New Generation Rollingstock | |
---|---|
In service | 2017–present |
Manufacturer | Bombardier Transportation |
Built at | Savli, Gujarat, India |
Replaced | Electric multiple unit InterCity Express |
Constructed | 2015–2019 |
Entered service | December 2017 |
Refurbished | 2019–2024 (accessibility upgrades) |
Number built | 75 |
Number in service | 75 |
Formation | 6-car sets |
Fleet numbers | 701–775 |
Capacity | 964. Including 510 standing and 454 seating. |
Operators | Queensland Rail |
Depots | Wulkuraka |
Lines served | All except Ferny Grove, Rosewood and Beenleigh |
Specifications | |
Train length | 146.17 m (479 ft 7 in) [1] |
Car length |
|
Width | 2,746 mm (9 ft 0.1 in) (including doors) |
Maximum speed | 140 km/h (87 mph) |
Traction system | IGBT–VVVF (Bombardier MITRAC) |
Traction motors | 3-phase AC induction motor |
Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50 Hz AC (nominal) from overhead catenary |
Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
UIC classification | Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′ |
Bogies | Bombardier FLEXX |
Safety system(s) | Automatic Warning System European Train Control System |
Coupling system | Dellner [2] |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
The New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) is a class of individually-propelled carriages ("electric multiple units") manufactured by Bombardier Transportation in Savli, India for the Queensland Rail City network that entered service between December 2017 and December 2019. They are Queensland Rail's largest fleet of electric trains.
In January 2014, the Queensland Government awarded a contract for 75 six-carriage electric multiple units to the Qtectic consortium of Aberdeen Asset Management, Bombardier Transportation, Itochu and John Laing under a 32-year public private partnership. [3] [4] [5] [6] They are the first QR electric multiple units manufactured overseas instead of in Maryborough by Downer Rail (formerly Walkers). [7]
The NGRs were built in Savli, India. [8] [9] The design is completely new, and the trains are fitted with nose cones to resemble the existing Electric Tilt Trains for improved aerodynamic performance as opposed to the exposed Scharfenberg couplers used by the existing fleet. [9] The body style differs using flat steel panels on the sides, while retaining corrugated panels for the rooftop. The first arrived at the Port of Brisbane in February 2016. [10] [11] [12]
The first three entered service on 11 December 2017 on the Airport and Gold Coast lines. [8] [13] [14] [15] By the time of the Commonwealth Games in April 2018, eight had entered service. [16]
The trains received media controversy over a series of issues such as the toilet module size falling short by 12 mm (0.47 in), and inability for wheelchair to access the toilet from one of the two accessible cars.
Because of the NGRs' non-compliance with disability legislation, all platforms they serve are required to be staffed. Initially confined to the Airport and Gold Coast lines, in May 2018 they began operating on the Doomben line, followed by Roma Street to Northgate services in July and Redcliffe and Springfield line services in September. [17] In October 2018, they began operating on the Ipswich and Caboolture lines. In February 2019, they began to operate to Shorncliffe and Cleveland. The same month, the NGRs became the largest fleet of electric trains in Queensland. [18] [19] [20] In March 2020 they commenced operating on the Sunshine Coast line to Nambour. [21] [22]
As of March 2020, they operate passenger services across the City network except for the Sunshine Coast line north of Nambour, Beenleigh, Ferny Grove and Rosewood lines. [21] [23] [24]
NGRs will not operate on Sunshine Coast line services north of Nambour until signalling upgrades to Gympie North have been completed. Currently trains are required to compatible with the operation of Automatic Train Protection which isn't fitted on the NGRs. [25] [26] The last NGR, unit 775, entered service in January 2020. [27] [28]
The NGRs are maintained at a purpose built depot to the west of Wulkuraka station. [29] [30] [31] Once modifications are complete, the new trains will allow all of the Electric Multiple Unit fleet and InterCity Express sets to be withdrawn. The trains increase the size of the fleet by 26%. The NGRs feature high-backed seats, safety straps for bike storage, luggage space underneath the seats unlike the Interurban Multiple Units that have luggage racks, mobility toilet with baby changing table, free public WiFi and CCTV. [32]
Each NGR unit comprises two driving motor cars (prefixes 3 and 8) at each end, coupled to two trailer cars (prefixes 4 and 7) and two intermediate motor cars in the middle (prefixes 5 and 6, with Motor car B currently featuring the toilet module on original trains and both on upgraded trains).[ citation needed ]
As they are permanently coupled six-car units, passengers are able to walk the entire length of the train, consequently eliminating the need to couple with another unit. Guards travel at the rear as opposed to the middle with the existing fleet, where two three-car units couple to form a six-car unit. Utilising the same traction equipment based on Bombardier Aventras as well as being compatible with the European Train Control System, the NGR, along with upgraded SMU 260 trains, will be the only trains permitted to travel in the Cross River Rail tunnels.[ citation needed ]
NGR units are also noted to have contain Gangway connection doors but are almost never used. PIS screens on the platform shows an NGR Icon for that service if the service is being operated by an NGR train.
Work to rectify the non-compliant parts of the trains was performed by Downer Rail's Maryborough facility. [33] After an exemption application to the Australian Human Rights Commission was rejected, the need for rectification was clear. [34] It was determined that the position of the boarding ramps next to the train door was the reason for the toilet module not meeting DDA’s minimum size requirements. The first arrived at Maryborough for rectification work in January 2019. As of late February 2024, 62 units (703 - 715, 717 - 719, 721, 724, 726, 727, 729 - 742, 744 - 769, 773 and 774) have been completed, approximately 82% of the total NGR fleet.[ citation needed ] The project is scheduled for completion in 2024. [35] [36]
The rectification work solves the disability access problem by providing a toilet module for both centre (wheelchair accessible) cars. [37] This means that wheelchairs no longer have to travel around the toilets to access them from behind. [37] No major changes were made to the general seating other than recovering some of the seats with priority labelling including some transverse seats with high backs and no arm rests. [37]
More help points were added in the space between the two toilet modules. [37]
The toilet modules were made disability compliant by moving the toilet front side and door at least 12 mm (0.47 in) closer to the external doors, while leaving the toilet bowl in the original location. [37] Labelling and other minor changes were made in the toilet module as well, such as the installation of lights that warn in the event of an evacuation. [37]
These trains can be easily identified by the large priority stickers on the windows all along the train. More stickers are present within the train as well.
Some changes were made to signage throughout the train on the advice of disability groups; purportedly as "better wording" but the differences would be minor to the average person - intended instead for the minority of people with literacy difficulties (see difference between green emergency door release wording above).
Queensland Rail (QR) is a railway operator in Queensland, Australia. Owned by the Queensland Government, it operates local and long-distance passenger services, as well as owning and maintaining rolling stock and approximately 6,600 kilometres (4,101 mi) of track and related infrastructure.
The British Rail Class 377 Electrostar is a British dual-voltage electric multiple unit passenger train (EMU) built by Bombardier Transportation on its Electrostar platform at Derby Litchurch Lane Works from 2001 to 2014.
The B-series trains are a class of electric multiple unit built by Downer Rail in Maryborough, Queensland for Transperth between 2004 and 2019.
The A-series trains are a class of electric multiple unit built by Walkers Limited in Maryborough, Queensland for Transperth between 1991 and 1999. When introduced in 1991, the A-series trains became the first electric passenger trains to operate in Western Australia and until 2004, were the only type of train in use on the Perth suburban rail network.
The Endeavour Railcars are a class of diesel multiple units operated by NSW TrainLink on passenger rail services in New South Wales, Australia on the Hunter, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and South Coast lines. They are mechanically identical to the Xplorers. All 30 carriages were built by ABB's Dandenong rolling stock factory.
Wulkuraka railway station is located on the Main line in Queensland, Australia. It serves the Ipswich suburb of Wulkuraka.
Downer Rail is a business unit within the Downer Group. As well as manufacturing and maintaining railway rolling stock it holds maintenance contracts to maintain rail infrastructure. The head office is located in North Ryde.
The V/Line VLocity, sometimes called the VLocity 160, is a diesel multiple unit train built by Alstom in Dandenong for V/Line, the regional rail operator in the Australian state of Victoria. Continuously in production since 2003, the VLocity is the highest-speed train in the V/Line fleet, with a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). As of December 2023 with set 114 entering service, 112 3-car sets are in revenue service, 2 collision damaged sets are in storage, and 5 more are under construction on the current order with a further 23 sets confirmed on the next order
The rail network in Queensland, Australia, was the first in the world to adopt 1,067 mm narrow gauge for a main line, and, in 2013, was claimed to the second largest narrow gauge network in the world, consists of:
Docklands Light Railway rolling stock is the passenger trains and service vehicles used on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which serves the London Docklands area in the east of London.
The Xplorer is a class of diesel multiple unit trains built by ABB. Initially entering service in October 1993 with CountryLink, the Xplorers are mechanically identical to the Endeavour railcars, though feature a higher level of passenger amenity. All 23 carriages were built in the Dandenong rolling stock factory. The Xplorers currently operate under NSW TrainLink, running on the regional Main North, Main Western and Main Southern lines throughout New South Wales.
The British Rail Class 172 is a British diesel multiple unit (DMU) passenger train from the Turbostar family, built by Bombardier Transportation's Derby Litchurch Lane Works for use on inner-suburban passenger services. The class is currently operated by West Midlands Railway.
The Electric multiple unit (EMU) is a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers at Maryborough for Queensland Rail between 1979 and 1986. They were the first EMUs in Queensland and are progressively being retired from the Queensland Rail Citytrain network.
The InterCity Express (ICE) was a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers, Maryborough for Queensland Rail in 1988/89. They were built to operate the Spirit of Capricorn service on the North Coast line service between Brisbane and Rockhampton. Since being superseded on this service, they were used on Sunshine Coast line services from Brisbane to Gympie North until mid-2021. As of November 2021, all units have been retired from service.
The Interurban multiple units (IMU) are a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers Limited/Downer EDI Rail, Maryborough for Queensland Rail's Citytrain division between 1996 and 2011. The IMU is divided into in three subclasses, units 101-110 as the 100 series, units 121-124 as the 120 series, and units 161-188, as the 160 series.
South East Queensland has a large passenger and freight railway network centred on Brisbane, the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland. Suburban and interurban passenger services in the region are operated by Queensland Rail, which also operates long-distance trains across the state. Aurizon and Pacific National operate freight services.
Wulkuraka is a western suburb of Ipswich in the City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Wulkuraka had a population of 1,234 people.
The GT42CU AC is a model of diesel electric locomotives manufactured by EDi Rail, Maryborough between 1999 and 2005 under licence from Electro-Motive Diesel, for use on narrow gauge railways in Queensland.
The Suburban multiple units (SMU) are a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers Limited/Downer EDI Rail, Maryborough for Queensland Rail's Citytrain division between 1994 and 2011. The SMU is divided into in three subclasses, units 201-212 as the 200 series, units 221-250 as the 220 series, and units 261-296, as the 260 series.
The Electric Tilt Train is the name for two identical high-speed tilting trains operated by Queensland Rail for the Tilt Train service on the North Coast line from Brisbane to Rockhampton which entered service in November 1998.
Media related to New Generation Rollingstock at Wikimedia Commons