Bombardier VLocity bodied trains - Good for Gympie North and Rosewood services?

[Arnz]

http://www.vline.com.au/about/ourcompany/fleet/vlocity.html

Fleet statistics and specifications.  In another thread, Ozbob had confirmed with the manfacturer that this type of train can built/re-modified for Queensland's 3'6 gauge.

http://www.vline.com.au/apps/vline/vtour/vlocity.html

Virtual Tour at this link.

A VLocity style set would be a good replacement for the unreliable ICEs, and a extra set can be used for the limited express Rosewood peak runs (as there are very few Rosewood direct services).  Could probably be used for the weekend (mostly Sunday) Nambour-Caboolture shuttles.

[Stillwater]

Mmmmmm, toilets!  Seriously tho, Premier Anna Bligh announced a while back that 'european style express trains' would be operating between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast in just over an hour.  Now, that probably means these trains would use the Trouts Road corridor.

But just what class of train set did Ms Bligh have in mind when she said 'european style express trains' would be doing the run?  Can someone in QR point to the model the government has in mind?  And will its speed come from the engineering and dynamics of the train above the track, or via a straightened and duplicated track?

As for the ICE setc, I wonder if those carriages will be sold off.  One of those would make a great place to plonk the mother-in-law in the backyard when she comes to stay. 

[ButFli]

I am just wondering why we are advocating diesel trains for routes that have overhead wires?

[ozbob]

My original reference to this was VLocity style IMU and DMU.  Upgraded IMUs for the wires  (see --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5104.msg43073#msg43073 ).

I also think there is possible scope for some battery/electric hybrids as well.  For example,  a hybrid set could work Brisbane to Rosewood under wire than battery to Helidon for example.

[mufreight]

I also think there is possible scope for some battery/electric hybrids as well.  For example,  a hybrid set could work Brisbane to Rosewood under wire than battery to Helidon for example.

Battery operation from Rosewood to Helidon and return would be something of a stretch due to the grades over the Little Liverpool Range and the weight of the units themselves due to the on board equipment needed to operate on both 25kva AC and DC battery power, in time as the technology improves including the batteries themselves and becomes lighter it might well prove practical but a base line tunnel through the Little Liverpool Range and electrification is a far more practical option as it provides advantages not only for commuter services but also freight.

[ozbob]

Yes, only an idea (some units overseas already).  Don't forget though the hybrids actually generate (re charge) going downhill/braking  as well.  Recover much of juice spent climbing going down the other side.  I understand the latest SMU/IMUs also have a regenerative capacity as well.

Interesting ..  --> http://www.hydrail.org/docs/present3/pede.pdf

[BribieG]

off topic but what actually is the problem with the (admittedly ageing) ICEs ? I love them especially after a hard day when I can get on and sink back into smooth comfort  and in 10 years of catching them on the Caboolture line I've never experienced any problems. Is there a specific fault that takes them out of service/

[ozbob]

I rather like the ICE sets too.  The issues are reliability, many here will attest to the constant failures, and DDA requirements.

I think they are going to re-motored or something, which hopefully will extend their life with some further modifications. There are only 8 sets from memory.

[Stillwater]

ICEs would have a role as shuttles ... still a bit of life in them.  As a present to commuters, maybe QR could buy some fabric in the post Xmas sales and recover the seats.  Steam clean the carpet and presto!

[ButFli]

Yeah my main problem with the ICEs is that they are festering stinkholes of disgustingness inside. There is actual visible filth building up. I don't like it.

[BribieG]

I note from Wikipedia that they run an ICE "power pair" and an attached EMU as a 5 car hybrid set to Gympie North on Sundays. Now that would be worth a photo  

Butfli, many would disagree

[ozbob]

The 'hybrid ICE/EMU' combo has stopped running as far as I know.  It was bit of a mismatch ..

The last time I came down from Gympie North on a Sunday it was ICE set with gross overloading from Nambour.  Travel on the floor for many.

[Arnz]

The ICE/EMU combo would've stopped running around the time 'Zero Harm' was implemented.

[brad C]

I have seen the ICE/EMU combo on Up AM Nambour run in recent months.
It would appear that this option is not dead in the water!!
Good to see a few more IMU160's being dragged away from their Gold Coast roots to the Sunny Coast of late.

BC

[HappyTrainGuy]

Queensland Rail still run the ICE/EMU hybrid. Saw one pass by at Zillmere heading for Roma Street during morning peak hour 2 weeks ago. I can't remember if it was a Nambour or Gympie to Roma Street service as earlier in the morning the Gympie to Roma Street service was delayed by about an hour due to a train fault. Also to the best of my knowledge you can usually see one on the Sunday/Monday Gympie/Return run

[petey3801]

ICE/EMU Hybrids were back in a big way before Christmas for a while, however it has now stopped due to some of the systems between the ICE/EMU not talking to each other. Hence, until the ICE are modified to suit, there will not be anymore ICE/EMU hybrids happening in the near future.

[Stillwater]

Sounds as though the ICE units need an overhaul (interiors as well), but I hope they can still be used, maybe as shuttle trains between Caboolture-Gympie North.  The cost of the flood recovery is likely to result in some austerity measures across government departments, so 'making do' with existing rolling stock may be one way og coping.  The ICEs certainly give a good ride on the winding SC line!

[Arnz]

Gympie North trains are likely to remain expresses in the forseeable future, so ICEs more likely restricted to Brisbane-Gympie North and weekend Nambour-Caboolture shuttle work in the 2011 timetable.

ICEs rostered on the current Brisbane-Nambour runs as of current are planned to be replaced by IMUs in the proposed timetable (draft timetables has a lot of T and U train code prefixes for a number of expresses).  From what I've listened (from a QR timetable planner) is that all Sunshine Coast trains will eventually be equipped by toilets by mid year.  

[mufreight]

ICE/EMU Hybrids were back in a big way before Christmas for a while, however it has now stopped due to some of the systems between the ICE/EMU not talking to each other. Hence, until the ICE are modified to suit, there will not be anymore ICE/EMU hybrids happening in the near future.

Why should now after over 20 years of operation would some of the control systems between the EMU sets and the ICE sets now become incompatiable, would think that the answer is more that there is a reluctance to use the ICE sets either because of problems with their reliability or lack of avaliable qualified (for ICE sets) crew