This will be a daily post documenting my Queensland Rail/Translink train trip from Caboolture in Queensland Australia to Brisbane city and back.
Morning Ride – The 6.56 am Nambour express
The train is packed, as was the carpark, our local member deserves kudos for that one. In her wisdom the spruiking of extra car parks now available at the station has brought many more patrons. No extra trains, service or carriages on the existing trains to deal with the influx though. This results in standing room only and today is no different, I could get a seat if I felt the urge to push, shove and deny the females and older patrons a seat.
Today’s trip however has a wonderful twist: no air conditioning. It’s like a bloody sauna and very energy sapping (the trip is a 55 minute job). Just to make life fun we stopped at Virginia for no reason for 5 minutes. Of course the old inane announcement by the conductor comes over the speaker:
“Passengers: we will be stopped for a while. I will aaar update you when I know more.”
He’s good communicator that one. Finally we are on our way, sweating all the way to the city with no further incident. The service is 7 minutes late. Not bad by QR standard time.
Afternoon Ride – The 4.32 Nambour Express
Train is listed, as always, for platform 7. However those of us in the know (I have been travelling this line for 5 years now) line up on platform 6. The train arrives most times without them announcing or changing the board. It has become a shared joke for the regulars.
Anyway, we board the “express”, I have to explain Queensland Rails afternoon definition of express.
“Express stopping only at Bowen Hills, Northgate, Petrie and then stopping all stations to Caboolture.”
Train is packed again, this time I have a seat. The situation is made worse once we get to Northgate, a cyclist boards the train. Yes I know they’re not supposed to in peak hour, who’s going to stop them? Even the Translink guard ignores it, despite there being a big sign above him proclaiming no bikes.
But wait there’s more!
We stop for no reason at Strathpine. No announcement. Oh there you go, on hops a Queensland Rail employee with a bike. No more trouble from there, as long as your’re not one of the ones desperately trying to avoid the grease laden chains of the bikes.
Arrive at Caboolture 5 minutes late. Acceptable QR time.