Millennium train
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The Millennium train "M" Set is CityRail's (Sydney) newest member of the electric fleet (4th generation train), manufactured by EDi Rail, in Newcastle. The Millennium train was put into service from June 2002 after extensive testing and replaced ageing 1960s Tulloch trailers, all of which were withdrawn by March 2004.
The Millennium train, like the Tangara, is a four-car consist, with the middle two cars being non-control motor cars and the two outer cars being driving control trailer cars fitted with the pantograph. The Millennium train is equipped with an AC drive system, whereas the Tangara has a DC drive system (except G7, which was scrapped after the Waterfall train disaster on 31 January 2003 ). Two four-car sets can be combined to form an eight-car set. During periods of extensive testing and initial revenue service, the train ran as four-car sets, with eight-car sets commencing service towards 2003 after further testing.
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[edit] Criticisms
The Millennium trains have come under fire for having several technical problems and causing problems with the Sydney rail network; they have been referred to in the media reports as The "Milemon" because of the problems. Some of the problems have been caused by insufficient power supply on the overhead to cope with the power demands of such technologically advanced trains. There have been various incidents relating to the train shutting down because of the power it needs to draw from the overhead wiring, which is much more than the other trains in the CityRail fleet.
The Millennium trains were withdrawn from service briefly in April 2003 while the problems were being rectified and a full audit was carried out. They were subsequently reintroduced into service in June 2003 and have since been operating on sector 2. All 35 x 4 car sets have been been delivered as of October 2005. The Millennium Train is maintained in its own maintenance centre at Eveleigh, near Central Station but can operate over the entire suburban network. As part of the contract, the manufacturer EDi Rail, has a 15-year contract to maintain the trains, while the rest of the CityRail fleet is maintained at the other maintenance centres located at Mortdale, Flemington and Hornsby and the MainTrain overhaul centre in Auburn.
[edit] New features
While the Millennium train concept is an evolution of the Tangara (manufactured by Goninan), the Millennium train introduced new features such as internal electronic destination indicators, automated DVA (digital voice announcements) for upcoming stops, a return to reversible seating, surveillance cameras, wider stairways, and a new safety yellow colour scheme for push-button opened doors and crumple zones to absorb impact in a collision, making it one of the safest trains and the safest of all double decked suburban passenger trains. The Millennium train colour scheme became the basis of CityRail's new corporate image in 2003, which is being gradually applied to the entire fleet.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| CityRail fleet | |
|---|---|
| Interurban and outer suburban electric fleet | |
| Suburban electric fleet | |
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L, R, and S sets | K set | C set | Tangara | Millennium |
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| Regional diesel fleet | |
