Transperth B-series train

The B-series trains are a class of electric multiple unit built by Downer Rail in Maryborough, Queensland for Transperth between 2004 and 2019.

Transperth B-series
B-series 87 (now 087) at McIver station
Transperth B-Series 92-Interior.jpg
Interior
In service2004–present
ManufacturerDowner Rail and Bombardier
Built atMaryborough, Queensland
Constructed2004–2019
Entered service2004
Number built234 carriages (78 sets)
Number in service234 carriages (78 sets)
PredecessorA-series
SuccessorC-series
Formation3-car sets
Fleet numbers049-126
     BEA: 4049-4126
     BET: 6049-6126
     BEB: 5049-5126
Capacity240 seated
320 standing
(3-car set as delivered)
Operator(s)Transperth
Depot(s)Nowergup, Mandurah, Claisebrook
Line(s) servedAll Transperth lines
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Train length72.42 m (237 ft 7+3⁄16 in)[1]
Car length
  • 24.21 m (79 ft 5+1⁄8 in) (end cars)
  • 24 m (78 ft 8+7⁄8 in) (intermediate cars)
[1]
Width2,908 mm (9 ft 6+1⁄2 in)[1]
Height3.1 m (10 ft 2+1⁄16 in)
Floor height1,100 mm (3 ft 7+5⁄16 in)[2]
DoorsPlug-style, 2 per side of car[2]
WheelbaseBogie centres:
17.0 m (55 ft 9+5⁄16 in)[2]
Maximum speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Weight120 t (120 long tons; 130 short tons)
Traction systemBombardier MITRAC IGBT–VVVF
Traction motors8 × 180 kW (240 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output1.44 MW (1,930 hp)
Deceleration
  • 1.12 m/s2 (3.7 ft/s2) (service)
  • 1.35 m/s2 (4.4 ft/s2) (emergency)
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classificationBo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Braking system(s)Microprocessor controlled blended pneumatic & regenerative dynamic
Safety system(s)Hitachi Rail STS L10000 ATP
Coupling system
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design

Each set consists of three semi-permanently coupled cars designed to be used in either a three-car or six-car formation. The trains were designed to use AC motors rather than DC traction motors like the previous A-series, and to have a maximum service speed of 130 km/h (81 mph).[4]: 116 

In each set, IGBT inverters power eight AC traction motors distributed along the three cars, providing a 66% motorised unit.[5]: 10 

These trains are similar in design to Queensland Rail's IMU160/SMU260 EMU, V/Line VLocity DMU, and Adelaide Metro 4000 class EMU trains. The B series trains were originally built concurrently with the V/Line VLocity.

History

Perth's first electrified trains, the two-car A-series, entered service in September 1991.

In May 2002, a $437 million contract for the construction of the initial 31 three car B-series trains and the Nowergup depot was awarded to EDI Rail–Bombardier Transportation Joint Venture. These railcars were purchased to provide enough capacity for the Joondalup line extension to Clarkson, the Thornlie line spur from the Armadale line, and the Mandurah line. Of the total contract value, $24 million was for the railcar construction, $34 million was for the Nowergup depot construction, and $114 million was for the maintenance of the railcars for ten years.[6] The trains were specifically optimised for the higher possible speeds and greater station spacing on the newer Joondalup and Mandurah lines: contemporaneous planning documents expected that all-stops services on the older Fremantle, Armadale, and Midland lines would likely lead to overheating problems with the propulsion and braking systems.[4]: 118 

Platforms at the original stations on the Joondalup line had to be lengthened to accommodate the six-car trains,[7][8]: 74  as did Platform 1 at Showgrounds and both platforms at West Leederville. The Mandurah line stations, along with Butler, Clarkson,[8]: 85  Currambine and Greenwood on the Joondalup line, and the rebuilt Kelmscott station on the Armadale line, were built with longer platforms.

In December 2006, the government signed another contract, worth $160 million, with EDI Rail–Bombardier Transportation Joint Venture for 15 more three car B-series trains to be used on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines.[9][10] In 2009, the first of these additional railcars were delivered, allowing several A-series trains to be moved from the Joondalup and Mandurah lines to the other lines on the network, and for frequencies to increase on the Mandurah, Joondalup, Fremantle and Midland lines.[11] The first entered service on 28 June 2009.

In May 2011, the government announced 15 more three car B-series trains worth $164 million would be ordered to cater for the extension of the Joondalup line to Butler, and a general increase in capacity on the network.[12][13] These trains were ordered in July 2011. In August 2012, this order was increased by two, to cater for the planned Aubin Grove station, and in November 2012, this order was increased by five, to make the total order be for 22 three car trains. The final cost was $243 million.[14][15] With the final delivery from that order, all trains operating on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines were B-series trains.[15]

Funding for an additional 10 sets was announced in the May 2016 state budget with delivery planned for 2018-20 these sets will provide additional capacity on the existing network as well as service the Forrestfield–Airport Link when it opens in 2022. The B series fleet will total 78 3-carriage sets. As of April 2019 all 78 3-car sets have been delivered with 78 3-car sets in service.[16]

In service

As of 2023, B-series railcars operating as six-car sets are currently the only trains used on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines. B-series railcars operating in three-car sets are the only trains used on the Airport line.

The B-series trains are cleared to operate on the Midland, Armadale/Thornlie and Fremantle lines and are regularly used on these lines alongside the older A-series: fears of adverse impacts on the trains due to the short station spacing were found to have been unwarranted, except in extreme operating conditions such as with both high temperatures and low line voltage.[5]: 10  However, as some stations on these lines have insufficient platform length to handle six-car sets, they are usually operated as 3-car sets. The newer Airport line services use three-car B-series sets for the same reason.

Additional accessories

Since early-2016, B-series sets 115 and onwards have been fitted with USB charging ports as part of a 6-month trial.[17]

See also

References
  1. "Electric Multiple Unit - Perth, Australia". Bombardier. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  2. Gearon, Elwyn; Holden, Graham (7–10 September 2008). New Metro Rail: Perth 'B' series electric multiple units. Conference On Railway Engineering. Perth: Public Transport Authority of Western Australia & WorleyParsons. pp. 227–237. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023.
  3. "Dellner Australia's Footprint" (PDF). Dellner. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  4. Perth Urban Rail Development Office; Department for Planning and Infrastructure (August 2002). Perth Urban Rail Development Project – Supplementary Master Plan, August 2002 (PDF). ISBN 0730724263. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2007 – via New MetroRail.
  5. "A-Series EMU Car Review, Paper tabled to WA Parliament" (PDF). Parliament of Western Australia. 16 April 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  6. "Railcar contract seals railway commitment". Media Statements. 12 May 2002. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  7. "OnTrack: October 2003" (PDF). New MetroRail. October 2003. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  8. Northern Suburbs Transit System, Currambine to Butler Extension, Interim Master Plan. Urban Rail Planning and Implementation Steering Committee, Department of Transport, Government of Western Australia. June 2000. Archived from the original on 28 August 2007 – via New MetroRail.
  9. "More trains for Perth's transport system". Media Statements. 19 September 2006. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  10. "WA Government secures new railcars". Media Statements. 22 September 2006. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  11. "Timetables change as train capacity boosted". Media Statements. 4 June 2009. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  12. "State Budget 2011-12: Supporting our Community; Building the State (Transport) - Massive injection to build WA's road, rail and bus networks". Media Statements. 19 May 2011. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  13. "State Budget 2011-12: Building the State - Funding for new railcars for Perth's growing transport system". Media Statements. 23 May 2011. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  14. Carter, Mark (6 November 2013). "Perth grapples with growth and funding challenges". International Railway Journal. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  15. "More rail cars for Perth transport system". Media Statements. 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  16. More EMUs for Perth Archived 27 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International 23 June 2016
  17. Kent, Acott (19 February 2016). "Transperth gives power to commuters". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2019.

Bibliography
  • May, Andrew S; Gray, Bill (2006). A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages. Midland, WA: Bill Gray. ISBN 0646459023.
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