New Zealand EM class electric multiple unit

New Zealand EM/ET class
EM 1367 leading a southbound four-car train on the Hutt Valley Line, 17 May 2003.
In service	May 1982 – present
Manufacturer	Ganz-Mavag, Budapest, Hungary (electrical components from GEC traction, United Kingdom)
Constructed	1979 – 1982
Entered service	May 1982 – 1983
Refurbishment	Tranz Rail 1996 – 2002 (entire fleet) and Metlink/Tranz Metro 2010 (one unit)
Number built	44
Number in service	10
Number scrapped	0
Formation	1 EM + 1 ET per unit
Fleet numbers	EM 1004 – 1528 ET 3004 – 3528
Capacity	148 seats
Operator(s)	Tranz Metro
Depot(s)	Wellington
Line(s) served	Kapiti, Hutt Valley, Melling
Specifications
Car body construction	20.73 m (68 ft 0 in)
Train length	43.06 m (141 ft 3 in) per Unit.
Car length	21.53 m (70 ft 8 in) over Couplers.
Width	2.72 m (8 ft 11 in)
Height	3.73 m (12 ft 3 in) without pantograph
Platform height	0.73 m (2 ft 5 in)
Doors	8 electrically operated sliding twin doors (centrally controlled)
Maximum speed	95 km/h (59 mph)[* 1]
Weight	EM: 37.6 t (37.0 long tons; 41.4 short tons) ET: 34.5 t (34.0 long tons; 38.0 short tons)
Power output	400 kW (540 hp)
Power supply	Motor-alternator producing 230 V 50 Hz AC
Train heating	Heating only
Electric system(s)	1600 V DC overhead
Current collection method	pantograph
UIC classification	Bo-Bo+2'2'
Braking system(s)	Westinghouse "Westcode" electropneumatic brakes[1] Westinghouse automatic air brakes[1] Rheostatic brakes fitted but not used
Multiple working	Within class only
Track gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Notes
The maximum design speed is 110 km/h (68 mph)

The New Zealand EM/ET class (also known as Ganz-Mavag) electric multiple units are used on Metlink suburban services in Wellington, New Zealand. They are owned by the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and operated by Tranz Metro, part of national railway operator KiwiRail.^[2]

The 44 two-car units of an EM motor car and an ET trailer car were introduced between 1982 and 1983 on the 1500 V DC electrified Kapiti, Hutt Valley and Melling lines. Since the introduction of the "Matangi" FP/FT class in 2011–12, they have largely been relegated to peak services.

The name "Ganz-Mavag" comes from the units' manufacturer, Ganz-Mavag of Hungary. It is widely used by the GWRC and in the media to distinguish them from other electric multiple units used on the Wellington suburban lines.

Introduction

The cost was NZ$33 million, then the single largest order of rolling stock in New Zealand Railways Department's history. This cost was partially offset by a barter agreement involving the Hungarian Government buying New Zealand dairy products, chiefly butter.

Their introduction spelled the end of the carriage trains hauled by the EW electric locomotives, though electric-hauled carriage trains were temporary reintroduced behind the EO locomotives between 2008-2011, and Wairarapa Line services are diesel-hauled. A number of the older English Electric DM/D units were retained, mainly for use on the Melling and Johnsonville Lines.

The introduction of the units also coincided with the project to extend the electrification on the Kapiti Coast from Paekakariki to Paraparaumu.

Service

The EM class have served as the primary rail commuter vehicle since their introduction in 1982, running in anything from a single unit (2-cars) to an 8-car unit depending on the service being operated. They have also seen service beyond the electrification, being used behind diesel locomotives as carriages to carry people to the annual Toast Martinborough wine festival in the Wairarapa.

The introduction of the new Matangi units from 2010 has seen a reduction in the number of services being operated by the class, with most off-peak services handed over to the Matangi’s in June 2012. However the ability of the EM’s to run in an 8-car formation, something the Matangi’s are limited in doing owing to the amount of current that they draw from the overhead system, continues to see them utilised for the more heavily patronised peak services, particularly on the Kapiti Line.

Johnsonville Line

The class were not operated on the Johnsonville Line as they were out-of-gauge and had insufficient braking capacity. While tunnel and platform clearances were improved in 2009, it was not envisaged that the units would be used on the line;^[3] due to their limited braking power on the steep grades.^[4]

Two units have visited Johnsonville on test trains; on Sunday 14 June 1992 EM 1004 and its trailer ET 3004 was towed behind shunter DSC 2285 to measure clearances at platforms and tunnels.^[5] On Sunday 18 April 2010 EM 1056 plus trailer ET 3056 ran under its own power on a trial to check clearances for the Matangi units.^[6]

Incidents and accidents

Three units were involved in a collision north of Plimmerton on 30 September 2010. The northbound train (consisting of EM 1010, ET 3010, EM 1154 and ET 3154) derailed after hitting a slip caused by heavy rain and fouled of the southbound line. Less than a minute later it was struck by southbound unit EM 1223 and ET 3223, which did not derail, but the collision caused extensive damage to both cabs. Sixty passengers and crew were on the two trains. Two people were hospitalised. The drivers of the trains were father and son.^[7]

The damaged units were initially towed back to the EMU depot north of Wellington station, where later the two undamaged halves - EM 1010 and ET 3223 (renumbered to ET 3010) were marshalled together as a unit. The damaged cars, EM 1223 and the original ET 3010, were towed to storage at the Hutt Workshops and used as parts sources.

On 20 May 2013, ET 3309 derailed crossing Wairarapa junction, on the approach to Wellington Railway Station, puncturing a hole in the floor. It was the rear car in a two-unit consist operating the 07:43 Porirua to Wellington service, subsequently stranding thousands of morning peak commuters across the network as it blocked both the Kapiti and Hutt Valley lines. All units were temporarily withdrawn after the derailment for urgent safety inspections, but most were back in service for morning peak the next day.^[8] Preliminary investigations suggest when one of the unit's spring park brake assemblies was replaced in March 2013, two split pins were not inserted into the bolts securing the assembly to the undercarriage, allowing the assembly to come loose over time and ultimately caused the derailment. Two air reservoir tanks came loose in the accident and pushed the air compressor behind them upwards through the floor, creating the hole.^[9]

Other incidents involving EM units include:

• 22 March 1997 – EM 1079 and ET 3079 travelling northbound hit a car on the Sutherland Avenue level crossing, between Heretaunga and Trentham stations. The train had passed the signal immediately before the crossing while at danger, and therefore failed to trigger the crossing alarms.^[10]
• 25 August 2011 – EM 1315 and ET 3315 travelling southbound came within metres of hitting two track gangers working on the line south of Paekakariki. The person in change of the work site let the unit through the work area on the advice that the line was clear; he was subsequently found to be under the influence of cannabis.^[11]
• 28 March 2013 – EM units 1246/3246, 1102/3102 and 1315/3315, operating a Wellington to Taita service, started from Wingate station with the doors open and no passenger staff on board. A trainee driver and their minder thought they heard the "right-away" buzzer and proceeded without double-checking the door open light had gone out. Unlike the later Matangi units, there is no interlock on the EM units preventing the train moving with the doors open.^[12]

Refurbishment

In 1995 a major refurbishment program of the class began, with the EMUs repainted in the then standard Tranz Rail Cato light blue and yellow livery with new seats and brighter interiors. This refurbishment program was completed by 2002.

Other minor upgrades were made in the mid-2000s, replacing the original diamond pantographs with single-arm ones and adding ditch lights.

In 2008 a proposed refurbishment was deferred until the new Matangi units were available. The projected expenditure was $23.3 million in 2008 - 2009.^[13] The prototype refurbished unit was completed at the end of 2010.^[14]

EM 1373 and ET 3373 were fully refurbished to ascertain unit costs and gauge public opinion, including repainting into the new Metlink livery. A decision to refurbish others in the fleet was made on 10 March 2011 as part of an $88 million rail upgrade package, instead of purchasing more Matangi.^[15] However, in August 2012 GWRC announced its preference for ordering 35 more Matangi units instead of refurbishing the remaining units.^{[16] [17]}

Withdrawals

The introduction of the Matangi units allowed for the withdrawal of several Ganz units, with those in the best mechanical condition retained for running peak services only. Those units that were withdrawn were stored initially at Thorndon, before most were relocated to the Hutt Workshops. GWRC called for expressions of interest in the disposal of these units.^[18]

In June 2013 GWRC announced that it had come to terms for both the purchase of an additional 35 Matangi units and the sale of 42 of the Ganz units to a South African buyer, with one unit to be retained in New Zealand for preservation. ^[19]

Seventeen units were shipped to South Africa in February 2014 aboard the MV Pangani where they will be converted into carriages for operation in Tanzania and Zimbabwe.^[20] The remaining units will be shipped once replaced by the second tranche of Matangi units from mid-2015 ^[21][22] In November 2015, and in January and February 2016 several more units were withdrawn from service. A few more units have been shipped to South Africa in March 2016.

EM 1373/ET 3373 has been donated to the Canterbury Railway Society.

Class register

Key:	In service	Out of service	Preserved	Overhaul/Repair	Scrapped

EM number	ET number	Introduced	Withdrawn	Location	Current Livery	Status/Notes
1004	3004	August 1982	February 2016	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1010	3010	July 1982	January 2013	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Involved in collision, 30 September 2010. EM 1010 returned to service with former ET 3223 renumbered as ET 3010. Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1027	3027	June 1982	April 2016	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1056	3056	August 1982	January 2016	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1062	3062	June 1982	January 2013	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1079	3079	June 1982	October 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1085	3085	July 1982	October 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1091	3091	July 1982		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1102	3102	June 1982		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1119	3119	August 1982	May 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1131	3131	May 1982	January 2016	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1148	3148	August 1982	October 2015	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops
1154	3154	August 1982	November 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Involved in 30 September 2010 collision, at rear of train, not damaged. Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1160	3160	August 1982	October 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1177	3177	August 1982	October 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1183	3183	August 1982	October 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1217	3217	October 1982	October 2015	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1223	3223	October 1982	February 2011	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Involved in collision, 30 September 2010. ET 3223 was renumbered ET 3010 and returned to service with EM 1010. Stored at Hutt until being shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1246	3246	September 1982		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1252	3252	September 1982	April 2016	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1269	3269	September 1982	February 2016	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1281	3281	October 1982		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1298	3298	November 1982		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1309	3309	October 1982	May 2013	South Africa	Tranz Rail Blue	Derailed on 20 May 2013 and suffered underfloor damage. Withdrawn from service. Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1315	3315	November 1982	October 2015	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1321	3321	November 1982	October 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail Blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1338	3338	December 1982	October 2015	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1344	3344	December 1982	June 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail Blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1350	3350	December 1982		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1367	3367	December 1982	January 2016	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1373	3373	December 1982	January 2016	Ferrymead	Metlink	First Metlink refurbishment[23] Back in service October 2010.[24] Preserved, Canterbury Railway Society.
1396	3396	December 1982	February 2016	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1407	3407	December 1982	April 2016	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1413	3413	January 1983	January 2013	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1436	3436	January 1983		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1442	3442	January 1983	October 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1459	3459	February 1983	October 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1465	3465	February 1983	May 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail Blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1471	3471	February 1983		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1488	3488	February 1983		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1494	3494	February 1983	October 2012	Hutt Workshops	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.
1505	3505	March 1983		Wellington	Tranz Rail blue
1511	3511	March 1983	October 2012	South Africa	Tranz Rail blue	Shipped to South Africa in February 2014.
1528	3528	March 1983	January 2016	Hutt Workshops.	Tranz Rail blue	Stored at Hutt Workshops.

References

• Gregor, Alex W - New suburban electric trains for Wellington (July 1981 NZIE Transactions Vol. 8, No. 2/EMCh pp33–45)
• Parsons, David - New Zealand Railway Motive Power 2002 ^[25]

1. Sinclair, Roy (1992). Rail, the Great New Zealand Adventure. Grantham House Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86934-013-1.
2. "$168m Wellington Rail Package Signed". The Dominion Post. 5 July 2011.
3. Peter Glensor of the Greater Wellington Regional Council in the Northern Courier of 17 February 2010 page 5
4. ONTRACK staff comment on Johnsonville Line Open Day 4 February 2009
5. Hermann, Bruce J; North Island Branch Lines p 66 (2007, New Zealand Railway & Locomotive Society, Wellington) ISBN 978-0-908573-83-7
6. "Express, KiwiRail staff newsletter - Issue 39". KiwiRail. 22 April 2010.
7. "Two with spinal injuries after train crash". New Zealand Herald. 30 September 2010.
8. "Wellington trains stopped after derailment". Fairfax NZ News. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
9. Chapman, Katie (25 October 2013). "Train fault undetected for 63 days". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
10. "Investigation 97-103 -- Electic [sic] Multiple Unit 3656, collision with motor vehicle, Trentham, 22 March 1997". Transport Accident Investigation Commission. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
11. "Investigation 11-103 -- Track workers nearly struck by passenger train near Paekakariki, North Island Main Trunk, 25 August 2011". Transport Accident Investigation Commission. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
12. "Investigation 13-102 -- Passenger train travelled with doors open, Wingate - Taita, 28 March 2013". Transport Accident Investigation Commission. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
13. GWRC 2008/09 Annual Plan, approved 30 June 2008
14. "Agency Progress Report on implementing the Regional Land Transport Strategy" (PDF). Greater Wellington Regional Council. 14 April 2010.
15. "Capital gets $88 million rail upgrade". The Dominion Post. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
16. "Wellington’s trains: replace or refurbish?". Greater Wellington Regional Council. 23 August 2012.
17. "Hutt railway workshops won't get $80 million contract". Stuff/Fairfax. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
18. Michael Forbes (12 March 2013). "Council puts stripped down trains up for sale". The Dominion Post.
19. Forbes, Michael (17 June 2013). "Train deal a 'win-win' for commuters, ratepayers". The Dominion Post (via Stuff.co.nz). Retrieved 18 June 2013.
20. 34 Ganz Coaches Shipped from New Zealand 2014 Locomotives for Africa
21. "Ganz Mavags bound for new African lease of life".
22. "Next stop Africa for Capital's well-used trains".
23. "RailTrack".
24. "General Manager's Report" (PDF). Greater Wellington Regional Council. 10 August 2010.

External links