Signalling work & system testing - May 2025

A world-class railway signalling system is being introduced in South East Queensland as part of the Cross River Rail Project. The system has been installed and is currently being tested along the Shorncliffe line.

Overview

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 as well as track closures from:

  • Monday 28 April to Thursday 1 May
  • Monday 19 May to Thursday 22 May.

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 May.

Between Northgate and Shorncliffe stations, the following works will take place:

  • System testing with no passenger trains operating
  • During the closures, a test train will operate between Bindha and North Boondall stations between 6am and 10pm each day. 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 not the works hours for this below:

Full weekday closures:

  • From 2.00am Monday 28 April to 2.00am on Friday 2 May
  • From 2.00am Monday 19 May to 2.00am on Friday 23 May

From 7.45pm to 4.30am:

  • Monday 12 May *
  • Tuesday 13 May*

*Work finishes the next morning before the first train.

Please note: Queensland Rail maintenance will be completed on Monday 5 May. 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 works are 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 the weekday closures from Monday 28 April to Thursday 1 May, and from Monday 19 May to Thursday 22 May, railbus R347 will run express between Northgate and Sandgate (approximately every 15 minutes from the first service to 7.00pm).

Due to traffic and road conditions, railbus services take longer than train journeys, however all railbus timetables will be in journey planner. You can plan your journey and may find a regular urban bus service may be quicker.

Some car parks will be unavailable in the Curlew Street car park at Sandgate station from 6pm on Wednesday 30 April to 6pm on Thursday 1 May to support works on ETCS equipment in the rail corridor. See signage for details.

During this period, you may see trains travelling on the Shorncliffe line and stopping at some stations. These trains are undergoing important testing and are not in service.
We encourage you to plan your journey ahead of time by using the links below:

 

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) and 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: