Airtrain—The High way to brisbane airport: australia's second new airport railway opened for regular traffic on May 7, linking Brisbane with the two terminals of the Queensland capital's major airport - Rapid Transit Review

International Railway Journal, July, 2001 by Ian Hammond

THE 8.5km Brisbane Airport Rail Link, built by the private consortium Airtrain Citylink, is the first rail Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (Boot) scheme in Queensland. Airtrain's contract involves no cost to the state government or Queensland Rail (QR), which will operate the service, until the end of the 35-year concession. Construction and operation of the $A 220 million ($US 114.2 million) line is funded by 33-year bonds. Track for almost the entire line was constructed on a concrete pier viaduct, something never before undertaken in Australia on such a scale.

Airtrain, a consortium including Transfield and Macquarie Corporate Finance, was awarded an exclusive mandate by the Queensland government in May 1996 to develop a detailed proposal for the rail link. An agreement was concluded in April 1998.

The primary objective was to provide high quality public transport access for air passengers, airport workers and people meeting or seeing off air travellers. It involved the provision of a fast rail service linking the domestic and international terminals of the airport with the existing QR Citytrain network. It provides direct rail access to the city and to the Gold Coast, being integrated into the existing QR system to achieve seamless transfer of passengers.

Airtrain general manager, Mr Ken Devencorn, said: "Airtrain is fully private sector funded and does not receive government subsidies. Nor is there any provision for the government to bail out Airtrain if it is not financially successful. However, Airtrain and those who have financially backed the project are confident that, with the support of travellers, Airtrain will be successful. Major patronage studies have been undertaken with estimates based on the growth of Brisbane as a destination with major development at Brisbane airport."

The line is a spur from QR's existing northern main line near Toombul, approximately 8.4km north of Brisbane. It is almost entirely elevated on 250 piers up to 12.5m above ground, including the airport terminal stations. Only the first 500m of track from the main line, and from just before the international terminal to the domestic terminal, are double track. The viaduct crosses seven roads and spans the Schultz Canal twice.

Stations were constructed at the international and domestic terminals. A third station at Export Park is planned for the future, as is a station to serve proposed new hotels near the airport.

The railway was built by Transfield Construction under a design and construct contract. Transfield assumes responsibility for track maintenance while QR operates the line for Airtrain Citylink Ltd as part of the Citytrain network.

In January 2000, Transfield awarded QR a strongly-contested $A 11.7 million contract for the design and construction of track-work, overhead wiring and signalling for the project. As is usual in Queensland, the line was built using heavy welded rail on concrete sleepers.

The stations with their open-air platforms have been a major focus for architects, who have designed them to portray an open and welcoming Queensland (sub-tropical) feel and to harmonise with the existing award winning international and domestic terminal structures.

Because the line is elevated over such a long distance, special training exercises had to be conducted involving emergency services and QR. These included evacuation procedures for a train marooned on the viaduct.

Walkers-Adtranz (a joint venture between Evans Deakin Industries and Adtranz--now Bombardier Transportation) was awarded a $A 38 million QR rolling stock order to design and manufacture four, three-car Interurban Multiple Units--IMU 120 series. Manufacture is under way in the Walkers' plant at Maryborough, Queensland, with progressive delivery expected in the last quarter of 2001. Until then, Airtrain services will utilise existing QR trains.

The new 140km/h trains will be similar to the existing IMU 100 series in general appearance but with design improvements. Each set will have a driving motor car (type A), a trailer car, and a driving motor car (type B). The powered cars are equipped with the latest IGBT ac-traction propulsion systems incorporating a state-of-the-art microprocessor-controlled braking system giving excellent acceleration and braking performance. Technical details are shown in the table.

The car interiors are based closely on the existing IMUs with air-conditioning, luggage racks, plug doors, high back seats and toilet facilities. Luggage racks are located adjacent to the entrance vestibules. These are supplemented by overhead luggage racks and space under the cantilever seating. Combinations of longitudinal and transverse seating will provide seating for 222 passengers.

The driving motor car type B features a new interior layout with six wheelchair spaces opposite a long section of longitudinal seating, and a wheelchair accessible toilet which includes changing facilities for infants. Voice announcements will be duplicated on display screens. Signs on board the train will incorporate Braille text. Handrails, push buttons, and controls will be colour contrasting to assist visually impaired passengers.