View source for Springfield railway line

{{Short description|Railway line in Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox rail line
 |box_width = 22em
 |name = Springfield line
 |color = 1578BE
 |logo = 
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 |image = RICHLANDS.jpg
 |image_width = 
 |image_alt = 
 |caption = [[Richlands railway station]], 2018
 |type = 
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 |locale  = 
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 |end = 
 |stations = 
 |routes = 
 |daily_ridership = 
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 |owner = 
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 |linelength = <!--{{convert|0|km|abbr=on}}-->
 |tracklength = {{convert|16.0|km|abbr=on}}
 |tracks = Quadruple to Darra, double track to Springfield Central
 |gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
 |old_gauge = 
 |minradius = 
 |racksystem = 
 |routenumber = 
 |electrification = 2013
 |speed = {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
 |website = [http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/ queenslandrail.com.au]
 |map = [[File:Springfield-railway-line-map.png|200px|alt=Line route]]
 |map_state = collapsed
}}

'''Springfield railway line''' is a {{convert|13.6|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="Richlands official opening"/> [[suburb]]an [[rail transport|railway line]] in [[Brisbane]], Australia that branches from the [[Ipswich and Rosewood railway line|Ipswich/Rosewood line]] after [[Darra railway station]]. Construction of the line started on {{nowrap|5 July 2010}}, and it opened on 2 December 2013.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Springfield Rail Bonus: Extra Station and $171 Million Saved |publisher=[[Queensland Government]] |date=20 February 2011 |url=http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=73684 |access-date=21 February 2011 |archive-date=13 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313021432/http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=73684 |url-status=live }}</ref> The line was developed along with the widening of the nearby [[Centenary Motorway]].

The line speed is rated for speeds of up to {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} in most sections. However, only the [[Interurban multiple unit|interurban multiple unit 100 and 120 series]] and [[New Generation Rollingstock]] trains can run at the full speed of the line. The current timetable is based on a top speed of {{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} between [[Richlands railway station|Richlands]] and [[Springfield railway station, Ipswich|Springfield]] stations, which is faster than the Centenary Motorway that runs alongside.

Services on this line are the busiest on the Brisbane network.<ref name="qcws">{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-17/queensland-coronavirus-workers-students-public-transport/12668210 |title=Queensland commuters stay away from trains despite low coronavirus case numbers |publisher=ABC News |website=abc.net.au |last=Rendall |first=Jessica |date=7 September 2020 |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024045557/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-17/queensland-coronavirus-workers-students-public-transport/12668210 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Construction and opening==
[[File:Richlands railway station.jpg|thumb|left|alt=refer to caption|[[Richlands railway station]], 2011]]
Construction of the first stage of the line, to Richlands, started on {{nowrap|5 July 2010}}, with the first sleeper being laid at [[Darra railway station|Darra]] on the Ipswich line.<ref name="work begins">{{cite news |title=Work on rail link begins |first=Christopher |last=O'leary |publisher=[[South-West News]] |date=7 July 2010}}</ref> The line was developed along with the widening of the nearby Centenary Motorway from two to four lanes from Darra through to the [[Logan Motorway]].<ref name="fast track">{{cite news |title=Budget plans to fast track rail line to Springfield |first=Tony |last=Moore |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/budget-plans-to-fast-track-rail-line-to-springfield-20100604-xkk6.html |work=[[Brisbane Times]] |date=7 June 2010 |access-date=7 June 2010 |archive-date=8 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608153457/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/budget-plans-to-fast-track-rail-line-to-springfield-20100604-xkk6.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The original completion date was for 2015.<ref name="gfts">{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-06-07/government-fast-tracks-springfield-rail-line/856906 |title=Government fast-tracks Springfield rail line |publisher=ABC News |website=abc.net.au |date=7 June 2010 |author1=Chris O'Brien |author2=Emma Pollard |access-date=24 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024045556/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-06-07/government-fast-tracks-springfield-rail-line/856906 |url-status=live }}</ref> However this was bought forward to 2013.

Construction of the first station on the line, Richlands, started on {{nowrap|{{start date|2008|07|01|df=yes}}}},<ref>{{cite press release |title=$800 million project offers transport choices |publisher=[[Queensland Government]] |date=1 July 2008 |url=http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/mms/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=58934 |access-date=11 January 2011 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610033943/http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/mms/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=58934 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the line was due to begin service on {{nowrap|{{start date|2011|01|23|df=yes}}}} without service from Darra to the City due to scheduled maintenance works on the Ipswich line.<ref name="Richlands official opening">{{cite news |title=The train station with no trains |first=Daniel |last=Hurst |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/the-train-station-with-no-trains-20110105-19g54.html |work=[[Brisbane Times]] |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=11 January 2011 |archive-date=7 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107072642/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/the-train-station-with-no-trains-20110105-19g54.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The opening was brought forward to {{nowrap|{{start date|2011|01|17|df=yes}}}} to assist travellers from further west who could not use the Ipswich line, which was out of service due to [[2010–2011 Queensland floods|Queensland floods]].<ref name="Richlands open early">{{cite news |title=New train station to open early |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/new-train-station-to-open-early-20110116-19s6g.html |work=[[Brisbane Times]] |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=16 January 2011 |archive-date=17 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117153149/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/new-train-station-to-open-early-20110116-19s6g.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On {{nowrap|{{start date|2011|10|23|df=yes}}}}, work started on the second stage of the line to Springfield. The station originally proposed as Springfield Lakes station was renamed [[Springfield railway station, Ipswich|Springfield]], and the one proposed as Springfield station renamed [[Springfield Central railway station|Springfield Central]].<ref name="Richlands to Springfield">{{cite news|title=Work underway on Springfield rail link|url=http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/410|publisher=[[TransLink (Queensland)|TransLink]]|date=24 October 2011|access-date=24 October 2011|archive-date=28 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028204354/http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/410|url-status=live}}</ref>

The extension to Springfield Central began service on 2 December 2013.

A proposal exists to extend the line from its present terminus at Springfield Central to Redbank Plains,<ref>{{cite news |title=Push for rail in Redbank Plains |first=Zane |last=Jackson |url=http://www.qt.com.au/story/2011/08/10/push-to-bring-rail-to-redbank-plains/ |work=[[The Queensland Times]] |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=26 October 2011 |archive-date=9 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909094035/http://www.qt.com.au/story/2011/08/10/push-to-bring-rail-to-redbank-plains/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ripley Valley, Yamanto, and [[Ipswich railway station, Queensland|Ipswich station]].<ref>Kieran Banks (2 December 2013). [http://www.qt.com.au/news/fasttrack-togrowth-springfield-train-line-is-opene/2101332/ Fast track to growth: Springfield train line is opened] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423181808/https://www.qt.com.au/news/fasttrack-togrowth-springfield-train-line-is-opene/2101332/ |date=23 April 2019 }}. The Queensland Times. Retrieved 18 February 2014.</ref>

==Route==
[[File:Springfield railway line viaduct over bushland at Forest Lake, Queensland.jpg|thumb|alt=Springfield railway line viaduct|Over 800 metres long, the railway viaduct has piers designed to allow for the planned expansions of nearby Logan and Centenary Motorways.]]
Passengers would change for or from the [[Ipswich railway line|Ipswich]] and [[Rosewood railway line|Rosewood]] lines at Darra; [[Beenleigh railway line|Beenleigh]], [[Gold Coast railway line|Gold Coast]] and [[Cleveland railway line, Brisbane|Cleveland]] lines at Roma Street; and all other lines at Central.

The route crosses the interchange between the Logan Motorway and Centenary Motorway on a two-track [[viaduct]] more than {{Convert|800|m}} long. The viaduct has been designed so that its piers do not obstruct planned expansions of both roads.<ref name="mslb">{{cite book |title=Multi-Span Large Bridges: International Conference on Multi-Span Large Bridges, 1-3 July 2015, Porto, Portugal |last=Pacheco |first=Pedro |author2=Filipe Magalhaes |year=2015 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=9781315687193 |page=480 |url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=r8sdCgAAQBAJ |access-date=16 October 2016 |archive-date=29 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029150828/https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=r8sdCgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Springfield railway line|float=none}}

==Proposed extensions==
{{Routemap
|title=Extensions proposed in the Connecting SEQ 2031 plan
|collapsible=1
|map=
CONTg\~~''Continues to [[Darra railway station|Darra]] and [[Roma Street railway station|Brisbane City]]''~~
KBHFxe\BUS~~'''[[Springfield Central railway station|Springfield Central]]'''~~(3)
exSKRZ-G4o\~~''Augusta Parkway''~~
exHST\~~'''Augustine Heights'''~~(3)
exBHF\~~'''Redbank Plains'''~~(3)
exLSTR\
exHST\~~'''Swanbank'''~~(3)
exLSTR\
exHST\~~'''South Ripley'''~~(3)
exLSTR\
exBHF\~~'''Ripley'''~~(3)
exHST\~~'''Deebing Heights'''~~(3)
exhSTRa@f\
exhSKRZ-A\~~''Cunningham Highway''~~
exhHST\~~'''Yamanto'''~~(3)
exhSKRZ-G2e\~~''Warwick Road''~~
exHST\~~'''Churchill'''~~(3)
exSKRZ-GDo\
exHST\~~'''[[University of Southern Queensland|USQ Ipswich]]'''~~(3)
exSKRZ-G1u\~~''Brisbane Street''~~
xABZg+l\CONTfq~~''Main Line to [[Rosewood railway station|Rosewood Station]]''~~
ACC\BUS~~'''[[Ipswich railway station, Queensland|Ipswich]]'''~~(3)
CONTf\~~''Continues to [[Darra railway station|Darra]] and [[Roma Street railway station|Brisbane City]]''~~
}}
In the Connecting SEQ 2031 Plan, the QLD Government has listed an ''UrbanLink'' high frequency (15min) service running from [[Darra, Queensland|Darra]] to [[Springfield, Queensland|Springfield]], and on to Redbank Plains via Augustine Heights, as an extension to the existing Springfield Line. It also talks about an ''ExpressLink'' (30min frequency) between Ipswich and [[Ripley, Queensland|Ripley]], via [[University of Queensland#Ipswich campus|UQ Ipswich]] (now [[University_of_Southern_Queensland#Ipswich_campus|USQ Ipswich]]), Churchill, Yamanto and Deebing Heights; with the vital corridor between Ripley and Redbank plains being reserved for a later time after 2031. In 2019, the City of Ipswich completed an overview of the Ipswich Central to Springfield Central public transport corridor with a focus on the proposed extension.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ipswich Central to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor|url=https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/111078/Ipswich-to-Springfield-Public-Transport-Corridor.pdf|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=26 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326010434/https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/111078/Ipswich-to-Springfield-Public-Transport-Corridor.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The lines are shown in the map below.<ref>{{cite web|website=Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads|url=http://www.ppt.asn.au/pubdocs/connecting_seq2031+%281%29.pdf|title=Connecting SEQ 2031|access-date=5 January 2015|archive-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227073307/http://ppt.asn.au/pubdocs/connecting_seq2031+(1).pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Queensland|Railways}}}}
*[[South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/ConstructionUpgrades/MajorInfrastructure/CompletedProjects/Pages/DarratoSpringfieldTransportCorridorStage1.aspx Queensland Rail – Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor – Stage 1]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140125200951/http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/ConstructionUpgrades/MajorInfrastructure/CurrentProjects/DarratoSpringfield/Pages/DarratoSpringfieldTransportCorridor-Stage2.aspx Queensland Rail – Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor – Stage 2]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101224004449/http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/trains Translink – About trains]
*{{Queensland Timetables|Train Network}}

{{Public transport in Queensland}}

[[Category:Brisbane railway lines]]
[[Category:Public transport in Brisbane]]
[[Category:2013 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 2013]]
[[Category:Ipswich, Queensland]]