Electric multiple unit (Queensland Rail)

Electric multiple unit
EMU66 and EMU43 at Bowen Hills
Interior of EMU42
Manufacturer Walkers Limited
Built at Maryborough
Replaced SX carriages
Constructed 1979-1986
Entered service 17 November 1979
Number built 264 carriages
Number scrapped 3 carriages
Successor 700 Series EMU
Formation 3 carriage sets
Fleet numbers 01-88
Capacity 248 per 3-carriage set
Operator(s) Queensland Rail
Specifications
Train length 72.4 m (237 ft 6 in)
Doors Air operated
Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph)
Weight 117.8 t (115.9 long tons; 129.9 short tons)
Power supply (?)
Electric system(s) 25 kV AC overhead lines
Current collection method Pantograph
Braking system(s) Blended Regenerative electric and electro-pneumatic
Multiple working Within type and with ICE.
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

In Queensland, the Electric multiple units (EMU) are a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for Queensland Rail between 1979 and 1986. They were the first EMUs in Queensland and remain in service with Queensland Rail City network

All units feature air-conditioning, power operated automatic doors, fabric covered padded seating, passenger information displays, emergency intercoms and a public address system.

History

EMU01 at Ferny Grove for the opening of the Ferny Grove to Darra rail electrification on 17 November 1979

In 1977 Walkers Limited, Maryborough were awarded a contract to build 13 EMUs with electrical equipment to be supplied by ASEA.[1] These were the first EMUs in Queensland, entering revenue service when the first part of the Brisbane rail network was electrified between Ferny Grove and Darra in November 1979.[2] Further orders saw the fleet total 88 units with the last delivered in December 1987.[3][4]

Current Operation

EMUs are still in frequent revenue service around South East Queensland. They operate on all Queensland Rail suburban lines in either three or six carriage units. EMU 01 - EMU 04, EMU 06 - EMU 59 and EMU 80 - EMU 88 have driving cabs at both ends and can either operate as three or six car units. EMU 60 - EMU 79 have only a single driving cab, and as a result, they can operate only as part of a six car unit. In 2001, EMU 05 and EMU 60 were extensively damaged. The first car of EMU 60 was destroyed and the second and third car of EMU 05 were destroyed. These cars have since been scrapped. The first car of EMU 05 was combined with the rear cars of EMU 60 to create a new unit. This unit kept the name of EMU 60 and is still in service today.[5] Although the EMUs are intended only for suburban operation, they are occasionally found operating interurban services.

Alterations

Progressive upgrading has been performed on all Electric Multiple Units in service. Many of the upgrades are focused towards compliance with disability standards,[6] although some are general improvements.

QR implemented standardisation measures on the EMUs and periodically refurbished the interiors and drive equipment.

General improvements

EMU 73 arriving at South Brisbane with a Ferny Grove-bound service

Due to the age of the trains some changes have been made to running equipment for operational or maintenance reasons.

All driving cabs have been modified to accept flat panels of glass on the sides rather than the original molded panels and bumpers to reduce damage in collisions, particularly with animals.

The units have also received redesigned front cab ends, with a sloped front lip which make illegal riding by standing on the front lip impossible. The units have also received bright yellow doors and front cab ends for increased visibility.

Dot-Matrix destination displays have replaced the original calico blinds.

Inside, the EMUs have received a new interior colour scheme with new carpets, seat fabric, and floors in the vestibule area. The small top section of the windows which could originally be opened, are now only used in emergency situations.

A passenger information display inside an EMU.

Units 01-04 and 60-88 have a black band around the glass on the driver cab ends. These units are affectionately referred to as bandicoots. Units 60 and 67 for unknown reasons also have the black band on the guard cab end. The rest of the fleet have reverted to the original flat yellow ends in their recent refurbishment.

Disability compliance

Retro-fitted button-operated doors

The Queensland Rail EMUs were introduced before the Australian Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and originally featured very few of the disability standards introduced in the intervening years. As such significant alterations have been, or are planned to be, made to bring these legacy units into compliance.

The original seating arrangements have been altered surrounding the front-most and rear-most doors of the train as these areas are used as assisted boarding points. Some seats have been removed and others replaced with auto retract folding types to create more space for passengers in wheelchairs. Additional handrails surrounding the new wheelchair spaces have been added for safety. The seating arrangement is unchanged elsewhere inside the trains.

The majority of the units have been retrofitted with push-button operated doors, leaving EMU60-65 and 67-69 the only units still retaining the use of traditional handle operated doors. The replacement buttons feature integrated lighting and small speakers. Different flashes, beeps and display messages are emitted to alert passengers when the doors are activated or closing. Parts of the interior have all been painted bright yellow such as the doors and poles inside the train, for higher visibility and enhanced safety.

Dot-Matrix displays have been added alongside new automated voice announcement systems on all units. The EMU was originally fitted with VAS in the mid-90s and was upgraded around 2012 when the DTI system was fitted. These systems are used to address passengers with information such as the current and next station as well as alerting passengers where to transfer for other services. Many signs have been changed to include braille for sight impaired passengers.

Accidents

On 23 March 1985 two EMUs collided head on near Trinder Park.[7][8] A train driver and a passenger were killed, 31 others were injured. The units involved were EMU11 and EMU27, both were repaired and are still in service today.[9]

On 14 March 1996 EMU28 derailed after hitting a freight train at Mayne Junction.[10] EMU28 was later repaired and returned to service.[11]

On 21 September 2001 a freight train derailed near Petrie and collided with two empty EMUs, EMU05 and EMU60.[12] Two carriages from EMU05 and one carriage of EMU60 were badly damaged and scrapped. The remaining three carriages were combined and returned to service as EMU60. EMU carriages EM160, EM205 and EM105, were not repairable and EMU05 was the first unit to be withdrawn from service. The current EMU60 is made out of carriages EM305 (Renumbered EM160), 260 and 460.[4]

Future

The EMU fleet will be replaced by the New Generation Rollingstock fleet. Withdrawals commenced in July 2018 with EMU06 being taken to North Ipswich Railway Workshops for component recovery.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Citytrain SMU Braking Problems, EMU Modifications, Signal Upgrade" Railway Digest November 1999 page 16
  2. ↑ "Modern competitive railway". History. Queensland Rail. Archived from the original on 22 July 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2008.
  3. ↑ "Electric Multiple Unit". Fleet Information. Queensland Rail. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  4. 1 2 Walkers/Adtranz Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) Queensland's Railways Interest Group
  5. ↑ http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11024.htm
  6. ↑ "QR Accessible Passenger Rail Services Action Plan 2007 2012(plain text version)". Disability Upgrades. Australian Human Rights Commission. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  7. ↑ "Brisbane's rail smash 'cover-up'". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "1985 Derailment Beenleigh Branch". Internet archive link. Railscene.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Queensland" Railway Digest May 1985 page 151
  10. ↑ "1996 Mayne Derailment". Internet archive link. Railscene.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  11. ↑ "Citytrain News" Railway Digest December 1996 page 16
  12. ↑ "2001 Petrie Derailment". Internet archive link. Railscene.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  13. ↑ Queensland Railway Digest October 2018 page 22

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