Electric Tilt Train
"City of Maryborough" at Roma Street station
Interior
In service1998–present
ManufacturerWalkers Limited
Built atMaryborough
Constructed1997–1998
Entered service6 November 1998
Number built2
Number in service2
Formation6-car sets
TTD1–TTT–TTM+TTM–TTT–TTD2
Fleet numbers301/302 and 303/304
OperatorsQueensland Rail
DepotsMayne, Gracemere
Lines servedNorth Coast
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Train length136 m (446 ft 2 in)
Car length
  • 23.4 m (76 ft 9 in) (TTD)
  • 22.3 m (73 ft 2 in) (TTT, TTM)[1]
Width2,837 mm (9 ft 3.7 in)
Height3,615 mm (11 ft 10.3 in)
Floor height1.2 m (3 ft 11 in)
Wheel diameter810 mm (32 in)
Wheelbase
  • Per bogie: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
  • Between bogie centres: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Maximum speed
  • 210 km/h (130 mph) (record)
  • 160 km/h (99 mph) (service)
Weight
  • 44 t (43 long tons; 49 short tons) (TTD1)
  • 45 t (44 long tons; 50 short tons) (TTD2)
  • 47 t (46 long tons; 52 short tons) (TTT)
  • 43 t (42 long tons; 47 short tons) (TTM)
Traction systemHitachi PWM 3-level IGBT–VVVF
Traction motors16 × Hitachi 170 kW (230 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output2.72 MW (3,650 hp)
Deceleration1.05 m/s2 (3.4 ft/s2) (service)
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead lines
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classificationBo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Braking system(s)Regenerative electric and electro-pneumatic disc brakes
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The Electric Tilt Train is the name for two identical high-speed tilting trains operated by Queensland Rail for the Tilt Train service on the North Coast line from Brisbane to Rockhampton which entered service in November 1998.

History

In March 1993, Queensland Rail issued a tender for the construction of two electric six-carriage tilting trains. In October 1994, a contract was awarded to Walkers, Maryborough with Hitachi to supply the electrical and tilting equipment.[2] The Electric Tilt Train initially began tests on 12 August 1997 when it conducted its first run between Maryborough West and Gympie North Stations. This was later followed by tests from Maryborough to Roma Street on 25 October 1997 and first trial run to Rockhampton on 15 November 1997.[3] November 1997 also saw the Train conduct the first testing involving its Tilting mechanism.[4]

After an extensive testing, on 6 November 1998, Australia's first pair of tilting trains entered service on the Spirit of Capricorn between Brisbane and Rockhampton. With a journey time of seven hours, they shaved over two hours from the schedule operated by InterCity Express sets.[5][6][7] In July 1999, a second daily service was introduced between Brisbane and Bundaberg.[8]

Electric Tilt Train in the original 1998 livery at Roma Street Station
The standard formation of Electric Tilt Trains from 6 November 1998.
The standard formation of Electric Tilt Trains from 6 November 1998.

Using traction equipment based on the JR Shikoku 8000 series trains, the Tilt Train set an Australian train speed record of 210 km/h (130 mph) north of Bundaberg in May 1999, a record that still stands.[9][10] This also makes it the fastest narrow-gauge train in the world.[11]

In 2006, the electric sets underwent an $8.3 million refurbishment program at Mayne depot.

In 2015, the tilt train sets again undertook refurbishment over the course of 12 months with the addition of high visibility yellow doors, and a modification of the front ends. The traction packages were given a complete overhaul to extend the life of the tilt train. The trains also had Wi-Fi installed to enable wireless internet for passengers.[12] The first refurbished set re-entered service in July 2016.[13] The second refurbished set re-entered service in July 2017.

Routes

Coaches
QR Tilt Train[14][15]
Brisbane
(Roma Street)
 Caboolture
 Landsborough[lower-alpha 1]
 Nambour
 Cooroy[lower-alpha 1]
 Gympie North
Maryborough West
Howard[lower-alpha 2]
 Bundaberg
 Miriam Vale[lower-alpha 2]
 Gladstone
 Mount Larcom[lower-alpha 2]
 Rockhampton Spirit of the Outback
 St Lawrence[lower-alpha 2]
 Carmila[lower-alpha 2]
 Sarina[lower-alpha 2]
 Mackay
 Proserpine
Bowen[lower-alpha 2]
 Home Hill[lower-alpha 2]
 Ayr
 Giru[lower-alpha 2]
 Townsville The Inlander (Queensland Rail)
 Ingham[lower-alpha 2]
 Cardwell[lower-alpha 2]
 Tully[lower-alpha 2]
 Innisfail
 Babinda[lower-alpha 2]
 Gordonvale[lower-alpha 2]
 Cairns Kuranda Scenic Railway
 Electric Tilt Train route

Commencing in 1998, the Electric Tilt Train operates from Brisbane to Rockhampton. With a top service speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) and the ability to tilt five degrees in each direction, the Tilt Train is the fastest train in Australia, but has the same maximum allowed service speed as the V/Line VLocity train which operates in Victoria. The train operates on the North Coast line and serves the intermediate towns of Gympie, Maryborough, Bundaberg and Gladstone. The Electric Tilt Trains run in a multiple unit configuration.

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 Except train Q311, served only if reservations have been pre-booked
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Served only if reservations have been pre-booked
  1. ↑ Hunter, Ross (21–23 May 2000). "Tilt Trains - The Queensland Experience". Adelaide: Conference on Railway Engineering. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  2. ↑ "Tilt EMUs Ordered for Brisbane – Rockhampton Run" Railway Digest November 1994 page 14
  3. ↑ "20th Anniversary of the Tilt Trains". www.queenslandrail.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  4. ↑ "TILT TRAIN ENTERS TILTING' PHASE". Ministerial Media Statements. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  5. ↑ Beattie, Peter (1 November 1998). "All aboard Australia's first Tilt Train". Ministerial Media Statements. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Australia enters the Tilt Train era" Railway Digest December 1998 pages 22–25, 40
  7. ↑ Bredhauer, Stephen (30 December 1998). "Australia's Biggest Rail Investment". Ministerial Media Statements. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Bundaberg Day-Return Tilt Service Commences" Railway Digest August 1999 page 15
  9. ↑ QR Limited (1999). Annual Report June 1999 (PDF). Brisbane: QR Limited. p. 53. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2009.
  10. ↑ "QR Tilt Train Sets Australian Rail Speed Record" Railway Digest June 1999 page 15
  11. ↑ "World's fastest on narrow tracks – National – www.smh.com.au". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  12. ↑ "Tilt Train Maintenance". queenslandrailtravel.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  13. ↑ "Free Wi-Fi on new look Tilt Train". Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  14. ↑ Queensland Rail Travel - Network Map
  15. ↑ Queensland Rail Travel - Timetable (PDF) effective 17 July 2023
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