Transwa WDA/WDB/WDC class
The Transwa WDA/WDB/WDC class are a class of railcars built by United Goninan, Broadmeadow for Transwa in 2004-2005 to replace the WAGR WCA/WCE class railcars on the AvonLink, MerredinLink and Prospector services in Western Australia. They are capable of high-speed operation.
| Transwa WDA/WDB/WDC class | |
|---|---|
 WDB012 Railcar at Prospector Maintenance Depot | |
| Manufacturer | United Goninan |
| Built at | Broadmeadow |
| Replaced | WAGR WCA/WCE class |
| Constructed | 2003 |
| Entered service | WDA/WDB: 28 Jun 2004, WDC: 31 Dec 2004, WEA/WEB: 1 Aug 2005 |
| Number built | 9 |
| Number in service | 9 |
| Formation | WDA-WDB, WDA-WDC-WDB, WEA-WEB |
| Fleet numbers | WDA001-WDA003 WDB011-WDB013 WDC021 WEA031 WEB041 |
| Capacity | 100 (WDA/WDB 2 Car)
160 (WDA/WDC/WDB 3 Car) 143 or 138 w/2 Wheelchairs (WEA/WEB 2 Car) |
| Operator(s) | Transwa |
| Depot(s) | Prospector Maintenance Depot, Kewdale |
| Line(s) served | Eastern Eastern Goldfields |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Exterior: Corrugated stainless Steel, GRP panels, Glazing and aluminum Interior: Powder coated Aluminum, GRP panels and timber |
| Train length | Two Car: 54.8m, Three Car:80.07m |
| Car length | WDA/WDB: 27.40m, WDC: 25.27m, WEA/WEB: 27.40m |
| Width | 3152mm |
| Height | 4462mm |
| Floor height | 1320mm |
| Doors | IFE Tebel (4 per car) |
| Wheel diameter | New: 850mm, Min 770mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,600mm |
| Maximum speed | 200 km/h (124 mph) |
| Weight | WDA 67.960t, WDB 66.453t, WDC 62.270t, WEA 65.550t, WEB 65.175t |
| Traction system | Diesel hydraulic |
| Prime mover(s) | Cummins N14E-R 518 Horizontal in-line 6 (modified) 2 per car |
| Power output | 386kW @ 2100rpm Per Engine |
| Transmission | Voith T 212 bre turbo transmission |
| Power supply | 415V Shop power |
| Train heating | Noske-Kaeser model RHKA 28-2D/1 |
| Bogies | Siemens SF 5000 |
| Braking system(s) | Knorr-Bremse (Air actuated disc breaks) Hydrodynamic (Transmission) |
| Safety system(s) | ATP |
| Coupling system | Scharfenberg model 40-1218(1)/40-1319(2) |
| Multiple working | Yes |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
History
In December 2000, Westrail awarded a contract to United Goninan, Broadmeadow for nine railcars to replace the 1971 built WAGR WCA/WCE class railcars. Eight were for The Prospector and two for the AvonLink service.[1][2][3] Three WDA railcars, Three WDB Railcars, One WDC railcar, One WEA and one WEB. One of the WDC railcars sadly suffered an electrical fault in one of the air conditioning system caused the railcar to catch fire. The railcar was overhauled and put back into service, Some warping of the metal panel work still visible on the railcar to this day.
The first entered service on 28 June 2004.[2][4] Power is provided by Cummins engines. The new railcars are capable of 200 km/h (120 mph), but track conditions restrict their top speed to 160 km/h (99 mph).[5]
These consist of three WDA driving cars, three WDB driving cars without buffet, and one motored WDC non-driving car. These form two 2-car and one 3-car sets. The AvonLink sets consists of one WEA and WEB railcar. The AvonLink lacks the buffet and entertainment system The Prospector has, and has a different design of seat.
References
- ThrNew 'world-class' Goldfields and Avon trains move closer Government of Western Australia 7 December 2000
- Gray, Bill; May, Andrew (2006). A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages. Perth: Bill Gray. pp. 338–341. ISBN 0-646-45902-3.
- "WA Short Lines" Railway Digest February 2001
- Prospector enters new era The Golden Mail 2 July 2004
- Prospector Product Sheet UGL Rail
External links
Media related to Transwa Prospector at Wikimedia Commons- Perth Trains gallery