Smart New Design For Auckland Trains

17 July 2002

The ARC and Tranz Rail are developing a prototype commuter train that will bring a fresh, new look to the Auckland commuter fleet in time for next year’s opening of the new Britomart Terminal.

The ARC this week confirmed funding for the refurbishment of a prototype based on the current ADL units in the Auckland fleet. The design will be applied to the 10 ADL units in the 19-strong Auckland railcar fleet.

“The design is fresh, clean and modern, giving people better vision, better access and better comfort,” said Passenger Transport Chairwoman Catherine Harland. “The refit will greatly lift the quality of Auckland trains for rail passengers.”

Tranz Rail’s Wellington based Professional Services Group led the proposal and produced a concept suitable for 21st century usage, with extensive input from contractors ALSTOM and Auckland firms Barnacle Design and Burgess Treep Architects. The ADL/ADC class trains will receive significant performance and appearance enhancements, to modernise these 1980s era vehicles. The modern design includes stripping out, rebuilding and refurnishing the entire interior, refitting new seating, new external doors with funky “half moon” shape windows, and a sleek new nose cone incorporating an external LED passenger information display. Security and internal information systems will include security cameras, an internal LED passenger information display, and public address systems.

There will also be facilities for wheelchair access to the trains, and cycle storage.

Technical improvements will include a reduction in noise and vibration levels, reliability enhancements, and a number of fire and safety features to meet the requirements of Britomart.

The work will be carried out by ALSTOM under contract to Tranz Rail in ALSTOM’s Hutt Valley based workshops. It follows a string of successful refurbishment programmes of older passenger vehicles already undertaken by this business partnership including the Wellington GANZ Tranz Metro electric railcars, ex-British Rail carriages, and the award-winning Tranz Alpine tourist trains. The prototype is expected to be delivered to Auckland in October. Work on the other nine vehicles will follow and will incorporate any lessons learned in refurbishing the prototype. The objective is to have a fleet of refurbished trains operating in time for the opening of Britomart.

“The ADL trains are mechanically sound and will be fully operational for another 10 years. The refit will make them attractive, modern and comfortable for passengers,” said Cr Harland.

The ARC is also conducting an international tender process to order 25 new trains to boost fleet numbers and service levels, and to enable the remaining nine older ADK trains in the current fleet to be phased out.

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