New Generation Rollingstock Explained

New Generation Rollingstock
Interiorimage:New Generation Rollingstock interior in Queensland, 2020, 03.jpg
Interiorcaption:Interior of an NGR
Service:2017–present
Manufacturer:Bombardier Transportation
Factory:Savli, Gujarat, India
Replaced:Electric multiple unit
InterCity Express
Yearconstruction:2015–2019
Refurbishment:2019–2024 (accessibility upgrades)
Numberbuilt:75
Numberservice:75
Formation:6-car sets
Fleetnumbers:701–775
Capacity:964. Including 510 standing and 454 seating.
Operator:Queensland Rail
Depots:Wulkuraka
Lines:All except Ferny Grove, Rosewood and Beenleigh
Trainlength:146.17m (479.56feet)
Carlength:
  • 25085mm (end cars)
  • 24000mm (intermediate cars)
[1]
Width:2746mm (including doors)
Maxspeed:140km/h
Traction:IGBTVVVF (Bombardier MITRAC)
Traction Motors:3-phase AC induction motor
Electricsystem: (nominal) from overhead catenary
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Uicclass:Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Bogies:Bombardier FLEXX
Safety:Automatic Warning SystemEuropean Train Control System
Coupling:Dellner[2]

The New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) is a class of individually-propelled carriages ("electric multiple units") manufactured by Bombardier Transportation in Savli, 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.

History

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 Maryborough by Downer 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, 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 Street to Northgate 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 line to Nambour.[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]

Operation

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).

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.

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.

Accessibility improvements

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. The project was completed in July 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. 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.

More help points were added in the space between the two toilet modules.

The toilet modules were made disability compliant by moving the toilet front side and door at least closer to the external doors, while leaving the toilet bowl in the original location. 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.

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).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Queensland New Generation Rollingstock (NGR), Australia . 2022-07-13 . Bombardier . https://web.archive.org/web/20171126220629/https://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/projects/project.EMU-Queensland-Australia.html . 2017-11-26 . dead.
  2. Web site: Dellner Australia's Footprint . 20 March 2023 . 11 . . 19 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319201342/https://www.dellner.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Reference-projects-Dellner-Australia.pdf . live .
  3. http://www.bombardier.com/en/media-centre/newsList/details.bombardier-transportation20140129bombardierconsortiumwinsmultibi.bombardiercom.html Bombardier Consortium Wins Multi-billion Contract for Queensland New Generation Rollingstock Project
  4. http://www.urbanalyst.com/in-the-news/queensland/2293-bombardier-ngr-consortium-wins-44bn-contract-for-queensland-new-generation-rollingstock-project.html Bombardier NRG Consortium wins $4.4bn contract for Queensland New Generation Rollingstock Project
  5. "Bombardier-led consortium is Queensland New Generation Rollingstock contract winner" Railway Digest February 2014 page 6
  6. http://www.qtectic.com/about-qtectic/ Our Equity Partners
  7. https://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/faulty-trains-shouldve-been-made-in-maryborough/3150253/ Train Dilemma: They should've been made in Maryborough
  8. http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/ngr New Generation Rollingstock
  9. Web site: Queensland NGR EMU cars shipped from Mumbai. 1 February 2016. Railway Gazette International. 1 February 2016. 18 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190218143227/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/queensland-ngr-emus-shipped-from-mumbai.html. live.
  10. http://m.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/queenslands-new-emus-land-in-brisbane.html Queensland's new EMUs land in Brisbane
  11. "First Queensland New Generation Rollingstock EMU arrives in Brisbane, maintenance centre officially opened" Railway Digest April 2016 page 30
  12. "Queensland's new trains start to arrive" Track & Signal April 2016 page 39
  13. Web site: New trains to first service the Airport and Gold Coast. Queensland Rail. Queensland Rail. 3 October 2017. 21 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180621115844/https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Media%20Centre/Media%20Releases/Pages/New-trains-to-first-service-the-Airport-and-Gold-Coast.aspx. dead.
  14. https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/rollout-of-qrs-problem-trains-delayed-to-before-the-games-20170628-gx0ij0.html Rollout of QR's problem trains delayed to before the Games
  15. Web site: New Generation Rollingstock. translink.com.au. en. 2017-12-06. 6 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171206155253/https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/new-generation-rollingstock. dead.
  16. "Timetabling for the Commonwealth Games" Railway Digest June 2018 page 28
  17. NGR trains begin service on Springfield and Redcliffe Peninsula lines Railway Digest November 2018 page 18
  18. News: Queensland Rail deploys NGR train to cope with Ipswich line. Johnson. Hayden. Queensland Times. 2018-10-22. en. 22 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181022113157/https://www.qt.com.au/news/queensland-rail-deploys-ngr-train-to-cope-with-ips/3546099/. live.
  19. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925145205/https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/about%20us/Media%20Centre/Media%20Releases/Pages/New-Generation-Rollingstock-to-roll-out-to-Springfield-and-Redcliffe-Peninsula-lines.aspx New Generation Rollingstock to roll out to Springfield and Redcliffe Peninsula Lines
  20. "Queensland Government announces New Generation Rollingstock Inquiry" Railway Digest September 2018 page 21
  21. Web site: Extra services for SEQ - March 2020. February 2020. Queensland Rail. 5 February 2020. 8 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200308233722/https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/aboutus/mediacentre/ExtraservicesMarch2020. dead.
  22. Web site: NGR to run on North Coast line for first time. Pearce, Connor. Rail Express. February 2020. 6 February 2020. 29 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200229023244/https://www.railexpress.com.au/ngr-north-coast-line/. live.
  23. Web site: First NGR set travels to Maryborough for disabled persons' access modifications . March 2019 . . 20 . 26 July 2019 . 26 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190726055711/http://rtcc.mrtd.gov.mn/upload/news_files/f1f5d95ca911a04dec149098d3e2a486.pdf . live .
  24. Web site: "About the NGR trains". August 2019. Department of Transport and Main Roads. dead. 29 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190905032800/https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/N/New-Generation-Rollingstock/About-the-NGR-trains. 5 September 2019.
  25. Web site: "Questions on Notice - No. 1781. Queensland Parliament. October 2019. 8 December 2019. 8 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191208075908/https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1781-2019.pdf. live.
  26. Web site: 2017-2018 Annual Performance Report. Queensland Rail. 8 December 2019. 8 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191208131358/https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/business/acccess/Compliance%2520and%2520reporting/2017-18%2520QCA%2520Annual%2520Performance%2520Report.pdf. live.
  27. https://web.archive.org/web/20200207101205/https://www.railexpress.com.au/final-train-in-ngr-fleet-enters-service/ Final train in NGR fleet enters service
  28. News Railway Digest February 2020 page 17
  29. http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AboutUs/MediaCentre/Projects/Pages/NewGenerationRollingstock-Wulkuraka.aspx New Generation Rollingstock - Wulkuraka
  30. "Work commences on Wulkuraka NGR maintenance centre" Railway Digest June 2014 page 14
  31. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/queensland-ngr-maintenance-depot-completed.html Queensland NGR maintenance depot completed
  32. "New Generation Rollingstock trains enter service" Railway Digest January 2018 page 16
  33. https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/labors-150m-promise-to-maryborough/3260355/ Labor $150m promise to get Qld trains back on track
  34. News: Human rights exemption for new trains rejected, leaving door open for legal action. Crockford. Toby. 29 March 2018. Brisbane Times. 8 April 2018. 24 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190524024708/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/human-rights-exemption-for-new-trains-rejected-leaving-door-open-for-legal-action-20180329-p4z70a.html. live.
  35. https://www.railexpress.com.au/first-ngr-arrives-at-maryborough-for-rectification-works/ First NGR arrives at Maryborough for rectification works
  36. New Generation Rollingstock accessibility modification contract awarded Railway Digest June 2019 page 5
  37. Clark. Simon. 16 August 2021. NGR rectification photos. Personal. 16 August 2021. 16 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210816052220/https://ibb.co/zQbQ52c. live.