InterCity Express (Queensland Rail)

InterCity Express
ICE155 near Gympie in May 2010
Manufacturer	Walkers Limited
Built at	Maryborough
Entered service	1988
Number built	20 carriages
Formation	4-6 carriage sets
Fleet numbers	151-158
Operator(s)	Queensland Rail
Specifications
Train length	95.6 m (313 ft 8 in)
Width	2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
Height	3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Power supply	(?)
Electric system(s)	25 kV AC overhead lines
Current collection method	Pantograph
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The InterCity Express are a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for Queensland Rail. They were built to operate the Spirit Of Capricorn service on the North Coast line service between Brisbane and Rockhampton. The trains have been used on commuter rail services in South East Queensland since 2003.

History

ICE156 in original livery and with wrap around windows on the Spirit Of Capricorn at Bundaberg in 1989.

The InterCity Express EMUs were ordered from Walkers Limited, Maryborough to operate the Spirit Of Capricorn service between Brisbane and Rockhampton following the electrification of the North Coast line. Electrical equipment was provided by ABB.^[1] In 1998, the faster Electric Tilt Train replaced most Spirit of Capricorn services, which were reduced to once a week from 1998 then discontinued on 24 May 2003, when the diesel Tilt Train service to Cairns was launched.

They briefly operated on the Gold Coast line following the extension to Robina in 1998 and then on the Corinda-Yeerongpilly line. Since 2003, ICEs have been used by Citytrain for interurban services exclusively on the Nambour and Gympie North line.

The trains have undergone a makeover since their introduction, adding new high-visibility lights, yellow doors, upgraded toilets and a changed to squared-off windows on the cabs, instead of the original wrap-around windows.

Operation

The carriages can be configured to run in four, five or six car configuration. Two power pairs can be accompanied by either one or two trailers cars to form a 5 or 6 car ICE train. A power pair consists of two power cars with ABB thyristor drive equipment, one of which includes the driver's cab. The power pairs are numbered 151-158.

A power pair can also be coupled with an EMU set, to form a 5-car ICE/EMU hybrid unit. The ICE/EMU Hybrid was only used on Nambour & Gympie North services.

The future operation of these trains is in doubt because the narrow doors need significant and costly retrofitting to comply with disability standards.^[2]

The ICE trains are expected to be retired alongside the EMUs in mid 2016.

References

1. "Inter City Express". Fleet Information. Queensland Rail. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
2. "QR Accessible Passenger Rail Services Action Plan 2007 2012". Disability Upgrades. Australian Human Rights Commission. Retrieved 26 January 2012.