IMU - Interurban Multiple Unit
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The IMUs were introduced especially for the Gold Coast Railway in 1996, but aren't necessarily restricted to the GCR (will abbreviate for the rest of the description), since they run some peak hour services up north to Nambour.

As with the EMUs and the SMUs, these vehicles are fully air conditioned, with window tinting and woolen carpets. To distinguish these trains as being different from the aforementioned trains, the IMUs have a mobility impaired access toilet, upgraded seating, luggage racks and storage spaces, and the visual indicator signs linked with the digital Voice Announcement System. Hearing impaired commuters are able to make use of the hearing aid loop to hear public address announcements. The IMUs are also fitted out with a full video surveillance and emergency communication systems.

Trains drivers have access to full computerised information about the performance of the train, while other computers go about their tasks of controlling the GTO (gate turn-off) thyristor three phase traction converter and three phase electric traction motors.

The trains were produced by Walkers Ltd. Maryborough in association with ABB Transportation Systems of Swizterland who provided the traction, auxiliary and computer control systems.

DEAN'S COMMENT
Queensland Rail just keep introducing all these wonderful trains into their fleet. Something interesting, I've caught more IMUs than SMUs, but I've only traveled to the Gold Coast once by train. Try and figure that one out.

TRAINSPOTTING TIPS
The IMUs are very easy to spot since they mainly run on the Beenleigh/Gold Coast Line, but they can be seen on the North Coast Line as far as Nambour during Saturday and Weekday mornings and evenings. The IMUs are usually run as a three-car unit on Weekends while during peak hour they are run as a six-car set.

Use QROTIs TVM to find out when an IMU service is running.

IMU 102 at Central Station (Photo: David Johnson)

The Interior of an IMU (Photo: John Boxall)

IMU101 at Bowen Hills waiting to depart for Robina (Photo: John Boxall)

The IMUs toilet with the ever present graffiti (Photo: John Boxall)

TECHNICAL DATA
Running Numbers 101 - 110
First Delivery 1996
Line Voltage 25 kV
Line Frequency 50 Hz
Gauge Narrow Gauge (1,067mm or 3'6")
Length when Coupled 72, 422mm
Bogie Centres 17,000mm
Bogie Wheelbase 2,500mm
Wheel Diameter 840mm
Overall Width 2,720mm
Height over Roofline 3,872mm
Height of Floor 1,100mm
Maximum Speed 140 km/h (87.5 mph)
Traction Rating 8 x 180 kW
Car Designations

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 Driver Motor Car (Car 5): DM

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 Motor Car (Car 6): M

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 Driver Trailer Car (Car 8) DT
Unit Consist DM-M-DT
Tare Weight

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 DM 46,700kg

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 M 47,458kg

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 DT 37,700kg
Seating Capacity
- DM 76
- M 82
- MT 66

Maximum Acceleration

 0.68 m/sē
Max. Service Brake 1.1 m/sē
Traction Motor Control 1 (one) GTO Thyristor converter per 8 asynchoronus AC traction motors using three phase variable voltage/variable frequency (VVVF) technology
Transmission Bogie suspended traction motor through cardan shaft to right angle axle gear drive unit
Gear Ratio 1:4.367
Brake System Blended Regenerative Electric and electropneumatic controlled wheel mounted disc brakes
Auxillary System 2 x 100 kVA three phase static convertors
Climate Control 2 x roof mounted air conditioners per car each with 30kW cooling capacity
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