The NSW TrainLink H sets, also referred to as the OSCAR (Outer Suburban CAR) trains, are a class of electric multiple units currently operated by NSW TrainLink. Built by UGL Rail in Broadmeadow, the H sets first entered service under the CityRail brand in December 2006, with the last in December 2012. Their introduction allowed for the retirement of some V set carriages (DCM and DCT).[1] As long-distance trains, the H sets share a similar overall layout and design to the previous G sets. Currently operating as 55 four-carriage sets,[2] the H sets now operate between Sydney and Newcastle and between Sydney and the South Coast.
There are many similarities between the H sets and the M sets, including improved external destination boards, internal destination boards displaying stopping patterns, Digital Voice Announcements, security cameras, and green target plates. The OSCARs also have additional features to increase comfort on the longer journeys they operate. These include high back seating covered with durable, vandal-proof woollen moquette fabric with padded head-rests, retractable footrests, luggage racks, aisle seat armrests and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Wheelchair seating is available in the vestibules, while 3x2 seating is provided in the upper and lower deck sections. Carriage interiors were designed by Transport Design International[3]
The OSCARs also include several new safety features. The doors on older rolling stock such as V sets are all unlocked at every station (even short platforms). V Sets have doors that must be slid open for alighting/boarding and G Sets have push buttons. However, on the H set, the guard is able to select the number of doors to be opened at a station. This feature is aimed at preventing incidents where passengers may fall from the carriage when stopped at a short platform. The H sets have been fitted with Dellner automatic couplers, compatible with the M sets and the Hunter railcars. They are able to absorb the impact of a collision, and the anti-climbers on the H sets will also reduce the force of impact. The trains also have a different body design. Instead of the entire body being of the same design, like the Tangara, the driver's cab is built like a protective cage, made of fibreglass and supported by a box section steel frame, which stretches to the end of the guard's door. The rest of the train is made from conventional stainless steel.
The train's journey is announced automatically through onboard male/female digital voiceovers
Delivery
The initial order was for 41 cars and the contract was awarded in February 2003. The second order for 81 cars was awarded in April 2005 and the third in March 2009 for 72 cars, increased to 74 in March 2010 and 99 in January 2011.[4] The OSCARs were late in starting service as CityRail wanted to test the trains thoroughly after the M sets had a troubled introduction. On 5 August 2006, set H3 was opened for inspection to the public, as part of Central station's Centenary celebrations.
On 15 December 2006, the OSCARs entered revenue service between Central and Wollongong on Thursdays and Fridays. A few months later, OSCARs operated the services on all weekdays. Their progressive entry into service allowed the G sets to be redeployed on services to Wyong and Springwood. From 30 April 2007, the H sets were introduced on other services, but the original OSCAR service reverted to G Set operation. Eight car operation started on 26 November 2007.
On 8 April 2008, H sets were introduced on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line, operating in eight-car formations, principally between Sydney and Wyong, however they have been used for Newcastle services. H sets were the first rolling stock to be used on the Epping to Chatswood railway line, operating a shuttle service from 23 February 2009 to 10 October 2009. Four car sets operated on the line exclusively during the shuttle phase until it was integrated into the Northern line service.
An additional order for 72 cars was confirmed on 27 March 2009, forming 18 additional four-car sets. The 2010 State budget increased this order to 74 cars.[5] The two additional cars will become spares. The first train from this order entered service on 18 October 2010.[6] In response to passenger feedback, these carriages feature an additional 20 millimetres of padding on the seat backing and lengthened seat bases to increase comfort.[7]
The final H set was delivered to CityRail in December 2012 along with spare driver trailer OD 6850.[4][8][9]
In service
H sets are operated by NSW TrainLink on the following lines:
With the D sets to commence service in 2023,[10] these new trains will allow the H sets to be transferred to suburban services[11] and replace the K sets.
References
^"Additional carriages added to Blue Mountains Line services". CityRail News. 12 June 2007.
^Smith, Tom Rabe, Alexandra (12 May 2022). "NSW government attacks rail unions over mothballed $2b train fleet". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
^"NSW Government to invest $2.8 billion in new intercity trains, making all trains air-conditioned". Transport for NSW. 8 May 2014.
External links
Media related to New South Wales H sets at Wikimedia Commons
Technical drawings & specifications Transport for NSW
January 05, 2023
trainlink, also, referred, oscar, outer, suburban, trains, class, electric, multiple, units, currently, operated, trainlink, built, rail, broadmeadow, sets, first, entered, service, under, cityrail, brand, december, 2006, with, last, december, 2012, their, int. The NSW TrainLink H sets also referred to as the OSCAR Outer Suburban CAR trains are a class of electric multiple units currently operated by NSW TrainLink Built by UGL Rail in Broadmeadow the H sets first entered service under the CityRail brand in December 2006 with the last in December 2012 Their introduction allowed for the retirement of some V set carriages DCM and DCT 1 As long distance trains the H sets share a similar overall layout and design to the previous G sets Currently operating as 55 four carriage sets 2 the H sets now operate between Sydney and Newcastle and between Sydney and the South Coast H setH49 at Newcastle InterchangeIn service2006 presentManufacturerUGL RailBuilt atBroadmeadowReplacedG sets on introduction K sets after conversion Constructed2006 2012Entered service15 December 2006 2006 12 15 Number built221Number in service220SuccessorD sets for Intercity services only Formation55 4 car setsFleet numbersOD 6901 6999 6843 6854 driving trailers ON 5901 5949 5821 5826 motor cars ONL 5951 5999 5871 5876 motor cars with lavatory H1 H55 full 4 car sets Capacity432Operator s NSW TrainLink Sydney Trains peak hours only until conversion Depot s Hornsby MortdaleLine s servedCentral Coast amp Newcastle South CoastSpecificationsCar body constructionStainless steel with fibreglass end bonnetsTrain length81 55 m 267 ft 6 5 8 in Car length20 34 m 66 ft 8 3 4 in OD 20 435 mm 67 ft 1 2 in ON ONL Width3 034 mm 9 ft 11 1 2 in Height4 403 mm 14 ft 5 3 8 in DoorsPlug style 2 per sideMaximum speed130 km h 81 mph Weight201 t 198 long tons 222 short tons Traction systemMitsubishi 2 level IGBT VVVFTraction motors8 Mitsubishi 200 kW 270 hp 3 phase AC induction motorPower output1 600 kW 2 146 hp Electric system s 1 500 V DC nominal from overhead catenaryCurrent collector s PantographUIC classification2 2 Bo Bo Bo Bo 2 2 Braking system s Automatic air electropneumatic and regenerative Faiveley Transport Coupling systemDellnerTrack gauge1 435 mm 4 ft 8 1 2 in standard gauge Contents 1 Design 2 Delivery 3 In service 4 Future 5 References 6 External linksDesign Edit Vestibule Foldable seats There are many similarities between the H sets and the M sets including improved external destination boards internal destination boards displaying stopping patterns Digital Voice Announcements security cameras and green target plates The OSCARs also have additional features to increase comfort on the longer journeys they operate These include high back seating covered with durable vandal proof woollen moquette fabric with padded head rests retractable footrests luggage racks aisle seat armrests and a wheelchair accessible toilet Wheelchair seating is available in the vestibules while 3x2 seating is provided in the upper and lower deck sections Carriage interiors were designed by Transport Design International 3 The OSCARs also include several new safety features The doors on older rolling stock such as V sets are all unlocked at every station even short platforms V Sets have doors that must be slid open for alighting boarding and G Sets have push buttons However on the H set the guard is able to select the number of doors to be opened at a station This feature is aimed at preventing incidents where passengers may fall from the carriage when stopped at a short platform The H sets have been fitted with Dellner automatic couplers compatible with the M sets and the Hunter railcars They are able to absorb the impact of a collision and the anti climbers on the H sets will also reduce the force of impact The trains also have a different body design Instead of the entire body being of the same design like the Tangara the driver s cab is built like a protective cage made of fibreglass and supported by a box section steel frame which stretches to the end of the guard s door The rest of the train is made from conventional stainless steel source source track The train s journey is announced automatically through onboard male female digital voiceoversDelivery EditThe initial order was for 41 cars and the contract was awarded in February 2003 The second order for 81 cars was awarded in April 2005 and the third in March 2009 for 72 cars increased to 74 in March 2010 and 99 in January 2011 4 The OSCARs were late in starting service as CityRail wanted to test the trains thoroughly after the M sets had a troubled introduction On 5 August 2006 set H3 was opened for inspection to the public as part of Central station s Centenary celebrations On 15 December 2006 the OSCARs entered revenue service between Central and Wollongong on Thursdays and Fridays A few months later OSCARs operated the services on all weekdays Their progressive entry into service allowed the G sets to be redeployed on services to Wyong and Springwood From 30 April 2007 the H sets were introduced on other services but the original OSCAR service reverted to G Set operation Eight car operation started on 26 November 2007 On 8 April 2008 H sets were introduced on the Central Coast amp Newcastle Line operating in eight car formations principally between Sydney and Wyong however they have been used for Newcastle services H sets were the first rolling stock to be used on the Epping to Chatswood railway line operating a shuttle service from 23 February 2009 to 10 October 2009 Four car sets operated on the line exclusively during the shuttle phase until it was integrated into the Northern line service An additional order for 72 cars was confirmed on 27 March 2009 forming 18 additional four car sets The 2010 State budget increased this order to 74 cars 5 The two additional cars will become spares The first train from this order entered service on 18 October 2010 6 In response to passenger feedback these carriages feature an additional 20 millimetres of padding on the seat backing and lengthened seat bases to increase comfort 7 The final H set was delivered to CityRail in December 2012 along with spare driver trailer OD 6850 4 8 9 In service EditH sets are operated by NSW TrainLink on the following lines South Coast Line Bondi Junction Martin Place amp Central to Port Kembla amp Kiama Central Coast amp Newcastle Line Central amp Blacktown to Gosford Wyong amp NewcastleH sets are used on a limited number of Sydney Trains services on the following lines T1 North Shore amp Western Line T4 Eastern Suburbs amp Illawarra Line T9 Northern LineFuture EditWith the D sets to commence service in 2023 10 these new trains will allow the H sets to be transferred to suburban services 11 and replace the K sets References Edit Additional carriages added to Blue Mountains Line services CityRail News 12 June 2007 Outer Suburban Rail Car OSCAR UGL oscar Axis Communications Archived from the original on 16 February 2011 Retrieved 20 July 2013 a b Oscar project RailCorp Record investment in trains and buses to start 50 2 billion Metropolitan Transport Plan PDF NSW Government 8 June 2010 More Oscar carriages enter service PDF CityRail Xpress edition 152 20 October 2010 Oscar roll out continues PDF CityRail Xpress edition 204 9 November 2011 TOC Waiver RailCorp 4 December 2012 Around Sydney Railway Digest February 2013 page 14 Smith Tom Rabe Alexandra 12 May 2022 NSW government attacks rail unions over mothballed 2b train fleet The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 12 May 2022 NSW Government to invest 2 8 billion in new intercity trains making all trains air conditioned Transport for NSW 8 May 2014 External links Edit Media related to New South Wales H sets at Wikimedia Commons Technical drawings amp specifications Transport for NSW Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title NSW TrainLink H set amp oldid 1131055617, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
