The Interurban multiple units (IMU) are a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers Limited/Downer EDI Rail, Maryborough for Queensland Rail's Citytrain division between 1996 and 2011. The IMU is divided into in three subclasses, units 101-110 as the 100 series, units 121-124 as the 120 series, and units 161-188, as the 160 series.
| Interurban multiple unit | |
|---|---|
 IMU 184 approaching Murrumba Downs station | |
 Interior of an IMU 160 | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Built at | Maryborough |
| Constructed |
|
| Number built |
|
| Formation | 3-car sets |
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Operators | Queensland Rail |
| Specifications | |
| Train length |
|
| Car length |
|
| Width | 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) |
| Height | 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in) |
| Maximum speed |
|
| Weight |
|
| Traction system | |
| Traction motors | 8 × 180 kW (240 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor |
| Power output | 1.44 MW (1,930 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50 Hz AC (nominal) from overhead catenary |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification |
|
| Braking system(s) | Mix of electro-pneumatic and regenerative braking |
| Coupling system | Scharfenberg Type 10 |
| Multiple working |
|
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Design
editThe Interurban Multiple Units are a long-distance optimised version of the Suburban Multiple Units. Internally, the IMUs differ from the SMUs, being fitted with larger seats, luggage racks and mobility-access toilets.[3] Like most trains in the Citytrain fleet, two three-car IMUs can be coupled to form one six-car unit.
History
edit
100 series
editTo provide rolling stock for the new Gold Coast line to Helensvale, in 1993 a contract for four 100 class units was awarded to Walkers Limited, Maryborough. The 100 were manufactured by Walkers Limited, Maryborough in partnership with ABB. The first four IMU100s, 101 to 104 entered service in 1996 before the opening of the new line. As these were never going to be adequate to operate all services on the line, in July 1995 a further six were ordered. They were delivered in 1997.[4] They feature luggage racks, disabled access toilets, and high-backed cloth seating. IMU 105 still retains the green ocean themed seating moquette, which has been replaced in all other units.
120 series
editIn 1999, four 120 series units were ordered for the Airtrain line to Brisbane Airport.[5]
They entered service in 2001, fitted with high-backed seats with a head cushion as an extension as the seat design is based on the SMU 220s, one toilet per unit and luggage racks in different configurations due to the interior design differences to its predecessor. The 100 series and 120 series are interoperable, and used to operate together in revenue service as six-car units, but no longer do so due to electrical and mechanical differences.
The 120 series were the final batch of trains manufactured by Walkers Limited before being absorbed by Downer Group, Maryborough in partnership with ADtranz, which was likewise taken over by Bombardier.
160 series
edit.jpg)
In 2004, Queensland Rail ordered sixteen 160 series units to provide extra rolling stock in conjunction with the upgrade and duplication of the Gold Coast line.[6] The 160 series were manufactured by Downer EDI Rail, Maryborough in partnership with Bombardier Transportation. These trains are similar in design to the Transperth B-series EMU, V/Line VLocity DMU, and Adelaide Metro 4000 class EMU trains with alterations to the headlights to complement with the rest of the Citytrain fleet. These trains are interoperable with the 260 series Suburban Multiple Units as they have almost identical specifications.
In early 2007, during safety checks, it was discovered that air-conditioning units on the trains were 10 millimetres too wide for the loading gauge.[7]
On 28 May 2007, the first of the new IMUs entered service on the Gold Coast line.[8]
Gallery
edit-
Refurbished IMU 100 interior -
Refurbished IMU 120 interior
Derailments
editOn 31 January 2013, IMU173 derailed at Cleveland station and ran into the station's toilet block, injuring 14. Only minor injuries were reported.[9] The damaged car IM5173 was eventually repaired and returned to service.
Notes
edit- ^ a b "Electric Multiple Unit - Brisbane, Australia". Bombardier. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ^ "MICAS-S2 distributed traction control for motive power units" (PDF). ABB. May 1995. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
SMU+IMU
- ^ "QROTI - Travel Information - Fleet - IMU". Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
- ^ "Queensland's Interurban Multiple Units" Railway Digest October 1998 pages 26-28
- ^ "Brisbane Airport Rail Link Go-Ahead" Railway Digest April 1999 page 15
- ^ "Downer EDI and Bombardier to supply rail cars to Queensland Rail under contract valued at $212M". EDi Rail. 2 November 2004. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ Pavey, Ainsley (24 February 2007). "Bungle Halts Trains". The Courier-Mail. News Corp. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011.
- ^ "Rail Funding to Get Budget Boost". Brisbane Times. 28 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
- ^ "Commuter train derails in Queensland - 9News". 9 News. 31 January 2013. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
References
edit- ^ "New trains, new timetable". Queensland Government. 27 May 2007.
External links
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Media related to QR IMU 100 series at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to QR IMU 120 series at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to QR IMU 160 series at Wikimedia Commons