The Explorer train to Armidale is to be replaced with a new train (R Sets) built in Spain by CAF. The trains are currently being tested prior to entering service.
The trains are bi mode powered. That is, they can be operated from overhead electric power from Central to Newcastle, and have a diesel engine to power the train from Newcastle to Armidale.
An option for the train was to be supplied with a battery pack to allow travel by diesel, overhead power or by battery. However, the Government did not order the battery packs. Our new trains will burn 3 to 4 litres of diesel per kilometre or about 1200 litres per trip. Had the new R sets been battery equipped, of the 578km journey 165 kms could have been electric, power, about 300kms on battery and only about 113kms on diesel. That would be a saving of about 860 litres of diesel or over $1000 per trip.
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They will run on electricity from Broadmeadow Railway Station to Central Railway Station like the Sydney and the Intercity electric Train’s
Forward looking, isnt it?
Rick does know that the current achievable distance for battery power is less than 100kms? Batteries are also ineffective for speeds above 100km/h. Is he also aware of the size of the battery packs and the increased energy that would be required as a result of the weight of these packs?
Can we have a price for the batteries so an accurate price comparison can be made?
Can we have available information like size, weight and transport capability (number of kms/ charge) for comparison???
Given its tax payers that pay for these new trains???
I support rail upgrades & improvements and see patching potholes in cool / cold wet weather as a short term solution.
NSW Gov spends way too
many billions on Sydney roads.
Well if the batteries don’t have the range to cover from Broadmeadow to Armidale it would have been a waste of money…
Aren’t these trains diesel electric? That would mean that they could have used regenerative braking to charge the batteries on descending grades, not just draw power from the battery. Depending on the battery capacity that would mean a substantial reduction in use of the diesel engine for propulsion. It would appear to be a very short-sighted decision to not obtain the battery packs, no doubt cheaper to buy initially, but more expensive to run in the longer term.