Sprinter (Victorian train)
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| Goninan Sprinter | |
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 Sprinter 7009 leading two others in original livery |
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 Interior of an unrefubished Sprinter |
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| Manufacturer | Goninan |
| Built at | Broadmeadow, NSW |
| Replaced | DRC railcars, Z type carriage stock |
| Constructed | 1993-1995 |
| Entered service | 1993- |
| Number built | 22 |
| Number in service | 21 |
| Number scrapped | 1 (7019 written off after 20 November 1996 collision with 7010) |
| Formation | May operate on own or MU'd with up to 7 others. |
| Fleet numbers | 7001-7022. |
| Capacity | 90 economy seats, 3x2. 113 maximum. |
| Depots | Southern Cross Station, regional bases |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 25.9m |
| Width | 2920mm |
| Maximum speed | 130km/h. |
| Weight | 51t |
| Engine | 2x Deutz BF8L513C |
| Transmission | Voith T211RZ hydraulic |
| Gauge | Broad (1600mm, 5' 3") |
| Braking system | Davies and Metcalfe EBC/5 EP pneumatic disc |
The Sprinter is a high speed diesel railcar train manufactured by Goninan for use on interurban and semi-regional rail services in Victoria, Australia. Now operated by V/Line, they were the newest diesel rolling-stock in Victoria for 12 years before being superceeded by the VLocity high-speed diesel multiple unit.
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[edit] Design origins
The Sprinter design originated in the early 1990s as part of the Public Transport Corporation's desire to remove the troublesome DRC railcars from service, as well as expand regional rail service in Victoria.
At the time they were designed to supplement locomotive-hauled H sets on shorter runs (such as on the outer suburban Melton and Sunbury lines and the interurban Geelong and Seymour lines and thus provide faster and more frequent service to Melbourne's fringe areas, and indirectly (primarily by freeing up other rollingstock) to more distant regions.
This is reflected in the high-capacity single-class seating and the choice to use a single-car railmotor design over a multiple unit design, allowing a large number of passengers to be carried with greatly reduced operating costs and increased flexibility.
[edit] Manufacturing and testing
Twenty-two single-car stainless-steel-body railcars were ordered from A. Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow, for introduction to service between 1993 and 1995. Construction started in March 1993 and the final unit was outshopped in January 1995, with all units being transferred to Melbourne by rail on standard gauge transfer bogies.
The units then underwent acceptance testing across the network, with 7001 entering service on 20 December 1993 followed by subsequent units at around 1 or 2 per month. The order was completed with 7022's entry to service on 17 June 1995.
[edit] Passenger experience
Sprinters feature a mix of 3x2 and 2x2 economy seats arranged so that half of them face the direction of travel at any one time. Reflecting the nature of the sets and their intended use, these seats are slightly smaller than the seats found in H and N sets and VLocity DMUs. They are finished in blue patterned cloth.
The cars are also fitted with a toilet and drinking fountains. Provision is made at one end of each carriage for one wheelchair and occupant to be carried - when this space is not needed able-bodied passengers may make use of the three wall-mounted fold-down seats. The toilet has a wide door and grab bars for use by disabled passengers.
While the capacity exists for several units to be coupled in service, passengers may not under normal circumstances move between coupled cars. A door is however provided, along with a detraining ladder, at the end of each car in case emergency egress is required. Conductors transfer between coupled cars at station stops when necessary, including for checking tickets.
Passenger luggage can be carried either in overhead racks or, by arrangement with the conductor, in the non-leading driver's cab. Some Sprinters are also fitted with small shelves in the vestibules for larger items.
Ordinary access to the car is via four automatic plug doors, two on each side of the car and one at either end. These doors are controlled by the driver, and are wide enough to permit the access of a standard wheelchair.
[edit] Technical
Each car is powered by two air-cooled Deutz BF8L513C turbocharged V8 diesel engines, each with a displacement of 13.7L and a maximum continuous power output of 195kw at 1500 RPM. These propel the car to a maximum speed of 130km/h and also provide power for air-conditioning and other such passenger comfort devices. Power is transferred via a Voith T211RZ hydraulic transmission.
Sprinters use a Davies and Metcalfe EBC/5 EP anti-slide pneumatic disc brake system.
To facilitate use in multiple-unit formations, they are fitted with Scharfenberg-type couplers. This allows them to be coupled to up to seven other Sprinters to form an 8-car train. In case of emergency, such as a breakdown, they can be towed by other vehicles with such couplers (primarily VLocity DMUs), or a transition coupler can be fitted to allow coupling to locomotives with knuckle couplers.
[edit] Service
Sprinter services started in with 7001’s ("Sir Hubert Opperman") introduction in December 1993 and were progressively rolled out across the network, operating to interurban destinations such as Warragul and Kyneton, along with outer suburban destinations like Craigieburn and Sunbury. In addition, they performed some longer trips to the likes of Albury and Echuca, although this was not specially catered for in their designs and thus lead to some concerns over amenities – locomotive hauled N sets, currently used on those lines, are fitted with buffets.
Due to the introduction of VLocity stock Sprinters have been returned to short-haul duties. They are particularly rostered for low-patronage services or to free up a VLocity for service elsewhere.
Currently Sprinters run to
- On the North-Eastern Line:
- Seymour
- On the South-Western Line:
- Geelong
- South Geelong
- Marshall
- On the Western Line:
- Bacchus Marsh
- Ballarat
- On the Stony Point Line (leased and operated by Connex):
- Frankston
- Stony Point
[edit] Accidents
Only one major accident involving a Sprinter has been recorded – this occurred on 20 November 1996 at the Spencer Street Rail Motor Depot. At around 1730 Sprinters 7010+7008 shunted out from the platforms at low speed after disembarking passengers from an up service. The cars were to run into the sidings at the Rail Motor Depot, but when the driver got up to adjust the offside rear-vision mirror he was locked out of the cab by the self-closing door. Unable to regain control of the vehicle, the train proceeded to collide with stabled Sprinters 7019+7016.
Despite being the aggressor, 7010’s damage was mostly superficial, consisting of broken windows and bent side panelling. 7019 came off much worse; with a buckled frame, the No. 2 cab bent downwards nearly 30 degrees at the saloon doors. The coupler was never recovered. Both trailing Sprinters received little damage.
After the accident investigation was concluded in April 1997, both Sprinters were hauled to Goninan’s Bendigo Workshops for evaluation. 7010 returned to service in 1998, but it was decided that repairing 7019 would be too costly and so the car was written off. Its interior was gutted before the car was hauled back to Melbourne on 12 July 1998. The car is now stored in the East Block of Newport Workshops.
[edit] Refurbishment
As of November 2007 two Sprinters have been refurbished by V/Line. The first, 7007, re-entered service on 12 September 2007 with a new livery and some internal changes. The second, 7002, returned on 27 November 2007 wearing a new variant of the livery. Refurbishment of the remainder of the fleet is to be completed by the end of 2008.[1]
Information on the launch of the program, along with internal photos, can be found here:
[edit] References
- http://www.diesel-engine.cn/deutz/bf8l513c-genset.htm
- http://vicsig.net/index.php?page=passenger§ion=rollingstock&subs=railmotors&rmtype=Sprinter
- http://www.vlinecars.com/sprinters.htm
- http://www.vlinecars.com/sprinterdests.htm
- http://www.vlinecars.com/spr7019.htm
[edit] External links
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