InterCity Express (Citytrain)

Infobox EMU
name = Intercity Express


imagesize = 300px
caption =
background = #87CEEB
Manufacturer = ABB/Walkers
Operator = QR Citytrain
Formation = 4-6 cars
Built = 20 carriages (151-158)
8x 2-carriage power pairs,
4x trailer carriages
LinesServed = Nambour and Gympie North Line
Depots = Mayne, Nambour, Gympie North
InService = 1988 with Traveltrain - 2003
1998 with Citytrain - Current
Weight = 196.4 t (4-car unit)
CarLength = 95.6 (4-car unit)
CarWidth = 2.7 m
CarHeight = 3.9 m
MaxSpeed = 120 km/h (Service), 160km/h (Design)
Gauge = 1,067 mm

Walkers-ABB InterCity Express (ICE) are a model of electric multiple unit used by Citytrain in South East Queensland, Australia.

History

QR introduced the ICE sets in 1988, for use on the North Coast Line between Brisbane and Rockhampton. The service was named the 'Spirit Of Capricorn' and boasted 2+1 seating, and a trolley service. It reduced the journey time by a few hours when it was first introduced. In 1998, the QR Electric Tilt Train has been introduced, and reduced travel times even further on the 'Spirit Of Capricorn' route. This reduced the 'Spirit of Capricorn' service to once a week between 1998 and 2003. The last 'Spirit Of Capricorn' service ran on the 24th May 2003, in conjunction with the Launch of the Diesel Tilt Train service to Cairns. The ICEs were transferred to Citytrain for interurban services on the Nambour & Gympie North Line.

The trains have recently undergone a makeover, adding new high visibility lights, yellow doors, upgraded toilets and a changed to squared off windows on the cabs, instead of the original wrap around windows.

Operation

The train can be configured to run in a 4-car to 6-car train. Two power pairs can be accompanied by either one or two trailers cars to form a 5 or 6 car ICE train. A power pair consists of two power cars with ABB thyristor drive equipment, one of which includes the driver's cab. The power pairs are numbered 151-158. A power pair can also be coupled with an EMU set, to form a 5-car ICE/EMU hybrid unit. The ICE/EMU Hybrid is only used on the Sunday Gympie North services.

Timetable

The ICEs are used by Citytrain for interurban services exclusively on the Nambour and Gympie North Line. They no longer operate on the Gold Coast Line; despite their origin as long-distance trains and their higher standards of comfort (greater than the IMU sets), the narrow width, positioning and hinged configuration of doors and increasingly lower reliability, combined with the popularity of the line, make it difficult to run them there.

External links

* [http://www.qrig.org/motive-power/multiple-units/citytrain-walkers-adtranz-intercity-express-ice/ QRIG.org Motive Power Section]
* [http://www.citytrain.com.au/about/fleet/fleet.asp Introducing the Citytrain Fleet]