Major weekend of Gold Coast rail maintenance preparing for up to eight Commonwealth Games Trains an hour

More than 400 Queensland Rail crews and contractors will work around the clock this weekend (9-11 February) to deliver more than 7,000 hours of maintenance and reliability works on the Gold Coast heavy rail line, ahead of running up to eight train an hour for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said in the short 48-hour timeframe, crews would turn around an extensive checklist of maintenance works to boost the safety, reliability and presentation of the Gold Coast line ahead of high-frequency, 24/7 rail services for the biggest sporting event in Queensland’s history.

“Over the past 12 months, Queensland Rail has been progressively working on the asset maintenance and construction work required to ensure the reliability and on-time running of services on the Gold Coast line and across the South East Queensland (SEQ) rail network during GC2018,” Mr Bailey said.

“In 2017, more than $124 million was invested in the maintenance of the inner city and Gold Coast rail lines, which included track maintenance, and upgrades to signalling infrastructure and overhead power lines.

“This is on top of the Palaszczuk Government’s $163 million heavy rail duplication between Helensvale and Coomera opened last year, in order to improve rail capacity for the Games.

“Queensland Rail has also been busy undertaking preventative maintenance work on its rollingstock to ensure it’s in top condition ahead of the Games.

“Across this weekend (9-11 February), Queensland Rail crews will span the Gold Coast line from Park Road to Varsity Lakes stations, to deliver final stages of maintenance works and checks.

“Work will include significant track maintenance at Yeerongpilly, in addition to general track and overhead power line maintenance between Woodridge and Varsity Lakes stations.

“The teams will also re-profile more than 45 kilometres of track between Beenleigh and Varsity Lakes station, using a rail grinder, to ensure trains are running as smoothly and quietly as possible.“Every station between Beenleigh and Robina will also receive an extensive refresh and clean up as part of the planned station overhauls ahead of the games.

“At Beenleigh station, this will include the installation of new cladding and frame work around the building walls and subway, new timetable cabinets and landscaping.

“The entire region will be on show to the world during the Games, and through Queensland Rail’s comprehensive suite of maintenance and upgrade works over the past year we’ve been working to ensure the rail network performs as reliably as possible during this time.

“Scheduled maintenance is carried out at every available opportunity on the network to ensure those standards are met all year round.

“In fact, over the past two quarters, Queensland Rail has consistently exceeded its on time running target, with more than 95 per cent of trains running to schedule during this time.

“We appreciate the patience of rail customers this weekend, as we undertake this important work.”

From 9.30pm Friday, 9 February until the last service on Sunday, 11 February, buses will replace trains on the Gold Coast line between Park Road and Varsity Lakes stations.

Customers are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and allow for approximately 60 minutes extra travel time.

Queensland Rail will be continuing to undertake preventative and corrective maintenance work across the City network in lead up to the Commonwealth Games, including major weekend work in the inner city area (from Bowen Hills to Corinda, Murarrie and Yeerongpilly) from Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 February, and again on the Gold Coast line from Park Road to Varsity Lakes stations on Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 March 2018.

For more information on Queensland Rail’s schedule of maintenance work, you can view the 12-month calendar or sign up for email notifications. 

ENDS

Media enquiries: Chris Vernon - 0416 800 004