CityRail M set
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| Millennium Train | |
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 Millennium set M32 at Sydney Central. |
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 Inside the top deck of a Millennium carriage |
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| In service | 2005 - present |
| Manufacturer | EDI Rail |
| Constructed | 2002 - 2005 |
| Formation | 4 and 8 car (2 4 car sets) |
| Capacity | 104 + 122 |
| Operator | RailCorp as the product group CityRail |
| Lines served | Airport & East Hills, Bankstown, Carlingford, Inner West, South |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 20.532 metres |
| Width | 3.03 meters |
| Height | 4.381 meters |
| Weight | 45.5 tonnes |
| Gauge | 1435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
The Millennium train or M Set is a class of electric multiple unit operated by CityRail in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is one of CityRail's newest members of the fleet and was the first "4th generation train" on the network.[1] The trains were put into service from July 1, 2002[2] after a small amount of testing and replaced ageing 1960s Tulloch trailers, all of which were withdrawn by March 2004. The trains can operate over the entire suburban network, though they normally operate in sector 2.
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[edit] History
The cars were constructed by EDI Rail in Cardiff, NSW[3] and are maintained at their own maintenance centre at Eveleigh, near Central Station. As part of the purchase conditions, the manufacturer 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, Hornsby and the MainTrain overhaul centre in Auburn.
[edit] Features
The Millennium train, like the Tangara, is a double-decker, 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). Two four-car sets are usually combined to form an eight-car set. During testing and initial revenue service, the train ran as four-car sets, with eight-car sets commencing service towards the end of 2002 after further testing. All 35 x 4 car sets were delivered by October 2005.
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, a new safety yellow colour scheme, and push-button opened internal doors. The Millennium Train also introduced 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, and it is being gradually applied to the entire fleet.
[edit] Criticisms
The Millennium trains came under fire for having several technical problems and causing problems with the Sydney rail network; they were referred to in the media reports as The "Mi-lemon" because of the problems. Some of the problems were caused by insufficient power supply on the overhead to cope with the power demands of such technologically advanced trains. There were also 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. Software bugs also contributed to the trains' poor reliability.
The Millennium trains were withdrawn from service briefly in April 2003 while the problems were being rectified and a full audit was carried out.[2] They were subsequently reintroduced into service in June 2003 and have since been operating on sector 2. They are now the most reliable trains on the CityRail network.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ CityRail. The four generations of electric rolling stock. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
- ^ a b R J Sendt (June 2003). Performance Audit - The Millennium Train Project (PDF). The Audit Office of New South Wales. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
- ^ CityRail. M Set (Millennium) control trailer carriage. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
- ^ Downer EDI product page
[edit] External links
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