# Train signalling upgrade - ETCS 2 rollout **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Tags:** heavy-rail, discussion\ **Created:** [27 January 2025 00:08 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208 "2025-01-27T00:08:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Beerwatcher](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@Beerwatcher](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Beerwatcher)\ **Post date:** [26 October 2025 00:42 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/41 "2025-10-26T00:42:34Z")
It seems like QR/TMR have decided the ETCS2 rollout will start on the outer parts of Sector 1 (Beenleigh to Varsity and Elimbah to Caloundra) before moving inwards toward the city- is there a reason why? I would have thought the best value for money in the early stages of the rollout would be in the inner city network so that it’s ready for CRR (and allows for more capacity + reliability) but obviously there’s more to it. My first thought would be they just want to iron out any issues before deploying it in the inner city but…. isn’t that what the Shorncliffe line testing is for? ---
**Author:** ![sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ba8739/32.png) [@sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/sherooda)\ **Post date:** [26 October 2025 00:51 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/42 "2025-10-26T00:51:06Z")
![image](https://d2ncxwic62bt2e.cloudfront.net/original/2X/7/7dd0f05b30d3a610b492d00d92e516f270147f41.jpeg) This diagram from the TMRs website shows that they only intend to implement ETCS on Sector 1 of the post CRR network. Makes sense that it would increase capacity on the tri-track corridors from Petrie to Northgate and Boggo Road to Kuraby, and that its the sector that will use CRR. But there are pinch points on Sector 2 as well, including the section of track from Darra to Corinda, and the flat junctions after Eagle Junction. ---
**Author:** ![Ozbob](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/ozbob/32/1784_2.png) [@Ozbob](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Ozbob)\ **Post date:** [26 October 2025 02:29 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/43 "2025-10-26T02:29:24Z")
Caboolture to Gympie North has ETCS L1. ---
**Author:** ![Axilya](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Axilya](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Axilya)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2025 01:51 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/44 "2025-11-15T01:51:26Z")
Darra to Corinda can be fixed relatively easily by electrifying the fourth road. Not to say it shouldn’t get ETCS L2 eventually, but I can’t see electrification taking more than a few weekends. ---
**Author:** ![sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ba8739/32.png) [@sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/sherooda)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2025 11:17 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/45 "2025-11-15T11:17:55Z")
Highly doubt that they will get it through, knowing QR believing that simple and low-cost fix = insignificant. There is LGCFR and Cleveland line duplication to consider. QR would probably prioritise those because they would be bigger projefcts than a 4th platform at Oxley. ---
**Author:** ![Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Verbatim9)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2025 11:46 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/46 "2025-11-15T11:46:48Z")
They will need it once they extend the line out to Toowoomba. (Stage 1 Helidon). This is because they would need the extra capacity to cater for more services through Ipswich. ---
**Author:** ![Axilya](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Axilya](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Axilya)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2025 22:42 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/47 "2025-11-15T22:42:40Z")
Agreed, but when is that likely to happen? I can’t see it within the next decade, at least. Electrification/4th platform at Oxley should be able to be finished within 12-18 months once funding/approval is provided. ---
**Author:** ![Axilya](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Axilya](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Axilya)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2025 22:43 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/48 "2025-11-15T22:43:22Z")
Yes, as made obvious by no duplication of Shorncliffe station. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Verbatim9](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Verbatim9)\ **Post date:** [15 November 2025 22:58 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/49 "2025-11-15T22:58:45Z")
> [@Toowoomba Line](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/toowoomba-line/1320/3): > > 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 grinning_face ---
**Author:** ![sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ba8739/32.png) [@sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/sherooda)\ **Post date:** [26 March 2026 00:24 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/50 "2026-03-26T00:24:17Z")
![IMG_20260326_101237_HDR](https://d2ncxwic62bt2e.cloudfront.net/original/2X/3/37cdde6b230ea183dd9fe8bec786193cf6f3e1fe.jpeg) New ETCS units added at North Boondall station. I swear to god if they take their sweet time to test the newly installed units… ---
**Author:** ![Beerwatcher](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@Beerwatcher](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Beerwatcher)\ **Post date:** [26 July 2026 05:46 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/51 "2026-07-26T05:46:28Z")
Interesting pics in a series shared by QLD fire showing their crews doing some rail training with NGR sets at Elimbah stabling yard… looks like some NGRs now fitted with ETCS2 hardware? ![image](https://d2ncxwic62bt2e.cloudfront.net/original/2X/e/e5bbed8a6eb6cf2d51a34e9c04e90467659239d5.jpeg) ![image](https://d2ncxwic62bt2e.cloudfront.net/original/2X/2/2e8876e81c6285077ec744078b3a40d6622bbda0.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Ozbob](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/ozbob/32/1784_2.png) [@Ozbob](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Ozbob)\ **Post date:** [16 September 2026 02:51 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/52 "2026-09-16T02:51:09Z")
QR ran the first revenue services using ETCS L2 over the weekend doing Shorncliffe shuttles between Northgate and Shorncliffe. > **[Queensland Rail recently reached a significant milestone in the modernisation...](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/queensland-rail_queensland-rail-recently-reached-a-significant-activity-7505503988608327680-1rzu)** > > Queensland Rail recently reached a significant milestone in the modernisation of South East Queensland's rail network, with customers travelling on the first passenger services equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 in revenue... ---
**Author:** ![sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ba8739/32.png) [@sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/sherooda)\ **Post date:** [17 September 2026 22:53 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/53 "2026-09-17T22:53:56Z")
Would be great if the Shorncliffe line ran every 15min instead of every 30min all day though… ---
**Author:** ![OzGamer](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/ozgamer/32/261_2.png) [@OzGamer](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/OzGamer)\ **Post date:** [18 September 2026 00:05 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/54 "2026-09-18T00:05:51Z")
Yes, should become the default for all lines within Brisbane. Surely ETCS2 enables that. ---
**Author:** ![nathandavid88](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/nathandavid88/32/1258_2.png) [@nathandavid88](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/nathandavid88)\ **Post date:** [18 September 2026 00:11 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/55 "2026-09-18T00:11:05Z")
Does the single line stretch to Shorncliffe allow for that? ---
**Author:** ![OzGamer](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/ozgamer/32/261_2.png) [@OzGamer](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/OzGamer)\ **Post date:** [18 September 2026 00:15 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/56 "2026-09-18T00:15:54Z")
I’m saying maybe it would reliably with ETCS2 in place. ---
**Author:** ![sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ba8739/32.png) [@sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/sherooda)\ **Post date:** [18 September 2026 01:29 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/57 "2026-09-18T01:29:05Z")
If it can run every 15min during peak hour only using legacy signalling with a significant timetable margin, then it definitely can run 15min all day with ETCS. Melbourne’s Upfield line has a longer and more restricting single-track final leg than the Shorncliffe line yet the trains on that line more frequently (a train every 20min) than the Shorncliffe line. The only reason the Shorncliffe line runs every 30min is because they stow downward trains at the final spur to Allpass Parade rather than turning back immediately. I hope to dear god that the they can speed up turnbacks at Shorncliffe station to squeeze more capacity on the single track leg. ---
**Author:** ![sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ba8739/32.png) [@sherooda](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/sherooda)\ **Post date:** [27 September 2026 10:35 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/58 "2026-09-27T10:35:20Z")
> [@Shorncliffe line Shennanigans](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/shorncliffe-line-shennanigans/523/74): > > Should be testing at a higher frequency, such as a train every 15min all day compared to every 30min (or every 10min under wonderland cases). Isn’t that the main point of ETCS at the end of the day? ---
**Author:** ![austin](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/austin/32/6796_2.png) [@austin](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/austin)\ **Post date:** [27 September 2026 11:34 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208/59 "2026-09-27T11:34:36Z")
Why settle for mediocrity? We should be upgrading the Shorncliffe Line to have Frankston Line frequencies (10 minutes off-peak, 7 days a week) 😂 [Previous page](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/train-signalling-upgrade-etcs-2-rollout/208.md?page=2)