NSW Vsets

[Greetlander]

I’ve been in Australia for 22 years and I’ve always loved the V sets. Been around for 50 years now and they’re on their way out. It does get me to thinking though - given these are 1500vDC and capable of belting up the blue mountains - how would they have fared over Woodhead?

 

[AdamWW]

Badly I suspect. I think the loading gauge might be a little too large.

 

[LesS]

The answer to the above question is that a V Set would have no difficulties with Woodhead Tunnel. I would expect there to be few problems with loading gauge.


My research reveals the following grades.

Glossop Jct to western portal of the tunnel 8 miles of 1 in 117

Inside the Tunnel 3 miles of 1 in 201

Sheffield Bridgehouses to Durnford Bridge 19 miles mostly 1 in 100/135

The V sets daily handle much steeper grades.

The measure for performance of all Sydney electric rolling stock has been the necessary ability to start a fully loaded train out of platform 4 at Wynyard and take it up the 1½ miles to the crest of the harbour bridge on a constant grade of 1 in 30.

The V sets are well able to handle this.

Their daily challenges include:

Cowan Bank; Hawkesbury River to Cowan 5 miles of mostly 1 in 40

Valley Heights to Katoomba 20 miles of mostly 1 in 33

On the Blue Mountains the line climbs 2283 feet in 20 miles.



The replacement trains have higher power to weight ratio. The electrical Engineers have calculated that the Melbourne suburban electrics would be unable to manage the climb from Wynyard. Melbourne’s network does not need the high traction power required in Sydney.

 

[Pakenhamtrain]

The replacement trains have higher power to weight ratio. The electrical Engineers have calculated that the Melbourne suburban electrics would be unable to manage the climb from Wynyard. Melbourne’s network does not need the high traction power required in Sydney.

The VR didn't want anything more than 1 in 40 without a good reason. A standard that still exists today. I think the worst is 1 in 30 on the ramps for the Toorak Road crossing removal

 

[LesS]

I understand that this is correct.

 

[Richard Scott]

Currently on a flight back from Sydney, rode on 3 sets today so they're still going, though think their days are seriously numbered now.
Also about 14 or so K sets out in peak times.

 

[stadler]

So is it planned that both the K sets and V sets are getting withdrawn once the D sets rollout is complete? They are both similar age now. Especially with the recent line conversions to Sydney Metro they presumably need less stock so i would not be surprised if both are going. I know the D sets were ordered to replace V sets but i am not sure if the K sets are going too?

 

[Richard Scott]

So is it planned that both the K sets and V sets are getting withdrawn once the D sets rollout is complete? They are both similar age now. Especially with the recent line conversions to Sydney Metro they presumably need less stock so i would not be surprised if both are going. I know the D sets were ordered to replace V sets but i am not sure if the K sets are going too?

I believe both are going once all the D sets are in service and cleared for Blue Mountains route.

 

[LesS]

D sets are expected to start on the Blue Mountains in September and on the South Coast some time next year.
The Metro's are largely serving new areas so have not displaced existing rolling stock; except only on the Bankstown Line

 

[SLTRegular]

V10 the set involved in the tree mishap east of Penrith is returning to service. It's reported part of that set will be preserved. 8073 from memory.

8044 was the carriage damaged in the Mini storm

 

[Greetlander]

I have graciously and selflessly agreed to accompany my youngest on the Vset tour on Sun 31 August. Seems to be going everywhere.

 

[SLTRegular]

V10 back in service noted on the Bmt this afternoon alone.