Doesn’t a third party look after the NGR trains, while QR look after the rest.
My understanding is that BGRs are owned by TMR with Alstom (formerly Bombardier) holding the maintenance contracts.
To be fair, I imagine Sydney Trains is in a better position when it comes to fleet availability compared to QR.
I think that retiring the EMUs at this time was a major mistake as QR is still having a portion of their rolling stock in refurbishing works, meaning that we are still in the red.
Yes the NGRs are now in full availability but that’s not the case with the SMU26x/IMU16x fleets…
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The EMUs were quickly running out of spare parts so their hand was forced.
They should have enough to run the current timetable with the current allocation, even with the refurbs occuring. Don’t expect any service improvements in peak prior to the QTMP deliveries though…
I definitely don’t have my hopes up. Although I still wish for more off peak improvements. At the very least 15 minutes all day to Manly, Springfield, Redcliffe, Shorncliffe and Airport.
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Rollingstock isn’t a limiting factor for more off-peak trains. On some corridors it is only being willing to pay to run them - on others there are hard infrastructure limits or at least limits to running more trains reliably. Crewing is a factor but that is solvable a lot more quickly than needing to build more trackage.
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Totally. And from what I understand, those routes can be run at that frequency tomorrow (at least infrastructure wise)…
Steam trains return to Brisbane for the first time in six years
The special events will include:
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Saturday 26 July 2025: A steam train charter will travel from Ipswich to Grandchester for a commemorative event with food, entertainment and a walk down memory lane. While the steam train itself will be a ticketed event, the event at Grandchester will be free for community members to enjoy.
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Thursday 31 July 2025: Steam trains will return to Brisbane for the first time in six years to mark Queensland Rail’s official birthday. The train will depart from Roma Street station to Pinkenba and return via the Tennyson loop. A commemorative event will also take place at Roma Street station, featuring entertainment and the opportunity to meet steam train drivers. This event will be ticketed, with all proceeds going to Queensland Rail’s community partners.
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Wednesday 13 August 2025: Steam returns to the Ekka for People’s Day. There is no additional cost for this service, with customers boarding at Roma Street and disembarking at Exhibition station or continuing on for a round trip back to Roma Street as part of their 50 cent fare.
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$10 for a run on the Pinkenba loop (and cake!) is a great deal.
Wish QR would partner with DownsSteam to bring steam back to the Spring Bluff shuttles though. C16 106 isn’t the most powerful locomotive in the world, but BB18 1/4 1037 would be great to see on the range.
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For that price I’m heavily considering taking half the day off of work to go along
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I did a Pinkenba Loop tour a few years ago - it’s a great little tour that’s well worth going on, and I’m very happy to see steam tours brought back to Brisbane. I don’t think I can get the day off for it this time unfortunately, but I’ll definitely be looking to get the Ekka service.
I’m hanging out for another steam tour to the Port of Brisbane. That’s one that I missed which I really regret.
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Do it you rebel…
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Tickets for the Pinkenba run are gone, to the surprise of no one.
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Ipswich and Springfield line trains travelling away from Central station are delayed up to 15 minutes due to a signalling issue at Milton.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944479094155968854
The 4:58am Central to Rosewood train is cancelled between Roma Street and Rosewood due to a signalling issue at Milton.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944479785180188731
The 5:43am Central to Springfield Central train is cancelled between Roma Street and Springfield Central due to a signalling issue at Milton.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944484807141921109
Update: Ipswich and Springfield line trains are delayed up to 30 minutes in both directions due to a signalling issue at Milton.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944489615911489767
The 5:58am Central to Ipswich train is cancelled between Roma Street and Ipswich due to a signalling issue at Milton. https://
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944489956577010023
The 6:30am Roma Street to Ferny Grove train is cancelled due to a signalling issue at Milton.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944493722147639434
The 6:55am Ferny Grove to Central train is cancelled due to a signalling issue at Milton.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944494089392488509
The 7:10am Ferny Grove to Central train is cancelled due to a signalling issue at Milton.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944494336814588392
Oh dear …
Not a good start. Plenty of bus service cancellations out west as well.
Hopefully they will fix the fault at Milton soon otherwise peak will be a shambles. Counter peak already is.
Hopefully might be able to utilise the Tennyson line for some services.
Gone …
Update: Ipswich and Springfield line trains travelling towards Central station are currently suspended Indooroopilly to Chelmer due to a signalling issue at Milton. There are delays of up to 60 minutes in both directions.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944497868817027439
Update: Ipswich and Springfield line trains travelling towards Central station are currently suspended Indooroopilly to Roma Street due to a signalling issue at Milton. There are delays of up to 60 minutes in both directions.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944498936200196133
The 6:39am Ipswich to Bowen Hills train is cancelled due to a signalling issue at Milton.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944499663693812054
The 6:43am Central to Springfield Central train is cancelled between Roma Street and Springfield Central due to a signalling issue at Milton.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944501120774148583
Delays inbound on the Caboolture line due to the signalling issue at Milton.
QR FB: UPDATE 6:35am: Customers, services are now suspended inbound between Indooroopilly and Roma Street. Delays of up to 60 minutes are now anticipated in both directions on the Ipswich and Springfield lines. Rail replacement buses have commenced operation between Corinda and Roma Street in both directions.
Comments on the QR Facebook. Appears some trains with pax stranded.
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Update: Ipswich and Springfield line trains have resumed between Indooroopilly and Roma Street after an earlier signalling issue at Milton. There are delays of up to 60 minutes in both directions.
https://x.com/Translink_QLD/status/1944507387185897749
QR FB: UPDATE 7:20am: Customers, services are no longer suspended inbound between Indooroopilly and Roma Street, however will be running at restricted speed through the affected section of track. Delays of over 60 minutes are now anticipated inbound and up to 60 minutes outbound on the Ipswich and Springfield lines. Additional rail replacement buses have been ordered to transport customers between Corinda and Roma Street in both directions.
Thought something was going on, guard made an announcement of operational issues as we approached EJ and then we came into Platform 10 at Roma Street instead of Platform 8 with our service terminating there instead of Milton. Full suspension was announced as I was leaving Roma St.
Edit: Bit unfortunate that the track closure between Banoon and Boggo Road prevents services being diverted through Tennyson. Couldn’t come at a worse time!
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Yo. Forgot about the closure. Ongoing cancellations and delays on various lines now as a follow on.
QR FB: UPDATE 10:05am: Customers, as a result of an earlier signalling issue at Milton, residual delays are anticipated across the following lines:
IPSWICH, SPRINGFIELD, AIRPORT, CABOOLTURE, CLEVELAND, DOOMBEN, FERNY GROVE, REDCLIFFE PENINSULA, SHORNCLIFFE, SUNSHINE COAST LINES - Delays of up to 30 minutes in both directions.
Unusual that a track closure is beneficial, but GC & Beenleigh missed out on all the fun this morning.