That was my understanding also. It still should be able to support reliable 15 min all day service. It’s quite frustrating to have them shut down Shorncliffe for a major upgrade without building a second platform.
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I’m still convinced that the Shorncliffe line can reliably run a train every 15min without duplication or a 2nd platform with ETCS in place. ETCS will make turnbacks quicker and more efficient and will reduce the amount of time a train is on the single-track leg for (or so I hope).
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I don’t trust QR enough to do sub 5-minute turnarounds so I would much rather have physical infra to allow for better operations and a more human passenger experience.
They’re only gonna raise 90 metres of the whole platform. That only means installing humps…
Yes, time for running Sandgate to Shorncliffe is 2 minutes. Turnback time is 4 minutes (present timetable). In theory could support 10 minute frequency. The present timetable has 15 minute frequency during the peaks.
timetable → https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/timetables/250721-shorncliffe.pdf
Keep in mind that even though the turnback in peak hour is 4mins, it takes extra staff to do that, those trains will have an extra crew on board to do the turnback, as the minimum from memory with a single crew is 8mins, any less and an additional crew is required to turnback the train in a shorter timeframe.
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Thanks @STB that’s very interesting. Do you know how the extra crew are worked?
Extra driver and guard. Hence why Shorncliffe needs to be duplicated, it reduces the burden of having to have extra staff to do a turnback. Tight turnbacks also make it difficult to schedule it operationally, a delay, or the train on the platform breaks down, and you’re kinda screwed.
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Thanks. You would think that operationally they would put in a second platform, and duplicate to avoid the high labour cost. In the morning peak and shoulder there are 18 services that depart Shorncliffe every 15 minutes.
I’m pretty sure QR would spend more money on extra turnback guards rather than duplication in the long term because bread tastes better than key.
But if having additional guards pretty much does the job of allowing 15min frequency all daya, then it would be a viable option as well despite the higher labour cost.
This sounds like the long turnbacks are due to the legacy signalling and train control system. I don’t really know the full process of turning a train back, but I feel that the turnbacks will become more streamlined with ETCS and ATO in place.
(I’m aware I sound like an ETCS pastor, but ETCS better be something good after all the occupations the Shorncliffe line endured.)
Disappointing that only 90m of the platform is being raised.
This article from 2022 mentions the plan was to raise the entire length of the platform.
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Agreed
Not being too familiar with Shorncliffe station, are there practical reasons why the entire platform can’t be raised? It looks straight on the map, but could it be part of heritage protections?
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X: G’day @QueenslandRail
In 2022 it was reported that Shorncliffe would have full length platform raising. Why is it that only 90m is now going to be raised? Thanks. Robert
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Response from Queensland Rail:
X: Hi Robert, we opted for 90 metres of high-level platform raising as part of the project scope review into upgrade works. This is a great outcome, as it will still improve station accessibility and deliver meaningful benefit, while still being a responsible use of taxpayer funds.
====
So the shortening of the platform raising was to save money. Disappointing. 
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Well there is the more full-feature Sandgate station not too far away. I think that QR assumes that people who need more facilities would use Sandgate station instead.
Whilst the station will then be considered “accessible”, those of us still having to lift (potentially) heavy e-bikes/e-scooters into the first/last carriages may beg to differ…
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I’m starting to wonder whether there is no point in full-length platform raising now that so many stations have existing centre-only raisings that people needing level boarding will just always go to the centre in any case since the destination station is likely centre-raised only.
I feel like this is a defeatest attitude to take though. It wasn’t done this way previously, so there’s no point doing it at all. The truth is full length raising is more than just providing level boarding for wheelchair users. You have cyclists trying to get a bike in, parents with a stroller, elderly people who may not necessarily want to get in at the centre of the platform.
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