remove a lot of trucks from the highways

Unfortunately this never seems to be a consideration...

Considering how long the Tugun Bypass took to get approval and for construction to begin due to the two states (QLD/NSW), there of course were also social and environmental issues, however I doubt that we will see a cross border Interurban railway line in the near future. The Queensland Government will see stopping the line at Cooloogatta as a way to attract people to come up to Cooloogatta to increase revenue etc. (as we know our government is a little cash strapped)

The tugun bypass took forever and it was a road, which is normally to a size standard, ie.lanes are x metres wide, bitumen is of a certain grade, and the number of lanes for such a bypass is normally two each way - although some variations do exist it was pretty straightforward compared to building a rail line across a state border where there is such a difference in track guage. Not to mention this issue as to whether we will see NSW supply and rollingstock for the line, or whether QR will do the whole thing. The best solution is that Queensland build right to the border on 3 foot 6 (Not the RP user) and NSW build to the border in 4 foot 8 1/2. Each state operates their own trains which connect with a change of trains at the border. Like the old situation at Stanthorpe.

In a perfect world of course we would have a standard gauge for rail. We would have co-operation between all governments, we wouldn't have Anna Bligh, and we would have a rail line into NSW from QLD for commuters, but we are NOT in a perfect world!

[

The local bus service in Toowoomba there is pretty good (owned by the same mob on the Sunshine Coast), though talking to a driver, I've noted they were bought/merged with another company of some sort (bus fans may want to fill me in this one).

Pulanto group purchased sunbus  towoomba and kynoch and is now know as bus queensland towoomba

Pulanto grpup purchased sunbus  towoomba and kynoch and is now know as bus queensland towoomba

Do they also own Park Ridge Transit?

Sorry bit off topic

I finally saw the remains of the old railway cutting at Coolangatta. Unfortunately I did not have my digital camera with me, but I will next time I'm there. I only saw the cutting from the north side. I tell you, I was happy as a pig in smeg when I saw it. This week I'll go back and have another look. I am sure they could open it back up! Cheers!

They could open it back up, except it would run right through the courthouse and Police station on the eastern end..after that its all carpark virtually to the border, on the north side the old alignment through Kirra is another issue!

I still think that it would be better to tunnel under the runway to the airport and then head further south.

If you look at the "Brisway" Edition 4, map 851

The map shows a detailed proposed alinement of the Gold Coast Railway doing the big loop Into Coolangatta Airport Terminal.

Given that the railway will have to pass under under the Airport Runway near the Pacific Motorway, It would not surprise me If the proposed railway was to be re-routed to take a more direct path to the Airport Terminal, using a longer bored tunnel (under the runway) to

(A) Keep the railway Inside the Queensland boarder to avoid bureaucratic headache with the line straying Into NSW.

(B) Shorter distance, less travel time and less track needed.


(C) Future possibility of the line being extended towards Coolangatta town centre.

They could open it back up, except it would run right through the courthouse and Police station on the eastern end..after that its all carpark virtually to the border, on the north side the old alignment through Kirra is another issue!

What about moving the courthouse and police station or maybe elevating them?

And what about using the cutting for the Gold Coast Light Rail?

As mentioned before, see the proposed rail route at:

http://www.goldcoastairport.com.au/pdf/Master_Plan_2006.pdf

- pages 18 and 22, plus there's a lot more airport info.

There won't be a problem with the line straying into NSW, like there was with the freeway - it's already been agreed to. Previously it was Qld wanting NSW to share the cost of a Qld road being rerouted through NSW, and I don't blame NSW for jacking up - thought a lot of NSW traffic does use the road.

It will might mean a 'change ends' for any extension into NSW, but this hasn't worried QR before, on its old north coast line. To route the line east of the airport would alleviate this, but this would be a lot more difficult and expensive. But any SG extension could terminate across the platform from the NG line, which would make sense.

And what about using the cutting for the Gold Coast Light Rail?

This is the most logical use for it.  It would require some widening though.  The only other alternative is to run it along the Kirra foreshores on some type of additional deck next to the road, which is not going to be feasible.

I have always maintained that by the time the system reaches there in the 2020s, the courthouse and other facilities at the eastern end will have reached the end of their operational life and should be relocated to a new location elsewhere.

I don't have a problem with the heavy rail station being as per the current hook type arrangement with an elevated station at the airport.  Anything running from northern NSW to Brisbane is going to be what you would classify as a long distance service anyway, so I have no problem with it being a break of gauge or changing of ends type station between half-hourly or better Gold Coast and hourly Northern Rivers commuter services.

While a common gauge would be desirable, Qld is not going to pay to run a system in NSW and the only common gauge that makes sense is narrow gauge, which Railcorp will just love, I'm sure.  

If NSW couldn't even reach an agreement with Qld about the use of go card on Tweed buses, they won't come to the table on financing and funding a railway.  Sad but true.

Is the turntable still intact at Murwillumbah ?

Is the turntable still intact at Murwillumbah ?

As I have already told you today, Murwillumbah is in NSW. Please ask in the NSW forum where you will likely get a more informed answer.

If you read the beginning of this thread you will see many photos and references to the line to Murwillumbah from contributors.[/b]

If you read the beginning of this thread you will see many photos and references to the line to Murwillumbah from contributors.

That may be so, but it doesn't alter the fact that Murwillumbah is in NSW and you will be more likely to get a response in the NSW forum!

Is the turntable still intact at Murwillumbah ?

Yes, sort of. Not in working order.

Re the NSW V's QLD forum matter; Murwillumbah is in a bit of a grey area as it is in that bit of NSW that really could be QLD, remembering the most southern RAIL LINE in QLD, Wallangarra, is more south then Ballina in NSW.

Many of us QLDers would view Murwillumbah, Ballina, Lismore and Casino regions as day trip distances from Brisbane. We went down there mid year last year when the Lachlan Valley 32 class steamer was there.

Cheers
Peter C

Late edit; the red bit pointing out Wallangarra is the most southern RAIL line in QLD but not the most southern part of QLD as the border is more south then Wallangarra further west.

Thanks Petan, for your answer. much appreciated. It is kind of on the "border" so to speak, and I only  asked the question as there is  quite a bit reference on this thread regarding that location .I  not been up that way for about fifteen years.

Is the turntable still intact at Murwillumbah ?

Yes, but in poor condition.

In a perfect world it would be dual guage down to Ballina, and linking with the rest of the NSW network at Byron Bay.

Northern NSW Residents and groups like TOOT, NORROC, have been lobbying politicians since 1990 for a dual gauge line from end of track (now Varsity Lakes) to link up with Murwillumbah line and for dual gauge to extend to Casino. Qld trains to run commuter services Casino to Brisbane.

Litttle bit off topic but anyways thought it interesting.

The Condong sugar mill has about 100m of track & points corner of Tweed Valley Way & Cane Rd, a couple of weeks ago, a bobcat was busy covering them with dirt.

Can still see the end of the points, but still a sad reminder this is just a memory of the past  

Did the line at Condong meet up with sugar cane lines?

I didn't think the Condong sugar mill ever had a cane train tramway network  
HERE is a photo (courtesy NSWrail.com) of the old 4ft 8½in (1435mm) siding into the Condong sugar mill.

Condong mill once had an extensive 2" gauge cane rail network that extended to Kingscliffe. I have pix of some rollingstock & a loco at Condong mill.

"Man in Blue", I don't see on this thread the original message from "davemail66" quoted below but maybe he has deleted it.

Like you, I am aware of the sugar mill tramway system in that area as it has been covered on Railpage many times eg
http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1322883.htm

Litttle bit off topic but anyways thought it interesting.

The Condong sugar mill has about 100m of track & points corner of Tweed Valley Way & Cane Rd, a couple of weeks ago, a bobcat was busy covering them with dirt.

Can still see the end of the points, but still a sad reminder this is just a memory of the past  

Did the line at Condong meet up with sugar cane lines?

I didn't think the Condong sugar mill ever had a cane train tramway network  
HERE is a photo (courtesy NSWrail.com) of the old 4ft 8½in (1435mm) siding into the Condong sugar mill.

Condong mill once had an extensive 2" gauge cane rail network that extended to Kingscliffe. I have pix of some rollingstock & a loco at Condong mill.

Is the turntable still intact at Murwillumbah ?

See http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1310752.htm  

Scroll down that page for the turntable picture. It still looks like that but with a bit more rubbish and rust around the place. We were last at the turntable last month.

Cheers
Peter C

Litttle bit off topic but anyways thought it interesting.

The Condong sugar mill has about 100m of track & points corner of Tweed Valley Way & Cane Rd, a couple of weeks ago, a bobcat was busy covering them with dirt.

Can still see the end of the points, but still a sad reminder this is just a memory of the past  

Did the line at Condong meet up with sugar cane lines?

I didn't think the Condong sugar mill ever had a cane train tramway network  
HERE is a photo (courtesy NSWrail.com) of the old 4ft 8½in (1435mm) siding into the Condong sugar mill.

Condong mill once had an extensive 2" gauge cane rail network that extended to Kingscliffe. I have pix of some rollingstock & a loco at Condong mill.

To Kingscliffe I didn't know that.

Last week was 50 years since the closure from **Tweed Heads*.

We visited the area and discovered the location of remains of "possible?" wooden posts for the former rail viaduct to the south of Mudgeeraba.  28° 4'57.45"S  153°22'29.95"E which is the northbound lane of the Pacific Motorway.

These posts are under the bridge just to the west of the Somerset Drive overpass that leads into Robina shopping center. Seen from the southbound lane bridge as we went past. Similar piles' remains seen just to the north of Mudgeeraba under the bridges on the northbound lane of the motorway.

We were alerted to this by a message on QRIG so we went searching ourselves.

We also visited Nerang steam era railway station site, center of Pacific Motorway, south Of Nerang Broadbeach Rd, with Railway Parade to the east and Station Street to the west. Clues from Eric Marggraff's article P.422 ARHS Bulletin 11/2003. 27°59'41.68"S 153°20'24.26"E

Late edit; added "Heads" to the top line to show I meant Tweed Heads. Government rail services were on  the Tweed after 1961 if you count Murwillumbah which is on the Tweed River.

Agree NSW forum is the better place to ask the question, but You'd probably find the average Qld gunzel knows as much about this M'bah branch as NSW. Our railways have suffered enough from political boundry's lets not replicate it here.

Regards
Shane

Last week was 50 years since the closure from **Tweed Heads*.

Sad to hear that it's been 50 years. Like the Sydney tramways. Still an event to commemorate.