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K set (CityRail)
Encyclopedia
The K set is a class of electric multiple unit
operated by CityRail
in Sydney
& Newcastle
, New South Wales
, Australia
. Like the L, R & S sets, the K set is a stainless steel double deck train. The "K" set introduced many new features to the suburban fleet prior to the introduction of the Tangara such as air conditioning and headlights. To accommodate the air conditioning and associated equipment, the pantograph
had to be shifted to the adjacent trailer car to which the motor car is semi-permanently coupled and high voltage cables ran between the two cars. The motor cars have four four phase Mitsubishi 150 kW motors (as per R and S Sets
), knuckle couplers and a maximum speed of 115 km/h. All carriages were constructed by A Goninan & Co..
There were two batches to the "K" set fleet, The first batch featured low mounted upper deck windows, brown interiors, and unpainted fronts. The second batch featured higher mounted upper deck windows, SRA "Candy" livery front, and yellow interiors, both of which have disappeared as a result of the "Citydecker" refubishment programme. Prior to the introduction of the Outer-Suburban Tangara "G" sets, some of the "K" sets from the second batch were used on the South Coast and Central Coast line (Via North Shore) peak hour services and these carriages were fitted with high back headrest seats.
Originally, the first four motor cars and driving trailers were the first to be fitted with air conditioning, later two more cars (C3550 and T4216) were also fitted with air conditioning to provide "spare" cars for the "air conditioned suburban train". All remaining "K" set cars were force ventilated until the late 1980s when the second batch (C3551/T4217–C3580/T4246) was fitted with air conditioning, this included the replacement of the "beclawat" windows with sealed non opening windows. The first batch was finally fitted with air conditioning just prior to the Sydney 2000 Olympics. These cars retained the "hopper" windows from its "Citydecker" refurbishment until the late 2000s, but they were sealed shut with an adhesive to avoid the loss of air conditioning.
There are a number of two car "K" sets (K1–K4), which are used on local Newcastle services. These cars return to Hornsby for maintenance, which occurs on a rotational basis. On such occasions, a four car "K" set is substituted on local Newcastle services. In special circumstances, two 2-car "K" sets can be coupled together to form a 4-car set.
Currently all Sydney K-Sets (K60-K99) are maintained at Hornsby maintenance depot and operate on Sector 3, as either four or eight car sets, there are also occasional workings of an eight car set where the other four car set is an "S" set. Six car "K" sets occasionally appear, consisting of either one-and-a-half 4-car K-sets, or a 4-car K-set coupled to a 2-car Newcastle K-set. The trains were originally known as "R" sets. These trains operate the following lines:
After the introduction of the new 2009 train time table, most K sets have been allocated to the Northern Line, where they run in 8-car sets. This is due to the noise levels inside trains when operating on the Epping-Chatswood segment of the Northern Line; older R/S-sets do not provide enough sound insulation for passengers, while newer T/G sets do not have sufficient cooling in the regenerative braking system to cope with extended shuttle runs through the tunnel.
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
operated by CityRail
CityRail
CityRail is an operating brand of RailCorp, a corporation owned by the state government of New South Wales, Australia. It is responsible for providing commuter rail services, and some coach services, in and around Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, the three largest cities of New South Wales. It is...
in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
& Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Like the L, R & S sets, the K set is a stainless steel double deck train. The "K" set introduced many new features to the suburban fleet prior to the introduction of the Tangara such as air conditioning and headlights. To accommodate the air conditioning and associated equipment, the pantograph
Pantograph (rail)
A pantograph for rail lines is a hinged electric-rod device that collects electric current from overhead lines for electric trains or trams. The pantograph typically connects to a one-wire line, with the track acting as the ground wire...
had to be shifted to the adjacent trailer car to which the motor car is semi-permanently coupled and high voltage cables ran between the two cars. The motor cars have four four phase Mitsubishi 150 kW motors (as per R and S Sets
L, R & S set (CityRail)
The L, R and S sets are a class of electric multiple unit operated by CityRail in New South Wales, Australia. The carriages are of stainless steel, double deck construction and are not air-conditioned...
), knuckle couplers and a maximum speed of 115 km/h. All carriages were constructed by A Goninan & Co..
Delivery
The K sets were manufactured in 1981–85:- 80 Motor Cars - C3501-C3580
- 76 Trailer Cars - T4171-T4246
- 4 Driving Trailer Cars - D4096-D4099
In service
Originally, the first four motor cars and driving trailers were the first to be fitted with air conditioning, later two more cars (C3550 and T4216) were also fitted with air conditioning to provide "spare" cars for the "air conditioned suburban train". All remaining "K" set cars were force ventilated until the late 1980s when the second batch (C3551/T4217–C3580/T4246) was fitted with air conditioning, this included the replacement of the "beclawat" windows with sealed non opening windows. The first batch was finally fitted with air conditioning just prior to the Sydney 2000 Olympics. These cars retained the "hopper" windows from its "Citydecker" refurbishment until the late 2000s, but they were sealed shut with an adhesive to avoid the loss of air conditioning.
There are a number of two car "K" sets (K1–K4), which are used on local Newcastle services. These cars return to Hornsby for maintenance, which occurs on a rotational basis. On such occasions, a four car "K" set is substituted on local Newcastle services. In special circumstances, two 2-car "K" sets can be coupled together to form a 4-car set.
Currently all Sydney K-Sets (K60-K99) are maintained at Hornsby maintenance depot and operate on Sector 3, as either four or eight car sets, there are also occasional workings of an eight car set where the other four car set is an "S" set. Six car "K" sets occasionally appear, consisting of either one-and-a-half 4-car K-sets, or a 4-car K-set coupled to a 2-car Newcastle K-set. The trains were originally known as "R" sets. These trains operate the following lines:
- North ShoreNorth Shore LineNorth Shore Line could refer to one of several railway lines:* Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, United States* North Shore railway line, Sydney, Australia* North Shore Line , a former trolley line on the north shore of Long Island...
& Western LineWestern railway line, SydneyThe Western Line is part of the CityRail metropolitan rail network in Sydney, and is the suburban section of the Main West line which connects Sydney with the west of New South Wales. It connects the Sydney CBD to the employment centre of Parramatta and the outer western suburbs, terminating at Emu...
s - Berowra and Emu Plains / Richmond via City - Northern LineNorthern railway line, SydneyThe Northern Line is part of the metropolitan rail network in Sydney known as CityRail. It serves the northern suburbs of Sydney and the Lower North Shore, along with parts of the Inner West and the Hills District. The line utilises the Epping to Chatswood Line and parts of the Main Northern Line,...
- Hornsby and Epping via / Macquarie Park, City & Strathfield - Newcastle & Central Coast Line - Around Newcastle area
After the introduction of the new 2009 train time table, most K sets have been allocated to the Northern Line, where they run in 8-car sets. This is due to the noise levels inside trains when operating on the Epping-Chatswood segment of the Northern Line; older R/S-sets do not provide enough sound insulation for passengers, while newer T/G sets do not have sufficient cooling in the regenerative braking system to cope with extended shuttle runs through the tunnel.