Manufacturer Downer Rail/Bombardier Entered service 2004 | Built at Maryborough | |
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Number under construction 78 3-carriage sets (delivery underway) Number in service 67 3-car sets (May 2016) Formation 3 carriage sets may be coupled to form either a 6 or 9-car set | ||
The B-series trains are a class of electric multiple unit built by Downer Rail, Maryborough for Transperth between 2004 and 2019
Contents
History
Perth's first electrified trains, the two-carriage A-Series, entered service in September 1991. The new three-carriage B-series were introduced on the 4 October 2004 as part of the New MetroRail project. Thirty-one B-series sets were purchased to operate on the new Joondalup and Mandurah lines. They are mainly based at Nowergup depot but are occasionally stored at Claisebrook Depot.
The B-series trains are cleared to operate on the Midland, Armadale/Thornlie and Fremantle lines and have been used occasionally during special events, and for scheduled services to Thornlie during a temporary timetable used in 2012 and 2013 to accommodate works on the Perth City Link project. However, not all stations on these lines are capable of handling six-car sets as the platforms are not long enough, and there are reported problems with the acceleration/deceleration systems with the closely spaced stations. Platforms at the original stations on the Joondalup Line had to be lengthened to accommodate the six-car trains, as did Platform 1 at Showgrounds and both platforms at West Leederville. The Mandurah line stations, along with Butler, Clarkson, Currambine and Greenwood on the Joondalup Line were built with longer platforms.
Additional sets
In 2006, the Public Transport Authority ordered a second batch of 15 three-carriage B-series trains from Bombardier/EDI Rail to increase capacity on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines. The first entered service on 28 June 2009. These sets feature an upgraded communication system and brighter destination screens than the original B-series sets.
Funding for a third batch of 15 sets was announced by the Government of Western Australia in the 2011/12 State Budget. The order was increased by two sets in August 2012 to service the planned Aubin Grove station, followed by a further five sets in November 2012. As of July 2016, 68 sets have been delivered. Funding for an additional 10 sets was announced in the May 2016 state budget with delivery planned for 2019-20. these sets will provide additional capacity on the existing network as well as service the Forrestfield-Airport Link when it opens in 2020. The B series fleet will total 78 3 carriage sets.
Accident at Nowergup Depot
On 23 August 2006 at approximately 18:00, two B-series trains (sets BEA 53 and BEB 60) were involved in a head-on collision at Nowergup depot. Cars from both sets were damaged badly enough to be sent back to builders EDI's facility in Maryborough for repair. During these repairs, undamaged cars from both sets were re-formed into set 60, which then returned to service. The damaged cars were fixed and returned to service (as set 60) in time for the opening of the Mandurah line in December 2007.