About The proposed section of this network spans approximately 122.71 km (76.25 miles), featuring a maximum line speed of 140 km/h (86.99 mph). The network includes 55 passenger-only stations, with services running a mix of all-stop and express patterns. Key service routes include: Ferny Grove to Beenleigh Brisbane Airport to Varsity Lakes (Gold Coast Line) Doomben to Park Road While the route is focused exclusively on passenger operations, the inclusion of AI freight traffic could be possible in the future. Empty stock movements add operational depth, and a train wash facility could be realistically implemented via the Ekka Loop, which would contribute an additional 4.1 km (2.54 mi) of track. Revenue service durations range from 27 minutes to 1 hour and 48 minutes, with very high train frequency in the central corridor between Bowen Hills and Roma Street. The route features a mix of single, double, triple, and quadruple track sections, offering diverse operational scenarios. Some highlights include: Mayne Yard, the primary yard located just north of Bowen Hills Several stabling facilities situated along the route 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge track, electrified with 25 kV AC OHLE (50 Hz) Sections of dual-gauge track, supporting broader compatibility The Airport Line viaduct, stretching 8.33 km (5.17 mi) The iconic Merivale Bridge crossing the Brisbane River During peak hour, trains can arrive at Roma Street every 2 to 3 minutes An additional visual and contextual detail could be the G:link tram line, which runs parallel to the Gold Coast rail line for a short distance. Including a branded AI-only tram model would add an extra layer of realism and immersion to this part of the route. Red - Ferny Grove branch Purple - Doomben Light Blue - Airport Branch Dark Blue - shared tracks Yellow - Gold Coast Ferny Grove - Beenleigh line Line Length: 57.22 km (35.56 mi) The Ferny Grove – Beenleigh line provides a vital north–south corridor through Brisbane, serving both suburban commuters and longer-distance passengers. Ferny Grove Line: Weekdays: 4 trains per hour (every 15 minutes) Weekday Peak: Up to 8 trains per hour (every 7.5 minutes) Nights & Weekends: 2 trains per hour (every 30 minutes) Most services stop at all stations to Roma Street, with a lot continuing onto either Beenleigh or Coopers Plains Typical travel time from Ferny Grove to Central: ~31 minutes During weekdays there are approximately 77 city-bound services and 75 Ferny-bound, totalling 152. https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/timetables/250519-ferny.pdf Beenleigh Line: Line length is 57.22 km (35.56 mi) Most trains come from Ferny Grove Trains stop at either Beenleigh, Kuraby or Coopers Plains There are approximately 54 city-bound services and 66 outbound. https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/timetables/210816-beenleigh.pdf Brisbane Airport - Varsity Lakes station (Gold Coast) line Line length is 105.55 km (65.59 mi) Airport and Gold Coast Trains run every 15 minutes during peak hour and every 30 mins off peak Most Trains southbound run in the pattern of Bowen Hills - Varsity Lakes, Domestic - Varsity Lakes, Domestic - Park Road, Domestic - Roma Street, An end-to-end train takes about 1h 48m There are approximately 56 southbound services and 59 northbound services per weekday. https://translink.com.au/sites/defa...sets/timetables/200302-gold-coast-airport.pdf Doomben line - Park Road Line length 15.38 km (9.56 mi) The train runs every 30 minutes Most trains between Doomben and Roma Street, with some continuing onwards to Park Road, one train a day runs onwards to Kuraby, and 2 morning services come from the Gold Coast. There are only a total of 58 services per weekday. As of 1 June 25 trains have started running on Sundays https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/timetables/250601-doomben.pdf Stations (Black bar indicates were train lines do not run) Rollingstock EMU (does not run Airport/ Gold Coast lines) IMU 100 IMU 120 IMU 160 (interoperable with the 260 series SMU) (These units are currently undergoing a refurbishment program, so it may be possible that both could be included) SMU 200 (may not run Airport/ Gold Coast lines) SMU 220 (may not run Airport/ Gold Coast lines) SMU 260 (interoperable with the 160 series IMU) (These units are currently undergoing a refurbishment program, so it may be possible that both could be included) NGR (does not operate on Ferny Grove/ Beenleigh lines) Possible Scenarios ideas (assisted by chat gpt) Scenario Title: Limp to the Loop Type: Fault Management / Timed Urban Commuter Route: Ferny Grove → Central Duration: ~35 minutes Time: 07:22 AM (Morning Peak) Weather: Overcast, light drizzle Briefing: You’re driving a 2x3-car EMU peak-hour commuter service that departed Ferny Grove on time. However, one of the 3-car units has suffered a complete traction failure shortly after Mitchelton. With only the rear unit providing power, you're running at half traction capacity during the busiest time of the day. Your goal: Limp to Central Station, keeping as close to schedule as possible while avoiding signal disruptions, managing braking distances with degraded acceleration, and informing Control of your compromised condition. Scenario Title: Storm Surge Type: Weather Disruption / Timed Suburban Service Route: Ferny Grove → Central Duration: ~40 minutes Time: 17:05 (Evening peak) Weather: Heavy thunderstorms with lightning, strong winds, and heavy rain Briefing: A typical Brisbane summer thunderstorm has developed rapidly during the evening peak, bringing heavy rain, lightning strikes, and gusty winds. You are operating a 6-car suburban service from Ferny Grove to Central. Due to the weather, expect: Reduced visibility and slippery rails Occasional signal delays due to storm-related faults Increased caution from control center with possible speed restrictions Passenger announcements regarding the weather delays Your priority is to keep the service running safely and as close to schedule as possible. My Other QR lines in this series Caboolture - Ipswich & Kippa-ring - Springfield Shorncliffe - Cleveland Line, Doomben Line & Ekka Loop
Dovetail have stated previously the Australian railway operators have been uncooperative when it comes to talking about licensing or access to the system and trains for research. Add to that the huge costs involved to travel for research even if they could reach agreement and sadly it seems unlikely. Their LAMPOIL process is also no doubt looking at how many commercial Australian route projects have been done for MSTS or TSC, none that I’m aware of. That’s going to make them even more cautious about spending a significant amount of money up front. The reality is, most support in the Australian train sim community is for Trainz, flawed as that might be, with the old MSTS routes hosted on the now defunct Steam4Me website as the other alternative. And it seems the talent involved in producing that content for either sim has either moved (passed) on or has no interest in switching allegiance to TSW.
