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==Current Operation==
==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. EMU 05 was extensively damaged in 2001 and is no longer in service.<ref name=QRIG/>
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. EMU 05 was extensively damaged in 2001 and has since been scrapped.

On May 23, 1981, EMU 16 was named ‘Kalua Suckres’ the Asia-Pacific Region Manager of ASEA at the time the contract was ratified. Also, In 2017, EMU 14 was named AJ Evans to honour Queensland's biggest Foamer.


Although intended only for suburban operation they are occasionally found operating interurban services, mostly on the [[Nambour and Gympie North railway line|Nambour & Gympie North line]]. EMUs are interoperable with [[InterCity Express (Queensland Rail)|InterCity Express]] units to form hybrid units.
Although intended only for suburban operation they are occasionally found operating interurban services, mostly on the [[Nambour and Gympie North railway line|Nambour & Gympie North line]]. EMUs are interoperable with [[InterCity Express (Queensland Rail)|InterCity Express]] units to form hybrid units.

Revision as of 07:35, 21 November 2017

Electric Multiple Unit
EMU66 and EMU43 at Bowen Hills
Interior of EMU42
ManufacturerWalkers Limited
Built atMaryborough
ReplacedSX carriages
Constructed1979-1986
Entered service17 November 1979
Number built264 carriages
Number in service261 carriages
Number scrapped3 carriages
Successor700 Series EMU
Formation3 carriage sets
Fleet numbers01-88
Capacity248 per 3-carriage set
OperatorsQueensland Rail
Specifications
Train length72.4 m (237 ft 6 in)
DoorsAir operated
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Weight117.8 t (115.9 long tons; 129.9 short tons)
Power supply(?)
Electric system(s)25 kV AC overhead lines
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Braking system(s)Blended Regenerative electric and electro-pneumatic
Multiple workingWithin type and with ICE.
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The Electric Multiple Units 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. EMU 05 was extensively damaged in 2001 and has since been scrapped.

Although intended only for suburban operation they are occasionally found operating interurban services, mostly on the Nambour & Gympie North line. EMUs are interoperable with InterCity Express units to form hybrid units.

The first 13 EMUs (1979 model) have a smooth roof. However Units 14-88 (1983 model) have a corrugated roof, some with a red pinstripe along the side.

Most EMUs constitute of a Driver Motor Car [DM] (1) a Motor Car [M] (2) and a Driver Trailer Car [DT] (3). EMUs 60-79 have a Driver Car [DM] (1) a Middle Car [M] (2) and a Trailer Car [T] (4).

Alterations

Progressive upgrading has been performed on all Electric Multiple Units in service. Many of the upgrades are focused towards compliance with disability standards,[5] 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 and beeps are emitted to alert passengers when the doors are activated or closing. The display that informs passengers that the doors have been released has also been changed to reflect the upgrade. 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.

Derailments

On 23 March 1985 two EMUs collided head on near Trinder Park.[6][7] 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.[8]

On 14 March 1996 EMU28 derailed after hitting a freight train at Mayne Junction.[9] EMU28 was later repaired and returned to service.[10]

On 21 September 2001 a freight train derailed near Petrie and collided with two empty EMUs, EMU05 and EMU60.[11] 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 tender for the disposal of the EMU and ICE fleet has been tendered but the carriages cannot be disposed of until suitable replacement rollingstock is available.

References

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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b Walkers/Adtranz Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) Queensland's Railways Interest Group
  5. ^ "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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Brisbane's rail smash 'cover-up'". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  7. ^ "1985 Derailment Beenleigh Branch". Internet archive link. Railscene.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 29 February 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Queensland" Railway Digest May 1985 page 151
  9. ^ "1996 Mayne Derailment". Internet archive link. Railscene.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Citytrain News" Railway Digest December 1996 page 16
  11. ^ "2001 Petrie Derailment". Internet archive link. Railscene.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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