New Zealand Government bids to buy back trains, ferries

solar power for trains has been given its own topic .

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4617163a23917.html

good video of the hutt workshops . They already rebuild diesel locomotives and build cabs etc for them , so it wouldnt be that big a step .
bob stott , who is interviewed in the video , was the editor of rails magazine for some 30 years . he always campaigned for a level playing field between road and rail . now he's reitred to play with hids trains , he may finally get his wish .

David Benton wrote:

i think auckland has just come up to just over 1 million trips per year , wellington was about 10 million , has dropeed to around 8 million

Hello David,

Those figures are incorrect. The Auckland patronage has risen from 2.5million trips per annum in 2003, to 7million trips pa in 2008. A very significant increase. During the same period Wellington has risen from 10million trips pa to just under 12million trips pa. In other words, in the not too distant future, Auckland will overtake Wellington. Certainly exciting time on the Auckland network, with new tracks, new stations and new trains constantly coming on stream. They can barely keep up with training new drivers.

Cheers,
Geoff B.

Hello Geoff , and welcome to the worldwide forum .
I stand corrected , my fiqures probably go back to the 80's / 90' s , when i was getting rails magazine . Thats great to see both cities have increased , auckland dramatically .
Whenever i go to Auckland , its great to actually see people on the railway station platforms from the southern motorway . 15 years ago , you'd wonder what someone was doing standing there .

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4635678a25482.html
Skill sets here to assemble locos .
The question is , would it be cheaper than buying fully assembled Locos ?
I would think the answer would be yes if theyre sourced form the usa , no if sourced from China . as i understand it , those are the 2 countries that the govt is looking to buy locos from .

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4644604a23917.html

most of te public transport gain would be in auckland i would say .

Electric trains on track despite downturn

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/artic ... d=10555447

it appears the councils see that this happen , though i wouldnt be surprised if its recycled as a stimulus package . Central governments contribution anyway .

David Benton wrote:Electric trains on track despite downturn

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/artic ... d=10555447

it appears the councils see that this happen , though i wouldnt be surprised if its recycled as a stimulus package . Central governments contribution anyway .

Will it be 1500v DC?

I suppose they will buy EMUs.

There are plenty of possible suppliers. Japan no doubt has some, as they have the same rail gauge. Queensland perhaps?

I assume that mainline trains could avoid loco change.

Is the Wellington system electrified?

Will it be 1500v DC?

No - Taken from the ARTA expressions of interest document…

“1.1.2. Delivery requirements
Based upon forecast patronage, and operations modelling around a 10-minute frequency of service
during peak periods, ARTA has identified a need for the following approximate quantities of vehicles:
Phase 1 – 2011 to 2013 delivery
A combination of 3 and 4 car Units as follows:
14 No.– 3 car Unit 25 kV, AC. EMUs (42 cars)
plus–
24 No – 4 car Unit 25 kV.AC. EMUs (96 cars)
(a total of 138 cars)
Or, as directed by ARTA:
35 No – 4 car Units
(a total of 140 cars) .
It is assumed that further purchases of rolling stock will be required in the future to cater for ongoing
patronage growth and expansion of the electrified network, which will lead to the following indicative
fleet size:
Phase 2 – by 2030
51 No.- 4 car unit 25 kV, AC. EMUs - total of 204 cars
45 No.- 3 car unit 25 kV, AC. EMUs - total of 135 cars
Accordingly the procurement process of EMUs for Auckland could result in potential orders for a total
of 339 cars by the year 2030.”


I suppose they will buy EMUs.

As Above

There are plenty of possible suppliers. Japan no doubt has some, as they have the same rail gauge. Queensland perhaps?

I believe Rotem Hyundai all but had the contract at a very good price before it was discovered there hadn’t been a proper tendering process hence the re-tendering. The hope is to tag on to QRs latest order for Bombardier units as these are the preferred units and should get a good price as there will be little difference in the specs for each. . I guess it won’t be known until all the tenders are in.

“ARTA has, for the Electrification Project, hired staff and consultants to assist in the task of
procuring the new rolling stock who have had previous associations with some of the potential
suppliers. Key personnel are mentioned in ARTA’S Probity register. The following is a list of key
people’s prior associations:
Conrad W Blankenzee Title: Project Director. Previous association with suppliers:
Bombardier Transport Systems; Rotem Hyundai Company; ASNV Ansaldo Breda.”

I assume that mainline trains could avoid loco change.

There are no plans to join the Auckland Electrified system to the Hamilton –Palmerston North system. The Auckland electrification is for the suburban area only at this stage.
Although both 25kV I don’t think the two are going to be compatible any way. in saying that I’m not sure that the specs for Auckland have been finalised.


Is the Wellington system electrified?

Yes, I’m pretty sure its 1500v DC

There are no plans to join the Auckland Electrified system to the Hamilton –Palmerston North system. The Auckland electrification is for the suburban area only at this stage.

That's a pity. 25 kv AC is the more modern system, but it's a pity that the mainline system will not be compatible. I suppose dual voltage locos could be used, but that would cost them.

The auckland electrification and the mainline electrification will be compatiable , just not joined , and no mainline locos built at this stage .
The Wellington system is 1500 volts dc and so would either require dual voltage locos , or rebuilding to 25kv a.c if the mainline electridication ever reaches there .