Sydney Metro Alstom Metropolis TS set
The Sydney Metro Alstom Metropolis TS sets are a class of Alstom Metropolis electric multiple units that operate on the Sydney Metro network. It is the first fully automated passenger train stock in Australia as well as the first single-deck set to operate in Sydney since the withdrawal of single deck trains on the suburban rail network in the 1990s. A total of 176 carriages, making up 22 6-car sets, entered service in 2019 with the opening of the Metro North West Line. 23 more sets will be rolled out for the City & Southwest extension, commencing service in 2024. This will expand the Metropolis fleet to 45 sets.
Alstom Metropolis TS set | |
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An Alstom Metropolis No. 0402 at Chatswood Station | |
In service | 2019 - present |
Manufacturer | Alstom |
Assembly | Sri City |
Family name | Metropolis |
Constructed | 2016 - present |
Number under construction | 23 sets |
Number in service | 22 sets |
Fleet numbers | TS-01 - TS-22 |
Operator(s) | Metro Trains Sydney |
Specifications | |
Maximum speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
Traction system | IGBT-VVVF (Alstom Electrical Equipment OPTONIX) |
Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC overhead line |
Current collection method | Pantograph |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Design
Each single-deck train features two dedicated areas for prams, luggage and bicycles. There are three doorways per side per carriage and no internal gangway doors between the carriages.[1] In a 6-car configuration the trains have a seating capacity of 378 people, with a total capacity of 1,100.[2] The trains utilise Alstom's trademark Urbalis 400 Grade-of-Automation signalling system that ensures trains are capable of driving and operating automatically at all times without onboard staff, including door closing, obstacle detection and dealing with emergency situations.
The trains feature longitudinal 'bench-style' seating per carriage (similar to most metro rapid-transit/subway trains), with distinctly coloured seats for priority and disabled passengers.[3] Seats in wheelchair spaces can fold up in order to fit prams and wheelchairs. Above the doorways, a light flashes green if the doors are open, and red if the doors are closed.
Features of the Metropolis sets include CCTV cameras, internal passenger information display (PID) screens and digital voice announcements. The PID screens display the name of the next station, along with icons for available transport mode interchanges. The sets are also fitted with air conditioning and emergency help points. There are also USB charging ports inside the carriages.[4][5]
The Metropolis sets are operated via a control centre based at Rouse Hill. In the event the system is otherwise unable to operate the train, an engineer can manually take over the train's functions.
History
Prior to the introduction of services, a full-scale model of the new train was built for use on public display, including at the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show.[6][7] It consisted of the front carriage, including its distinctive nose. It was approximately 75% of the length of the final design for the new carriages, having two doors instead of three.[8]
The sets were manufactured at Alstom's rolling stock facility in India, [9][10] with the first train arriving on 26 September 2017.[11]
In February 2018, dynamic testing on the first of the trainsets began.[12] Testing was done on brakes, passenger information displays, lighting and door operation.[13]
In November 2019, MTS was awarded a 10-year contract to operate the rolling stock on the metro network. To commemorate the new contract, 23 additional Metropolis sets were ordered, bringing the total fleet to 45 sets (with extensions to 8 cars likely to happen if sufficient demand warrants it) by the time the City & Southwest extension is scheduled to open in 2024.[14]
The rolling stock officially entered service on 26 May 2019 on the Metro North West Line.
Gallery
- Digital displays
- Front end of the train, as viewed from the interior
- Longitudinal seating
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Priority seating (in blue)
References
- "Case study: North West Rail Link, Sydney, Australia". Alstom. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- O'Rourke, Jim (5 November 2015). "Sydney Metro Northwest: Transport minister unveils life-size model of Metropolis carriage". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- "Alstom's first 'Make in India' Metro inaugurated in Kochi". raillynews.com. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- "Alstom Metropolis Trains". Railway Technology. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
- "Sydney Metro Trains Features & Design | Sydney Metro". www.sydneymetro.info. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
- "Check out the Sydney Metro train". Retrieved 2017-07-29.
- "Transport for NSW Sydney Metro Marquee at the Sydney Royal Easter Show 2016 - Proj-X Design". www.proj-x.com.au. Retrieved 2017-07-29.
- "First glimpse of new Metro train | Sydney Metro". www.sydneymetro.info. Retrieved 2017-07-30.
- "Sydney Metro Receives First Indian Built Alstom Train". The Metro Rail Guy. 2017-09-28. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- "First metro trains arrive for new $8.3 billion line to Sydney's north west". Sydney Morning Herald. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- "First Sydney Metro train arrives". NSW Government. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
- UK, DVV Media. "Sydney metro train on test". Metro Report. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
- "First Metro Train Testing | Sydney Metro". www.sydneymetro.info. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
- "Operations and fleet contract awarded for Sydney Metro extension". International Railway Journal. 2019-11-23. Retrieved 2020-06-02.