- CityRail H set
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OSCAR 
OSCAR set H11 at Scarborough
The vestibule of the H Set OscarIn service 2006 – present Manufacturer United Group Rail Constructed 2006 – present Formation 4 and 8 car Capacity 432 seated (four car set - 102 in driving car, 118 in motor car, 110 in motor car with lavatory) Operator RailCorp as the product group CityRail Specifications Car length 20.340 m (66 ft 9 in) Width 3.034 m (9 ft 11 in) Height 4.403 m (14 ft 5 in) Maximum speed 115 km/h (in service); 130 km/h (design maximum) Weight 47 tonnes Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) The train's journey is announced automatically through onboard male/female digital voiceovers.
OSCARS were used to operate a shuttle service on the Epping to Chatswood line in 2009.The CityRail H set or OSCAR (Outer Suburban CAR) is a class of electric multiple unit operated by CityRail in New South Wales, Australia. These cars run on the intermediate outer suburban service area (South Coast, Blue Mountains and Central Coast lines), falling short of true interburban trains but exceeding the definition of suburban trains. The cars are constructed by United Group Rail. Delivery of the first two orders of 122 cars has concluded, and the delivery of an additional order of 74 cars commenced in late 2010.[1]
The H-set is within the same generation as the suburban Millennium Train but is more suited for longer distances on intercity lines. The layout and features of the OSCARs are similar to their predecessor - the G sets. The G sets are being redeployed to suburban services, which will allow additional services to be introduced and will also build up some existing six-car services to eight-car services. The OSCARs have also allowed some V Set trains to be built up from four to six cars.[2]
Contents
Design
There are many similarities between the OSCARs and the Millennium Trains, including improved external destination boards, internal destination boards displaying stopping patterns, Digital Voice Announcements and security cameras. The OSCARs also have additional features to increase comfort on the longer journeys they operate. These include high back seating covered with durable, vandal proof Woollen Moquette Farbric with padded head-rests, retractable footrests, luggage racks and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Wheelchair seating is available in the vestibules, while 3x2 seating is provided in the upper and lower deck sections.
The OSCARs also include several new safety features. The doors on older rolling stock such as V sets are all unlocked at every station (even short platforms). V Sets have doors which must be slid open for alighting/boarding and G Sets have push buttons. However on the H set, the guard is able to select the number of doors to be opened at a station. This feature is aimed at preventing incidents where passengers may fall from the carriage when stopped at a short platform. The H sets have been fitted with "Dellner SP" couplings, compatible with the Millennium Trains and the new Hunter Railcars. They are able to absorb the impact of a collision, and the anti-climbers on the H Sets will also reduce the force of impact. The trains 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 and supported by a box section steel frame, which stretches to the end of the guard's door. The rest of the train is made from conventional stainless steel.
Delivery
The initial order was for 40 cars and the contract was awarded in February 2003. The second order was for 80 cars and the contract was awarded in April 2005.[3]
- Non Driving Power Cars - ON 5901-5930 - 118 seats
- Non Driving Power Cars - ONL 5951-5980 - 110 seats and Lavatory
- Driving Trailer Cars - OD 6901-6962 - 102 seats
This forms 30 4 car sets with 2 spare Driving Tailers.
The OSCARs were late in starting service as CityRail wanted to test the trains carefully. The Millennium train had begun service before testing had uncovered all technical issues, resulting in it being withdrawn from service while the problems were rectified. On August 5, 2006, OSCAR set H3 was opened for inspection to the public, as part of Sydney Central Station's Centenary celebrations.
On Friday 15 December 2006, the OSCARs commenced revenue service between Central and Wollongong on Thursdays and Fridays. A few months later, OSCARs operated the services on all weekdays. Their progressive entry into service allowed G Set Tangaras to be redeployed on services to Wyong and Springwood. From 30 April 2007, the trains were introduced on other services, but the original OSCAR service was changed back to its timetabled G Set. 8 car operation started on 26 November 2007.
On 8 April 2008, H sets were introduced on the Newcastle and Central Coast, Northern, Western & North Shore Lines, operating with 8 car trains, principally between Sydney and Wyong.
H sets were the first rolling stock to be used on the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link, operating a shuttle service from 23 February 2009 to 10 October 2009. Four car H sets operated on the line exclusively during the shuttle phase. Since 11 October 2009, the link forms part of the Northern Line.
An additional order for 72 cars was confirmed on Friday 27 March 2009 forming 18 additional 4 car sets. The 2010 State Budget increased this order to 74 cars.[4] The two additional cars will become spares. The first train from this order entered service on 18 October 2010.[1] In response to passenger feedback, these carriages feature an additional 20 millimetres extra worth of padding on the seat backing and lengthened seat bases to increase comfort.[5]
A further 25 cars were ordered in January 2011 to replace some V set carriages.[6]
In service
- South Coast Line: Bondi Junction or Central to Kiama or Port Kembla
- Newcastle and Central Coast Line: Central to Wyong via Epping
- Blue Mountains Line: Central to Springwood (Peak hours)
- North Shore Line: Central to Wyong via Gordon (Peak hours)
- Northern Line: Central to Hornsby via Macquarie Park, Central to Epping via Strathfield
Gallery
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Front view of driver carriage
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Side view of carriage exterior with doors open
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Stairs leading to upper and lower decks in vestibule
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Upper deck.
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Lower deck.
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Each vestibule has seats which can be folded up to allow room for wheelchairs and prams.
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Being designed for longer distance travel, luggage racks are installed above the vestibule seating areas.
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Footrests are fitted in all the seating on the lower and upper decks for more comfortable seating on longer journeys.
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The Onboard LED Indicator in an Oscar Carriage
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Door for access to toilet in vestibule area. Button to open door can be seen as well.
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Toilet facilities on intercity service.
References
- ^ a b "More Oscar carriages enter service". CityRail Xpress. 2010-10-20. http://cityrail.info/news/xpress/pdf/CityRail_Xpress_152.pdf.
- ^ Additional carriages added to Blue Mountains Line services CityRail News
- ^ http://www.railcorp.info/about_railcorp/oscars
- ^ "Record investment in trains and buses to start $50.2 billion Metropolitan Transport Plan". NSW Government. 2010-06-08. http://www.budget.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/13563/7-6-10_Transport-1_Record_investment_in_trains_and_buses_to_start_$50.2_billion_Metropolitan_Transport_Plan.pdf.
- ^ "Oscar roll out continues". CityRail Xpress Edition No.204. 2011-11-09. http://www.cityrail.info/news/xpress/pdf/CityRail_Xpress_204.pdf.
- ^ "25 more Oscar carriages on the way". CityRail. 2011-01-18. http://www.cityrail.info/news/2011/110118-oscars.
External links
Sydney and New South Wales Rail Rollingstock NSWGR steam locomotive X10 class • Z11 class • Z12 class • Z13 class • Z14 class • Z15 class • Z16 class • Z17 class • Z18 class • Z19 class • Z20 class • Z21 class • Z23 class • Z24 class • Z25 class • Z26 class • Z27 class (2705) • Z28 class • Z29 class • C30 class (3112) • C30T class (3016T) • C32 class (3237) (3265) • C34 class • C35 class (3526) • C36 class (3642) • C38 class (3801) (3820) (3830) • D50 class • D53 class • D55 class • D57 class • D58 class • D59 class (5917) • AD60 classNSW Private Steam SMR10 classDiesel locomotive Electric locomotive Electric multiple unit U set • L, R, and S sets • K set • C set • V set • T & G sets (Tangara) • M set (Millennium) • H set (OSCARs) • A set (Waratah)Diesel railcar Categories:- CityRail
- Electric multiple units of Australia
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