Diesel multiple unit

Multiple unit trains
Subtypes

Electric multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
Push–pull train

Technology

Multiple-unit train control

By country

Britain (DMU)
Britain (EMU)
Ireland

The Transwa Prospector DEMU capable of up to 200 km/h (124 mph) provides a passenger service between Perth and the mining town of Kalgoorlie

A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country. Diesel-powered units may be further classified by their transmission type: diesel–electric (DEMU), diesel–mechanical (DMMU) or diesel–hydraulic (DHMU).

Design

The diesel engine may be located above the frame in an engine bay or under the floor. Driving controls can be at both ends, on one end, or in a separate car.

Types

DMUs are usually classified by the method of transmitting motive power to their wheels.

Diesel–mechanical

In a diesel–mechanical multiple unit (DMMU) the rotating energy of the engine is transmitted via a gearbox and driveshaft directly to the wheels of the train, like a car. The transmissions can be shifted manually by the driver, as in the great majority of first-generation British Rail DMUs, but in most applications gears are changed automatically.

Diesel–hydraulic

In a diesel–hydraulic multiple unit, a hydraulic torque converter, a type of fluid coupling, acts as the transmission medium for the motive power of the diesel engine to turn the wheels. Some units feature a hybrid mix of hydraulic and mechanical transmissions, usually reverting to the latter at higher operating speeds as this decreases engine RPM and noise.

Diesel–electric

In a diesel–electric multiple unit (DEMU) a diesel engine drives an electrical generator or an alternator which produces electrical energy. The generated current is then fed to electric traction motors on the wheels or bogies in the same way as a conventional diesel–electric locomotive.[1]

In modern DEMUs, such as the Bombardier Voyager family, each car is entirely self-contained and has its own engine, generator and electric motors.[1] In older designs, such as the British Rail Class 207, some cars within the consist may be entirely unpowered or only feature electric motors, obtaining electric current from other cars in the consist which have a generator and engine.

Benefits

A train composed of DMU cars scales well, as it allows extra passenger capacity to be added at the same time as motive power. It also permits passenger capacity to be matched to demand, and for trains to be split and joined en route. It is not necessary to match the power available to the size and weight of the train, as each unit is capable of moving itself. As units are added, the power available to move the train increases by the necessary amount. DMUs may have better acceleration capabilities, with more power-driven axles, making them more suitable for routes with frequent closely spaced stops, as compared with conventional locomotive and unpowered carriage setups.

Distribution of the propulsion among the cars also results in a system that is less vulnerable to single-point-of-failure outages. Many classes of DMU are capable of operating with faulty units still in the consist. Because of the self-contained nature of diesel engines, there is no need to run overhead electric lines or electrified track, which can result in lower system construction costs.

Downsides

Such advantages must be weighed against the underfloor noise and vibration that may be an issue with this type of train.

Generally Diesel traction has several downsides compared to electric traction, namely higher fuel costs, more noise and exhaust as well as worse acceleration and top speed performance. The power to weight ratio also tends to be worse.

DMUs have further disadvantages compared to diesel locomotives in that they cannot be swapped out when passing onto an electrified line, necessitating either passengers to change trains or Diesel operation on electrified lines. Similarly the lost investment once electrification reduces the demand for diesel rolling stock is higher than with locomotive hauled trains where only the locomotive has to be replaced.

Around the world

Europe

Ireland

DMU 2751 in Limerick Colbert station, 2006

In the Republic of Ireland the Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), which controlled the republic's railways between 1945 and 1986, introduced DMUs in the mid-1950s and they were the first diesel trains on many main lines.

United Kingdom

The first significant use of DMUs in the United Kingdom was by the Great Western Railway, which introduced its small but successful series of diesel–mechanical GWR railcars in 1934. The LNER[2] and London, Midland and Scottish Railway also experimented with DMUs in the 1930s, the LMS both on its own system, and on that of its Northern Irish subsidiary, but development was curtailed by World War II.

After nationalisation, British Railways revived the concept in the early 1950s. At that time there was an urgent need to move away from expensive steam traction which led to many experimental designs using diesel propulsion and multiple units. The early DMUs proved successful, and under BR's 1955 Modernisation Plan the building of a large fleet was authorised. These BR "First Generation" DMUs were built between 1956 and 1963, and the Class 121 "Bubble Car" is still in service as of 2015.

BR's owners, the British Government, required that contracts for the design and manufacture of new locomotives and rolling stock be split between numerous private firms as well as BR's own workshops, while different BR Regions laid down different specifications. The result was a multitude of different types, one of which was:

In 1960, British Railways introduced its Blue Pullman high-speed DEMUs.[3] These were few in number and relatively short-lived,[3] but they paved the way for the very successful British Rail "InterCity 125" or High Speed Train (HST) units, which were built between 1975 and 1982 to take over most principal express services on non-electrified routes.[4][5] These 125 mph (201 km/h) trains run with a streamlined power car at each end and (typically) 7 to 9 intermediate trailer cars.[6][7] Although originally classified as DEMUs, the trailer cars are very similar to loco-hauled stock, and the power cars were later reclassified as locomotives under Class 43.[6][7] They remain in widespread use.[6][7]

The popular Class 170 was the best selling DMU of the last 10 years in the UK.

By the early 1980s, many of the surviving First Generation units were reaching the end of their design life, leading to spiralling maintenance costs, poor reliability and a poor public image for the railway. A stopgap solution was to convert some services back to locomotive haulage, as spare locomotives and hauled coaching stock were available, but this also increased operating costs. Commencing in the mid '80s, British Rail embarked upon its so called "Sprinterisation" programme, to replace most of the first generation DMUs and many locomotive-hauled trains with three new families of DMU:

Following the impact of the privatisation of British Rail in the late 1990s, several other diesel–hydraulic DMU families have been introduced:

Croatia

Diesel multiple units are in constant use in Croatia, operated by national operator Croatian railways. On Croatian railways, DMU's have important role since they cover local, regional and distant lines across the country. Two largest towns in Croatia, Zagreb and Split, are daily connected with DMU  titling trains "RegioSwinger" (Croatian series 7123) which provide inter city service between those two towns since 2004.

In the early 1990's, luxury DMU series 7021 (ordered for Yugoslav railways in 1970's, now scrapped) provided some of express or fast train lines across the country. DMU series HŽ series 7121 (renumbered leftover from former Yugoslav Railways), 7122 (ordered from Sweden in late 1990's) and later Croatian-built series 7022 and 7023 (prototype-remained) are nowadays in high use covering country's local and regional services, mostly in country's interior on the tracks that are not electrified. 

North America

Budd Rail Diesel Car RDC-1 #407 of the Cape May Seashore Lines, New Jersey.

A type of Diesel Multiple Units in North America was the Budd Rail Diesel Car (RDC). The RDC was a single passenger car with two diesel engines and two sets of controls.

Canada

Two Bombardier Talent low-floor DMUs on the O-Train Trillium Line in Ottawa Canada.

Canada generally follows similar buffer strength requirements to the USA,[8] but new services are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. As a result, several types of lightweight DMUs have been used:

Costa Rica

Apollo 2400 DMU in service in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has purchased several Apolo 2400 series DMU railcars from the former narrow gauge operator in Spain, which are run in commuter service. [10] See Rail transport in Costa Rica.

United States

In the United States only FRA-compliant DMU systems are permitted on freight rail corridors. This is due to the Federal Railway Administration setting higher coupling strength requirements than European regulators, effectively prohibiting the use of lighter weight European-style inter-city rail DMUs on U.S. main line railways without timesharing with freight operations or special waivers from the FRA. This has greatly restricted the development of DMUs within the U.S. as no other country requires the much heavier FRA compliant vehicles, and no export market for them exists.

Operations using FRA-compliant vehicles:

Operations using non FRA-compliant vehicles:

Proposed operations:

Asia/Australasia

Australia

Adelaide Metro's 3100-class diesel–electric railcars operating in Adelaide, South Australia

DMUs were first introduced to Australia in the late mid-20th century for use on quiet branch lines that could not justify a locomotive hauled service. Today, DMUs are widely used throughout Australia's southern states:

In Queensland, heritage DMUs are used on the Savannahlander and Gulflander tourist trains.

Bangladesh

Chinese manufactured(CNR TANGSHAN) DEMU was introduced in Bangladesh in from May 25, 2013. DEMU is the country's first-ever commuter train service started its trial journey on Chittagong-Fouzdarhat route.

Indonesia

KRDI(Indonesian-built).KRDI Inka produced at Madiun.Sri Lelawangsa DMU, Medan

State-owned company P.T. INKA builds several type of DMU, some of which operate in urban and suburban areas:

Japan

In Japan, where gasoline-driven railbuses (on small private lines) and railmotors (Kihani 5000 of the national railways) had been built since the 1920s, in 1937 the first two streamlined DMUs came in service, class Kiha 43000 (キハ43000系).[20]

The service of several hundreds (in sum even thousands) of diesel railcars and DMUs started in 1950s following the improvement of fuel supply that was critical during World War II.[21]

A refurbished ADL class DMU at Britomart Transport Centre in Auckland

Philippines

Kiha 52 Orange Livery at Bicutan Station
Kiha 52 Japanese Blue Livery at Ligao Station

The Southrail or the South Main Line of the Philippine National Railways which travels South of the Luzon island is one of the oldest rail lines in Asia and in the world. The Southrail of Philippine National Railways uses Hyundai Rotem DMUs together with second-hand DMUs from East Japan Railway Company or JR East. These are Kiha 52 and Kiha 59 which is also known as the "Kogane". Trains such as the Hyundai Rotem DMUs and Kiha 52 are often used for Metro Commuter Line services, while Kiha 59 is mostly used for Bicol interprovincial services and sometimes also for the Metro Commuter services.

South Korea

Korail DHC-PP with new CI colour

Korail operates many DMUs. The DHC (Diesel Hydraulic Car), which made its debut for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, can reach speeds up to 170 km/h (106 mph) and serves Saemaul-ho trains.

India

A DMU in India

Indian Railways operates DMUs in India.

SNCF's turbotrain in Houlgate on the Deauville-Dives line. Turbotraines in Iran were converted to DMU

Sri Lanka

A Sri Lankan DMU - Class S11

DMUs were first introduced to Sri Lanka in 1940. Aim of this was connecting minor railway stations and stops on the main line where most of express trains were not stopping.

Taiwan

The DMUs are now usually used on the Taiwan Railway Administration Hualien–Taitung Line, North-Link Line. DMUs in Taiwan are classified as Class DR.

Manufacturers

DMU manufacturers include:


See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Diesel multiple units, motor coaches and railcars.

References

  1. 1 2 "Cutting noise and smoothing the ride". Railway Gazette. 1 August 2000. Retrieved 20 January 2011. In the Voyager application, every car has a Cummins underfloor engine and alternator supplying power to a pair of body-mounted traction motors. Each drives one inner axle through a cardan shaft and axle-mounted final drive gearbox.
  2. "LNER Encyclopedia: The LNER Armstrong-Whitworth Diesel–Electric Railcars". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 Heaps, Chris (1988). "End of the Blue Pullmans". BR Diary: 1968–1977. London: Ian Allan. pp. 66–67. ISBN 0-7110-1611-9.
  4. "1976: New train speeds into service". BBC News Online. London. 4 October 1976. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  5. "New opportunities for the railways: the privatisation of British Rail" (PDF). Railway Archive. p. 8. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 "Class 253 High Speed Train". Railblue.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 "Class 254 High Speed Train". Railblue.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  8. Such as the Railroad Safety Appliance Act of 1893.
  9. "Kaoham Shuttle" page, Seton Lake Indian Band website (Tsalalh.net)
  10. "Six Commuter Trains Purchased: Travel Easier in San Jose Costa Rica - Costa Rica Star News". 16 June 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  11. "LCBO - Lewis & Clark Explorer Train". www.lcbo.net. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  12. Lewis, Bj (5 June 2012). "DCTA gets go-ahead to use Stadler cars". Denton Record-Chronicle. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  13. "BART moves forward with $1 billion in extension projects - bart.gov". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  14. "Commuter rail stop in Mattapan no sure thing as T balks on funding - Dorchester Reporter". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  15. "Fairmount Line To Add Weekend Service, Maintain Lower Fares". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  16. "July 2006 Metro to Fund Implementation Study on a Regional Connector Through Glendale and Burbank". ebb.metro.net. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  17. "Coming Soon page". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  18. "Alaska Railroad - Alaskan Tours & Vacations - Train Packages" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  19. "キハ43000の資料 - しるねこの微妙な生活/浮気心あれば水心!?". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  20. "The Railway Museum in Saitama". Retrieved 19 June 2016.
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