ADL/ADC class diesel multiple unit
The ADL class is a class of diesel multiple units operated by Transdev Auckland on the suburban rail network in Auckland, New Zealand. Originally built in the early 1980s by A Goninan & Co for Westrail of Western Australia, they were sold in 1993 by Westrail's successor, Transperth, to Tranz Rail. The units are currently owned by Auckland Transport.
| ADL/ADC class railcar | |
|---|---|
 Refurbished ADC 855 at Britomart Transport Centre in 2006. | |
| In service | Australia: 1982-1993, New Zealand: 1993 to date |
| Manufacturer | A Goninan & Co |
| Built at | Newcastle |
| Replaced | New Zealand: 56-foot carriages |
| Constructed | 1982–1985 |
| Refurbished | 2002 |
| Number built | 10 sets |
| Number in service | 10 sets |
| Formation | ADL+ADC |
| Fleet numbers | ADL 801–ADL 810 ADC 851–ADC 860 |
| Capacity | 132 |
| Operator(s) | Transperth, Tranz Metro, Transdev Auckland |
| Depot(s) | Westfield, Pukekohe |
| Line(s) served | Southern Line (Papakura - Pukekohe) |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | 20.26 m (66 ft 6 in) |
| Train length | 42.20 m (138 ft 5 in) |
| Car length | 21.10 m (69 ft 3 in) over couplers |
| Width | 2.74 m (9 ft 0 in) |
| Height | 3.84 m (12 ft 7 in) |
| Floor height | 1.12 m (3 ft 8 in) |
| Doors | Air-operated sliding doors; two each side (four per car), 1.26 m (4 ft 2 in) wide |
| Maximum speed | 90 km/h (56 mph) |
| Weight | ADL: 42.97 tonnes (95,000 lb) ADC: 35.75 tonnes (79,000 lb) |
| Prime mover(s) | Cummins NT855 R4 |
| Power output | ADL: 2 x 205 kW (275 hp), one engine for each bogie |
| Transmission | Voith |
| Auxiliaries | ADC: diesel alternator |
| Train heating | Heating & air conditioning |
| UIC classification | Bo'Bo'+2'2' |
| Braking system(s) | Electro-pneumatic |
| Coupling system | Australia: Norwegian coupling NZ: Kidney link & pin |
| Multiple working | Within class only |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
History
Between 1982 and 1985, ten two-carriage stainless steel sets were manufactured for Transperth by A Goninan & Co, Newcastle.[1]
Following the electrification of the Perth rail network they were rendered surplus and in 1993 all were sold, along with the older ADK/ADB class, to New Zealand Rail to replace locomotive-hauled 56-foot carriages on suburban trains in Auckland.[1][2][3] The units arrived in Auckland from Perth in April 1993.[4] One unit went to Hutt Workshops in the winter of 1993 for staff familiarisation, while the other units were prepared for New Zealand service at Westfield locomotive depot.[4]
As a result of the units introduction, station platforms in Auckland needed to be raised.[2]
In October 1993, prior to New Zealand Rail being privatised, the company sold the class to the Auckland Regional Council.[2]
Upgrades
In 2002, the Auckland Regional Council funded an upgrade of the class, which included refurbishment of the interiors and painting in the new MAXX blue colour scheme. The first refurbished unit entered service in December 2002, the last in November 2003.[5]
In 2011, Auckland Transport indicated four two-car sets would be retained after the Auckland rail electrification project is completed.[6]
Due to the introduction of the AM class electric multiple unit on all of Auckland's suburban railway lines, the ADL/ADC units are now only used between Pukekohe and Papakura station as a shuttle service. This is due to that portion of the North Island Main Trunk not currently being electrified. In 2020 the government announced funding for electrification of this section,[7] which once completed will render the ADL/ADL DMUs surplus to requirements.
Notes and references
- Gray, Bill; May, Andrew (2006). A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages. Perth: Bill Gray. pp. 319–323. ISBN 0-646-45902-3.
- Matt Lowrie (31 August 2017). "Twenty million trips! Auckland rail has come a long way in a very short time". The Spinoff. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- Churchman & Hurst 2001, p. 64.
- Parsons 2002, p. 36.
- "Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA): 1 December 2004 – 31 October 2010" (PDF). Auckland Transport. 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- "Electric trains: technical details". Auckland Transport Blog. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- Jane Paterson (29 January 2020). "Govt's $12b infrastructure spend: Rail, roads and DHBs the big winners". Retrieved 29 January 2020.
References
- Churchman, Geoffrey B; Hurst, Tony (2001). The Railways of New Zealand: A Journey through History (Second ed.). Wellington: Transpress New Zealand. ISBN 0-908876-20-3. (First edition 1990, 1991)
- Parsons, David (2002). New Zealand Railway Motive Power 2002. New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-908573-78-3. Archived from the original on 7 March 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
External links
