SMU - Suburban Multiple Unit

The SMUs are used in the Suburban Network, and provide a higher level of comfort than the older EMUs. The stainless steel bodied trains carry on the successful use of this material for QR's existing EMU, IMU and ICE fleets. Walkers Ltd, Maryborough and ABB Transportation Australia combined forces to produce these vehicles, with ABB Transportation Systems Switzerland being responsible for the computer and traction systems.

The door systems are all push button for easy access for physically impaired persons. These trains are also fitted with the new Digital Voice Announcement System, which inform the passengers of the route and next station over the Public Address system. This system is also being fitted to the EMU fleet.

DEAN'S COMMENT

Congratulations to QR for introducing these trains. They have improved there image a great deal. The SMUs improve greatly on the EMUs major letdowns, which are, they are very noisy and the suspension isn't as good as it could be. The SMUs are very quiet trains, though the only noisy part about them is the takeoff from the station, which is acceptable. The doors on them are a novelty, being able to press the door open button before you are any where near the station, and when the train comes to a stop the door opens automatically, the same goes for the IMU also. I'd like to see more come up the North Coast Line a little more often.

I'm also now impressed with the SMU220s, there is a heck of lot more leg room with the seats being shorter but still staying comfortable. They also look better with the new livery. They need to apply it to the SMU 200s (the original fleet). Though I'm saddened to see that vandals have already messed them up, one has a smashed window (probably fixed by the time you read this) and the glass has been etched already with obscenities which you see all through the rest of QR's fleet.

TRAINSPOTTING TIP

A sure fire location to spot an SMU is around Central, Roma Street, and also South Brisbane. They sometimes run services that are rostered for EMUs. Which makes spotting them almost a guessing game. One day they are on a particular service, the next day an EMU pulls in instead of an SMU. I've also noticed that they run mostly on the Southside and coming Northside for the Ferny Grove and Shorncliffe lines. I've only seen them on the Caboolture lines a couple of times.

The new SMU 220s are now on revenue services. These trains are usually only seen on the Ferny Grove, North Coast/Caboolture, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Shorncliffe Lines.

TECHNICAL DATA

Unit Numbers		201 - 212, 220 -2??
Type		Electric Multiple Unit (25kV 50Hz AC
Introduced		1994 (210 Class)
		1999 (220 Class)
Manufacturer		Walkers Ltd. Maryborough/ABB Transportation, Switzerland
Gauge		Narrow Gauge (1,067mm or 3' 6")
Length when coupled		72,422mm
Bogie Centres		17,000mm
Bogie Wheelbase		2,500mm
Wheel Diameter		840mm
Width		2,720mm
Height over roofline		3,872mm
Height of floor		1,100mm
Maximum Speed		100 km/h (62.5mph)
Traction rating		8 x 180 kW
Car Designations
-	Driver Motor Car (Car 5)	DM
-	Motor Car (Car 6)	M
-	Driver Trailer Car (Car 8)	DT
Unit Consist		DM-M-DT
Tare Weight
-	DM	45,020 kg
-	M	46,130 kg
-	DT	35,020 kg
Seating Capacity
-	DM	76
-	M	88
-	MT	76
Maximum Acceleration		.8m/s²
Max. Service Brake		1.15m/s²
Traction Motor Control		One GTO Thyristor converter per 8 asynchronous 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		1:5.169
Brake System		Regenerative electric and electropneumatic thread brake
Auxiliary System		2 x 100 kVA three phase static converters
Climate Control		2 x roof mounted air conditioners per car each with 30 kW cooling capacity

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