldering remnants of QR are about to vanish into the maw of the all conquering Main Roads department, there to be pillaged by Caltabiano and his LNP crony buddies?

What a shambles. I'm sure that the people who wanted to be rid of Anna and Boy Wonder weren't looking to replace it with this kind of errant nonsense. This Government was elected to set things right, not compound Labor's errors with a whole bunch of rookie mistakes.

Meanwhile in the real world:
http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/alliance-cuts-cost-of-paisley-canal-line-electrification.html

[Stillwater]

Why should the federal government and the Moreton Bay Regional Council have to chip in extra money for the fix that will solve this problem?  The state government should wear the extra cost, alone.  Maybe it could redirect the $100m it has allocated to the Townsville Stadium to the MBRL signals fix. 

[kaykayt]

LOL not this again

[nathandavid88]

Why should the federal government and the Moreton Bay Regional Council have to chip in extra money for the fix that will solve this problem?  The state government should wear the extra cost, alone.  Maybe it could redirect the $100m it has allocated to the Townsville Stadium to the MBRL signals fix. 

Umm, didn't the Federal Government claw back some of their funding from the project as well?

[ozbob]

Why should the federal government and the Moreton Bay Regional Council have to chip in extra money for the fix that will solve this problem?  The state government should wear the extra cost, alone.  Maybe it could redirect the $100m it has allocated to the Townsville Stadium to the MBRL signals fix. 

Queensland is solely responsible for any cost overuns.  This was part of the original deal.

[Fares_Fair]

Just saw a 4pm Channel Seven news bulletin (via Twitter).. they are saying that they may have to rip it all out and start again! 
The signalling system that is..

[Stillwater]

This is a gift for the Coalition in the federal election campaign.  Expect alarm bells to be ringing in Labor circles.  The spin doctors will be feeding the lines to LNP/Coalition MPs and candidates.  Anticipate the line .... "If the Labor Party can't run a railway line, imagine the mess they will make running the country."  Nicholls will be all over this, even though LNP under Mr Newman has had a hand in this too.  Finger pointing all round.