Hitachi (train)
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| Hitachi | |
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 Hitachi near Middle Footscray |
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 Interior of a Hitachi carriage |
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| Manufacturer | Hitachi (electrics), Bayswater (bodies), Martin & King Somerton ('M' car fitout), Newport Workshops (fitout and Trailers) |
| Replaced | 'Swing Door' |
| Constructed | 1972 - 1981 |
| Entered service | 1972 - Present |
| Scrapped | 2003 - Present |
| Number built | 118 (3 car sets) |
| Number in service | 14 (3 car sets, permanently marshalled as 6 car sets) |
| Number scrapped | 48 (3 car sets) |
| Fleet numbers | 1-237 (Motors), 1901-2017 (Trailers) |
| Capacity | 536 seated (6 car) |
| Depots | All Connex depots |
| Specifications | |
| Car body | Fluted stainless steel |
| Car length | 23.9m (Motor car), 23.9m (Trailer car) |
| Width | 2900mm |
| Height | 3760mm (Not including pantograph) |
| Intercar connections | Open gangway |
| Maximum speed | 112km/h |
| Traction system | 4 x Hitachi HS 834 Springbourne (150 HP) per M car |
| Voltage | 1500V DC overhead |
The Hitachi train is a type of electric train that operates on the suburban railway network of Melbourne, Australia. Introduced to service in 1972, the electric multiple unit trains are the oldest in the city's suburban fleet still in revenue service. Electrical equipment was supplied by Hitachi of Japan, leading to their official name today, but have been also known as Martin & King or Stainless Steel trains officially.[1][2]
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[edit] Configuration
The single-deck Hitachi trains operate as "M-T-M-M-T-M" sets of six carriages (two coupled sets of three carriages arranged with two motorised carriages on either end of a motorless "trailer" carriage).
As delivered, Hitachi trains were comprised of three types of carriage, M (motor carriages including a driver's cabin at one end), T (trailer carriages with no motors), and D (a trailer carriage with a small driver's cabin). These cars were arranged in sets of M-T-T-M and M-D, which could be arranged together to create a six car set. All but one of the 68 D carriages produced were later converted into T carriages. (The exception being D 353 was involved in a collision at Pakenham, that also resulted in the scrapping of Guard's Van Z 286) The first M and D carriages delivered were provided with nose doors at the front of the cab. These were later removed from the early carriages, and the feature was omitted from later sets.
The previous carriage configurations were replaced by the current symmetrical three- and six-carriage setup by the late 1970s for the opening of the City Loop. A total of 355 carriages were built, although one of these was to replace a carriage written off in an accident while the fleet was still being delivered.
[edit] Service
Intended to replace the first generation of electric trains, the Swing Door and Tait trains, the stainless steel Hitachi trains have power-closing doors (operated by the driver) that are opened by the passengers by hand, and no passenger air conditioning. The M and D carriages were built by Martin & King, and the T carriages by the Victorian Railways. Electrical equipment was supplied by Hitachi of Japan.
The first Hitachi train to operate in revenue service was the four-carriage set 1M-901T-902T-2M, on the St Kilda line (now converted to light rail), on 24 December 1972. The 237 motor carriages that have been in service have been numbered 1M through 237M, and the 117 trailer carriages, 1901T through 2017T.
[edit] Retirement and refurbishment
New X'Trapolis and Siemens train have been progressively introduced since 2002 to replace the ageing Hitachi fleet, which have been largely withdrawn from service.[3] The final six 6-carriage trains were to be withdrawn after the 2006 Commonwealth Games, [4] but will instead will receive a minor refurbishment and be retained until a date that is yet to be confirmed, due to a high increase in patronage. Withdrawn carriages have either been scrapped, sold to private buyers across Australia, stored, or acquired by railway museums and preservation groups.
A report in February 2007[5] (by which time 31 trains in the Siemens fleet were out of service due to safety concerns) said the Victorian Government was negotiating to lease one 6-carriage set from Elecrail, a rail preservation group and repurchase another 3 carriages from a private seller to supplement the fleet. An additional three 3-car Hitachi trains were purchased back from Australian businessman Mr Horne, by the Victorian government in April 2007 to provided spare parts for the fleet. The Elecrail set re-entered service in December 2007.[6]
Cab air conditioning has since been been rolled out to the remaining fleet. In late 2007 Hitachi set 37M-1979T-36M - 110M-1910T-42M was modified to meet driver union requirements and also re-stickered into Connex livery, with the the remaining sets progressively receiving the same treatment as well as a refurbished interior.
[edit] Other Trains by Hitachi
Hitachi Transportation Systems have been a key player in designing and manufacturing the many models of Japanese High Speed Train vehicles, including the current model, the N700.[7]
Hitachi currently market a general purpose train known as the A Train which utilises a double skin Friction Stir Welding aluminium frame. The A Train concept can be customised to form a commuter train, an express train or a high speed train, such as the Class 395, in production for UK use.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ Peter J Vincent - "M - Hitachi/M&K Suburban Motor"
- ^ VicRail Public Relations (1981). Power Parade. ISBN 0 7241 3323 2.
- ^ Media Release: X’TRAPOLIS WELCOMED TO MELBOURNE’S RAILWAYS. www.dpc.vic.gov.au. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
- ^ Media Release: NEW SIEMENS TRAIN HITS THE TRACKS. www.dpc.vic.gov.au (December 6, 2005). Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
- ^ A Dad's Army of shunted carriages called up in crisis, The Age 4 Feb 2007
- ^ VICSIG - Suburban Trains. www.vicsig.net. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
- ^ *Hitachi Transportation Systems website
- ^ *Hitachi Transportation Systems website
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