Latest news with #ElectricMultipleUnits
The Age
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Age
Brisbane's original electric trains take one last journey
The maiden trip of Queensland's first electric trains took place between Roma Street and Corinda stations on September 4, 1979. Members of the press and special guests were invited on board the debut of the new Electric Multiple Units, dubbed EMUs. The test didn't quite go as planned. Retiree Alan Waring said his late father Harold, then-chief electrical engineer for QEGB (now Powerlink), was invited on that first EMU ride and told him what happened. 'The train broke down,' he said. 'It was full of electrical engineers, and they couldn't go anywhere because they weren't allowed to touch the train, of course. 'They had to wait two hours for a diesel locomotive to tow them back. He thought that was quite ironic.' The four-decade journey may have had the odd hiccup, but local commuters had warm feelings about the first electric train fleet on the network.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane's original electric trains take one last journey
The maiden trip of Queensland's first electric trains took place between Roma Street and Corinda stations on September 4, 1979. Members of the press and special guests were invited on board the debut of the new Electric Multiple Units, dubbed EMUs. The test didn't quite go as planned. Retiree Alan Waring said his late father Harold, then-chief electrical engineer for QEGB (now Powerlink), was invited on that first EMU ride and told him what happened. 'The train broke down,' he said. 'It was full of electrical engineers, and they couldn't go anywhere because they weren't allowed to touch the train, of course. 'They had to wait two hours for a diesel locomotive to tow them back. He thought that was quite ironic.' The four-decade journey may have had the odd hiccup, but local commuters had warm feelings about the first electric train fleet on the network.
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Queensland Rail retires iconic electric train fleet after more than four decades
After more than four decades of service, the last of Queensland Rail's Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) will make their final journey on the tracks. The units were the first electric train model used in Queensland and began operation in November 1979. The state's rail operator has called time on the iconic fleet by allowing south-east train enthusiasts and commuters alike a chance to hop aboard for one final ride. This 'End of the Line' tour will see EMUs run from Roma Street station along the Caboolture, Ipswich, Ferny Grove and Shorncliffe lines. The tour will finish at Roma Street, with the last train leaving the station around 7pm. Rob Hill, Executive General Manager of south-east Queensland Operations, said the introduction of the EMUs in 1979 was an important moment for the state. "It really was that turning point into that electrified network … the stepping board for where public transport is today in Queensland," Mr Hill said. "We've had significant overhauls on these trains over a period of time, but at a point in time they are no longer compliant with modern standards. Reef Thompson, from the Australian Railway Historical Society, said the electrification of rail in Queensland heralded a new era of travel. "They were a coming of age for the railways … before the EMUs were delivered, there were no electric trains in Brisbane," Mr Thompson said. Mr Thompson said people may now want to do bespoke rides on the out-of-service fleet. "There's never really been an appeal because everyone can go out and catch those EMUs every day," he said. "Now there's none left it'll be a bit interesting seeing an EMU out-and-about." There are eight different types of trains currently running on the Queensland Rail network — the EMU is the oldest of them all. The newest of the fleet — the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) — was unveiled by the Queensland Government in 2016. Those trains featured improvements in accessibility, more leg room and under-seat storage for passengers. Since 2018, Queensland Rail has progressively decommissioned the EMUs in favour of more modern fleets. The decision to retire the EMUs came as Queensland Rail weighed up the cost of maintaining the older locomotives with that of introducing newer ones. "We've got some newer technologies … better information, so they are a little bit more advanced," Mr Hill said. "You've got to make those decisions around whether you continue to invest in the asset that can't be compliant, or whether you start to look at new equipment and getting it out there. Queensland Rail is also in the process of installing a new signalling system, which it says will deliver seamless and safe train travel. The European Train Control System is an advanced signalling system which reports the position, direction and speed of each train on the network. The rail operator says it will enable the system to calculate maximum running speeds. It says it will allow trains to be scheduled to travel closer to each other while maintaining the highest standards of safety. Reef Thompson said that is another reason why the EMUs have entered retirement. "They're implementing that on various sectors of the network, and these older trains aren't compatible with it," he said. "That's a major transformative project that they're doing, and it will allow them to run more trains," Mr Thompson said.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Time of India
Smoke from washroom fire in Daund-Pune shuttle's coach causes panic
Pune: There was fire and thick smoke in a crowded compartment on the Daund-Pune shuttle after an allegedly mentally unstable man burnt paper or bidi in the washroom, causing overall panic among passengers on Monday morning. Smoke and fire was spotted around 7.52am when the train was approaching Yavat railway station. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) was alerted on the helpline number and the train stopped at Yavat. Passengers realised a man was stuck inside the washroom and alerted officials after which he was rescued through the window. Additional superintendent of police (railways) Rohidas Pawar told TOI, "A passenger (58) from Madhya Pradesh was stuck inside the washroom of coach number CR 178378 while smoking a bidi. He threw the lit bidi in the dustbin and this led to the fire and fumes. Passengers panicked and alerted RPF officials, who informed the Govt Railway Police and the railway authorities." Pawar said the railway authorities did not register a complaint under provisions of the Indian Railway Act, because no damage was caused to the train. RPF's divisional security commissioner Priyanka Sharma said, "The passenger who was smoking the bidi was medically examined at a govt hospital. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Install the Perfect Pool at Home – Start Here Backyard Pool | Search Ads Learn More Undo He was handed over to the railway police. A joint report related to the fire incident will be submitted by the railway/RPF officials to the railway police, following which an FIR will be registered." Divisional commercial manager and public relations officer of the Pune rail division Hemant Kumar Behera said the smoke was first seen when the train was near Yavat. "An individual lit a bidi or paper in the toilet and locked it from inside. The fire was not because of an electrical short circuit. The pointsman and other railway staffers rescued the man by breaking a window and handed him over to the RPF. The train resumed its journey after safety checks. Neither the culprit nor any passengers suffered injuries," Behera said. "The person was found to be mentally unstable and taken into custody. The RPF are conducting further investigations," the official said. Secretary of the Daund-Pune-Daund Pravasi Sangh Vikas Deshpande said the train was crowded it being a Monday. "Incidents like these expose the railways' claim about security and safety in trains. This incident could have escalated into a major fire and cost lives. It has been years since the Pune-Daund route was electrified, but DEMU (diesel electrical multiple unit) trains still operate. We have been demanding that these trains be replaced by EMU (Electric Multiple Units), but no steps have been taken. The railways should stop risking the lives of passengers and strengthen security on trains," he added.
