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NSW TrainLink D set

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D set
D31 testing at Sydney Terminal, January 2023
Interior (lower deck)
In serviceLate 2024/Early 2025
ManufacturerHyundai Rotem
Built atChangwon, South Korea
Replaced
Constructed2019–present
Number under construction610 carriages (61 4-car sets and 61 6-car sets)
Formation
  • DD–DN–DND–DDA
  • DD–DNL–DT–DN–DND–DDA
Fleet numbers
  • D1–D61 (4-car sets)
  • D101–D161 (6-car sets)
OperatorsNSW TrainLink (testing phase)
DepotsKangy Angy Maintenance Centre
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Train length
  • 81.55 m (267 ft 6+5⁄8 in) (4-car sets)
  • 122.23 m (401 ft 1⁄4 in) (6-car sets)
Car length
  • 20,435 mm (67 ft 1⁄2 in) (DD/DDA)
  • 20,340 mm (66 ft 8+3⁄4 in) (DNL/DT/DN/DND)
Width3,034 mm (9 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Height4,402 mm (14 ft 5+1⁄4 in)
DoorsPlug-style, 2 per side
Maximum speed176 km/h (109 mph) (design) 130 km/h (81 mph) (service)
Weight
  • 199.8 t (196.6 long tons; 220.2 short tons) (4-car sets)
  • 298 t (293 long tons; 328 short tons) (6-car sets)
Traction systemMitsubishi SiC–VVVF[1]
Traction motors3-phase AC induction motor[1]
Acceleration0.8 m/s2 (2.6 ft/s2)
Deceleration
  • 1.01 m/s2 (3.3 ft/s2) (service)
  • 1.1 m/s2 (3.6 ft/s2) (emergency)
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′ (4-car sets)
  • 2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′ (6-car sets)
Coupling systemDellner
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The NSW TrainLink D sets, also referred to as the Mariyung trains, are a class of electric multiple units (EMU) being built to replace NSW TrainLink's Intercity EMU fleet. The trains will operate on services from Sydney to Newcastle, Lithgow and Kiama, allowing the retirement of NSW TrainLink's V set fleet, and freeing the H set (OSCAR) fleet for reallocation to Sydney suburban services.

The first trains were delivered in December 2019. After a protracted dispute between the government and the drivers' trade union over their safety, the first are scheduled to enter service in late 2024/early 2025.[2][3]

History

[edit]

In May 2014, the Government of New South Wales announced its intention to purchase new carriages for the NSW TrainLink Intercity network. The new trains will replace the V sets and allow the H sets to be cascaded to Sydney Trains services.[4][5] The class of trains were given the name Mariyung, a Dharug word for emu.[6]

In August 2014, expressions of interest from manufacturers were called for.[7][8] The following parties responded:[9][10]

In July 2015, the government announced that Alstom, Downer/Changchun, Stadler, and UGL/Mitsubishi Electric/CSR had been shortlisted to tender.[11] Following the merger of CSR and the parent company of Changchun Railway Vehicles, Hyundai Rotem replaced CSR as a partner in the UGL/Mitsubishi Electric consortium.[12] The consortia provided two variants of their designs – a longer train and shorter train.[12] The Hyundai Rotem/UGL/Mitsubishi Electric consortium was announced as the successful bidder in August 2016.[13][14] The companies formed a joint venture called RailConnect to manage the project.[15] The trains are being built by Hyundai Rotem's Changwon factory in South Korea.[16]

The initial contract covered the supply and maintenance of the 512 carriages which would consist of 77 4-car trains and 34 6-car trains, as well as the construction of the Kangy Angy Maintenance Centre.[11][17][18] which was completed in August 2020.[19] The maintenance contract runs for fifteen years from the delivery of the first train with an option for a five-year extension.[16] In February 2019, a further 42 carriages were ordered to extend 21 of the 77 4-car trains into 6-car trains to allow for more 10-car train operations especially on the South Coast line during peak hour.[20]

A contract was let to Downer EDI to make modifications and upgrades to existing rail infrastructure across the electrified network to accommodate the new fleet.[21] Platform extensions at multiple stations were also required to accommodate 10-car trains.

The first two 10-carriage trains were delivered in December 2019 and testing started the following month.[5][22]

During early ordering stages, the trains were simply referred to as the New Intercity Fleet. In April 2021, the name Mariyung, a Darug word for emu, was officially designated for the fleet.[23]

In July 2021, the Mariyung fleet received its final approval to carry passengers from the independent Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator and would enter service as soon as possible. At the time, 16 trains were being tested on the network and 8 of which were ready to progressively enter passenger service.[24]

In September 2021, 56 additional carriages were ordered, bringing the total number of carriages to 610, meaning that there would be 61 of both the 4 car and 6 car variants.[25]

Design

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The trains are double deck electric multiple units measuring 163 m (534 ft 9 in) for an 8-car set or 204 m (669 ft 3 in) for a 10 car-set.[26] They will include accessible toilets and dedicated space for luggage, prams, bicycles and wheelchairs. Fixed seats on the upper and lower decks will be in a two by two arrangement. The seating will include cup holders, tray tables and arm rests. Each seat will feature a charging station for mobile devices.[15] The trains are being designed to be operated with or without guards, with tender documents stating the trains must support one-man operation.[27]

  • Vestibule
    Vestibule
  • Stairwell
    Stairwell
  • Seating
    Seating

The new trains are wider than the V sets they replace and required modifications to be made to parts of the Blue Mountains line route (as had previously been completed on the Newcastle line, the South Coast line to Kiama and the Blue Mountains line to Springwood only) to create sufficient clearance from adjacent structures.[18] A contract was awarded to the Continuum Alliance, an alliance between Transport for NSW, CPB Contractors and Lendlease, to make these modifications. Work started in February 2019[28] and was completed in July 2020.[29][30] They are scheduled to enter service in 2024.[31]

Background

[edit]

Proportions

[edit]

In 2015 the project reached a $1.1B blowout due to modifications that were required for the design of the train, changing proportions from almost identical to the V sets to the standard suburban double decker proportions.[32]

In October 2016 it was announced that the D sets would be 3,034 mm (9 ft 11.4 in) wide, 135 mm (5.3 in) wider than the V sets they would replace. This required works to provide additional clearance on several sections of the Blue Mountains line between Springwood, Katoomba, and Lithgow, including the heritage-listed Ten Tunnels Deviation. The new trains would also be too long for the platforms at Linden and Warrimoo stations.[33]

Union opposition and safety concerns

[edit]

In 2018, it was announced that the trains would have a maximum of two staff members on board, suggesting that the train guard be either replaced by a customer service role or merged with a customer service role, ruling out Driver Only Operation. The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) welcomed any announcement regarding safety and retaining train guards.[34]

However, in 2019 it was announced that Driver Only Operation would be implemented, with the driver viewing the side of the train via several CCTV cameras. The RTBU criticised this move as being "unsafe", due to the lack of microphones on the train.[35][failed verification]

In February 2020, the RTBU announced that members would refuse to staff the New Intercity Fleet over safety and employment concerns.[36]

On 27 November 2020, a snap strike in protest of the safety concerns was performed by the RTBU, shutting down all intercity services effective immediately until 7 am.[37]

A confidential 2018 report to the NSW government revealed that the doors could easily fail when opened at speed, which was only announced to the public in 2021.[38]

On 5 February 2021, an incident where a commuter fell between a train and the platform at Hornsby station in January was highlighted as a potentially fatal situation if it had occurred with a D set.[39]

On 2 March 2021, the Customer Service Guard position was cancelled.[40]

In November 2021, an 18-month delay of entry into service was announced due to the union standoff and the COVID-19 pandemic.[41]

Over December 2021, the RTBU carried out a series of industrial actions in protest.[42][43]

On 22 March 2022, Nine News revealed the RTBU regarding the CCTV cameras as unsafe, highlighting the lack of microphones, viewing blackspots, and poor vision quality, especially in the rain.[44]

Approval by the Office of the National Safety Regulator

[edit]

In July 2021, the independent Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator deemed the fleet to be safe, endorsing the Government's position on the matter.[45] Sue McCarrey, CEO of the ONRSR, outlined that they had worked with the operator since design stage right through to testing, pledging that ongoing safety audits would continue through to their operation. Additionally, McCarrey concluded that there was no greater risk than the current older fleet and in fact the use of technology on the new fleet would make them even safer; "We believe that risk is being managed through the technology on the train. The operating model we have approved for the NIF includes the use of a driver, a guard and the use of CCTV cameras at each door providing both the guard and the driver a view down the entire platform. Both the driver and the guard have access to screens to show them what is actually happening along the entire platform". McCarrey made it clear that as an independent regulator she is not part of the current negotiations between the RTBU and the train operator (NSW Trains) and nor should she be, however if those negotiations resulted in a change to the operating model, then the ONRSR would have to relitigate those proposed changes and once again complete that independent check to ensure that the changes proposed to the train operations continue to effectively manage the risks.[46]

Fair Work Commission

[edit]

On 18 February 2022, Sydney Trains and Transport for NSW lodged an application to the Fair Work Commission seeking to suspend or terminate any further industrial action from the RTBU regarding the D sets, the Transport Asset Holding Entity, wages and any other cause.[47] After the February shutdown the Fair Work action was suspended.[48]

Maintenance

[edit]

In September 2017, the Central Coast Express Advocate opposed the Kangy Angy Maintenance Centre citing issues of noise and flooding.[49]

In December 2021, it was announced that only 20 out of 300 jobs would be made from the Kangy Angy Maintenance Centre, which was heavily criticised by several Labor MPs including Chris Minns.[50]

Lowering of permitted service speed

[edit]

The train is specified & designed to be able to operate to the equivalent design limits as the XPT, this includes a design maximum service speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). During the testing & acceptance phase, the operator made a decision to lower the permissible maximum service speed of the vehicles to 130 km/h (80 mph) as the overhead wiring was not adequately tensioned for speeds greater than 130km/h (as no electric train has regularly operated at service speeds above 130 km/h (80mph) on the TfNSW network).

Services

[edit]

The trains are expected to operate on the following services:[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Mitsubishi Electric to Supply Railway Systems for TfNSW" (PDF). Mitsubishi Electric. 5 September 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  2. ^ O'Sullivan, Matt (23 March 2023). "Passengers face months-long wait for multibillion-dollar train fleet". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Agreement reached for New Intercity Fleet". NSW Government. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  4. ^ NSW Government to invest $2.8 billion in new intercity trains, making all trains air-conditioned Archived 8 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 8 May 2014
  5. ^ a b c "New Intercity Fleet". Transport for NSW. 12 January 2020. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  6. ^ "Mariyung Fleet". Transport for NSW. 27 February 2023. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  7. ^ Expressions of interest called for new $2.8 billion intercity train fleet Archived 29 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 11 August 2014
  8. ^ New $2.8 billion intercity train fleet for NSW Rail Express 13 August 2014
  9. ^ Strong local and international interest in $2.8 billion intercity fleet project Archived 29 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 9 October 2014
  10. ^ Firms line up for intercity train deal Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine PSnews online 15 October 2014
  11. ^ a b "Transforming regional train travel: Shortlist announced for new intercity fleet". Transport for NSW. 9 July 2015. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Industry asked to tender for delivery of new intercity fleet". Transport for NSW. 4 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  13. ^ New Intercity fleet Archived 29 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine UGL
  14. ^ Transport for NSW extends New Intercity Fleet order Archived 27 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine International Railway Journal 4 May 2019
  15. ^ a b "Comfort comes first with New Intercity Trains". Transport for NSW. 18 August 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  16. ^ a b "UGL as part of RailConnect NSW to deliver $2. 3 billion New Intercity Fleet" (PDF). UGL Limited. 18 August 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  17. ^ "New Intercity Fleet Maintenance Facility - Notice to Residents and Businesses (September 2015)" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  18. ^ a b New intercity trains too wide for rail line to stations in Blue Mountains Archived 9 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 5 October 2016
  19. ^ "Construction completed on Kangy Angy Rail Facility". Coast Community News. 25 August 2020. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  20. ^ Explosion in growth; extra Intercity trains purchased to cope with demand Archived 21 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine Sydney Morning Herald 20 February 2019
  21. ^ "New Intercity Fleet Stations and Signalling Modifications". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  22. ^ "The New Intercity Fleet trains are almost here". Transport for NSW. 3 December 2019. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  23. ^ "First ride on New Intercity Fleet". NSW Government. 1 April 2021. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  24. ^ "Mariyung fleet receives final safety tick". Transport for NSW. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  25. ^ "$100m contract extension for UGL". Rail Express. 14 September 2021. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021.
  26. ^ "New Intercity Fleet Fact Sheet - 2019" (PDF). Transport for NSW. p. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  27. ^ O'Sullivan, Matt (26 September 2016). "Train guards in firing line from NSW's $2.3 billion intercity fleet renewal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  28. ^ New Intercity Fleet Springwood to Lithgow Rail Corridor Modifications Archived 29 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW Reviewed 9 January 2020
  29. ^ "Blue Mountains Line ready for New Intercity Fleet". Rail Express. 21 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  30. ^ "Upgrades to Blue Mountains Line now complete". Transport for NSW. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  31. ^ Rabe, Tom; Smith, Alexandra (12 May 2022). "NSW government attacks rail unions over mothballed $2b train fleet". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  32. ^ O'Sullivan, Matt (26 November 2015). "$1.1b cost blowout for NSW's new 'off-the-shelf' intercity trains". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  33. ^ O'Sullivan, Matt (6 October 2016). "New intercity trains too wide for rail line to stations in Blue Mountains". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  34. ^ O'Sullivan, Matt (21 October 2018). "Berejiklian government promises two staff for each new intercity train". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  35. ^ "Sydney news: Union says state's new InterCity trains a danger for passengers". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  36. ^ Pearce, Connor (11 February 2020). "RTBU refuses to staff NIF". Rail Express. Prime Creative Media. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  37. ^ Singhal, Tom Rabe, Pallavi (27 November 2020). "Snap strike throws NSW's train network into chaos". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ "New Intercity Fleet trains: Confidential report finds doors failed when opened at speed". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  39. ^ "Close call at Hornsby highlights dangers of NIF". RTBU Express. 4 February 2021. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  40. ^ "WE WON: FWC Rules No such thing as a Customer Service Guard or an Intercity Specialist Driver". RTBU Express. 2 March 2021. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  41. ^ O'Sullivan, Matt (7 November 2021). "18-month delay to state's new intercity trains arriving from South Korea". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  42. ^ "Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW Branch - Updates to Industrial Action Calendar: It has been necessary to update a couple of the actions on our industrial action calendar. The "Work to Rule" action has been changed to 17 December 2021, and the "Ban on performing work where contractors are present" has been moved to 21 December 2021. All other actions remain the same. As always, you can find the calendar on the front page of our website, www.ourrightsourfight.com.au. | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  43. ^ Marks, Andy (15 December 2021). "Long and the short of it: rail workers have a point about their uniform". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  44. ^ Major safety issues revealed with new Sydney trains | 9 News Australia, archived from the original on 19 June 2022, retrieved 19 June 2022
  45. ^ "New train fleet declared safe". Central Coast News. 1 September 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  46. ^ "Breakfast". ABC Sydney. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  47. ^ NSW, Transport for (18 February 2022). "Application to Fair Work Seeks to Halt Industrial Action from Disrupting Customers and Damaging the NSW Economy". www.transport.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  48. ^ ABC, Source (22 February 2022). "NSW transport minister drops fair work action against unions after Sydney trains shutdown – video". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  49. ^ New Kangy Angy rail maintenance facility approved, archived from the original on 19 June 2022, retrieved 19 June 2022
  50. ^ "Kangy Angy rail facility employs 20 – not the 300 jobs promised". Central Coast News. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
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