Re: Railcar (emu) shell in Canberra

["Roderick Smith" <rodsmith@werple.net.au>]

Chris Stratton didn't have June 75 
Australian RAILWAY Historical Society
New South Wales DIGEST

Herewith the requested item, condensed lightly:
D13.62, on AUPT:
Although the future of AUPT appears vague, federal sponsorship of the
project continues.  Transport Minister Jones announced that two
driving-cabin mockups have been constructed by SAR at Islington Workshops. 
They were scheduled for display in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide
and Perth during February and March to test crew reaction and to enable
these personnel to submit suggestions concerning the cabin layouts. 
Although intended primarily for evaluation in connection with the AUPT emu
program, the exercise could also be put to use in relation to dmus.  One
mockup contains a central driving position, the other a side driving
position.

There was an item in Newsrail regarding the display in Victoria, which I
recall was in conjunction with a major transport display at Spencer St
station.

AFAIK there was only one mockup: the text above must be referring to it
having a different cab style at each end.

Inside, there were several different seating styles.  Visitors were asked
to rate their preferences.

It was never taken seriously anywhere: state priorities and culture.  NSWR
was committed to a double-deck future.

One problem was a collision at Frankston: an up steel train ran into a
near-new Hitachi set (then known as a silver train).  One carriage folded
upwards at a doorway.  The AUPT strength figures in this zone were lower
than those in a Hitachi.

-- 
Regards
Roderick Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor