Transperth B-series train
| Transperth B-series | |
|---|---|
|
Two B-series sets at McIver in February 2010 | |
|
Interior of a B-series carriage | |
| Manufacturer | Downer Rail/Bombardier |
| Built at | Maryborough |
| Entered service | 2004 |
| Number under construction | 78 3-carriage sets (delivery underway) |
| Number in service | 64 3car sets (January 2016) |
| Formation | 3 carriage sets may be coupled to form either a 6 or 9car set |
| Fleet numbers | 049-121 |
| Capacity | 600 (standing 3car) 1100 (standing 6car) |
| Operator(s) | Transperth |
| Depot(s) | Nowergup, Mandurah |
| Line(s) served | Joondalup, Mandurah, Fremantle, Midland, and Armadale/Thornlie |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 73 m (239 ft 6 in) |
| Width | 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Maximum speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) (160km/h design) |
| Weight | 120 t (120 long tons; 130 short tons) |
| Traction system | Bombardier MITRAC Traction system with IGBT inverters powering 8 AC Traction Motors per 3-car set (Bo-Bo, 2-2, Bo-Bo) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV AC overhead lines |
| Current collection method | Pantograph |
| Braking system(s) | Microprocessor controlled blended pneumatic & regenerative dynamic |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
The B-series trains are a class of electric multiple unit built by Downer Rail, Maryborough for Transperth between 2004 and 2015.
History
Perth's first electrified trains, the two-carriage A-Series, entered service in September 1991. The new three-carriage B-series were introduced on the 4 October 2004 as part of the New MetroRail project. Thirty-one B-series sets were purchased to operate on the new Joondalup and Mandurah lines. They are mainly based at Nowergup depot but are occasionally stored at Claisebrook Depot.
The B-series trains are cleared to operate on the Midland, Armadale/Thornlie and Fremantle lines and have been used occasionally during special events, and for scheduled services to Thornlie during a temporary timetable used in 2012 and 2013 to accommodate works on the Perth City Link project. However, not all stations on these lines are capable of handling six-car sets as the platforms are not long enough, and there are reported problems with the acceleration/deceleration systems with the closely spaced stations. Platforms at the original stations on the Joondalup Line had to be lengthened to accommodate the six-car trains, as did Platform 1 at Showgrounds and both platforms at West Leederville. The Mandurah line stations, along with Butler, Clarkson, Currambine and Greenwood on the Joondalup Line were built with longer platforms.
Additional sets
In 2006, the Public Transport Authority ordered a second batch of 15 three-carriage B-series trains from Bombardier/EDI Rail to increase capacity on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines.[1] The first entered service on 28 June 2009. These sets feature an upgraded communication system and brighter destination screens than the original B-series sets.
Funding for a third batch of 15 sets was announced by the Government of Western Australia in the 2011/12 State Budget.[2] The order was increased by two sets in August 2012 to service the planned Aubin Grove station, followed by a further five sets in November 2012.[3][4][5] As of January 2016, 64 sets have been delivered.[6]
Accidents
Accident at Nowergup Depot
On 23 August 2006 at approximately 18:00, two B-series trains (sets BEA 53 and BEB 60) were involved in a head-on collision at Nowergup depot. Cars from both sets were damaged badly enough to be sent back to builders EDI's facility in Maryborough for repair. During these repairs, undamaged cars from both sets were re-formed into set 60, which then returned to service. The damaged cars were fixed and returned to service (as set 60) in time for the opening of the Mandurah line in December 2007.
See also
References
Notes
- ↑ "WA Government secures new railcars". Retrieved 22 October 2009.
- ↑ "State Budget 2011-12: Building the State - Funding for new railcars for Perth’s growing transport system". Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ↑ "More rail cars for Perth transport system". Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- ↑ More new railcars for Perth Railway Express 14 November 2012
- ↑ Perth grapples with growth and funding challenges International Railway Journal 6 November 2013
- ↑ "Rolling Stock contracts and deliveries" Railway Digest December 2014 page 47
Bibliography
- May, Andrew S; Gray, Bill (2006). A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages. Midland, WA: Bill Gray. ISBN 0646459023.
External links
Media related to Transperth B-series at Wikimedia Commons
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