CityRail V set
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| Intercity V Set | |
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 V Set 9 at Sydney Central in the 2005 Intercity livery. |
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 The upper deck of a DK series carriage |
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| In service | 1970–present |
| Manufacturer | Comeng |
| Constructed | 1970–1989 |
| Formation | 2, 3 (2 of these run together to form a 6 car set), 4, 6, 8, 10 car |
| Capacity | 96 + 112 |
| Operator | RailCorp as the product group CityRail |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 23.968 metres |
| Width | 2.928 metres |
| Height | 4.382 metres |
| Weight | 61 tonnes |
| Gauge | 1435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
The V Set or DDIU (Double Deck Inter-Urban) is a class of electric multiple unit operated by CityRail in New South Wales, Australia. These stainless-steel double deck trains operate on the Intercity lines of the CityRail network, servicing the regions of the Blue Mountains, South Coast, and the Central Coast, continuing up to Newcastle.
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[edit] History
[edit] First batch (DCF, DDC, DTF & DTC)
In 1968 the New South Wales Government Railways placed an order for the first batch 16 cars, with Commonwealth Engineering. The cars made a first run from Sydney to Gosford on 10 June 1970, targeted as F111. This 4-car train was the first set to operate in revenue traffic from 22 June 1970, and all 16 cars were in operation by September of the same year.
These cars had many similar features to the later-built cars, including the one-piece moulded fibreglass front in royal blue & grey livery, semi-automatic doors, electronically controlled brakes and double-glazed windows.
There were:
- 8 Motor Cars - DCF 8001–8008 - Economy Class
- 4 Driving Trailer Cars - DDC 9001–9004 - 1st Class Upper Deck, Economy Class for other seats
- 4 Trailer Cars - DTF 9011-9012 - Economy Class & DTC 9021–9022 - 1st Class Upper Deck, Economy Class for other seats
The configuration of these cars was unsuccessful. The cars were fitted with AEI equipment, and the electrical equipment was split between the motor and trailer car. The cables were not able to provide the power needed to operate the train as proposed. This resulted in many failures to the train to operate and also failures in the air-conditioning system.
One class travel was introduced in September 1974, so the seating was all "economy class". This led to the refurbishment of the DDIU sets with the original luggage racks above the seating in the single deck section being also removed. During this time the sets were targeted as U sets, which were the plates used on the then current single deck interurbans.
With the arrival of several further V sets in the late 1970s and early 1980s, an excess of motor cars resulted and the decision was made to convert the 1970 cars to trailers, and make them compatible with the later cars, thereby solving the reliability problems. The cars were rewired at Elcar Workshops, the driver's compartment was removed and replaced by passenger toilets and luggage space.
The cars were subsequently renumbered:
- DCF 8001–8008 > DMT 9201–9207 (7 cars remained after writing off DCF 8004)
- DDC 9001–9004 > DDT 9208–9211
- DTF 9011–9012 & DTC 9021–9022 > DFT 9212–9215
The cars were withdrawn in late 2005 due to corrosion in the underframes (these cars had low-carbon mild steel underframes instead of stainless steel ones used on later batches).
[edit] Second batch (DCM & DCT)
During 1977, the second batch of DDIUs arrived, with many differences from the first batch of cars. The electrical equipment was all mounted on the Motor Car, using Mitsubishi Electrical Equipment, had stainless steel underframes, and were the first to be fitted with vacuum retention toilets, which was the first time it was used in NSW. These cars were the first of the "V Sets", with the "V" showing that they were installed with this new feature. They operated along with the 1970 cars (but not together, as they were not compatible with each other).
The cars built were:
- Motor Cars - DCM 8021–8036
- Driving Trailer Cars - DCT 9031–9044
The Driving Trailers weren't used that much, due to driver complaints about an uncomfortable "kick" when the motor car started to push the trailer. The controls in the DCTs were gradually stripped, and replaced defective ones on the DCMs. However, during the "Citydecker" refurbishment by Goninan, DCT 9031–9036 were recabbed, and recoded DTD. At the same time, the DCMs in the refurbishment received destination indicators, but were gradually removed, because it was unsuccessful. The "Citydecker" refurbishment also saw the installation of air-conditioning to the driver cabs of the DCM motor cars (they were originally built without the air-conditioning which resulted in union bans of using them as leading cars). DCM 8032–8036 were modified to have wheelchair seating, and recoded DTM.
[edit] Third batch (DIM & DIT)
The first V Set Cars were a success, and in 1982, DIM Motor Cars were introduced. There were no more driving trailers built, but a new trailer, coded DIT, was built. These cars gained seating from the DC series, from 88 to 96 for the Motor Cars, and from 92 to 112 for the Trailers. These cars were the last to have the "Blue Goose" Livery applied to their fibreglass fronts, with later deliveries to have a "Candy" front instead.
The cars built were:
- Motor Cars - DIM 8037–8092
- Trailer Cars - DIT 9101–9184
[edit] DJM and the rest of DIT cars
A thyristor chopper system was fitted to the next batch of motor cars, coded DJM. The chopper cars made a smoother and quieter ride for passengers. The chopper cars can be distinguished from the earlier "camshaft" cars with a large open grille at the pantograph end of the motor car, as well as different hatch coverings over the driver side of the motor car. DJM 8123–8137 featured larger open grilles on the pantograph end. These cars were the first V Sets to be painted in the State Rail "Candy" Livery, and were delivered with the rest of the DIT trailers. Motor car DJM 8101 had its "Candy" livery repainted CityRail blue and yellow in 1990 to form a special set with the commemorative wording "celebrating 20 years of double-deck intercity services to Gosford" applied near the driver's cab window.
[edit] Final batch (DKM & DKT)
The final V Sets were introduced in 1989, and they were the very last cars to come out from Commonwealth Engineering Granville Plant. These cars were coded DKM and DKT and are permanently coupled. There were several changes introduced with the DK series. The cars were finished in corrugated steel, instead of the previous inserted Budd fluting. Seating had separate seat backs. Instead of the push-pull doors inside the previous V Sets, the DKs were fitted with an electronically operated vestibule door, and no door was installed at the gangway. This was done so that passengers could access the toilets easier and hence the DKM and DKT cars were permanently coupled in two car configuration, with another two car chopper V Set forming a four-car V Set.
14 cars were built:
- 7 Motor Cars - DKM 8139–8145
- 7 Trailer Cars - DKT 9185-9191
There was a proposal for more to be built, but that order was never placed.
[edit] In service
The V sets were a large success, and continue to provide services for the greater Sydney area. A new livery ("Intercity") is being progressively applied to the V set fleet, largely unifying the appearance of the trains.
The V sets are expected to begin phasing out in 2021.
[edit] Accidents
- On 16 January 1976, a 6-car DDIU broke down at Glenbrook. In the Glenbrook train disaster, locomotive 4623 struck the rear car (DCF 8004), killing one passenger and injuring several others. DCF 8004 was the first car to be scrapped in its class.
- DCM 8030 was written off after an accident near Lapstone.
- DCM 8027 was rebuilt after an accident at Katoomba, with the DK series V Sets.
- DJM 8107 was written off after an incident at Lawson.
- DIMs 8037, 8048 and 8060 were written off from this group after accidents. 8067 was rebuilt, along with DCT 9034, and both have been renumbered DIM 8020 (8067) and DET 9216 (9034 — the ex-contura car).
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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