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New South Wales H set

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For the historic electric rolling stock, partly given the same set designator, see New South Wales Bradfield suburban carriage stock, New South Wales Standard suburban carriage stock, and New South Wales Tulloch suburban carriage stock.

H set
H49 at Newcastle Interchange
Interior (upper deck)
In service2006–present
ManufacturerUGL Rail
Built atBroadmeadow
Replaced
Constructed2006–2012
Entered service15 December 2006 (2006-12-15)
Number built221
Number in service220
SuccessorD sets (for Intercity services only)
Formation55 4-car sets
Fleet numbers
  • OD 6901–6999, 6843–6854 (driving trailers)
  • ON 5901–5949, 5821–5826 (motor cars)
  • ONL 5951–5999, 5871–5876 (motor cars with lavatory)
  • H1–H55 (full 4-car sets)
Capacity432
Operators
Depots
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel with fibreglass end bonnets
Train length81.55 m (267 ft 6+5⁄8 in)
Car length
  • 20.34 m (66 ft 8+3⁄4 in) (OD)
  • 20,435 mm (67 ft 1⁄2 in) (ON/ONL)
Width3,034 mm (9 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Height4,403 mm (14 ft 5+3⁄8 in)
DoorsPlug-style, 2 per side
Maximum speed
  • 143 km/h (89 mph) (design)
  • 130 km/h (81 mph) (service)
Weight201 t (198 long tons; 222 short tons)
Traction systemMitsubishi 2-level IGBT–VVVF
Traction motors8 × Mitsubishi 200 kW (270 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output1,600 kW (2,146 hp)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classification2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′
Braking system(s)Automatic air, electropneumatic and regenerative (Faiveley Transport)
Coupling systemDellner
Track gauge1,435 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 carriages).[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.

Design

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Vestibule, January 2006
Foldable seats, January 2006

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 train's journey is announced automatically through onboard male/female digital voiceovers

Delivery

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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]

In service

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Formation

Each four car set is made up of three different types of carriages:

  • OD = Outer suburban Driving car: 102 seats
  • ON = Outer suburban Non-Control motor: 118 seats
  • ONL = Outer suburban Non-Control motor with Lavatory: 110 seats

in this configuration: OD-ONL-ON-OD.

Sets are numbered as follows (where n is the set number):

  • Sets H1-10: OD69(n*2-1), ONL59(n+50), ON59(n), OD69(n*2)
  • Sets H11-48: OD69(n*2+1), ONL59(n+50), ON59(n), OD69(n*2+2)
  • Set H49: OD6921, ONL5999, ON5949, OD6922
  • Sets H50-55: OD69(n*2-57), ONL58(n+21), ON58(n-29), OD69(n*2-56)

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:

Future

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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]

New LCD displays, August 2024

In preparation for their eventual transfer to suburban services, H Sets have been undergoing a refurbishment programme including 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.

References

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  1. ^ "Additional carriages added to Blue Mountains Line services". CityRail News. 12 June 2007. Archived from the original on 18 January 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  2. ^ Outer Suburban Rail Car (OSCAR) UGL
  3. ^ "oscar". Axis Communications. Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  4. ^ a b Oscar project RailCorp
  5. ^ "Record investment in trains and buses to start $50.2 billion Metropolitan Transport Plan" (PDF). NSW Government. 8 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  6. ^ "More Oscar carriages enter service" (PDF). CityRail Xpress edition 152. 20 October 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
  7. ^ "Oscar roll out continues" (PDF). CityRail Xpress edition 204. 9 November 2011.
  8. ^ TOC Waiver RailCorp 4 December 2012
  9. ^ "Around Sydney" Railway Digest February 2013 page 14
  10. ^ "Mariyung Fleet". Transport For NSW. 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2022. The Mariyung fleet will gradually begin to enter passenger service in the second half of 2024.
  11. ^ "NSW Government to invest $2.8 billion in new intercity trains, making all trains air-conditioned" (Press release). Transport for NSW. 8 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014. 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.
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