- Gold Coast railway line, Queensland
SEQ Transit Lines
line_type = rail
from =Brisbane central business district
to = Robina
name = Gold Coast Line
line_owner = QR Limited
map_colour = Gold
line_length = 85.35
stations_number = 13
operator_names =Citytrain
fleet_names = IMU 160/120/100 and SMU 220 series
date_1 = 1889
event_1 = Opened to Southport
date_2 = 1903
event_2 = Opened to Tweed Heads
date_3 = 1964
event_3 = Closed from Beenleigh
date_4 = 1996
event_4 = Rebuilt to Helensvale
date_5 = 1997
event_5 = Rebuilt to Nerang
date_6 = 1998
event_6 = Rebuilt to RobinaThe Gold Coast railway line is an interurban
railway line operated by QRCitytrain inQueensland ,Australia , connectingBrisbane with the Gold Coast.Overview
The Gold Coast (Robina) railway line continues on from the terminus of the Beenleigh line at Beenleigh. From Brisbane the route follows the Beenleigh railway line to Beenleigh, running express between South Bank and Beenleigh stations, with limited stops (currently at Coopers Plains and Loganlea) on the Beenleigh railway line during the off peak period. Most trains to and from the Gold Coast connect with
Brisbane Airport , allowing tourists and locals access to more international destinations than from the Gold Coast's own airport.History
The original South Coast Line was opened to
Southport, Queensland , in 1889 and toTweed Heads, New South Wales , in 1903. Due to the increasing popularity of themotor car , the line was closed in1964 . The new line and alignment from Beenleigh to Helensvale opened in1996 , Nerang in1997 , and the Robina terminus in1998 .Future plans
The line will be extended and upgraded with new stations over the next decade. Firstly, a 4.1km extension to Varsity Lakes (Reedy Creek) will be built by mid-
2009 . Track will be duplicated between Ormeau and Coomera and then between Helensvale and Robina, leaving an isolated single track section spanning the Coomera River. Then, the railway will be progressively extended south until it reaches the Tugun Bypass, which it will run alongside before passing under the threshold of runway 32 at the Gold Coast Airport and looping around to the terminus near the airport carpark. In this last stage, the railway will cross the border intoNew South Wales . Also, under theSouth East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program , reservations are to be made for possible new infill stations between Beenleigh and Ormeau (Yatala is a prime candidate) and at Coomera North, Helensvale North, Parkwood and Merrimac on the existing line. Services will also be upgraded with higher frequencies and capacity, made possible by the track duplication south (and triplication north) of Beenleigh.In 2008 construction is expected to start on the Gold Coast Rapid Transit System which will either be
light rail orbusway connecting to a new Parkwood railway station and or the Helensvale railway station.ervice frequency
Typical service frequency on the Gold Coast railway line are two trains per hour, falling to one train per hour in the evening after the peak hour. After the track upgrading is complete, service frequency is expected to improve to four trains per hour in peak hour.
Gold Coast trains operate express between Beenleigh and South Bank stations, stopping only at Loganlea and Coopers Plains in the off-peak.
Line guide and services
Services generally run express between Beenleigh railway station and South Bank railway station, stopping at Loganlea Station and Coopers Plains Station in the off peak. The typical travel time between Robina and Brisbane City is approximately 76 minutes (to Central). During weekday peak times, a few services will not stop at Loganlea and Coopers Plains.
Most services generally continue as the Airtrain service to
Brisbane Airport , stopping at the International and Domestic terminals.Passengers for/from the Beenleigh line change at either Beenleigh, Loganlea or Coopers Plains, Cleveland line at South Bank, Ipswich/Rosewood lines at Roma Street and all other lines at Central.
External links
* [http://www.citytrain.com.au Citytrain]
* [http://www.translink.com.au TransLink]
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