The P set (used by AnyTrip) Xplorer is a class of diesel multiple unit used operated by NSW TrainLink on their regional network. They are very similar to the Endeavour railcars used on the intercity network. All 23 carriages were built by ABB Transportation (now Bombardier Transportation) in Dandenong, Victoria. The Xplorer railcars are a predecessor of the Vlocity railcars operated by V/Line in Victoria.
History[]
An Xplorer set at Central (in the original CountryLink livery)
The Xplorer trains entered service in 1993. Originally there were only 21 cars, with 7 of each type. Later, one Endeavour set was converted to an Xplorer, adding one EA and one EC car.
On 2 December 2016, a short-circuit occurred and started a small fire in the auxillary engine of EC2525. The carriage was operating as part of the northbound Armidale/Moree service. The fire suppression system shut down the affected engine and so 2 carriages lost power. Although the engines remained available on other carriages, the driver was unable to restore power and eventually lost power on all carriages. The train was stuck for four hours, with no air-conditioning or toilet facilities until power was restored by a technician. The outside temperature reached 39ºC during this time and several passengers were subsequently treated for heatstroke.[1]
The state government is planning to replace the Xplorers with the CAF Civity. These trains are expected to start running in the early 2023 and should improve safety, comfort and reliability.[2]
Design[]
The Xplorers are diesel multiple units. Each car is fitted with two engines, one for traction and one to generate electricity to power lights, airconditioning etc. Each car can carry 1600L of fuel, giving them a range of 1600km. There are single leaf sliding doors at both ends of each carriage, with those adjacent to crew compartments designated as staff only.
An EC carriage
There are three different types of Xplorer carriages:
| Prefix | Layout (L-R) |
|---|---|
| EA | Driving cab, first class seating, buffet, toilet |
| EB | Toilet, economy seating, toilet |
| EC | Accessible toilet, wheelchair space, economy seating, luggage compartment, driving cab |
The sets are usually arranged as EA-(zero or more EB according to demand)-EC. Two sets can also connect together for services such as the Armidale/Moree service, which divides at Werris Creek to serve both branches of the line. Unlike the XPT, there are no sleeper cars on this train.
Service[]
These trains run on NSW TrainLink's shorter regional routes:
: Sydney Central to Canberra/Griffith- : Sydney Central to Armidale/Moree
- : Sydney Central to Broken Hill
