Huge maintenance push sees buses replace trains on six lines this weekend

Railway tracks to the north of Brisbane will be swarming with workers this weekend, as Queensland Rail conducts a maintenance blitz. Buses will replace trains on six lines and travellers are being warned to plan for an hour’s extra travel time.

Track work on six lines will cause delays this weekend. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Railway tracks to the north of Brisbane’s CBD will be swarming with more than 700 workers this weekend, as Queensland Rail conducts a maintenance blitz.

Buses will replace trains on six lines north of Bowen Hills from the first train on Saturday morning, February 16, to the last train on Sunday, February 17.

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The lines impacted are Airport, Doomben, Caboolture/Sunshine Coast, Redcliffe Peninsula, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines. The Ferny Grove, which also runs through Bowen Hills, is not impacted.

Queensland Rail’s Executive General Manager Citytrain Nick King said the closures were so 17,000 hours worth of maintenance could be carried out.

“Track closures are a routine part of running a railway and enable crews to safely access the tracks for maintenance works and major projects that would otherwise be impossible to complete,” Mr King said.

Rail work will delay public transport this weekend as buses replace trains on six lines out of Bowen Hills station. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

“During this closure, buses will replace trains on the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula, Shorncliffe, Airport and Doomben lines.

“We ask customers to allow an additional 60 minutes travel time when planning their journeys to avoid unexpected delays.

“To maximise the 48-hour time frame, more than 70 crews will work around the clock over the weekend to complete an extensive list of essential works.

“Crews will replace more than 1.4 kilometres of rail between Albion and Virginia, which will help to ensure this busy section of the line remains safe and reliable into the future.

“Rail will be reconditioned between Wooloowin and Eagle Junction, as well as further north at Landsborough.

“The Strathpine, Morayfield and Boondall station accessibility upgrade projects will also use the track closure window to prepare to raise the stations’ platforms in April.

“We’ll also be undertaking maintenance works at nine rail bridges between Kedron Brook and Nambour.

Queensland Railway workers.

“Each year, we have a major closure of the northern lines to allow for vital maintenance and project works that ensure the safety of our infrastructure and the reliability of our services.

“I’d like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during this time and extend my appreciation to the more than 700 workers who will together clock up more than 17,000 hours of work over the weekend.”

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Notices about the blitz state:

“Buses will replace trains north of Bowen Hills on the effected lines to enable more than 17,000 hours of maintenance and upgrade works to be completed including:

● Major station upgrade works at Strathpine, Morayfield and Boondall;

● rail reconditioning, Wooloowin to Eagle Junction;

● level crossing reconditioning, Caloundra St, Landsborough

● bridge maintenance at Kedron Brook.

“Please allow for up to 60 minutes extra travel time and plan ahead at translink.com.au or by calling 13 12 30.

“Queensland Rail thanks customers in advance for their patience while this important work is completed.”

For more information on service options during this closure, visit the TransLink website translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30, anytime.

More local news: questnews.com.au