Signalling work & system testing

Testing of the new European Train Control System (ETCS) is taking place along the Shorncliffe line and will continue throughout 2025.

Testing ETCS to confirm the system meets safety regulations and operational requirements is an important step before testing in the Cross River Rail tunnels.

Details of work

There will be temporary changes to some evening services on the Shorncliffe line to facilitate ongoing testing.

Buses will replace trains between Northgate and Shorncliffe stations while testing takes place.

Please note that the testing schedule varies from week to week. See details below for the month of March:

Date and hours

Between Northgate and Shorncliffe stations, and from 7:45pm to 4:30am on Monday 3, Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 March*, each night Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 March*, Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 March*, each night Monday 24 to Thursday 27 March*, and Monday 31 March to Thursday 3 April*, the following works will occur:

• System testing with no passenger trains operating.
• During the closure, a test train will operate between Bindha and North Boondall stations. It will also travel to Shorncliffe station to be stowed in between testing.
• When test trains are in operation, traffic control will be in place at Adams Street, Kennerley Street, Curlew Street and Palm Avenue level crossings and at the Nudgee Pedestrian Crossing (city side of Nudgee station). Horns will sound as per normal operations.

*Work finishes the next morning before the first train

Between Northgate and Shorncliffe stations, and from 6.00am to 10.00pm on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March, and Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March, the following works will occur:

• System testing with no passenger trains operating.
• During the closure, a test train will operate between Bindha and North Boondall stations. It will also travel to Shorncliffe station to be stowed in between testing.
• When test trains are in operation, traffic control will be in place at Adams Street, Kennerley Street, Curlew Street and Palm Avenue level crossings and at the Nudgee Pedestrian Crossing (city side of Nudgee station). Horns will sound as per normal operations.

Please note: Queensland Rail maintenance will be completed on Monday 10 March. Enquiries about this maintenance work can be directed to [email protected].

What to expect if you’re a rail customer

Cross River Rail won’t just transform Brisbane, it will transform the way we travel across South East Queensland. But building Cross River Rail means changes to travel and transport services during construction and testing. When testing and maintenance is scheduled, the below transport arrangements will be in place:

• Buses will replace trains between Northgate and Shorncliffe stations.
• Shorncliffe line trains will continue to run between Northgate station and the city, in both directions.
• Railbus R348 will stop at all stations between Northgate and Shorncliffe stations, in both directions, departing approximately every 30 minutes.

During testing, you may see trains travelling on the Shorncliffe line and stopping at some stations although these trains are not in service.

We encourage you to consider your travel options, plan ahead and allow extra travel time by using the links below:

• Download the MyTransLink app
• Visit the TransLink website
• Call 13 12 30

What to expect if you live alongside the rail corridor

Residents along the rail corridor may hear noise associated with testing (e.g. traffic control set-up and pack down, train movements, horns, light vehicles and work personnel), additional vehicle movements including railbus operations, and the stowing of the test train at the end of the line past Shorncliffe station. All staff will be fully briefed about their community responsibilities in relation to minimising noise and disruption after hours.

If you want to know more, all of this information is available in PDF form:

• Works Notice – Signalling system testing – March 2025