Transperth C-series
C-series train seen between Burswood and Stadium stations on the Armadale line in February 2023
In serviceFebruary 2024 (planned)
ManufacturerAlstom
Built atBellevue
Family nameX'Trapolis
ReplacedA-series
Constructed2022–2029 (planned)
Number under construction246 carriages (41 sets)
Formation6-car sets
Capacity(approx) 1200
OperatorsPublic Transport Authority
DepotsNowergup
Specifications
Train length144 m (472 ft 5 in)
Car length24 m (78 ft 9 in)
Doors3 per side of car
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Braking system(s)Regenerative
Coupling systemDellner[1]
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
[2]

The Transperth C-series trains are a planned class of electric multiple units part of Alstom's X'Trapolis family of trains for Transperth that are being delivered as part of Metronet. The trains will be operated on Perth's suburban rail network.

The new trains will feature hard-worn flooring instead of the carpet-laid floor of the A and B series, making it easier to clean.[2]

History

In April 2018, the Public Transport Authority called for expressions of interest to build 41 6-carriage electric multiple units.[3][4] Three consortia were shortlisted to bid:[5][6]

On 18 August 2019, Alstom was announced as the successful bidder.[7] The trains will be assembled in Bellevue. Twenty-five sets will be delivered to provide rolling stock for network extensions as part of the Metronet project, while the other sixteen will replace the A-series stock from 2023.[8]

In December 2019, Alstom released details of the contract and early renders of what the new trains will look like. Under the contract, worth approximately €800 million (AUD1.3 billion), Alstom will be responsible for the design, supply, manufacturing, testing and commissioning of 41 six-car electric-multiple-unit (EMU) trains for suburban services and two, three-car diesel-multiple-unit (DMU) trains for the Australind, which includes 50% local content, twenty years maintenance of the EMU trains and maintenance support services for the DMU trains.[9]

From 3 April to 18 April 2021, Metronet opened an exhibit titled All Aboard METRONET held in Yagan Square, in which a two thirds length mock-up of a single car of a C Series was made available for the general public to view. This would be the first physical appearance of the C Series design. This mock-up showed off the new seating arrangement and styling for which the new trains will have a mixture of high back seats and bench seating, the new type of doors with the buttons located on the doors themselves and a new graphical passenger information display.

On 7 June 2021 (Western Australia Day), the Railcar Manufacturing and Assembly Facility was officially opened at the Bellevue Railcar Depot, and handed over to Alstom to commence manufacturing the trains.[10][11][12] The first train was revealed on 14 August 2022, with twelve months of testing along the Joondalup and Mandurah lines set to occur before they are put in passenger service.[13][14] Testing along the Joondalup line between Clarkson station and Butler station commenced on 23 December 2022.[15] On 4 January 2024, The West Australian newspaper claimed that the trains will begin operation on the Mandurah and Joondalup lines in February 2024.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Dellner Australia's Footprint" (PDF). Dellner. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Signed, sealed, delivered from 2022 – Perth's new C-series trains". Metronet. 11 December 2019. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  3. ^ "$1.6 billion for WA-based train build". Rail Express. 24 April 2018. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Perth launches RFQ for new train fleet". International Railway Journal. 25 April 2018. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Three bidders shortlisted for Perth EMU contract". International Railway Journal. 31 August 2018. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Three bidders prequalify for Perth EMU order". Metro Report International. 31 August 2018. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  7. ^ Minister for Transport (18 August 2019). "Made in WA: Metronet railcars to be proudly built in WA". Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  8. ^ "Alstom to supply next generation of EMUs to Perth". Metro Report International. 20 August 2019. Archived from the original on 13 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Alstom to locally manufacture and maintain PTA's C-series trains for Perth's growing rail network". Alstom. 10 December 2019. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  10. ^ "McGowan Government returns railcar manufacturing to WA". Media Statements. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  11. ^ Law, Peter. "Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti open Metronet Railcar Facility at Bellevue". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Railcar manufacturing returns to Western Australia". Metronet. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Locally manufactured trains back on the network after 30 years". Media Statements. 14 August 2022. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  14. ^ Hiatt, Bethany (14 August 2022). "Metronet: WA's first locally-manufactured train in 30 years has been unveiled". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  15. ^ "First C-series train on track as testing begins along network". Media Statements. 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  16. ^ Page, Jessica (4 January 2024). "Metronet rail cars made in WA to start operating in within weeks". The West Australian. Retrieved 5 January 2024.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Transperth C-series.
Public transport in Perth
Railcars and multiple units of the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) and its successors
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