.gif)
Hunter railcar (CityRail)
Encyclopedia
Hunter Railcars are a diesel multiple unit
operated by CityRail
on its Hunter Valley line centred on Newcastle
, New South Wales, Australia, although in rare cases of rail car shortages, they have been sent to other diesel lines, like the Southern Highlands Line
. The Railcars were built by United Group Rail and were brought into service between November 2006 and September 2007. They replaced the 620 & 720 railcars
, built in the 1960s.
- the major difference being the driving cars are each single-engined instead of dual-engined, due to the lower top speed requirement for the Hunter line. Seating is along one deck, 3x2, and the seats have retractable footrests covered with durable, vandal proof Woollen Moquette Farbric
. There is a large cab window for crew to look out onto the tracks, and all controls are ready at hand. A door is placed between the vestibule and the seating area, to reduce interior noise. Security cameras record what is happening inside the train, and there is a display in the crew’s cabin. The cars have been fitted with “Dellner SP” couplers
, compatible with the OSCAR and Millennium Train’s couplings for emergency towing. They are able to absorb the impact of a collision, and the anti-climbers on the new Hunter Railcars will also reduce the force of impact. This new feature appears on the Millennium Trains, the Hunter Railcars and the OSCARs. The new trains also have a different body design. Instead of the entire body being of the same design, such as the Tangara, the driver's cab is built like a protective cage, made of fibreglass, which stretches to the end of the guard's door. The stainless steel paneling starts at the guard's door. The guard's door is designed to operate separately from the passenger doors.
The Hunter Railcar has multiple-unit capability with the earlier Endeavour and Xplorer DMUs, however this feature is generally only used in the event of failure or for empty coaching stock movements. These cars normally operate as a two-car set like the Endeavours but however during peak in the mornings or on special events on that line it will operate as 4 car sets (two 2-car sets joined together).
The Power Cars have accommodation for 76 passengers, and the Power Cars with Toilets have accommodation for 60 passengers.
Like the OSCARs, the Railcars were delivered late. The first 2 car set entered service on the Hunter Line on 23 November 2006, operating a small number of Newcastle to Telarah services on Thursday and Fridays only. The second set entered service on 8 January 2007 also operating a limited number of services. As of September 2007 all seven trains have been delivered.
The trains were also criticised in the Maitland Mercury
during November 2006 as being difficult to push a wheelchair or a stroller onto the train without a ramp or the assistance of two people due to the height of the floor.
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:...
operated 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...
on its Hunter Valley line centred on Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, New South Wales, Australia, although in rare cases of rail car shortages, they have been sent to other diesel lines, like the Southern Highlands Line
Southern Highlands railway line, New South Wales
The Southern Highlands Line is a section of the Main South railway line, and part of the CityRail outer suburban network. Its main service areas are the Southern Highlands Region , the Southern Tablelands Region and the Wollondilly section of the Macarthur Region of New South Wales...
. The Railcars were built by United Group Rail and were brought into service between November 2006 and September 2007. They replaced the 620 & 720 railcars
620 & 720 railcar (CityRail)
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...
, built in the 1960s.
Features
The design of the Hunter Railcars is derived from the new generation Transwa ProspectorTranswa Prospector
The Transwa Prospector is a standard-gauge passenger train operated by Transwa that runs between Perth, Western Australia, and the Goldfields town of Kalgoorlie.-History:...
- the major difference being the driving cars are each single-engined instead of dual-engined, due to the lower top speed requirement for the Hunter line. Seating is along one deck, 3x2, and the seats have retractable footrests covered with durable, vandal proof Woollen Moquette Farbric
Moquette
Moquette is type of fabric with a thick, dense pile. It is a particularly versatile and hard-wearing material, predominantly wool with a small percentage of polyester. Moquette is renowned for its attractive, hard-wearing, durable, and fire-resistant qualities, hence it is commonly used for...
. There is a large cab window for crew to look out onto the tracks, and all controls are ready at hand. A door is placed between the vestibule and the seating area, to reduce interior noise. Security cameras record what is happening inside the train, and there is a display in the crew’s cabin. The cars have been fitted with “Dellner SP” couplers
Coupling (railway)
A coupling is a mechanism for connecting rolling stock in a train. The design of the coupler is standard, and is almost as important as the railway gauge, since flexibility and convenience are maximised if all rolling stock can be coupled together.The equipment that connects the couplings to the...
, compatible with the OSCAR and Millennium Train’s couplings for emergency towing. They are able to absorb the impact of a collision, and the anti-climbers on the new Hunter Railcars will also reduce the force of impact. This new feature appears on the Millennium Trains, the Hunter Railcars and the OSCARs. The new trains also have a different body design. Instead of the entire body being of the same design, such as the Tangara, the driver's cab is built like a protective cage, made of fibreglass, which stretches to the end of the guard's door. The stainless steel paneling starts at the guard's door. The guard's door is designed to operate separately from the passenger doors.
The Hunter Railcar has multiple-unit capability with the earlier Endeavour and Xplorer DMUs, however this feature is generally only used in the event of failure or for empty coaching stock movements. These cars normally operate as a two-car set like the Endeavours but however during peak in the mornings or on special events on that line it will operate as 4 car sets (two 2-car sets joined together).
Delivery
The order was for 14 cars:- 7 Driving Power Cars - HM 2701-2707
- 7 Driving Power Cars with Toilet - HMT 2751-2757
The Power Cars have accommodation for 76 passengers, and the Power Cars with Toilets have accommodation for 60 passengers.
Like the OSCARs, the Railcars were delivered late. The first 2 car set entered service on the Hunter Line on 23 November 2006, operating a small number of Newcastle to Telarah services on Thursday and Fridays only. The second set entered service on 8 January 2007 also operating a limited number of services. As of September 2007 all seven trains have been delivered.
Criticism
The Liberal candidate for the Maitland electorate for the State election in March 2007 stated (Maitland Mercury October and again November 2006) that the trains were being delayed to make maximum electoral advantage for the Labor government and its candidate and complained about the limited number of initial services. The Minister of Transport said that the crews need to be trained.The trains were also criticised in the Maitland Mercury
Maitland Mercury
The Maitland Mercury is Australia's oldest regional newspaper. It was originally a weekly newspaper, with the first issue published on 7 January 1843. The Mercury is still in circulation serving the city of Maitland and the surrounding Lower Hunter Valley.Even when it was first published the...
during November 2006 as being difficult to push a wheelchair or a stroller onto the train without a ramp or the assistance of two people due to the height of the floor.