Coal trains in the suburbs (plus other transport issues)

[johnnigh]

As a resident whose backyard finishes with a noise barrier with the coal trains passing near as often as the Ipswich and Richlands all-stops, a few smelly cattle trains as well as a few container trains, the occasional puffing billy doing tourist runs are far the quietest.
My wife and I aren't greatly bothered by the noise, though it's a nuisance when listening to radio etc. We are lucky to have the noise barrier and to be away from too many points or the two local bridges.

I think argument that 'you've lived there so put up with it' is more than a little lacking. Coal trains are noisier than others and poorly maintained wagons (there seem to be more than a few of them) exacerbate problems. The number of these is increasing. Add to that less than competent engineering at bridge approaches, acknowledged by QR as a cause of excessive noise at Allan Tce, for example (attempts at reinforcing subsided ballast have been made, to no great effect) and you have reasonable cause for complaint I think.

Private measurement of noise levels significantly exceed QR standards. Time for QR to do something.

As for dust. Yes, it used to be bad when sh**ty Ipswich coal was being burned all the time, but then we used to cark it in our 50s and 60s back in those days. We expect better these days. If you're happy with the standards of the 1950s, go and enjoy those conditions in China for a while, then let us know what fun it is.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Coal trains along West Moreton Corridor to be veneered by early May following two-month dust monitoring program

[johnnigh]

Perhaps its time coal trains had a roof.

I wonder why all road haulage vehicles must be covered, each prime mover with its one or two wagons of shite, but a train with 41 wagons of the same shite doesn't have to have anything, with a 'trial' of mock covering with the nice sounding name 'veneering', which will doubtless result in 'doesn't make a real difference, who cares anyway?'? With the present LNP crowd intent on enriching their mates, and a soon to be new federal govt that won't give a rat's.., I can't see anything happening that might benefit ordinary folk.

We'll just have to wait until the market dumps hard on coal, not too long I suspect at present pace of change, and the trains will simply stop. I'm looking forward to it, as its only thermal coal going to the port of Brisbane. 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Trucks also have to contend with bumps here and there, tighter corners, potential for crashes ie losing the load (take this crash yesterday just outside the Shafston Hotel), potential theft, winds, higher risk of losing some load and causing a crash, along with councils having different restrictions regarding securing loads. The railway has its own code and alot of council regs for trucks simply do not apply to trains.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Palmer's $8.1b coal mine forced to make changes

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Relief in sight for residents coal dust rail corridor

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> All coal trains entering Port of Brisbane should be veneered, says Moreton MP Graham Perrett

[johnnigh]

What's the point of veneering the full loads if the empties continue to unload their dust on the rocking & rolling return journey?
The only answer is to cover, as Palmer's group is planning for their new line into Bowen. It's good enough for trucks, it's good enough for Clive, it's good enough for all trains! If they cry poormouth, they shouldn't be in the business.

All the blather above about how trains are somehow different and nicer than road transport for coal, and therefore don't have to come up to the same dust and noise standards as road transport, is just that, foaming blather from train tragics.

And who would believe that trains achieve noise standards everywhere through the suburbs? Got to be joking!! 

[mufreight]

What's the point of veneering the full loads if the empties continue to unload their dust on the rocking & rolling return journey?
The only answer is to cover, as Palmer's group is planning for their new line into Bowen. It's good enough for trucks, it's good enough for Clive, it's good enough for all trains! If they cry poormouth, they shouldn't be in the business.

All the blather above about how trains are somehow different and nicer than road transport for coal, and therefore don't have to come up to the same dust and noise standards as road transport, is just that, foaming blather from train tragics.

And who would believe that trains achieve noise standards everywhere through the suburbs? Got to be joking!! 

Isnt a 50% reduction preferable to none and road transport of coal is much more environmentaly unfriendly in comparison with rail.
As for the empties the dust there can be almost eliminated by putting the waggons through a spray following the unloading with the hopper doors still open which would flush out most of the residual dust.

[johnnigh]

I would have thought the dust from empty wagons would be far less as they coal is at least not sticking up in the breeze. Trucks are a bit different to trains, they go faster and suffer more dynamic loads, corning and heavier braking than than trains. They are also filled differently and have a more open top. There is more coal exposed to the breeze per tonne and they mix in with society alot more. the main issue for dust control on a truck is the visibility for vehicles behind as well as a damage to following vehicles, especially windscreen.

The survey results showed I think there was more tyre dust than coal dust.

Noise, coal trains have been using this route for something like 130 years. Unless you bought property there before then, then you know what you moved into and chance are the price was more attractive than elsewhere.

So how long ago that survey? Before road transport had to cover loads?

Naturally, coal on rail is far preferable to on road. However, that doesn't mean it's all good.

The residents complaining about the trains have been living there for, in some cases, over 20 years, without any problems. It was the new track and the old bridge that changed everything. Harrumph much as you like about 'you know what you're getting into', but when the situation changes, and you find yourself dragged into a new world of noise and dust, continually increasing frequency with new coal fields and port development, and new (and reused) infrastructure, you are entitled to complain.

And Minister Emerson is, of course, blaming the Labor Govt and telling residents that no way a noise barrier. As there's only a few of them, it's a political no-brainer: let 'em suffer, their votes don't matter.

See the paper version of SWNews this week.

[ozbob]

From the South West News 1st May 2013 page 5

Rail noise riles residents

BUSY LINE: LOCALS FED UP WITH RACKET FROM RISE IN FREIGHT AND COAL TRAINS

CORINDA residents are fed up over the increase in freight and coal train traffic following the completion of the Corinda to Darra section of the track in early 2011, but it seems nothing will be done to alleviate train noise in the area.

A spokeswoman for the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said the onus was on the Labor party.

"Labor failed to deliver adequate noise barriers (and) due to the high level of debt and deficit left by Labor there is no funding currently available to refit noise barriers in this area," the spokesperson said.

Queensland Rail said they had conducted noise assessments in the area and would release the details of those measurements later this year.

"We have offered to meet with residents on Allan Tce to discuss their concerns, and this offer still stands," a QR spokesperson said.

But Allan Tce, Corinda, resident Wolfgang Schoenknecht said he had been trying to garner a result for more than 18 months with nothing to show for it.

In the 30 minutes Southwest News spoke to Mr Schoenknecht at his residence, nine trains passed.

"That doesn't include the freight and coal trains – there are no breaks at night and we are woken around 4am everyday,"Mr Schoenknecht said.

"There's no plan to do anything here and it's really ruined the quality of life."

Tarnya Smith MP ( Mt Ommaney) said after speaking with Mr Emerson and QR, there was no program of work scheduled.

"But they will continue to plan and find ways to make improvements to reduce the noise impact on the area and I'm happy to continue to monitor the situation and assist how I can," Ms Smith said.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Residents near coal corridor south-west of Brisbane should wear masks, says environtmental medicine expert Dr Andrew Jerimijenko

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Hearings to air coal dust fears

[ozbob]

Twitter

QldResourcesCouncil ‏@ResourcesQLD 24m

@Robert_Dow @612brisbane See http://bit.ly/13vKmMy  for overview of industry response inc monitoring http://bit.ly/195mzqz

[ozbob]

From the South West News 12th June 2013 page 20

Noise testing results released

[ozbob]

ABC Wide Bay

Call for senate inquiry to clear the air over coal dust pollution concerns

14 June 2013 , 11:44 AM by David Dowsett

Living in a coal town has its pros and cons.

Often there are good jobs around, and towns can thrive.

But many are growing concerned about the level of pollution that gets blasted into the air from these projects.

Dr Georgina Woods from Greenpeace has called for a senate inquiry looking at the health impacts of coal dust to visit communities like Clermont, Moranbah, Dysart and Blackwater.

This morning Michael Roche chief executive of the Queensland Resources Council responded to those concerns...

Click --> here!

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Stop Brisbane Coal Trains' John Gordon says release of dust studies shows Newman Government and industry 'are one'

[HappyTrainGuy]

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Country Life 15th August 2013 page 18

Jondaryan coal dust: New Hope keeps watch

THE letter `Jondaryan suffers coal dust misery' published in Queensland Country Life on August 8 contained glaring factual errors and misrepresentations.

The number of coal trains leaving New Acland's rail loading facility near Jondaryan each day averages just seven - not 12 as the writer claimed. Under the revised New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 Project, it is expected that a maximum of four more trains may leave the facility each day. An important element of the revised project plan is relocation of the rail loading facility away from near the township to a remote area on the New Acland mining lease - some eight kilometres away.

Coal is not toxic - it is compressed plant material. The New Acland operation directly employs more than 300 people with a further 160 full-time contractors. Not only do these employees work at the mine, but many also live in the direct vicinity of the operation, along with their families. Dust monitoring at six locations along the south-western rail corridor which transports coal to the Port of Brisbane has confirmed that air quality along the corridor meets health and amenity guidelines.

Dust levels recorded along the rail line are similar to, or lower than, those at non-rail sites on the Brisbane air quality monitoring network. New Hope continuously monitors the air quality conditions at its New Acland mine site and Jondaryan, using some of the most highly sensitive and sophisticated dust monitoring equipment available in Australia. To date, the Jondaryan air quality monitoring program has not identified any significant air quality issues in relation to either nuisance or health levels.

New Hope built its coal train wagon profiling and veneering facility near Jondaryan at a cost of more than $1 million. It began operations in May this year.

Jim Randell
Executive general manager, mining, New Hope Group.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Environment Minister Andrew Powell says Government will consider recommendation to cover coal wagons

A SENATE inquiry recommendation that coal wagons be covered to prevent coal dust pollution is being considered by the Newman Government.

The inquiry into the impacts of air quality on health in Australia handed down its report last week. It found measures such as the covering of coal wagons were "appropriate regulatory steps to take towards minimising the impact of coal emissions on vulnerable communities".

The inquiry recommended state and territory governments require industry to cover their coal wagon fleets.

Environment Minister Andrew Powell yesterday said the Government was working its way through the report. But he stopped short of making any commitment to implement its recommendations ....

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Train approaching: step back and don't breathe

[SurfRail]

Unconfirmed reports these people are advocating trespassing onto rail corridors now. Sigh.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Unconfirmed reports these people are advocating trespassing onto rail corridors now. Sigh.

Idiots.

[johnnigh]

If you guys were happy truck guys you'd be complaining about speed limits on trucks and compulsory load covering. 

[HappyTrainGuy]

I couldn't really give 2 hoots about coal wagons but if its true that they are advocating trespassing in the railway corridor then they are just bloody idiots.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/9/12/carls-coal-increase-claims-false

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Carl's coal increase claims false

The Newman Government has rejected claims circulated by a local MP that additional coal will be moved through the current West Moreton rail system.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said false information being passed on by Member for Yeerongpilly Carl Judge showed he was more interested in creating fear than delivering solutions for his constituents.

"Local residents have passed on emails that suggest Carl Judge believes the government is considering a proposal to ship an additional two million tonnes a year of coal from the Darling Downs," Mr Emerson said.

"This is false and it appears Mr Judge is simply trying to mislead his local constituents by creating fear.

"The fact is the government rejected a proposal to increase coal shipments back in March and has no plans to change the current arrangements."

The Government is continuing to work with the coal industry to reduce coal dust across the West Moreton line by a process of veneering.

At the same time the government is working with the Federal Coalition to progress the inland rail commitment announced during the recent Federal election campaign to get coal trains out of the suburbs.

[ENDS] 12 September 2013

[#Metro]

What is it with Yeerongpilly? Cr Nicole Johnston and Carl Judge.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Boost in coal train movements through Brisbane reversed amid dust fears

[ozflier]

If the story is true - ie that there are millions of tons of coal per annum to be shipped to port and that rail is now not going to be used , does that mean we will have the pleasure of  even more trucks zooming down the range to Fisherman Islands ?

[ozbob]

More than likely, stand by,  massive B triples to crush you soon ... we are governed by idiots.

Put on covers and move it by rail ...

[johnnigh]

Hang on, moving coal by (covered) B-triples will be far more expensive to coal companies than covering rail wagons. Surely they'll choose the cheaper option. Or am I over-estimating the abilities of coal company managers and the politicians whose strings they pull?

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

http://www.cleanairqueensland.org/

[Golliwog]

More than likely, stand by,  massive B triples to crush you soon ... we are governed by idiots.

Put on covers and move it by rail ...

MCV (Multi Combination Vehicle) truck access is an interesting thing. It's controlled by much more than just people wanting to run bigger trucks. For interest, http://tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/Heavy-vehicles/Multi-combination-vehicles.aspx is the general page but they have details on what constitutes the different types of road heavy vehicles (B-double, Type 1 Road Train, Type 2 Road Train) and maps showing where they are and aren't allowed to access on an as-of-right basis. Outside of these areas they may still be able to access with an appropriate permit, as can vehicles that don't meet the rules for what counts as a standard heavy vehicle. For example, the trucks that recently carried the two light rail vehicles from the POB down to the GC would have been permit vehicles which would have had their route carefully picked out and other rules and restrictions put in place to ensure they traveled there safely.

[ozbob]

I understand applications have been made to run regular B triples on certain routes in and around Brisbane and SEQ ...

Melbourne --> Monster truck drive

[HappyTrainGuy]

There certainly has been a lot of B doubles going along Robinson Road/Albany Creek Road and along Gympie Road through Aspley and Carseldine of recent but one can assume that its because of the Geebung and Telegraph Road level crossings. Certainly weird seeing bucket loads of them stuck in the same peak hour traffic when heading back home in the mornings.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Calls to cover coal train wagons in Queensland

[ozbob]

Be very ironic if coal is moved from rail to road.  Free up the Ipswich line for a start and might get some decent frequency as pax demands become massive as punters move to escape from the road meltdowns ...



My own personal view is that coal is best covered, however freight separation is the ideal.  Road vehicle emissions are are very significant issue that will be difficult to sort, if ever.

... In Brisbane on Monday, Dr Redenbach said dust from coal wagons alone was unlikely to cause such dramatic health effects but for those living near freight lines, the risks grew when combined with other pollutants.

"One of the issues is ... there's coal dust but also pollution from motor vehicle emissions, pollution from the wear and tear of tyres, diesel emissions from trains and trucks and all of these things are adding together," she said.

"All of these things increase the level of particulate matter we know is dangerous to health ..."

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/calls-to-cover-coal-train-wagons-in-queensland-20130930-2uolp.html

There are very big questions as to whether coal should be mined, but I don't see a rush to alternative technologies yet ...  hope you and your great grand children are good swimmers ...   

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New safety campaign highlights health dangers associated with coal dust spread by trains travelling through Brisbane

[johnnigh]

It is now nearly a year since QR's community liaison office promised a meeting to discuss the Allan Tce problem with residents. The timeframe since QR's last communications seems quite extraordinary.

Here is an update about the predicament of residents, remembering that many of them have been living there for over 20 years, with no issues until the recent upgrade (and re-use of an old bridge removed from service when the Corinda yards were abandoned) and increase of freight traffic:

There is no noise barrier east or west of the tracks between the rail bridge at Allan Tce and the town houses on the old Corinda State School site. Allan Tce is below the railway lines, thus totally exposed to noise and dust from passing trains. Residents who have lived there for 20 years or more are now enjoying greatly increased rail traffic and a bridge that has not been appropriately upgraded to take the extra traffic.

Residents write:
Northbound coal trains are being held outside Allan Tce again while waiting for signal change.  Is this a change of policy? What happened to the promise that it wouldn't be the case? (QR letter 19thDec. 2012). The lack of mitigation is incomprehensible. Why are we still being exposed to noise levels from southbound accelerating freight trains massively exceeding QR's own noise code of practice levels, when simple measures could reduce our suffering? It isn't only noise.  What about the fugitive small particle coal dust issue from the empty coal trains? "Unloaded coal trains found to be responsible for generating the highest levels of dust."(Newcastle Herald, 16th Sept. 2013). "The briefing notes provided to the minister acknowledged emissions from the wagons "can significantly impact human health"...." (The Courier Mail, Sept, 2013)  "The key factor that contributes to the emission rate of coal dust from wagons is the speed of the air passing over the coal surface. This is influenced by the train speed and the ambient wind speed." (Connell Hatch Report for QR, 31 March 2008).

Both the noise and dust pollution generated by the above mentioned factors, can be reduced substantially by the removal of the 70 speed sign on the track in line with 38 Allan Terrace, Corinda. It would be a very much appreciated gesture towards us residents and more importantly cost neutral to QR.

The noise levels from the Allan Terrace bridge-ends, generated mostly by the electric passenger trains, have reached a point where the noise from the bridge now exceeds the noise levels generated by the trains themselves. When will QR finally stop the deterioration of the bridge and bring it up to a standard that is designed to cope safely with current and future levels of rail traffic and be environmentally friendly?

The unnecessary noise and dust that we are expected to endure, suggests in our eyes, a lack of maintenance that is a sign of neglect and irresponsibility. We are worried and fearful of the enduring "pothole mentality" that seems to apply to rail track maintenance. Will it take a major accident to cause QR to undertake maintenance on this unfortunate bridge?