The Sydney Trains Millennium (coded M set) is a class of suburban electric multiple unit operated by Sydney Trains. They are one of the newest trains in the Sydney Trains rolling stock (as the first of the fourth generation fleet) and run (currently) in Sector 2. The Millennium trains replaced 1960's Tulloch Trailers.
The Waratah trains are based on the design of the Millennium train, copying many features including interior carriage design.
Design[]
Configuration: M sets are double decker, suburban trains. Each set is composed of four cars, with the middle two cars being non-control cars (car number prefix N) and the two outer cars being driving control trailer cars (car number prefix D) fitted with the pantograph. For most lines, two sets are coupled together to form an 8 car train.
Power Supply: M sets draw electricity at 1500V DC from overhead wires using pantographs located in the D cars. This then flows into an inverter, which converts the electricity into AC to power the train's systems. Unlike older trains, even the motors use AC power and there are high voltage connections between each car. This allows the pantograph and motor to be on different carriages, and also ensure there is no power supply interruption even if one pantograph momentarily loses contact.
Emergency equipment: M sets introduced crumple zones to absorb impact in a collision. The trains were built with external emergency door releases only. Around 2015, some sets were retrofitted with internal emergency door releases, however this program was not completed for all sets.
Passenger facilities: The trains feature 3x2 seating in the double deck sections and longitudinal seating in the vestibules. Some seating in the vestibules also folds up for passengers in wheelchairs. The trains are also equipped with automated announcements, internal and external LED destination displays.
ATP: The sets are currently being fitted with Automatic Train Protection. Sets with this equipment fitted have one seat in the end vestibule replaced with an equipment cabinet.
Numbering[]
Individual carriage numbering can be seen at List of Sydney Trains/NSW TrainLink fleets.
The sets are numbered from M1 to M35. The carriages are numbered as follows: D10xx - N15xx - N15xx - D10xx. There are two spare driving trailers: D1041 and D1042.
Operations[]
When the M sets were first delivered in 2002, they encountered many problems delaying their introduction, earning them the nickname 'Millenni-bug' or 'Mi-lemon'. Because of the high current draw of the trains compared to older trains, they often caused substations to trip. One of the frequencies emitted by the AC motor also caused signals to fail. As a result of these problems, they were all taken out of service to rectify problems between April and June 2003. The state's rail authorities learnt from these problems and so did much more extensive testing on the next class to be introduced - the A sets, which revealed similar current draw problems.
To this day, the trains still have many issues, with most being electrical. For example, the internal destination boards will occasionally display the bottom line of text over the top line of text, and train crews will often see a multitude of error messages displayed on screens, or the screen might freeze. For Instance, A M set train Might list “Next stop Redfern” When it is at St James.
Maintenance of the M sets is done by the manufacturer (EDI Rail, now Downer Group), as part of the purchase contract. Initially, this was done at Eveleigh Maintenance Centre (southeast of Redfern). As such, they have green target plates. In 2018, Auburn Maintenance Facility (another facility operated by Downer initially built under the delivery contract for the A sets) began maintaining M sets, to allow space for the pending arrival of the New Intercity Fleet. The NIF trains were to be temporarily maintained at Eveleigh, until the new maintenance centre at Kangy Angy on the Central Coast Line was opened. They still retain their green target plates as there is no colour allocated to Auburn. The sets are locomotive hauled up to Downer's facility at Cardiff for heavy maintenance.
Currently, all M sets still remain in service on Sector 2, which consists of:
- (commenced 26 October 2020, replacing C/K sets)
Accidents[]
On 11 October 2011, M14 was involved in a collision with Endeavour carriage 2853. Both trains were shunting alongside each other in Eveleigh Yard and the two tracks merged into one. As a result, the front cars of both trains were lifted up on one side.[1] Carriage D1027 was damaged in this accident and was replaced by D1041, a spare driving carriage.
Trivia[]
- In 2014, the fabric on the seats was replaced with a different design from the Waratahs
- M set seats may look the same as Waratah seats, but they have a slightly different handle design
- The internal passenger information screens will display "Next Station Welcome Aboard" or "Stopping At: Welcome Aboard" if there is a bug with the current location or stopping pattern.
- Some M set cars had exterior cameras installed in 2008 as a trial before they were put into the design for the Waratah train
- M sets have appeared in the game Subway Surfers during an event where the game textures were updated each week to depict various cities around the world.
- Set M1 has the doors painted grey on the inside, instead of the white found on other sets
- Set M30 held the honour of running the final revenue services on the Carlingford Line on 4 January 2020
Gallery[]
External Links[]