In service 2006 – present Built at Broadmeadow Number built 7 two-car sets | Manufacturer UGL Rail Replaced 620/720 railcars Formation 2 car | |
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The Hunter Railcars, also known as J Sets, are a class of diesel multiple unit built by UGL Rail, Broadmeadow and entering service with CityRail between November 2006 and September 2007 on its Hunter Valley services centred on Newcastle, New South Wales. They replaced the 620/720 railcars.
Contents
Features
The design of the Hunter Railcars is derived from the Transwa Prospector - the major difference being the driving cars are each single-engined instead of dual-engined, due to the lower top speed requirement for the Hunter line. Reversible seating is covered with durable, vandal proof Woollen Moquette Farbric in 3x2 formation, and have retractable footrests. CCTV is installed. The cars have been fitted with "Dellner SP" couplers. They are able to absorb the impact of a collision, and the anti-climbers on the new Hunter Railcars will also reduce the force of impact. The Hunter Railcars also have a different body design. Instead of the entire body being of the same design, such as the Tangara, the driver's cab is built like a protective cage, made of fibreglass, which stretches to the end of the guard's door. The stainless steel paneling starts at the guard's door. The guard's door is designed to operate separately from the passenger doors.
The Hunter Railcar has multiple-unit capability with the earlier Endeavour and Xplorer DMUs, however this feature is generally only used in the event of failure or for empty coaching stock movements. These cars normally operate as a two-car set like the Endeavours but however during peak in the mornings or on when special events are held they operate as four-car sets.
Each car is powered by a Cummins QSK19-R diesel engine rated at 559 kW at 1800rpm coupled to a Voith T312bre hydraulic transmission driving both axles on one bogie via Voith SK-485 final drives. An auxiliary 150 kW Cummins 6ISBe-G1 diesel engine drives a Newage Stamford UCI274H alternator to supply power for the air conditioning and lighting. Hunter Railcars are capable of 160 km/h but in service are limited to a maximum of 145 km/h.
Delivery
The order was for 14 cars:
The HMs have accommodation for 77 passengers, and the HMTs have accommodation for 69 passengers.
The first set entered service on the Hunter Line on 23 November 2006, operating a small number of Newcastle to Telerah services on Thursday and Fridays only. The second set entered service on 8 January 2007 also operating a limited number of services. By September 2007 all seven trains have been delivered. They operate services from Hamilton (Newcastle) to Dungog and Scone alongside the Endeavours.
Refurbishment
On 29 April 2014 then-NSW Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian announced a $5 million interior refurbishment of the Hunter railcar fleet including refurbished seats, improved toilet facilities and anti-graffiti interior paint.