The NSW TrainLink D sets are a class of 554 new carriages being built to replace NSW TrainLink's Intercity electric multiple unit fleet, replacing the entire V set fleet and allowing the H sets to be reallocated to Sydney suburban services. The trains will operate on services from Sydney to Newcastle, Lithgow and Kiama. The first trains were delivered in December 2019, and will enter service in 2020.
History
In May 2014, the Government of New South Wales announced its intention to purchase new carriages for the NSW TrainLink Intercity network. The new trains will replace the V sets and allow the H sets to be cascaded to Sydney Trains services. In August 2014, expressions of interest from manufacturers were called for. The following parties responded:
In July 2015, the government announced that Alstom, Downer/Changchun, Stadler, and UGL/Mitsubishi Electric/CSR had been shortlisted to tender. Following the merger of CSR and the parent company of Changchun Railway Vehicles, Hyundai Rotem replaced CSR as a partner in the UGL/Mitsubishi Electric consortium. The consortia provided two variants of their designs - a longer train and shorter train. The Hyundai Rotem/UGL/Mitsubishi Electric consortium was announced as the successful bidder in August 2016. The companies formed a joint venture called RailConnect to manage the project. The trains are being built by Hyundai Rotem's Changwon factory in South Korea. The initial contract covered the supply and maintenance of the 512 carriages which would consist of 77 4-car trains and 34 6-car trains, as well as the construction of the Kangy Angy Maintenance Centre. The maintenance contract runs for fifteen years from the delivery of the first train with an option for a five-year extension. In February 2019 a further 42 carriages were ordered to extend 21 of the 77 4-car trains into 6-car trains to allow for more 10-car train operations especially on the South Coast line during peak hour. A contract was let to Downer EDI to make modifications and upgrades to existing rail infrastructure across the electrified network to accommodate the New Intercity Fleet. The first two 10-carriage trains were delivered in December 2019 and testing began the following month. The remaining trains will be delivered progressively from early 2020.
Design
The trains are double deck electric multiple units measuring 163 metres for an 8-car set or 204 metres for a 10 car-set. They will include accessible toilets and dedicated space for luggage, prams, bicycles and wheelchairs. Fixed seats on the upper and lower decks will be in a two by two arrangement. The seating will include cup holders, tray tables and arm rests. Each seat will feature a charging station for mobile devices. The trains are being designed to be operated with or without guards, with tender documents stating the trains must support one-man operation. The new trains are wider than the V sets they replace and required modifications to be made to parts of the Blue Mountains line route to create sufficient clearance from adjacent structures. A contract has been awarded to the Continuum Alliance, an alliance between Transport for NSW, CPB Contractors and Lendlease, to make these modifications. Work started in February 2019.
Services
The trains are expected to operate on the following services:
