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620 & 720 railcar (CityRail)
Encyclopedia
The 620 & 720 class railcars are a Diesel Multiple Unit
train used in the latter stages of their life by CityRail
, primarily on its Hunter Valley line. The trains have since been phased out in favour of the newer Hunter railcar model. The 620/720 railcars were built by New South Wales Government Railways
(NSWGR) from 1961 to 1968. There were many variations of this railcar, but coded differently.
Five of the fifteen power cars were originally fitted with two 250 horsepower Rolls-Royce horizontal in-line eight cylinder, four stroke diesel engines coupled to automatic lock-up torque converters. The other ten had two 250 horsepower General Motors in-line six cylinder, two stroke diesel engines coupled to similar transmissions. However, Scottish-made Cummins engines with lock-up torque converter transmissions were retrofitted to all units in the 1980s. Straight air brakes with a special emergency feature and miniature automatic couplings were fitted as standard equipment. The Department of Railways' Water Supply Workshops at Chullora gained experience in lightweight bodywork whilst building aircraft during World War 2. Consequently, these and all other in-house DMUs featured bodywork of largely aluminium composition. Whilst such bodywork is light and relatively strong, the NSW DMUs are considerably less crashworthy than contemporary steel and stainless steel coaches. However, this less-than-crashworthy characteristic is typical of early railcars, including those built by British Railways during the same period.
These railcars are similar to the Endeavour railcars as in layout, with one railcar having toilets (non-wheelchair accessible) and one with luggage space, with 2x2 seating instead of 3x2 seating found on Endeavours and the new Hunter Railcars. 620/720 railcars are non-airconditioned, however, windows can be opened for ventilation. Gas heaters and fans can be operated within the car. The cars retain an interior similar to the 1960s setup with which they were delivered, with older seats still having the NSWGR markings. In the later period before they were withdrawn, elements were introduced to prevent windows being opened widely (and body parts protruded) and the exit doors from being opened mid journey. Prior to this, doors were frequently opened for ventilation and the carriage floor included door jambs.
All sets were withdrawn in 2007, with the last service running on October 29 from Newcastle to Paterson
and return. Only a hand few were preserved. Set 621/721 was subsequently allocated to The Rail Motor Society at Paterson which have been restore to working operations in its Indian red, whilst set 623/723 was allocated to the NSWRTM as a static display. 626/726 is now RailCorp's test train.
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
train used in the latter stages of their life by CityRail
CityRail
CityRail is an operating brand of RailCorp, a corporation owned by the state government of New South Wales, Australia. It is responsible for providing commuter rail services, and some coach services, in and around Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, the three largest cities of New South Wales. It is...
, primarily on its Hunter Valley line. The trains have since been phased out in favour of the newer Hunter railcar model. The 620/720 railcars were built by New South Wales Government Railways
New South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways was the government department that operated the New South Wales Government's railways until the establishment of the Public Transport Commission in 1972. Although later known officially as the Department of Railways, New South Wales, it was still generally...
(NSWGR) from 1961 to 1968. There were many variations of this railcar, but coded differently.
Five of the fifteen power cars were originally fitted with two 250 horsepower Rolls-Royce horizontal in-line eight cylinder, four stroke diesel engines coupled to automatic lock-up torque converters. The other ten had two 250 horsepower General Motors in-line six cylinder, two stroke diesel engines coupled to similar transmissions. However, Scottish-made Cummins engines with lock-up torque converter transmissions were retrofitted to all units in the 1980s. Straight air brakes with a special emergency feature and miniature automatic couplings were fitted as standard equipment. The Department of Railways' Water Supply Workshops at Chullora gained experience in lightweight bodywork whilst building aircraft during World War 2. Consequently, these and all other in-house DMUs featured bodywork of largely aluminium composition. Whilst such bodywork is light and relatively strong, the NSW DMUs are considerably less crashworthy than contemporary steel and stainless steel coaches. However, this less-than-crashworthy characteristic is typical of early railcars, including those built by British Railways during the same period.
These railcars are similar to the Endeavour railcars as in layout, with one railcar having toilets (non-wheelchair accessible) and one with luggage space, with 2x2 seating instead of 3x2 seating found on Endeavours and the new Hunter Railcars. 620/720 railcars are non-airconditioned, however, windows can be opened for ventilation. Gas heaters and fans can be operated within the car. The cars retain an interior similar to the 1960s setup with which they were delivered, with older seats still having the NSWGR markings. In the later period before they were withdrawn, elements were introduced to prevent windows being opened widely (and body parts protruded) and the exit doors from being opened mid journey. Prior to this, doors were frequently opened for ventilation and the carriage floor included door jambs.
All sets were withdrawn in 2007, with the last service running on October 29 from Newcastle to Paterson
Paterson railway station, New South Wales
-Neighbouring stations:- References :...
and return. Only a hand few were preserved. Set 621/721 was subsequently allocated to The Rail Motor Society at Paterson which have been restore to working operations in its Indian red, whilst set 623/723 was allocated to the NSWRTM as a static display. 626/726 is now RailCorp's test train.