Millennium train
Encyclopedia
The CityRail Millennium or M set is a class of electric multiple unit
operated by CityRail
in Sydney
, New South Wales
, Australia
.
It is one of CityRail's newest members of the fleet and was the first "4th generation train" on the network. The fourth generation trains were put into service from July 1, 2002 after short delays due to electrical defects. The trains can operate over the entire suburban network, but they currently operate in Sector 2.
The Millennium trains replaced the aging 1960s Tulloch trailers by March 31, 2004.
The Waratah trains
were subsequently based on the design of the Millennium train, adopting many features including interior carriage design.
. The Millennium train is equipped with an AC drive system, whereas the Tangara has a DC drive system (except G7, which was scrapped after the Waterfall train disaster
). Two four car sets are usually combined to form an eight car set.
While the Millennium train concept is an evolution of the Tangara concept (manufactured by Goninan), the Millennium train introduced new features such as internal electronic destination indicators, automated digital voice announcements (DVA) for upcoming stops, a return to reversible seating, surveillance cameras, wider stairways, a new safety yellow colour scheme, and push-button opened internal doors. The Millennium Train also introduced crumple zone
s to absorb impact in a collision.
in Cardiff
, NSW. As part of the purchase conditions, the manufacturer has a 15 year contract to maintain the trains at their own maintenance centre at Eveleigh, near Redfern Station. During testing and initial revenue service, the train ran as four car sets, with eight car sets commencing service towards the end of 2002 after further testing. All 35 four car sets were delivered by October 2005.
The Millennium trains were withdrawn from service in April 2003 while the problems were being rectified and a full audit was carried out. They were subsequently reintroduced into service in June 2003 and have since been operating on Sector 2.
. These cameras were subsequently incorporated into the final design of the Waratah train.
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...
, 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...
.
It is one of CityRail's newest members of the fleet and was the first "4th generation train" on the network. The fourth generation trains were put into service from July 1, 2002 after short delays due to electrical defects. The trains can operate over the entire suburban network, but they currently operate in Sector 2.
The Millennium trains replaced the aging 1960s Tulloch trailers by March 31, 2004.
The Waratah trains
CityRail A set
The CityRail A set or Waratah is a class of electric multiple unit operated by CityRail in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The train was named Waratah by the NSW Government after the flower of the same name, which is the state's floral emblem....
were subsequently based on the design of the Millennium train, adopting many features including interior carriage design.
Design
The Millennium train, like the Tangara, is a double decker, four car consist, with the middle two cars being non-control motor cars and the two outer cars being driving control trailer cars fitted with the pantographPantograph (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...
. The Millennium train is equipped with an AC drive system, whereas the Tangara has a DC drive system (except G7, which was scrapped after the Waterfall train disaster
Waterfall train disaster
The Waterfall rail accident was a train accident that occurred on 31 January 2003 near Waterfall, New South Wales, Australia. The train derailed, killing seven people aboard, including the train driver.-Incident:...
). Two four car sets are usually combined to form an eight car set.
While the Millennium train concept is an evolution of the Tangara concept (manufactured by Goninan), the Millennium train introduced new features such as internal electronic destination indicators, automated digital voice announcements (DVA) for upcoming stops, a return to reversible seating, surveillance cameras, wider stairways, a new safety yellow colour scheme, and push-button opened internal doors. The Millennium Train also introduced crumple zone
Crumple zone
The crumple zone is a structural feature mainly of automobiles. Crumple zones have also been incorporated into railcars in recent years.They are designed to absorb the energy from the impact during an accident by controlled deformation. This energy is much higher than is commonly recognized...
s to absorb impact in a collision.
Delivery
The cars were constructed by EDI RailEDi Rail
Downer Rail is a rail company based in Australia. Formed by a merger of Walkers and Clyde Engineering, it is currently a division of Downer EDi...
in Cardiff
Cardiff, New South Wales
Cardiff is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, located west-southwest of Newcastle's central business district. It is part of the City of Lake Macquarie local government area....
, NSW. As part of the purchase conditions, the manufacturer has a 15 year contract to maintain the trains at their own maintenance centre at Eveleigh, near Redfern Station. During testing and initial revenue service, the train ran as four car sets, with eight car sets commencing service towards the end of 2002 after further testing. All 35 four car sets were delivered by October 2005.
Criticisms
The Millennium trains were criticised for having several technical problems and causing problems with the CityRail network; they were referred to in the media reports as The "Mi-lemon" and "Millenni-Bug" as a result. Some of the problems were caused by insufficient power supply on the overhead to cope with the power demands of the more technologically advanced trains causing them to shut down. Software bugs also contributed to the trains' poor reliability.The Millennium trains were withdrawn from service in April 2003 while the problems were being rectified and a full audit was carried out. They were subsequently reintroduced into service in June 2003 and have since been operating on Sector 2.
External Carriage Camera Trial
In late 2008 some trains were fitted with external cameras atop of carriages near the doors, testing their use for the then-future Waratah trainsCityRail A set
The CityRail A set or Waratah is a class of electric multiple unit operated by CityRail in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The train was named Waratah by the NSW Government after the flower of the same name, which is the state's floral emblem....
. These cameras were subsequently incorporated into the final design of the Waratah train.
Incidents
On 10 October 2011, an empty Millennium set was involved in a shunting incident with an empty Endeavour set which was docked at the Eveleigh Train Yards in Redfern. The lead car only sustained minor damage with no injuries reports.Lines serviced
M sets typically operate on the following lines:- Bankstown Line: City Circle to Lidcombe or Liverpool via Bankstown
- Inner West Line: City Circle to Liverpool via Regents Park
- Airport & East Hills Lines: City Circle to Macarthur via Airport or Sydenham
- South LineSouth railway line, SydneyThe South Line is a railway line in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and is part of the CityRail suburban network...
: City Circle to Campbelltown via Granville - Olympic Park Service: Lidcombe to Olympic Park