The first passengers will depart Newcastle for Sydney onboard one of the state’s new $4-billion intercity train fleet on Tuesday at 8am after the fleet was given the green light by the national rail safety watchdog earlier this week.
The trains look nice and plenty of space looks available in the layout plus they are double deck providing a lot more capacity.
The trains are double deck electric multiple units measuring 163 m (534 ft 9 in) for an 8-car set or 204 m (669 ft 3 in) for a 10 car-set. They will include accessible toilets and dedicated space for luggage, prams, bicycles and wheelchairs. Fixed seats on the upper and lower decks will be in a two by two arrangement. The seating will include cup holders, tray tables and arm rests. Each seat will feature a charging station for mobile devices.
I wonder if the new carriages will have as comfortable seats as the H sets. I’m guessing they won’t be. Since the suburban K sets, the newer fleet have forsaken comfort for what i guess is less weight and easier cleaning options. As a person over 6 foot, leg room as long been a problem for me. The only public transport with suitable seating and comfort are the Ferries. I realize that the new trains will have vestibule seating, but some of us won’t want to travel long distance facing towards the middle of the carriage and be constantly be stunted from side to side. on the plus side though, there will be plenty of room for prams, wheelchairs and bicycles.
There is a good chance that despite the first D sets rolling into revenue service this December doesn’t necessarily mean the V sets will be on the chopping block as of December 3rd, but probably will be once more D sets enter service in the coming months and timetable changes or updates go into effect, that’s probably when they will start actually begin scrapping the V’s. I guess we’ll wait and see how this plays out, and yes it will be a shame when the V sets to finally go, but hopefully some will be preserved.
The new trains will be known as the ‘D Sets’
A collection of images of the new D sets from Wikipedia.
Interested to see how these trains will be received by the passengers.