Building SMU's

[mufreight]

In years past QR built all of its own rollingstock both freight and passenger, that some of this rollingstock is still in use to this day tells the story as far as the standards and quality of the workmanship of the QR trained employees.
It would seem that current contractors are unable to meet the demand with deliveries for the current order of SMU sets running somewhat behind schedule and the service reliability of some of the new deliveries being les than optimum.
At the present time QR is building freight rollingstock is currently refurbishing both loco hauled and electric passenger rollingstock and in recent times has built power vans for the loco hauled trains, from this and the obvious quality of the work on the refurbished passenger rolling stock QR has the skilled staff to construct new SMU type rollingstock.
The workshops at Redbank could be extended to provide space for the construction of passenger rollingstock or the currently unused facilities at the Ipswich workshops could be reactivated and high quality possibly more reliable rollingstock could be produced again by QR, possibly at lower cost and that the present contractors will have meaningfull competition the costs they charge would or should fall, (the government argument about competition in the electricity industry).
The other benefit would be employment within the industry and the skills training that would be passed on.
For commuters more trains to provide more services sooner rather than later.
Your thoughts on this are of interest and perhaps you should ask your local member about this, his/her response may be interesting.

[stephenk]

Most major train manufacturers use many off the shelf components for their trains which greatly reduces the overall cost. For example many components used in manufacturers A's product in New York may also be used in manufacturer A's product in Brisbane. I would doubt that if QR built their own trains they would be able to match this economy of scale. Combined with QR having to undertake R&D on in-house built trains, then I doubt that QR could make trains in-house as cheaply as major manufacturers.

[ozbob]

I think there might be opportunities to expand with EDI in a joint effort.  Redbank workshops has the capacity to certainly build the basic carriages which could then be moved to Maryborough for final fit out.  Redbank is  building freight wagons and does the refurbishments and repairs/rebuilds of the suburban fleet. Also major work on the locomotives.

[O_128]

I have been thinking about this for ages and have always wondered how the first EMUS amnged to get built so quickly.

On an off topic reply alos i was at wynnum station yesterday at 3pm and yes the door was locked on the toilet

[mufreight]

An agreement could be made with any of the major companies such as Semins or Alstrom or Hitarchi for control traction and ancillary equipment with QR simply building the actual rollingstock there is little research required to design the carbodies and the internal fitouts also pose no problems, operating compatibality with the present equipment could be readily maintained as is the case with locomotives built by various manufacturers.
The argument in respect of cost remains the same in terms of competition both with the current contractor against QR and the various component suppliers with whom no doubt QR already sources components to use in the refurbishments.

[mufreight]

There have been a number of in service failures of late which have impacted on service reliability.
If Qr were constructing as well as refurbishing rollingstock then when high service failures occoured it would be possible to use the skilled build staff to suppliment regular maintenence staff to catch up on deferred maintenence or in service failures.

[stephenk]

such as Semins or Alstrom or Hitarchi

I think that's Siemens, Alstom, and Hitachi 

[mufreight]

Thanks for the correction but obviously you read the post and got the gist of its message

[Matt]

That's a good idea , I attended a rail expo held at the Convention Center some years ago and noticed how much componentry was locally made, wheels/axles and coil springs made in Toowoomba by Southern Cross Engineering or whoever took them over, brake components made in Australia, Victoria , I think.
It would dovetail in with the jobs push by Krudd and co.

[mufreight]

One must question as to why if there are to be an additional 20 three car train sets built and in service by 2010 as announced by Premier Bligh at Maryborough on of all days Friday 13th why were tenders not called and why award this work to Downer EDI who to date have been somewhat delinquent with their deliveries to this date.
It would have made sense to have another builder enter the field or have QR build these additional train sets which could be built to a modified design as single ended sets with no drivers cab at the trailing end only a guards compartment, this would provide a slight increase in passenger capacity and save the costs of the second set of control equipment.
These sets would operate back to back as six car sets which is the most common normal train composition and would be multiple unit capable to enable them to operate with existing EMU and SMU sets so that in the event of a three car unit being unavaliable for service at any time the other three cars of the 6 car composition set could be operated with three cars of any of the earlier sets so as to ensure maximum operational flexibility.

[mufreight]

It has been rumored that the government is investigating having the next batch of electric passenger rollingstock built overseas as a cost saving measure with China and Korea mentioned as having possible builders.
One must question such a move exporting employment overseas in the present economic and employment situation in this country and this State.
The skills to build high quality rollingstock designed suited to both the local climate and the operating needs of QR exist here and there are facilities where QR could build such rollingstock such as at the Ipswich Workshops and Redbank Workshops.
This would take some time to get off the ground but there is a market for such rollingstock in this country with orders and potential orders exceeding the present build capacity in this country.
Perth has more rollingstock on order, Melbourne has placed further orders overseas due to cost and construction capacity constraints thus losing employment in this country, Adelaide will need electric rollingstock when their electrification takes place so bringing another local builder into the mix would be of advantadge to the country as a whole and this workers of this state in particular by the creation of more skilled employment.
It is however despite its merit an idea that Captain Bligh would be less than inclined to contemplate much less consider and implement as her lack of commitment to the workers and people of this state would appear to be evident as she goes out of the state to have her election website created.
All future rollingstock needs should be built in this state and QR has the capability and skilled workers so why not?

[O_128]

I dont understand Why the new SMUS are not built as just 6 car sets it makes no sense. Drivers Cabin at each end Guard in the middle

[mufreight]

The ability to divide the six car sets into two three car sets fits the maintence programs and the ability to operate as multiple units gives greater flexibility of operation.
A failure with a six car set takes six cars out of service but being able to only take a three car set out of service and mate the orphaned three cars with another three car set means that only the three cars that have a problem need to be taken out of service.

[O_128]

though unrelated the 3:24pm gold coast service today was for the first time in about 2 years an EMU unit.People were unsure whether to board this service and one even asked the attendant at central where the new train was. now these passengers know what every other line goes through day in day out.New SMUS cant come fast enough

[ozbob]

Top stuff Mario,  I am sure they would have enjoyed the steady rhythm of an EMU at speed ... 

[Arnz]

though unrelated the 3:24pm gold coast service today was for the first time in about 2 years an EMU unit.People were unsure whether to board this service and one even asked the attendant at central where the new train was. now these passengers know what every other line goes through day in day out.New SMUS cant come fast enough

I've seen EMU31 on a midday Robina-Bowen Hills service last Wednesday. 

It was being pulled at Bowen Hills and a Airport service was being formed fresh by older IMUs at Roma Street.