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Sprinter (Victorian train)
Encyclopedia
The Sprinter is a high speed diesel railcar
train manufactured by Goninan for use on interurban and semi-regional rail services in Victoria
, Australia
. Their introduction allowed the acceleration of timetables and increase of service frequency on a number of lines, contributing to a growth in patronage for operator V/Line
.
, having seen a substantial increase in patronage and reduction in costs following the introduction of faster, more frequent services as part of the 'New Deal' for Country Passengers
program of the 1980s, required additional train capacity to meet demand.
At the time they were designed to supplement locomotive-hauled H type carriage
sets on shorter runs (such as on the outer suburban Melton and Sunbury lines, as well as the interurban Geelong and Seymour lines) and thus provide faster and more frequent service to Melbourne's
fringe areas, and indirectly (primarily by freeing up other rollingstock) to more distant regions. Their introduction also enabled the retirement of the four DRC railcar
s from service.
In keeping with their intended operation, they feature high-capacity single-class seating and a single-car railmotor design over a multiple unit
design, allowing a large number of passengers to be carried with greatly reduced operating costs and increased flexibility.
65 million, of which the Commonwealth Government
provided $24 million through its Better Cities program.
Twenty-two single-car stainless-steel-body railcars were ordered from A. Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow, for introduction to service between 1993 and 1995. Construction started in March 1993 and the final unit was outshopped in January 1995, with all units being transferred to Melbourne by rail on standard gauge
transfer bogies.
The units then underwent acceptance testing across the network, with 7001 entering service on December 20, 1993 followed by subsequent units at around 1 or 2 per month. The order was completed with 7022's entry to service on June 17, 1995.
s. They are finished in blue patterned cloth.
The cars are also fitted with a toilet and drinking fountains. Provision is made at one end of each carriage for one wheelchair and occupant to be carried - when this space is not needed able-bodied passengers may make use of the three wall-mounted fold-down seats. The toilet has a wide door and grab bars for use by disabled passengers.
While the capacity exists for several units to be coupled in service, passengers may not under normal circumstances move between coupled cars. A door is however provided, along with a detraining ladder, at the end of each car in case emergency egress is required. Conductors transfer between coupled cars at station stops when necessary, including for checking tickets.
Passenger luggage can be carried in the overhead racks, between the backs of seats, or in the luggage/bicycle storage area usually found at the Melbourne end of the carriage.
Ordinary access to the car is via four automatic plug door
s, one on each side of the car at each end. These doors are controlled by the driver, and are wide enough to permit the access of a standard wheelchair.
turbocharged V8 diesel engines, each rated at 235 kW
at 2300 rpm, giving total power of 470 kW (approximately 630 hp) for traction and auxiliaries. These propel the car to a maximum speed of 130 kilometre per hour and also provide power for air-conditioning and other such passenger comfort devices. Power is transferred via a Voith
T211RZ hydraulic transmission. With a tare weight of approximately 51 tonnes (nominal), each vehicle
(without passengers) has a power/weight ratio of 9.2 kW/tonne or 12.4 hp/tonne –
reasonably high by rail traction standards.
Sprinters use a Davies and Metcalfe EBC/5 EP anti-slide pneumatic disc brake system.
To facilitate use in multiple-unit formations, they are fitted with Scharfenberg-type couplers. This allows them to be coupled to up to seven other Sprinters to form an 8-car train. In case of emergency, such as a breakdown, they can be towed by other vehicles with such couplers (primarily VLocity DMUs), or a transition coupler can be fitted to allow coupling to locomotives with knuckle couplers.
.
Sprinters were the first Victorian passenger trains to run at 130 km/h, and enabled acceleration of some services by up to 15 minutes. Furthermore, their relatively low operating costs allowed for an increase in service frequency on the Ballarat and Bendigo lines. These improved services contributed to an increase in V/line patronage from 6,516,000 passenger journeys in 1993-94 to 7,016,000 in 1995-96.
In addition, they performed some longer trips to destinations such as Albury and Echuca, although this was not specially catered for in their designs and thus lead to some concerns over amenities – locomotive hauled N sets, currently used for Albury services, are fitted with buffets.
Due to the introduction of VLocity stock Sprinters have been returned to short-haul duties. They are particularly rostered for low-patronage services, freeing up VLocity units for service elsewhere.
Sprinters are used on lines including:
which led to their temporary removal from service shortly after initial introduction. They were also noted to have a high fault incidence mainly due to unreliable componentry and electrical circuitry.
Only two major accidents involving a Sprinter has been recorded – the first occurred on 20 November 1996 at the Spencer Street Rail Motor Depot.
At around 1730 Sprinters 7010+7008 shunted out from the platforms at low speed after disembarking passengers from an up service. The cars were to run into the sidings at the Rail Motor Depot, but when the driver got up to adjust the offside rear-vision mirror he was locked out of the cab by the self-closing door. Unable to regain control of the vehicle, the train proceeded to collide with stabled Sprinters 7019+7016.
Despite being the aggressor, 7010’s damage was mostly superficial, consisting of broken windows and bent side panelling. 7019 came off much worse; with a buckled frame, the No. 2 cab bent downwards nearly 30 degrees at the saloon doors. The coupler was never recovered. Both trailing Sprinters received little damage.
After the accident investigation was concluded in April 1997, both Sprinters were hauled to Goninan’s Bendigo Workshops for evaluation. 7010 returned to service in 1998, but it was decided that repairing 7019 would be too costly and so the car was written off. Its interior was gutted before the car was hauled back to Melbourne
on 12 July 1998. The car is now stored in the East Block of Newport Workshops.
The Second occurred on Saturday 15th November 2003. Sprinters 7003, 7004 & 7005 were on the 15:49 down service to Ballarat
when 7003 being the lead unit struck a vehicle stuck on the tracks between Ballan and Gordon. Over 60 people were injured with 7003 rolling on to its side and finishing in a ditch while 7004 & 7005 derailed. 7003 sustained significant damage to its driver compartment and side, 7005 to its driver compartment after striking 7003 as it jack knifed and 7004 received very minor damage. The Ballarat line was closed for three days for the clean up.
Railcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
train manufactured by Goninan for use on interurban and semi-regional rail services in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, 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...
. Their introduction allowed the acceleration of timetables and increase of service frequency on a number of lines, contributing to a growth in patronage for operator V/Line
V/Line
V/Line is a not for profit regional passenger train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. It was created after the split-up of VicRail in 1983. V/Line is owned by the V/Line Corporation which is a Victorian State Government statutory authority...
.
Design origins
The Sprinter concept dates back to 1989 when the Public Transport CorporationPublic Transport Corporation
The Public Transport Corporation was a State Government of Victoria owned corporate body formed under the Transport Act 1983 which operated passenger and freight trains, trams and bus services in Victoria, Australia....
, having seen a substantial increase in patronage and reduction in costs following the introduction of faster, more frequent services as part of the 'New Deal' for Country Passengers
New Deal (railway)
The New Deal' for Country Passengers was a timetable introduced on 4 October 1981 in Victoria, Australia that revolutionised the provision of country passenger railway services. 35 little-used passenger stations were closed, rolling stock utilisation improved, and new rolling stock introduced...
program of the 1980s, required additional train capacity to meet demand.
At the time they were designed to supplement locomotive-hauled H type carriage
H type carriage
The H type carriages are an interurban passenger carriage used on the railways of Victoria, Australia. Fitted with economy class only high density 2+3 seating, they are exclusively used on short distance interurban services with V/Line.-History:...
sets on shorter runs (such as on the outer suburban Melton and Sunbury lines, as well as the interurban Geelong and Seymour lines) and thus provide faster and more frequent service to Melbourne's
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
fringe areas, and indirectly (primarily by freeing up other rollingstock) to more distant regions. Their introduction also enabled the retirement of the four DRC railcar
DRC railcar
The DRC was a class of railmotor operated by the Victorian Railways on the country rail network Victoria, Australia. The cars were built by Tulloch Limited in New South Wales and featured stainless steel construction, air-conditioning, and a diesel hydraulic transmission.-History:The first...
s from service.
In keeping with their intended operation, they feature high-capacity single-class seating and a single-car railmotor design over a multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
design, allowing a large number of passengers to be carried with greatly reduced operating costs and increased flexibility.
Manufacturing and testing
The Sprinters were built at a total cost of $Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
65 million, of which the Commonwealth Government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
provided $24 million through its Better Cities program.
Twenty-two single-car stainless-steel-body railcars were ordered from A. Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow, for introduction to service between 1993 and 1995. Construction started in March 1993 and the final unit was outshopped in January 1995, with all units being transferred to Melbourne by rail on standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
transfer bogies.
The units then underwent acceptance testing across the network, with 7001 entering service on December 20, 1993 followed by subsequent units at around 1 or 2 per month. The order was completed with 7022's entry to service on June 17, 1995.
Passenger experience
Sprinters feature a mix of 3x2 and 2x2 economy seats arranged so that half of them face the direction of travel at any one time. Reflecting the nature of the sets and their intended use, these seats are slightly smaller than the seats found in H and N sets and VLocity DMUDiesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
s. They are finished in blue patterned cloth.
The cars are also fitted with a toilet and drinking fountains. Provision is made at one end of each carriage for one wheelchair and occupant to be carried - when this space is not needed able-bodied passengers may make use of the three wall-mounted fold-down seats. The toilet has a wide door and grab bars for use by disabled passengers.
While the capacity exists for several units to be coupled in service, passengers may not under normal circumstances move between coupled cars. A door is however provided, along with a detraining ladder, at the end of each car in case emergency egress is required. Conductors transfer between coupled cars at station stops when necessary, including for checking tickets.
Passenger luggage can be carried in the overhead racks, between the backs of seats, or in the luggage/bicycle storage area usually found at the Melbourne end of the carriage.
Ordinary access to the car is via four automatic plug door
Plug door
A plug door is a door designed to seal itself by taking advantage of pressure difference on its two sides and is typically used on pressurised aircraft...
s, one on each side of the car at each end. These doors are controlled by the driver, and are wide enough to permit the access of a standard wheelchair.
Technical
Each car is powered by two air-cooled DeutzDeutz AG
Deutz AG is an engine manufacturer, based in Cologne, Germany.-History:The company was founded by Nikolaus Otto, inventor of the four-stroke internal combustion engine, in 1864 as N. A...
turbocharged V8 diesel engines, each rated at 235 kW
Kw
kw or KW may refer to:* Kuwait, ISO 3166-1 country code** .kw, the country code top level domain for Kuwait* Kilowatt* Self-ionization of water Kw* Cornish language's ISO 639 code* Kitchener–Waterloo, Ontario, Canada...
at 2300 rpm, giving total power of 470 kW (approximately 630 hp) for traction and auxiliaries. These propel the car to a maximum speed of 130 kilometre per hour and also provide power for air-conditioning and other such passenger comfort devices. Power is transferred via a Voith
Voith
The Voith GmbH, which is headquartered in Germany, is a family-run corporation in the mechanical engineering sector with worldwide operations....
T211RZ hydraulic transmission. With a tare weight of approximately 51 tonnes (nominal), each vehicle
(without passengers) has a power/weight ratio of 9.2 kW/tonne or 12.4 hp/tonne –
reasonably high by rail traction standards.
Sprinters use a Davies and Metcalfe EBC/5 EP anti-slide pneumatic disc brake system.
To facilitate use in multiple-unit formations, they are fitted with Scharfenberg-type couplers. This allows them to be coupled to up to seven other Sprinters to form an 8-car train. In case of emergency, such as a breakdown, they can be towed by other vehicles with such couplers (primarily VLocity DMUs), or a transition coupler can be fitted to allow coupling to locomotives with knuckle couplers.
Service
Sprinter services started in with 7001’s ("Sir Hubert Opperman") introduction in December 1993 and were progressively rolled out across the network, operating to interurban destinations such as Warragul and Kyneton, along with outer suburban destinations like Craigieburn and SunburySunbury railway station, Melbourne
Sunbury is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the township of Sunbury, on the Melbourne - Bendigo railway. The station is staffed during daylight hours for most train services until approximately 8pm, and is in Metcard and myki Zone 2...
.
Sprinters were the first Victorian passenger trains to run at 130 km/h, and enabled acceleration of some services by up to 15 minutes. Furthermore, their relatively low operating costs allowed for an increase in service frequency on the Ballarat and Bendigo lines. These improved services contributed to an increase in V/line patronage from 6,516,000 passenger journeys in 1993-94 to 7,016,000 in 1995-96.
In addition, they performed some longer trips to destinations such as Albury and Echuca, although this was not specially catered for in their designs and thus lead to some concerns over amenities – locomotive hauled N sets, currently used for Albury services, are fitted with buffets.
Due to the introduction of VLocity stock Sprinters have been returned to short-haul duties. They are particularly rostered for low-patronage services, freeing up VLocity units for service elsewhere.
Sprinters are used on lines including:
- the North-East line, to Seymour
- the Gippsland line, to Traralgon
- the Bendigo line, to SunburySunbury railway station, MelbourneSunbury is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the township of Sunbury, on the Melbourne - Bendigo railway. The station is staffed during daylight hours for most train services until approximately 8pm, and is in Metcard and myki Zone 2...
and KynetonKyneton railway station, VictoriaKyneton is a railway station on the Bendigo railway line in Kyneton, Victoria, Australia. The station lies approximately from the town centre and sees trains on V/Line Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines services.-Facilities:... - the Geelong line, to Geelong, South Geelong and Marshall
- the Ararat line, to Bacchus Marsh
- the Stony Point line (leased and operated by Metro Trains MelbourneMetro Trains MelbourneMetro Trains Melbourne is the current franchise operator of the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. Metro Trains Melbourne is a joint venture led by Hong Kong based MTR Corporation together with John Holland Group and United Group Rail .Metro Trains Melbourne operates a fleet of 381...
), between Frankston and Stony Point
Accidents and other problems
The Sprinter fleet had a number of initial teething problems, including failures to trigger boom gatesBoom barrier
A boom barrier is a bar, or pole pivoted in such a way as to allow the boom to block vehicular access through a controlled point. Typically the tip of a boom gate rises in a vertical arc to a near vertical position. Boom gates are often counterweighted, so the pole is easily tipped...
which led to their temporary removal from service shortly after initial introduction. They were also noted to have a high fault incidence mainly due to unreliable componentry and electrical circuitry.
Only two major accidents involving a Sprinter has been recorded – the first occurred on 20 November 1996 at the Spencer Street Rail Motor Depot.
At around 1730 Sprinters 7010+7008 shunted out from the platforms at low speed after disembarking passengers from an up service. The cars were to run into the sidings at the Rail Motor Depot, but when the driver got up to adjust the offside rear-vision mirror he was locked out of the cab by the self-closing door. Unable to regain control of the vehicle, the train proceeded to collide with stabled Sprinters 7019+7016.
Despite being the aggressor, 7010’s damage was mostly superficial, consisting of broken windows and bent side panelling. 7019 came off much worse; with a buckled frame, the No. 2 cab bent downwards nearly 30 degrees at the saloon doors. The coupler was never recovered. Both trailing Sprinters received little damage.
After the accident investigation was concluded in April 1997, both Sprinters were hauled to Goninan’s Bendigo Workshops for evaluation. 7010 returned to service in 1998, but it was decided that repairing 7019 would be too costly and so the car was written off. Its interior was gutted before the car was hauled back to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
on 12 July 1998. The car is now stored in the East Block of Newport Workshops.
The Second occurred on Saturday 15th November 2003. Sprinters 7003, 7004 & 7005 were on the 15:49 down service to Ballarat
when 7003 being the lead unit struck a vehicle stuck on the tracks between Ballan and Gordon. Over 60 people were injured with 7003 rolling on to its side and finishing in a ditch while 7004 & 7005 derailed. 7003 sustained significant damage to its driver compartment and side, 7005 to its driver compartment after striking 7003 as it jack knifed and 7004 received very minor damage. The Ballarat line was closed for three days for the clean up.
Refurbishment
Since 2007 the Sprinter fleet have been undergoing a refurbishment program. The first, 7007 was the first unit and re-entered service on 12 September 2007 with a new livery and some internal changes. The second, 7002, returned on 27 November 2007 wearing a new variant of the livery. Refurbishment of the remainder of the fleet was completed by January, 2011., but as of October 2010 20 of the 21 cars have re-entered service.Names
All but the last 3 Sprinters have been named after prominent Victorian sportspersons, including Olympians, AFL Footballers, Basketballers, Jockeys and Skiers. Below is a summary of each person a sprinter has been named after, and the date on which the Sprinter was named.-
Number Delivered In Service Name Named date Notes 7001 24/03/1993 20/12/1993 Sir Hubert Opperman Hubert OppermanSir Hubert Ferdinand Opperman, OBE , referred to as Oppy by Australian and French crowds, was an Australian cyclist and politician, whose endurance cycling feats in the 1920s and 1930s earned him international acclaim....16/12/1993 7002 16/04/1993 20/12/1993 Steve Moneghetti Steve MoneghettiStephen James "Steve" Moneghetti is an Australian long-distance runner. Moneghetti has a degree in civil engineering, a graduate diploma in education and an honorary doctorate from the University of Ballarat...16/12/1993 7003 27/05/1993 08/01/1994 James Tomkins 17/03/1994 7004 01/07/1993 08/01/1994 Nick Green Nick Green (rower)Nicholas "Nick" David Green OAM is a former Australian Olympics rowing champion. He was educated at Xavier College in Kew, Melbourne and at Melbourne High School....17/03/1994 7005 06/08/1993 08/02/1994 Michael McKay Mike McKayMichael McKay , commonly known as Mike McKay, is an Australian rower and a four-time Olympic medalist. He was educated at Xavier College in Kew, Melbourne.-Biography:...17/03/1994 7006 03/09/1993 01/03/1994 Andrew Cooper Andrew CooperAndrew Cooper is a former Australian Olympics rowing champion. He competed in two Olympic Games — 1988 Summer Olympics and 1992 Summer Olympics, and was a member of the "Oarsome Foursome" in 1991 and 1992.-Olympic Games:...17/03/1994 7007 29/09/1993 28/03/1994 Faith Leech Faith LeechFaith Yvonne Leech is a former Australian freestyle swimmer who won gold in the 4 × 100 metres freestyle relay and bronze in the 100 m freestyle at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne.A tall and lean swimmer known for her elegant technique, Leech started swimming as a...03/08/1994 7008 27/10/1993 20/06/1994 Gary Ablett 01/09/1994 7009 24/11/1993 15/07/1994 Bob Davis Bob DavisRobert "Bob" Davis was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .-Playing career:...01/09/1994 7010 14/01/1994 19/07/1994 Andrew Gaze Andrew GazeAndrew Barry Casson Gaze is Australia's best known basketball player, and one of its most successful. He is considered as the greatest player in the history of the NBL....14/12/1994 7011 11/02/1994 24/08/1994 Raelene Boyle Raelene BoyleRaelene Ann Boyle, AM, MBE, , Australian athlete, represented Australia at three Olympic Games as a sprinter, winning three silver medals. In 1998, Boyle was named one of 100 National Living Treasures by the National Trust of Australia.-Early life:Boyle was born on 24 June 1951, the daughter of...14/12/1994 7012 09/03/1994 01/09/1994 Roy Higgins Roy HigginsRoy Henry Higgins MBE is a former Australian jockey who rode in the late 1960s and the 1970s. He grew up in the southern New South Wales town of Deniliquin where he was apprenticed to local horse trainer Jim Watters...14/12/1994 7013 20/04/1994 26/10/1994 Lionel Rose Lionel RoseLionel Edmund Rose MBE was an Australian bantamweight boxer, the first Indigenous Australian to win a world title.-Early life:...18/06/1995 7014 25/05/1994 24/10/1994 Kirstie Marshall Kirstie MarshallKirstie Marshall is a notable Australian aerial skier and Victorian state politician.Marshall was an ex-gymnast who became an aerial skier at Mount Buller, Victoria. During her skiing career Marshall won over 40 World Cup medals, including 17 World Cup gold medals...18/06/1995 7015 06/07/1994 14/11/1994 Louise Dobson Louise DobsonLouise Dobson OAM Leeds, West Yorkshire) is a former field hockey player from the United Kingdom, who earned a total number of 230 international caps for the Women's National Team, in which she scored 58 goals...04/09/1996 7016 27/07/1994 28/11/1994 Michael Tuck Michael TuckMichael Tuck is a seven time premiership winning player, Australian rules footballer with the Hawthorn Football Club in the Victorian Football League / Australian Football League , where he is the games record holder....18/06/1995 7017 17/08/1994 28/12/1994 Debbie Flintoff-King Debbie Flintoff-KingDebra Lee Flintoff-King , born 20 April 1960 in Melbourne, Victoria, is a retired Australian athlete, and winner of the women's 400 m hurdles event at the 1988 Summer Olympics.-Athletics career:...27/10/1995 7018 14/09/1994 07/02/1995 Bill Roycroft Bill RoycroftJames William "Bill" George Roycroft OBE was an Olympic equestrian champion who competed for Australia in five consecutive Summer Olympic Games: 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976.He was born in Flowerdale, Victoria...27/10/1995 7019 07/10/1994 01/03/1995 Danni Roche Danni RocheDanni Roche is a former field hockey player, who was a member of the Australian Women’s Hockey Team, best known as the Hockeyroos, that won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia....04/09/1996 Damaged - Stored 7020 04/11/1994 05/05/1995 Not Named 7021 16/12/1994 08/05/1995 Not Named 7022 17/02/1995 17/06/1995 Not Named