Corinda–Yeerongpilly railway line
The Corinda–Yeerongpilly line (also known as the Tennyson line) is a railway line in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia. It connects the Beenleigh and Ipswich lines for freight trains, but is no longer used for passenger services in normal operation.
| Corinda–Yeerongpilly line | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Website | queenslandrail.com.au |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 3.8 km (2.4 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary |
| Operating speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
During times of disruption in the inner south of Brisbane, certain services can be maintained by running through this line. For example, if there was a disruption at South Brisbane, Gold Coast services could be maintained by travelling along the line via the Ipswich line to Corinda, then via this line to Yeerongpilly, and then south as per normal along the Beenleigh/Gold Coast line.
The line is a major freight corridor, being the main connection between western Queensland freight lines, the Port of Brisbane and the marshalling yards at Moolabin, Clapham and Acacia Ridge.
Passenger services on the line ceased in June 2011,[1][2] later was reused due to the construction of Cross River Rail project during the early September track closure, 2023.[3]
History
The line was opened in 1884 as part of a line connecting the Ipswich line to the Brisbane River wharves at Stanley Street, South Brisbane, to provide a connection for coal mines exporting and/or refueling ships at the port.[4] When the Beenleigh line was built south from Yeerongpilly, that became the mainline and the line to Corinda became the connecting link.
The line was duplicated in 1916, and electrified in 1982.
Line guide and services
Prior to the opening of the Merivale Bridge in 1978, the line was the only connection between the northern and southern portions of the Brisbane suburban network. Through trains ran from Stanley Street and later South Brisbane to Corinda, Darra and Ipswich in the morning peak and afternoon school hours with a shuttle between Yeerongpilly and Corinda at other times. After 1978 the line lost some of its importance and most through trains were withdrawn. The shuttle was withdrawn on 1 June 1998 but reinstated soon after. The shuttle continued until 25 May 2001 when it was replaced by buses, with through services from Corinda to Bowen Hills railway station in the morning and afternoon. Through services continued to operate at peak times on weekdays until they were withdrawn in June 2011.[2]
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Calls to re-open the Tennyson line
In 2021, State MP for Maiwar, Michael Berkman and Councillor for Tennyson, Nichole Johnston, called for the Tennyson line to be reopened, citing less congestion and better public transport for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics as potential results of reopening. This call was rebuked by State MP and Transport Minister Mark Bailey, who stated that the Cross River Rail project will address these needs, without reopening the Tennyson line.[5]
References
- Heger, Ursula (17 November 2010). "Rail revamp on track but road upgrade needed – Trains to get boost in number". The Courier-Mail. p. 4. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
- "Changes to route 104 services". Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
- "Cross River Rail Track Works" (PDF). Queensland Rail. Queensland Rail. 28 October 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- Kerr, J. 'Triumph of Narrow Gauge' Boolarong Publications 1990.
- "Estimates: Question about reopening the Tennyson train line". Michael Berkman MP for Maiwar. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2022.