Electric Multiple Unit (E.M.U)

Brisbane's electric multiple units are composed of three cars permanently coupled and seating 248 passengers. They were manufactured at Maryborough, Qld by Walkers-ASEA Limited and towed to Brisbane by Diesel locomotives for final testing under the wires. Units 01 - 59 and 80 - 88 are 'double-ended' and comprise a Driver Motor Car (DM), a Motor-Car (M) and a Driver Trailer Car (DT) while units 60 - 79 comprise a DM, M, and Trailer Car (T) and are 'single-ended'. For practical reasons, the latter do not run singly.

All cars are air-conditioned with air-operated doors which can be opened by passengers and are closed by Drivers. A public address system, UHF crew to Control, and crew-intercommunication systems are fitted. Guards sometimes make passenger announcements only when the automatic announcements aren't working.

The 88 suburban Units weigh approximately 150 tonnes, are 72.4 metres over couplers, have a maximum service speed of 100 km/h (62mph) and emergency stopping distance from that speed of only 415 metres. They were delivered between July 1979 and December 1986. In 1984, 48 which were purchased for $44.26 Million were sold and leased-back. In late 1993 they received their current yellow cab-ends and it even seems they are in the process of a facelift, with 04 being the first to receive it.

25 kV 50Hz phase current is collected from the overhead by a single-arm pantograph mounted on the roof of M (centre) cars. Traction motors, axle-mounted on M and DM cars are continuously rated at 135kw each. The main brake is an electropneumatic system blended with dynamic (electric) braking which retards from 90km/h (56mph) to 40km/h (25mph). An automatic air-brake system is provided as back-up (and for towing). The braking system incorporates a Drivers Safety Control operated by a foot pedal or twist grip on the power controller. An automatic warning system is provided to warn the Driver (and enthusiasts on the leading car) of the signal aspect ahead and to apply the brakes if the Driver fails to acknowledge the signal. Batteries are provided to maintain essential equipment in the event of a power failure. Power is distributed from Corinda, Mayne, Caboolture, Lytton Junction and Traveston NCL.

Electric trains are equipped with Scharfenburg couplers which automatically connect brake pipes and electric wiring when coupling and automatically disconnect them when uncoupling. Electric multiple units couple and uncouple at stabling points: Mayne Electric Train Depot, Shorncliffe, Petrie, Ipswich, Beenleigh, Manly, Caboolture, Nambour and when timetabled elsewhere (eg Central and Bowen Hills). Three units have run to Rockhampton.

Only two suburban EMUs may run coupled with passengers due to platform lengths but four units may (and do) run empty (mainly clockwise round the City Circle so they may pass through the Normanby Wash plant) or for power testing purposes.

DEAN'S COMMENT

Twenty years old and still going strong. The EMUs are very noisy trains, I can hear them from my place which is about 4 - 5km away from the nearest train line. I sort of wish Walkers could put a quieter traction motor in these trains, something like what the SMUs or IMUs have got. Also these trains seem to be the target of vandals, you occasionally see an EMU with graffiti all over it and inside it, pulling into stations.

TRAINSPOTTING TIP

Do I really need to tell you where to find one? They are everywhere.

Don't forget to look out for EMU 01 and 04. You'll know them once you see them.

TECHNICAL DATA

Unit Numbers	01 - 88
Introduced	1979
Type	Electric Multiple Unit (25kV 50Hz AC)
Manufacturer	Walkers Ltd
Gauge	Narrow Gauge (1,067mm or 3'6"
Length when coupled	72,420mm
Width	2,720mm
Height	3,900mm
Mass	117.8t
Seating Capacity	248*
Traction Rating	01 - 59, 80 - 88 8 x 135 kW
Traction Rating	60-79 6 x 135kW
Control System	Thyristors with separately enlosed excited traction motors
Brake System	Dynamic Brake and EP thread Brake
Suspension	Primary Air Suspension
Suspension	Secondary Chevron Suspension
Speed	100 km/h (62.5mph)

CLASS INFORMATION

EMU	In Service	Withdrawn	Notes
01	04-09-79		This EMU has been given a facelift
02	27-09-79
03	25-10-79
04	12-11-79		This EMU has been given a facelift
05	11-12-79
06	28-02-80
07	24-03-80
08	03-04-80
09	26-05-80
10	13-06-80
11	22-07-80
12	26-08-80
13	24-09-80
14	17-11-80
15	13-01-81
16	10-02-81
17	20-03-81
18	24-04-81
19	03-06-81
20	17-07-81
21	04-09-81
22	28-09-81
23	16-11-81
24	24-12-81
25	23-04-82
26	14-05-82
27	23-06-82
28	08-07-82
29	28-07-82
30	02-09-82
31	14-09-82
32	27-09-82
33	09-11-82
34	09-12-82
35	17-01-83
36	09-02-83
37	17-03-83
38	15-04-83
39	17-05-83
40	29-06-83
41	04-09-84
42	24-09-84
43	09-10-84
44	09-11-84
45	26-11-84
46	03-01-85
47	04-02-85
48	15-02-85
49	18-03-85
50	03-04-85
51	08-05-85
52	06-06-85
53	08-07-85
54	31-07-85
55	28-08-85
56	25-09-85
57	04-09-86
58	17-10-86
59	13-11-86
60	07-08-84		originally 80, renumbered 60 10/6/86
61	12-10-83
62	12-10-83
63	12-10-83
64	12-10-83
65	15-11-83
66	15-11-83
67	25-11-83
68	06-12-83
69	10-01-84
70	22-02-84
71	22-02-84
72	01-03-84
73	28-03-84
74	05-04-84
75	01-05-84
76	23-05-84
77	08-06-84
78	03-07-84
79	18-07-84
80	29-01-87
81	25-10-85
82	18-11-85
83	16-12-85
84	05-02-86
85	28-02-86
86	04-04-86
87	20-05-86
88	23-06-86

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Information obtained from the book, "Rail enthusiasts guide to South East Queensland, ARHS-QLD, 1994"
Class Information obtained from the QR Locomotive History Manual 1993 edition
(will soon purchase the 1999 edition)
* - May be different on recently refurbished EMUs, some seats removed for wheelchair access