- NZR EM class
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NZR EM/ET class 
EM1367 leading a southbound four-car train on the Hutt Valley Line. Photograph by Joseph Christianson.In service 1982-present Manufacturer Ganz-Mavag, Budapest, Hungary (electrical components were supplied by GEC traction, United Kingdom) Constructed 1979-1982 Entered service May 1982 Refurbishment Tranz Rail 1996-2002 and Metlink/Tranz Metro 2010-2018 Number built 44 two-car units Number in service 43 Formation 1 EM class + 1 ET class per set Fleet numbers EM1004-1528
ET3004-3528Capacity 148 (sitting) Operator Tranz Metro Line(s) served Kapiti Line, Hutt Valley Line, Melling Line Specifications Car length 20.7 metres (68 ft) Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph) Weight 35.9 tonnes (35.3 long tons) Power output 400 kW (540 hp) Electric system(s) 1500V DC overhead Braking system(s) Westinghouse "Westcode" electro-pneumatic brakes and Westinghouse automatic air brakes [1] Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge The NZR EM/ET class is a type of electric multiple unit used on suburban services in Wellington, New Zealand. They are owned by the Greater Wellington Regional Council and operated by Tranz Metro, a division of national railway operator KiwiRail.[2]
The 44 two-car units, each consisting of an EM class motor car and an ET class trailer car, are used on the 1500V DC electrified lines in the Wellington urban area and Kapiti Coast. They are used mainly on Kapiti Line and Hutt Valley Line services, and on the Melling Line.
Contents
Introduction
The cost of the 1979 order was NZ$33 million, then the single largest order of rolling stock in New Zealand Railways' history.
The introduction of the EM class spelt the end of EW class electric locomotive-hauled passenger trains in the Wellington region (although diesel locomotives are used on the Wairarapa Line) until their temporary reintroduction in 2008. However the older English Electric DM/D class units were retained, mainly on the Melling and Johnsonville lines.
Service
The EM class were not operated on the Johnsonville Line as they were out-of-gauge for the route. While the Johnsonville Line tunnel and platform clearances were improved in 2009, it is not envisaged that these units will be used on the line;[3] due to their limited braking power on the steep grades.[4]
Two EM class units have visited Johnsonville on test trains; on 14 June 1992 EM1004/ET3004 were towed behind shunter DSC 2285, and EM1056/ET3056 under its own power on 18 April 2010. The 2010 run was a trial to check clearances for the new Matangi units.[5]
Accidents
Three units were involved in an collision north of Plimmerton on 30 September 2010. The northbound unit (EM1010/ET3010 + EM1154/ET1154) derailed as a result of hitting a slip caused by heavy rain and became foul of the southbound line. Less than one minute after derailing the unit was struck by a southbound unit (EM1223/ET3223) which did not derail but caused extensive damage to both cabs.
A total of 60 passengers and crew were on the two units. Two people were hospitalised. The drivers of the two trains were father and son.[6]
The damaged units were towed back to the EMU depot north of Wellington station. Since then EM1010 and ET 3223 have been marshalled together to form a unit, with ET3223 renumbered ET3010. Though an announcement has not been made it is expected that the damaged cars, EM1223 and the original ET3010, will not be repaired but will be used as a parts source for the rest of the fleet.
Refurbishment
In 1995 a major refurbishment programme was begun, with the class being repainted in Tranz Rail blue and yellow livery with new seats and brighter interiors. This project was completed by 2002.
In 2008 a proposed refurbishment of the units was deferred until the new Matangi units were available. The projected expenditure was $23.3 million in 2008 - 2009.[7] The prototype refurbished unit was completed at the end of 2010.[8]
Unit EM1373/ET3373 has been fully refurbished to ascertain unit costs and gauge public opinion. It has been repainted in Metlink's livery, similar to that of the Matangi. A decision to refurbish others in the fleet was made on 10 March 2011 as part of an $88 million rail upgrade package, instead of purchasing more Matangi.[9] Following the refurbishment, ownership of the fleet will be transferred to the Greater Wellington Regional Council.[9]
Class register
Key: In service Out of service Auckland Transport service Preserved Overhaul Scrapped EM number ET number Introduced Livery Status 1004 3004 August 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1010 3010 July 1982 Tranz Rail blue Involved in collision, 30 September 2010. Returned to service with former ET3223 renumbered ET3010 1027 3027 June 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1056 3056 August 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1062 3062 June 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1079 3079 June 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1085 3085 July 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1091 3091 July 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1102 3102 June 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1119 3119 August 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1131 3131 May 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1148 3148 August 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1154 3154 August 1982 Tranz Rail blue Involved in collision, 30 September 2010. Was at rear of train, not damaged 1160 3160 August 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1177 3177 August 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1183 3183 August 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1217 3217 October 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1223 3223 October 1982 Tranz Rail blue Involved in collision, 30 September 2010. ET3223 renumbered ET3010 1246 3246 September 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1252 3252 September 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1269 3269 September 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1281 3281 October 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1298 3298 November 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1309 3309 October 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1315 3315 November 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1321 3321 November 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1338 3338 December 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1344 3344 December 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1350 3350 December 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1367 3367 December 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1373 3373 December 1982 Metlink First Metlink refurbishment.[10] Back in service October 2010.[11] 1396 3396 December 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1407 3407 December 1982 Tranz Rail blue 1413 3413 January 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1436 3436 January 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1442 3442 January 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1459 3459 February 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1465 3465 February 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1471 3471 February 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1488 3488 February 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1494 3494 February 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1505 3505 March 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1511 3511 March 1983 Tranz Rail blue 1528 3528 March 1983 Tranz Rail blue References
- Gregor, Alex W - New suburban electric trains for Wellington (July 1981 NZIE Transactions Vol. 8, No. 2/EMCh pp33–45)
- Parsons, David - New Zealand Railway Motive Power 2002 [12]
- ^ Sinclair, Roy (1992). Rail, the Great New Zealand Adventure. Grantham House Publishing. ISBN 9781869340131.
- ^ "$168m Wellington Rail Package Signed". The Dominion Post. 5 July 2011. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5236334/168m-Wellington-rail-package-signed.
- ^ Peter Glensor of the Greater Wellington Regional Council in the Northern Courier of 17 February 2010 page 5
- ^ ONTRACK staff comment on Johnsonville Line Open Day 4 February 2009
- ^ "Express, KiwiRail staff newsletter - Issue 39". KiwiRail. 22 April 2010.
- ^ "Two with spinal injuries after train crash". New Zealand Herald. 30 September 2010. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10677194.
- ^ GWRC 2008/09 Annual Plan, approved 30 June 2008
- ^ "Agency Progress Report on implementing the Regional Land Transport Strategy". Greater Wellington Regional Council. 14 April 2010. http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/council-reports/Report_PDFs/2010_134_1_Report.pdf.
- ^ a b "Capital gets $88 million rail upgrade". The Dominion Post. 10 March 2011. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4752820/Capital-gets-88-million-rail-upgrade. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
- ^ "RailTrack". http://www.quicktrip.co.nz/rails/history/200911040000.htm.
- ^ "General Manager's Report". Greater Wellington Regional Council. 10 August 2010. http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/council-reports/Report_PDFs/2010_471_1_Report.pdf.
- ^ [1]
External Links
Categories:- Locomotives of New Zealand
- Electric multiple units of New Zealand
- Ganz-Mavag multiple units
- Cape gauge railway locomotives
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