| New Generation Rollingstock | |
|---|---|
NGR 766 at Karrabin station in July 2019
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Interior of an NGR
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| In service | 2017–present |
| Manufacturer | Bombardier Transportation |
| Built at | Savli, Gujarat, India |
| Replaced | Electric multiple unit InterCity Express |
| Constructed | 2015–2019 |
| Entered service | December 2017 (2017-12) |
| Refurbished | 2019–2024 (accessibility upgrades) |
| Number built | 75 |
| Number in service | 75 |
| Formation | 6-car sets |
| Fleet numbers | 701–775 |
| Capacity | 964. Including 510 standing and 454 seating. |
| Operators | Queensland Rail |
| Depots | Wulkuraka |
| Lines served | All except Ferny Grove, Rosewood and Beenleigh |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 146.17 m (479 ft 7 in)[1] |
| Car length |
|
| Width | 2,746 mm (9 ft 0.1 in) (including doors) |
| Maximum speed | 140 km/h (87 mph) |
| Traction system | IGBT–VVVF (Bombardier MITRAC) |
| Traction motors | 3-phase AC induction motor |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50 Hz AC (nominal) from overhead catenary |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′ |
| Bogies | Bombardier FLEXX |
| Safety system(s) | Automatic Warning System European Train Control System |
| Coupling system | Dellner[2] |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
The New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) is a class of individually-propelled carriages ("electric multiple units") manufactured by Bombardier TransportationinSavli, India for the Queensland Rail City network that entered service between December 2017 and December 2019. They are Queensland Rail's largest fleet of electric trains.
In January 2014, the Queensland Government awarded a contract for 75 six-carriage electric multiple units to the Qtectic consortium of Aberdeen Asset Management, Bombardier Transportation, Itochu and John Laing under a 32-year public private partnership.[3][4][5][6] They are the first QR electric multiple units manufactured overseas instead of in MaryboroughbyDowner Rail (formerly Walkers).[7]
The NGRs were built in Savli, India.[8][9] The design is completely new, and the trains are fitted with nose cones to resemble the existing Electric Tilt Trains for improved aerodynamic performance as opposed to the exposed Scharfenberg couplers used by the existing fleet.[9] The body style differs using flat steel panels on the sides, while retaining corrugated panels for the rooftop. The first arrived at the Port of Brisbane in February 2016.[10][11][12]
The first three entered service on 11 December 2017 on the Airport and Gold Coast lines.[8][13][14][15] By the time of the Commonwealth Games in April 2018, eight had entered service.[16]
The trains received media controversy over a series of issues such as the toilet module size falling short by 12 mm (0.47 in), and inability for wheelchair to access the toilet from one of the two accessible cars.
Because of the NGRs' non-compliance with disability legislation, all platforms they serve are required to be staffed. Initially confined to the Airport and Gold Coast lines, in May 2018 they began operating on the Doomben line, followed by Roma StreettoNorthgate services in July and Redcliffe and Springfield line services in September.[17] In October 2018, they began operating on the Ipswich and Caboolture lines. In February 2019, they began to operate to Shorncliffe and Cleveland. The same month, the NGRs became the largest fleet of electric trains in Queensland.[18][19][20] In March 2020 they commenced operating on the Sunshine Coast linetoNambour.[21][22]
As of March 2020, they operate passenger services across the City network except for the Sunshine Coast line north of Nambour, Beenleigh, Ferny Grove and Rosewood lines.[21][23][24]
NGRs will not operate on Sunshine Coast line services north of Nambour until signalling upgrades to Gympie North have been completed. Currently trains are required to be compatible with the operation of Automatic Train Protection which isn't fitted on the NGRs.[25][26] The last NGR, unit 775, entered service in January 2020.[27][28]
The NGRs are maintained at a purpose built depot to the west of Wulkuraka station.[29][30][31] The new trains have allowed the full withdrawal InterCity Express sets and the partial withdrawal of the Electric Multiple Unit fleet. The trains increase the size of the fleet by 26%. The NGRs feature high-backed seats, safety straps for bike storage, luggage space underneath the seats unlike the Interurban Multiple Units that have luggage racks, mobility toilet with baby changing table, free public WiFi and CCTV.[32]
Each NGR unit comprises two driving motor cars (prefixes 3 and 8) at each end, coupled to two trailer cars (prefixes 4 and 7) and two intermediate motor cars in the middle (prefixes 5 and 6, with Motor car B currently featuring the toilet module on original trains and both on upgraded trains).[citation needed]
As they are permanently coupled six-car units, passengers are able to walk the entire length of the train, consequently eliminating the need to couple with another unit. Guards travel at the rear as opposed to the middle with the existing fleet, where two three-car units couple to form a six-car unit. Utilising the same traction equipment based on Bombardier Aventras as well as being compatible with the European Train Control System, the NGR, along with upgraded SMU 260 trains, will be the only trains permitted to travel in the Cross River Rail tunnels.[citation needed]
NGR units are also noted to have contain gangway connection doors but are almost never used. PIS screens on the platform shows an NGR Icon for that service if the service is being operated by an NGR train.
Work to rectify the non-compliant parts of the trains was performed by Downer Rail's Maryborough facility.[33] After an exemption application to the Australian Human Rights Commission was rejected, the need for rectification was clear.[34] It was determined that the position of the boarding ramps next to the train door was the reason for the toilet module not meeting DDA’s minimum size requirements. The first, 735, arrived at Maryborough for rectification work in January 2019 and the last, 771, in late April 2024.[citation needed] The project is scheduled for completion in May 2024.[35][36]
The rectification work solves the disability access problem by providing a toilet module for both centre (wheelchair accessible) cars.[37] This means that wheelchairs no longer have to travel around the toilets to access them from behind.[37] No major changes were made to the general seating other than recovering some of the seats with priority labelling including some transverse seats with high backs and no arm rests.[37]
More help points were added in the space between the two toilet modules.[37]
The toilet modules were made disability compliant by moving the toilet front side and door at least 12 mm (0.47 in) closer to the external doors, while leaving the toilet bowl in the original location.[37] Labelling and other minor changes were made in the toilet module as well, such as the installation of lights that warn in the event of an evacuation.[37]
These trains can be easily identified by the large priority stickers on the windows all along the train. More stickers are present within the train as well.
Some changes were made to signage throughout the train on the advice of disability groups; purportedly as "better wording" but the differences would be minor to the average person - intended instead for the minority of people with literacy difficulties (see difference between green emergency door release wording above).
Media related to New Generation Rollingstock at Wikimedia Commons
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Queensland Rail rolling stock
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| Queensland Railways steam locomotives |
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| Queensland Railways diesel locomotives |
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| Aurizon electric locomotives |
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| Queensland Rail electric multiple units |
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| Queensland Rail diesel rail motors and multiple units |
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| Pacific National locomotives |
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| BHP Mitsubishi Alliance locomotives | Electric: BMACC |
| Progress Rail / Downer Rail locomotives | |
| Carriages | |
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