Leaders push for ‘simple’ new train-bus link to connect Toowoomba and Brisbane
A ‘simple’ solution to link Brisbane and Toowoomba by passenger rail has emerged, with plans for a major transport interchange that could unlock the long-awaited project.
**
> It is expected to be discussed at a special rail summit next week, hosted by News Corp and the Toowoomba council.
**
I think perhaps they don’t realise how much of an impediment the Little Liverpool Range is. Impossible to electrify, which means either a diversion, or completely separate rolling stock, like bi-mode battery/25 kV AC. Neither are a cheap (or quick) proposition. I’d be interested to know if any designs for NG bi-mode rolling stock that fit the loading gauge through these tunnels even exists.
We maintain that having a terminus at Withcott for a period of time until a tunnel is built through the range for the inland rail, which could be many decades away, is (viable).
Excellent solution and some that will take pressure off the Warrego HWY as well,.especially with all the estates opening up West of Rosewood.
Oxley platform 3-4 here we come together with 4th track electrification from Oxley to Darra 
Depends if they are doing double stacked freight. If not, electrification is easier . If they do, they may need longer pantographs which they do in some other countries with double stacked freight sections.
GET ON BOARD
We’re building momentum for #passenger #rail to Brisbane and we’re going to need everyone’s help to make this happen.
Victoria Tunnel and the ‘six chains’ tunnel in the Little Liverpool Range can barely handle single height containers as it is. The brick lined roofs aren’t really suitable for raising or attaching anything to. The floors would have to be further lowered (this has been done at least once already) to fit an overhead wire. I’d rather see the Inland Rail plan for the Little Liverpool Range implemented, with a new alignment from Grandchester with ~800m tunnel. It would also remove the slowest part of the line between Rosewood and Helidon.
So I didn’t know that Inland Rail was proposing a slightly different alignment through the Little Liverpool Range, with 2 sharper curves (both 800m radius) than the 2003 alignment (not sure the radius). I know its close enough to the Laidley (parkway location) station so probably not a huge impact on speed if the train is already slowing down, but it does seem like a bit of an obstruction to the Mayor/COMSEQ’s ultimate regional faster rail line.
https://share.google/eVyEdEy9BqF6TQ1b5
Wagner backs new Toowoomba-Brisbane rail connection proposal | The Chronicle No Cookies | The Chronicle
Influential businessman Denis Wagner urges government to plan Toowoomba-Brisbane passenger rail
Toowoomba business titan Denis Wagner has called for immediate planning of a passenger rail link to Brisbane, saying it would transform regional travel and development.
Toowoomba leaders unite in major push for Brisbane passenger rail link
Toowoomba’s leaders will unite at a landmark summit to campaign for faster passenger rail, as the growing region faces pressure to improve connectivity before the 2032 Olympics.
Toowoomba’s most prominent voices have declared they won’t let go of the region’s passenger rail dream, ahead of a major summit designed to create a unified campaign.
Local and federal politicians, economic stakeholders and key business leaders will meet at Thursday’s Rail Summit at City Hall, including Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald and his Lockyer Valley counterpart Tanya Milligan, TSBE’s Dr John McVeigh and Groom MP Garth Hamilton
If they are to extend Citytrain services to Toowoomba (or Gatton or even Laidley), how would they get around the mountain range past Grandchester that has the 6chain and Victoria heritage tunnels?
Because they are heritage listed, they would probably force the rail services through the outdated tunnels and alignment because preserving very old infrastructure is more important than building quality infrastructure that would allow to provide decent PT service in this country (as made evident with Bendigo line downgrade and now Shorncliffe duplication).
As others have said above, due to this restriction any passenger rail service out this way is basically pointless without the new Island Rail tunnels. 30kph just doesn’t cut it
With Toowoomba – Brisbane rail connection - what is needed is a much straightened rail alignment (so trains can very safely travel at least 150 km/h) – but that cannot be done using most of the pre-existing rail alignments – and the (far too) narrow gauge.
One alternative is to put in a series of long and high bridges to skip over hilltops and make a continuous gradient from about Heldon to Toowoomba (about 17 km) – but getting “into Toowoomba” is a big (massive) problem.
Another (far more economic) alternative is to run a different rail alignment from Brisbane to about Laidley Heights head south towards Histglen then due west to near Nobby and join the Warwick – Toowoomba line. South of Toowoomba go due north and join the line to Oakey.
Yes, this just bypasses Toowoomba on the west, but this opens the sensibility of a major intermodal freight / passenger port just west (7.5 km) of Toowoomba CBD.
Using this rail alignment, the Brisbane – Nobby - Toowoomba line length is about 166 km and at nominally 100 km/h that is about 1.65 hours! If the (too narrow for 8’ rail cars) 4’ 8.5” gauge was used this speed could be increased to about 150 km and the travel time would be just over an hour.
Considering most passenger (at least) rail cars are now 10’ (3040 mm in width) the common engineering sense rail gauge would be 8’ 4” (2540 mm) and with that wide and very strong, very stable and very low maintenance rail gauge, the train (passenger and freight) speed could easily be 300 km/h and the transit time would be only about 30 minutes. Here is the map:
300 km/h freight? Is this person serious? Do they have any idea how incredibly expensive that would be?
Are they meming here? 8’4 is over double the width of standard gauge, and will not be manoeuvrable, and an ungodly amount of tunnelling and construction would be required to build a such a broad gauge. The only attempt at a gauge broader than 5’6 (Indian) gauge was the failed 3m gauge Breitspurbahn (sic).
I think we should eventually work on Toowoomba rail but should deliver rail to Ripley, Sunshine Coast and Browns plains first.
TMR are not considering rail to Browns Plains and beyond until the mid 2040s
The Toowoomba line proposals are much more advanced.
Considering that the Toowoomba line MR has gotten the most engagements of any other MR to date, I think supporting public sentiment on this one to get electric rail to Withcott is worthwhile.
Some negative, I should note (over-indexing on the idea of it being “exclusive” - our bad).
