Power problems cause chaos on Brisbane train network

QUEENSLAND Rail advises trains are back running through the inner-city but delays are expected as final repairs continue.

The Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines trains will run direct between Moorooka and Roma St Station via the Tennyson Loop until further notice.

UPDATE: Queensland Rail advises train services have resumed through inner-city Brisbane after a day of chaos on the southeast network.

A QR spokeswoman says minor delays will continue to be experienced as final repairs continue and these are expected to be completed on Sunday night, in time for Monday’s morning peak period.

[UPDATE] Following an overhead powerline issue, Beenleigh, Gold Coast and Airport lines have returned to normal stopping patterns. Buses remain in place. Customers can expect delays up to 20 mins. #TLAlerts #TLBeenleighLine #GoldCoastLine #TLClevelandLine https://t.co/VnsD0QTqz7

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) July 8, 2018

EARLIER: Queensland Rail is hopeful Brisbane’s train network will be fixed in time for Monday’s peak morning rush as commuters go back to work.

Executive General Manager Nick King said at this stage full services are expected to be restored in time.

It follows a day of widespread delays across the network, and bus replacements on southern lines after overhead powerlines were damaged just before 8.30pm on Saturday.

Crews have been working through the night to repair the damage, which was much more severe than originally thought.

Mr King said investigations into what caused the damage are still ongoing, but 1.2km of powerlines were stripped from the inner city area as a result.

“Electrical contact between a New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train and the overhead powerlines resulted in damage to the train and power supply,” he said.

“Works are now underway to move the train and repair 1200 metres of damaged overhead equipment. The contact between the train and overhead line did cause minor electrical sparking, however reports of a fire are not correct.”

Queensland Rail has apologised to customers for the disruption to services, which look set to continue for most of Sunday.

A spokeswoman encouraged passengers to check the Translink website before travelling and allow extra time in the city.

EARLIER: Commuters are being told to expect timetable changes and replacement buses on southern train lines this morning with crews working to fix damage to overhead powerlines in the city.

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman said on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines trains will run direct between Moorooka and Roma St Station via the Tennyson Loop until further notice.

Cleveland line trains will run express from Roma Street to Buranda stopping only at Yeerongpilly.

Buses will also be running to other stations along the line during the morning.

Other stations on the lines have not been affected, the spokeswoman said.

The 10.10am Varsity Lakes to Central train has been cancelled between Varsity Lakes and Nerang due to an overhead power line issue. The next Varsity Lakes to Central train is due to depart Varsity Lakes station at 10.40am.https://t.co/bDuW8Sg0P0 #TLAlert #TLGoldcoastline

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) July 8, 2018

The 9.39am Cleveland to Central train has been cancelled between Cleveland and Thorneside due to an overhead power line issue. The next Cleveland to Central train is due to depart Cleveland station at 10.09am.https://t.co/C7jU2MzMQg #TLAlert #TLClevelandline

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) July 7, 2018

Last night 60 people were evacuated from a train stranded at Central Station for almost an hour after the locomotive lost power.

The train became stuck on platform three at around 9.20pm, with guards manually prying open the doors to allow passengers to evacuate.

Services were delayed throughout the night while crews worked to fix the damage, discovering more problems at around 3am which has set back repairs.

TransLink has warned commuters to expect 20 minute delays on all lines and up to 60 minutes for bus replacements.

The 8.09am Cleveland to Central train is cancelled between Cleveland and Thorneside due to an earlier overhead power line issue.

The next Cleveland to Central train is due to depart Cleveland station at 8.39am.https://t.co/zVchGTrq2H #TLAlert #TLClevelandline

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) July 7, 2018

Commuters took to social media to vent about the widespread changes and delays to service, and furious that communication to customers has been minimal.

David Kerle said Queensland Rail was “an embarrassment to Queensland”.

Jai Marcon told Queensland Rail, “So your northbound trains to Toombul from Central due to depart 11:07 and 11:13 were cancelled and your customers are standing around at a 1/4 to midnight in winter, wondering when the bus is coming. Your staff on the ground (as usual) have no access to information about where the buses are... What valuable information can you provide to assist the people standing around, waiting?”

“I just had to walk from Milton to Roma street as there is no information at the station. I was late to work because of the mess around last night, guess it will take me ages to get home,”

Jeanine Brown said.

Meanwhile Nicole Scanlan said the problems to the network are nothing new.

“It is a little frustrating when my kids come back from Kippa ring every second Sunday there is usually an issue somewhere and end up on a bus,” she said.

@TransLinkSEQ watching empty trains pass this completely full station with no idea when the next train is coming 🙄 great work on the media updates @QueenslandRail pic.twitter.com/tOiqNTDNuW

— Amelia Hine (@AmeliaHine) July 7, 2018

Welcome home to Brisbane. All trains suspended though Central station due to overhead power issue. Hahaha bloody typical.

— Awerealis (@awerealis) July 7, 2018

@TransLinkSEQ I’m sitting on a Shorncliffe train at South Brisbane that has been ‘delayed indefinitely’. No further information given. Should we get off, or will it move eventually?

— Kylie C (@KyliePC) July 7, 2018