VLocity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| VLocity 160 | |
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 Double VLocity at Lara, Victoria |
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 Interior of the passenger saloon |
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| Manufacturer | Bombardier Transportation |
| Built at | Bombardier Dandenong |
| Replaced | Latest rolling stock[1] |
| Constructed | 2004-2006-Present |
| Entered service | 2005-Present |
| Number built | 40 |
| Number in service | 39,One involved in accident on 28/4/06 |
| Number scrapped | 0 (car 1129 is possibly likely to be scrapped) |
| Formation | Runs as a pair of DM, TM and DM(D[isabled]) cars, can run four sets (8 cars) coupled together |
| Fleet numbers | VL01-VL28, VL30 - VL40 - VL41. DM cars: 1101-1141 TM cars: 1319-1341 (more to be introduced) DM(D) cars: 1201, 1228, 1230-1241 |
| Capacity | 140 seats |
| Operator | V/Line |
| Depots | Southern Cross Station (Major Hub) |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 25.255 m (carriage), 50.501 m (two car set) |
| Width | 2920mm |
| Intercar connections | Between permanently coupled carriages in each unit |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h on RFR corridors, maximum 130km/h elsewhere. |
| Weight | 144t |
| Engine | 2x Cummins QSK-19R |
| Transmission | Voith T312 hydraulic transmission |
| Auxiliaries | Cummins 80KW generator set per car and Battery (1 hour) |
| Gauge | Broad (1600mm, 5' 3") (can be converted to SG) |
The VLocity 160 (normally just VLocity) is a high speed diesel multiple unit train manufactured by Bombardier Transportation (contract inherited from Adtranz) for use on regional rail lines in Victoria, Australia, running under V/Line. As of 2006 they are the newest in V/Line's fleet, the previous being the Sprinter manufactured by Goninan (now United Rail).
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[edit] History
[edit] Design origins
The VLocity is an evolution of the Xplorer/Endeavour railcars built by ABB Transportation (now Bombardier Transportation) for CountryLink and CityRail, respectively, in NSW, themselves being derivatives of Transwa Australind railcars. National Express Group specified the NSW design as part of its bid to operate V/Line under the public transport privatisation scheme of the Kennett government in the late 1990s. The train was originally known as a V/Locity (with the slash character).
The initial design called for a maximum running speed of 145km/h, this was later modified to 160km/h as part of the Regional Fast Rail project of the Bracks Labor government.
[edit] Manufacturing and testing
38 VLocity two-car DMUs were ordered from the Bombardier Transportation plant in Dandenong. While the design was frozen before National Express Group exited its public transport contracts in 2003, following publicity, drinking fountains, previously not provided, were added to the specifications.
Late testing revealed noise levels that were too high in the cabin [2], delaying the introduction of the trains into service while the completed sets were modified.
A further two VLocity units were later ordered to bring the total to 40, along with 22 new intermediate trailers to go in the middle of existing VLocity sets (extending them to three carriages each). The first 14 were promised as part of the 2006 State Election campaign by the Labor Party in November 2006,[3] and the order being placed in December the same year,[4] and the order for the next eight announced on 12 October 2007.[5] The first centre car, numbered 1341, has been placed in the middle of set 1141-1241, so that is now a three-car set. This set is now in testing.
[edit] Into service
The VLocity was introduced into service on the Ballarat line on December 22, 2005. Services on the Geelong and Bendigo lines were introduced on February 3, 2006 and February 24, 2006 respectively. Services to Traralgon and Seymour were introduced in September 2006.
Tables were installed in one unit, VL28, for evaluation purposes, [6]
160km/h services officially started on September 3, 2006, to Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong, and to Traralgon on September 15, 2006. Outside these areas, where the VLocity is still accredited to operate for revenue passenger operations, they may travel up to 130km/h. As part of the 160km/h deployment, trains without TPWS, such as the majority of freight trains, may only travel at 80km/h on RFR track.
It is unknown if the VLocity will see service past existing destinations, such as Marshall to Warnambool,[7].
[edit] Livery modifications
On Monday 3 March 2008, newly built VLocity Set 41 (cars 1141 and 1241(formerly 1229)) was released from Bombardier Dandenong for acceptance testing between Pakenham and Warragul. This unit was outshopped with an altered cab livery following recommendations in recent level crossing accident reports to make trains more visible to motorists. Portions of reflective yellow have been added to the cabs, along with more reflective silver directly beneath the cab window.
Shortly after VLocity unit 41 was released, VLocity unit 15 has also had this livery applied, so it is possible that all VLocities will receive the livery upgrade.
[edit] Passenger experience
The seating layout for the VLocity is 2x2, with a mix of 'club' style seats facing each other, and aircraft style rows. Four wheelchair spaces are provided in each set though the provision of tip up seats. The VLocity offers economy-class seating only, although the seat width is equivalent to first class seating on V/Line locomotive-hauled services. [8]
While VLocity carriages have tinted windows they lack the curtains as provided by older V/Line rolling stock. Passengers may move freely between the two semi-permanently-coupled vehicles in a set, but not between the sets themselves. Conductors transfer between coupled sets at station stops when necessary, including for checking tickets.
Overhead racks exist for small baggage, while larger baggage is stored in the middle of the unit, with some spaces large enough for surfboards and bicycles. In January 2008, passengers were banned from taking bicycles on VLocity trains during peak hour despite the designated bike area,[9] with the ban was repealed in February 2008.[10] A maximum of only two bicycles per railcar are allowed by V/Line staff. Middle cars are to be introduced, which will provide more room for bicycles: Middle carriage update
[edit] Technical
Power is provided by a Cummins QSK 19R diesel engine (559kW) in each car. VLocity units use Scharfenberg couplers. This enabled them to operate with other VLocity units, as well being towed by Sprinters or locomotives with transition couplers if required in exceptional circumstances.
The VLocity runs on Victorian broad gauge, as with all other V/Line services. The bogies were made at Bombardier's plant in Derby, UK and are fully gauge convertible to standard gauge.[11] Air Radiators of Geelong produced the engine cooling systems.[12]
[edit] Controversy
As the VLocity seating layout is 2x2 instead of 2x3 on other V/Line trains, the VLocity is less suited to crush loads than older rolling stock. Some travellers have complained of overcrowding on VLocity services,[13]
As with other projects in the Regional Fast Rail project, the VLocity has been used as political ammunition against the State Government for late delivery and cost blowouts.
[edit] Accidents
On Friday 28 April 2006, VLocity Set 29 (consists of 1129 and 1229) derailed on its way from Ararat, at a level crossing at Trawalla when it collided with a farmer's truck. Two passengers were confirmed dead with an unknown injury count. The unit had only been in service since 21 April - 7 days before the accident. [14]. After the accident, both cars were taken to Newport Workshops for examination. 1129 (car which truck impacted with) suffered the most damage, so it was considered that the car be written off. Car 1229 (being unharmed) was sent to Bombardier Dandenong (behind VL12) for repairs and to be mated with a new replacement for 1129 (later to be known as 1141).[15]
On Friday, 5 May 2006 VLocity Set 04 travelling on the 9:38 a.m. service from Melbourne to Ararat collided with a car at the Rockbank level crossing near Ballarat. At the time, 30 people were on the train and the driver of the car was taken to hospital. The level crossing was protected and train services were delayed until 2:30 the same afternoon.
[edit] References
- ^ The rolling stock the VLocity is replacing is, if any, unknown, although it has relieved V/Line of rolling stock shortages present before introduction
- ^ Fast trains strike costly sound hitch. The Age (11 Oct 2005). Retrieved on 2006-04-25.
- ^ Provincial Victoria: Moving Forward - Not Back (pdf) 8. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
- ^ Media Release: 1,000 PLUS NEW SEATS FOR REGIONAL RAIL COMMUTERS. www.dpc.vic.gov.au. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
- ^ Media Release: EXTRA CARRIAGES TO BOOST CAPACITY ON REGIONAL TRAINS. www.dpc.vic.gov.au. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
- ^ Tables installed in VL28, V/LineCars.com
- ^ During the design of the VLocity, West Coast Railway operated the Warrnambool line and was not included in the RFR project
- ^ New VLocity trains (official V/Line information) retrieved 9th November, 2006
- ^ [1] retrieved 29th February, 2009
- ^ [2] Retrieved 19 February 2008
- ^ V/LineCars.com - VLocity DMU's Image Gallery - Construction Photos
- ^ Track and Signal Vol 10. #2, pg. 103
- ^ (exact citation needed), Geelong Advertiser letters section, mid-February?
- ^ "Two Dead in Train Crash", The Age, retrieved 28 April 2006
- ^ "VL29", Vicsig.net forums, retrieved 18 September 2006
[edit] External links
- Official information page at V/Line
- V/LineCars.com information page (Unofficial)
- Vicsig.net information page (Unofficial)
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