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H set | |
---|---|
In service | 2006–present |
Manufacturer | UGL Rail |
Built at | Broadmeadow |
Replaced | |
Constructed | 2006–2012 |
Entered service | 15 December 2006 |
Number built | 221 |
Number in service | 220 |
Successor | D sets (for Intercity services only) |
Formation | 55 4-car sets |
Fleet numbers |
|
Capacity | 432 |
Operators |
|
Depots | |
Lines served | |
Specifications | |
Car body construction | Stainless steel with fibreglass end bonnets |
Train length | 81.55 m (267 ft 6+5⁄8 in) |
Car length |
|
Width | 3,034 mm (9 ft 11+1⁄2 in) |
Height | 4,403 mm (14 ft 5+3⁄8 in) |
Doors | Plug-style, 2 per side |
Maximum speed |
|
Weight | 201 t (198 long tons; 222 short tons) |
Traction system | Mitsubishi 2-level IGBT–VVVF |
Traction motors | 8 × Mitsubishi 200 kW (270 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor |
Power output | 1,600 kW (2,146 hp) |
Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary |
Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
UIC classification | 2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′ |
Braking system(s) | Automatic air, electropneumatic and regenerative (Faiveley Transport) |
Coupling system | Dellner |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The New South Wales H sets, commonly referred to as the OSCAR (Outer Suburban Car) trains, are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) currently operated by Sydney Trains on its intercity routes and some Sydney suburban routes. Built by UGL Rail in Broadmeadow, the H sets first entered service under the CityRail brand in December 2006, with the last in December 2012. Their introduction allowed for the retirement of some second-class V set carriages (second class DCM and DCT carraiges). [1] As long-distance trains, the H sets share a similar overall layout and design to the previous Intercity Tangara G sets. Currently operating as 55 four-carriage sets, [2] the H sets now operate between Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle and between Sydney and the South Coast.
There are many similarities between the H sets and the M sets, including improved external destination boards, internal destination boards displaying stopping patterns, Digital Voice Announcements, security cameras, and green target plates. The OSCARs also have additional features to increase comfort on the longer journeys they operate. These include high back seating covered with durable, vandal-proof woollen moquette fabric with padded head-rests, retractable footrests, luggage racks, aisle seat armrests and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Wheelchair seating is available in the vestibules, while 3x2 seating is provided in the upper and lower deck sections. Carriage interiors were designed by Transport Design International. [3]
The OSCARs also include several new safety features. The doors on older rolling stock such as V sets are all unlocked at every station (even short platforms). V Sets have doors that must be slid open for alighting/boarding and G Sets have push buttons. However, on the H set, the guard is able to select the number of doors to be opened at a station. This feature is aimed at preventing incidents where passengers may fall from the carriage when stopped at a short platform. The H sets have been fitted with Dellner automatic couplers, compatible with the M sets and the Hunter railcars. They are able to absorb the impact of a collision, and the anti-climbers on the H sets will also reduce the force of impact. The trains also have a different body design. Instead of the entire body being of the same design, like the Tangara, the driver's cab is built like a protective cage, made of fibreglass and supported by a box section steel frame, which stretches to the end of the guard's door. The rest of the train is made from conventional stainless steel.
The initial order was for 41 cars and the contract was awarded in February 2003. The second order for 81 cars was awarded in April 2005 and the third in March 2009 for 72 cars, increased to 74 in March 2010 and 99 in January 2011. [4] The OSCARs were late in starting service as CityRail wanted to test the trains thoroughly after the M sets had a troubled introduction. On 5 August 2006, set H3 was opened for inspection to the public, as part of Central station's Centenary celebrations.
On 15 December 2006, the OSCARs entered revenue service between Sydney and Wollongong on Thursdays and Fridays. A few months later, OSCARs operated the services on all weekdays. Their progressive entry into service allowed the former G sets to be redeployed on services to Wyong and Springwood. From 30 April 2007, the H sets were introduced on other services, but the original OSCAR service reverted to G Set operation. Eight car operation started on 26 November 2007.
On 8 April 2008, H sets were introduced on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line, operating in eight-car formations, principally between Sydney and Wyong, however they have been used for Newcastle services. H sets were the first rolling stock to be used on the Epping to Chatswood railway line, operating a shuttle service from 23 February 2009 to 10 October 2009. Four car sets operated on the line exclusively during the shuttle phase until it was integrated into the Northern line service.
An additional order for 72 cars was confirmed on 27 March 2009, forming 18 additional four-car sets. The 2010 State budget increased this order to 74 cars. [5] The two additional cars will become spares. The first train from this order entered service on 18 October 2010. [6] In response to passenger feedback, these carriages feature an additional 20 millimetres of padding on the seat backing and lengthened seat bases to increase comfort. [7]
The final H set was delivered to CityRail in December 2012 along with spare driver trailer OD 6850. [4] [8] [9]
Formation
Each four car set is made up of three different types of carriages:
in this configuration: OD-ONL-ON-OD.
Sets are numbered as follows (where n is the set number):
H sets are operated by Sydney Trains on the following intercity lines:
H sets are used on a limited number of suburban services on the following lines:
With the D sets due to commence service as early as late 2024, [10] these new trains will allow the H sets to be transferred to suburban services. [11]
In preperation for their eventual transfer to suburban services, H Sets have been undergoing a set of internal upgrades at Hornsby Maintenance Centre since 2023, examples of these upgrades include the addition of ATP, newly upgraded LCD interior passenger information displays and updated digital voice announcements similar to the ones found on Waratah B Sets. Sets with the new PIS’s are H15,H30 and H55.
CityRail was a passenger railway brand operated by the State Rail Authority from 1989 to 2003 and by RailCorp from 2003 to 2013 with services in and around Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, the three largest cities in New South Wales, Australia. It was established in January 1989 and abolished in June 2013 when it was superseded by Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink.
The T sets, also referred to as the Tangara trains, are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) that currently operate on the Sydney Trains network. Built by A Goninan & Co, the sets entered service between 1988 and 1995, initially under the State Rail Authority and later on CityRail. The T sets were built as "third-generation" trains for Sydney's rail fleet, coinciding with the final withdrawals of the "Red Rattler" sets from service in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Tangaras were initially built as two classes; the long-distance intercity G sets and the suburban T sets, before being merged after successive refurbishments.
The Cumberland Line is a commuter rail line operated by Sydney Trains in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It connects Schofields and Leppington stations in the western suburbs. Limited services extend from Schofields to Richmond. The line opened in 1996, following the construction of a 'Y-link' track between Harris Park and Merrylands stations. The intention of this link was to allow direct services to operate from the south west suburbs to Parramatta and Blacktown without requiring a change of trains at Granville. The line takes its name from the Cumberland Plain on which much of Western Sydney was built.
The Central Coast & Newcastle Line (CCN) is an intercity rail service that services the Hawkesbury River, Central Coast and Newcastle regions. It connects the two largest cities in New South Wales, running from Central in Sydney along the Main North railway line to Broadmeadow, and to Newcastle Interchange in Newcastle on the Newcastle railway line.
The South Coast Line (SCO) is an intercity rail service that services the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. The service runs from Central, and runs the entire length of the eponymous South Coast railway line to Bomaderry. The service also runs along the Eastern Suburbs railway line at peak hours and the Port Kembla railway line to Port Kembla. It is operated with Sydney Trains H sets and T sets, with Endeavour railcars operating the service on the non-electrified line between Kiama and Bomaderry.
The Southern Highlands Line (SHL) is an intercity rail service that services the Macarthur, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands regions of New South Wales. First operating in 1869, the service runs from Campbelltown across the Main Southern railway line through to Goulburn, with peak hour services extending the route to Central. The railway service operates alongside a bus route from Picton to Bowral, operating on the route of the Picton – Mittagong loop railway line, and a regional coach service from Bundanoon to Wollongong on the South Coast Line, operating on the corridor of the Unanderra–Moss Vale railway line.
The C sets were a class of electric multiple units that operated on Sydney's suburban rail network from 1986 up until 2021. Built by A Goninan & Co between 1986 and 1987, they were introduced into service by the State Rail Authority, before later being operated under CityRail and Sydney Trains. A total of 56 carriages were built, with the last sets being withdrawn from service in February 2021, having been gradually replaced by Waratah A & B set trains.
The K sets are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) that currently operate on the Sydney Trains suburban network. Built by A Goninan & Co, the K sets first entered service in 1981 operating under the State Rail Authority, and later CityRail. The carriages are of stainless steel, double deck construction and share much of their design with the older S sets. All of the 40 K sets originally built remain in service but one 4 car set. The K sets are currently the second oldest in the Sydney Trains fleet, and the oldest in the Suburban fleet.
The S sets are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) that operated on Sydney's suburban rail network from 1972 up until 2019. Originally entering service under the Public Transport Commission, the sets also operated under the State Rail Authority, CityRail and Sydney Trains. Prior to their retirement, the S sets were the last class in the Sydney Trains fleet to not be air-conditioned, earning them the nicknames "Tin cans" and "Sweat Sets". They were also nicknamed "Ridgys" because of their fluted ("ridged") stainless steel panelling; they shared this nickname with similar looking K sets and C sets. Their stainless steel appearance was also shared with the intercity V sets and U sets. All remaining sets were withdrawn from service in June 2019.
The Endeavour Railcars are a class of diesel multiple units (DMU) operated by Sydney Trains on its intercity 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, but are fitted out for shorter travel distances. All 30 carriages were built by ABB's Dandenong rolling stock factory.
The New South Wales V sets are a class of electric multiple units currently operated by Sydney Trains on its intercity routes. Built by Comeng between 1970 and 1989, the sets are of stainless steel construction, and are currently the oldest in the electric fleet of NSW. First delivered under the Department of Railways, only sets from 1977 and onwards remain in service, now operating on Intercity services to Lithgow and Newcastle.
UGL Rail is an Australian rail company specialising in building, maintaining and refurbishing diesel locomotives, diesel and electric multiple units and freight wagons. It is a subsidiary of UGL and is based in Melbourne, with a staff of 1,200 across Australia and Asia. It operates factories in Broadmeadow (Newcastle), Spotswood and Bassendean. While it used to operate a factory in Taree, the plant was shut down and the equipment sold off.
The Sydney Trains fleet serves the metropolitan and intercity lines within Sydney, Australia. Most of the rolling stock are double-deck electric multiple units, while some are single-deck diesel multiple units and operate mainly as eight carriage sets, with some operating in four.
The Hunter railcars, are a class of diesel multiple unit (DMU) operated by NSW TrainLink on the Hunter Line in New South Wales, Australia. Built by UGL Rail between November 2006 and September 2007, they initially operated for CityRail. The railcars have received only one refurbishment in their years of service. This changed their livery from CityRail, to NSW TrainLink.
Sydney, the largest city in Australia, has an extensive network of passenger and goods railways. The passenger system includes an extensive suburban railway network, operated by Sydney Trains, a metro system and a light rail network. A dedicated goods network also exists.
The railways of New South Wales, Australia, use a large variety of passenger and freight rolling stock. The first railway in Sydney was opened in 1855 between Sydney and Granville, now a suburb of Sydney but then a major agricultural centre. The railway formed the basis of the New South Wales Government Railways. Passenger and freight services were operated from the beginning. By 1880, there was a half hourly service to Homebush.
The U sets were a type of electric multiple unit (EMU) operated by the New South Wales Government Railways and its successors between September 1958 and November 1996. They were colloquially nicknamed U-boats.
Sydney Trains is the brand name and operator of suburban and intercity train services in and around Greater Sydney in New South Wales, Australia.
The New South Wales D sets, also referred to as the Mariyung trains, are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) being built to replace Sydney Trains's Intercity EMU fleet. The trains will operate on services from Sydney to Newcastle, Lithgow and Kiama, allowing the retirement of Sydney Trains's V set fleet, and freeing the H set (OSCAR) fleet for reallocation to Sydney suburban services.
The Sydney Metro Metropolis Stock is a class of electric multiple units that operate on the Sydney Metro network. Built by Alstom as part of their Metropolis family, the trains are the first fully automated passenger rolling stock in Australia as well as the first single-deck electric trainsets to operate in Sydney since their withdrawal from the suburban rail network in the 1990s.
The Mariyung fleet will gradually begin to enter passenger service in the second half of 2024.
In addition, the Oscar intercity fleet - currently operating to outer metropolitan areas – will be reallocated to Sydney suburban services, meaning every train across the state will be air-conditioned.