Introducing: the Queensland Tilt Train!

talent · 3rd Class Pass Joined: 19/08/2006 Posts: 33

The QR Tilt train claims the title of fastest narrow (1067 mm) gauge train at a max speed of 165-170 km/h (sources differ). The route stretches 1681 km from Brisbane to Cairns.

What's special about the QR Tilt train:
-It tilts up to 5 degrees in each direction
-Special signalling on the line to tell the train to tilt (ATPS)
-Comes in both DMU and EMU
-Tilt mechanism and traction supplied by Hitachi

Some pictures:
Inside the driver's cab (c) Michael James
http://64.246.11.82/images/d/DSCN4647.JPG.77601.jpg

The DMU (c) 9T90
http://64.246.11.82/images/5/5404_SouthTownsville_16-7-5.jpg.99648.jpg

The tilt train the "City of Rockhampton" sits in the workshop (c) Peter Reading
http://64.246.11.82/images/t/tilt_mayne_2.jpg.18764.jpg

A tilt train bogey (c) Michael James
http://64.246.11.82/images/images2/i/IMG_7509.JPG.54491.jpg

The EMU, "City of Maryborough" (c) Peter Reading
http://64.246.11.82/images/images2/i/IMG_0873.jpg.15011.jpg

Some links:
Hitachi's website:
http://www.hitachi.co.th/cat_index_221.shtml
QR Tilt train company:
http://www.traveltrain.com.au/traveltrain_services/Coastal_Services/tilt_train/Overview.asp
Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_Tilt_Train
Railway technology article:
http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/queensland/

Questions for those in the know:
-How much did QR pay for the tilt trains, ie. how much do they cost?
-Would it be difficult to convert 1067 mm gauged trains to 1000 mm gauge?
-How expensive is the signalling and track improvements required to run a tilt train at 170 km/h?

Wisarut · Posted: 09/12/2006 9:00 pm Post subject:

เชื่อไหมหละครับว่าเจ้า Queensland Tiult Train นี้ ใช้เทคโนโลยีฮิตาชิ ของญี่ปุ่น ...
รายละเอียดดูได้ที่นี่ครับ

http://www.hitachi-rail.com/about_us/delivery/rail_vehicles/tilt_train/index.html

Rockhampton Tilt Train
Click on the image for full size

In Service : 1998
Operator : Queensland Rail (Australia)

Queensland Rail's Rockhampton Tilt Train is a special express tilting train that covers the distance of 623 km between Brisbane and Rockhampton in seven hours. Traction system,tilting control system, and tilting bogie parts were supplied in 1998.Car bodys and Bogies were manufactured by EDI Rail, Walkers Pty. Ltd., in Australia.The maximum service speed of 160 km/h is the highest one on a narrow-gauge track.

Gauge : 1,067mm
Electric system : 25kVac, 50Hz
Train Formation : 4M2T
Train ratings (continuous) : 16 x 190 kW
Car body : Stainless steel
Traction Control system : PWM converter / VVVF inverter control with regenerative braking
Car body Tilting Angle : +/-5deg.
Maximum service speed : 160km/h

ราง 3 ฟุต 6 นิ้ว และความเร็วสูงสุดก็ 160 กม/ชม. ถือว่าเรี่ยมไปเลยแต่งานนี้ก็ต้องวติดระบบไฟฟ้า และ วางรางคู่กันยาวเลยหละ Embarassed

talent · 3rd Class Pass Joined: 19/08/2006 Posts: 33

Wisarut · Posted: 10/12/2006 4:30 pm Post subject:

Well, just double tracking alone would cost about 70-75 Million Baht/km ... to meet the specification of 20 ton axle load, 120 kph max speed (for DMU), 100 kph for cargo train (if they replace the bogies for BCFs to meet the new standard).

Currently, the bogies for passenger carriages is 100 kph type and the bogies for BCF carriages (for cargo trains) is 80 kph. Many of these bogies come from Mainland China, Romania, Hungary and India to cut the cost down ....

We wish we can get much better types pg bogie (120 kph max for passenger carriages, 100 kph max for BCF carriages) ... This will enable to retire those good old Pennsilvania and Sumitomo bogies (70-100 kph max) ... and supplement for the cheap bogies ....

The electrification may add another 30 million Baht/km ...

I'm not so sure how much does it cost t install the CTC traffic control system on that double track section ....

//-----------------------------------
We may consider tilt DMUs which recently apply to JR Shikoku and JR Hokkaido which have ONLY non-electrified tracks.... but we are not so sure how much does it cost for such tilt DMUs. ('Super Hakuto" for JR Hokkaido)

Click on the image for full size

Kiha 281 - Tilt DMU train for JR Hokkaido for Super Hokuto Express
Click on the image for full size

Kiha 283 - Tilt DMU train for JR hokkaido for Super Ozora Express

REF: http://www.jrtr.net/jrtr28/ro58_tak.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokkaido_Railway_Company
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikoku_Railway_Company

Wisarut · Posted: 10/12/2006 4:43 pm Post subject:

As you SHOULD have already known, the gauge is one of the main the factors that Limit the max speed.

The next factors that limit the speed is the gradient and curve.... Just take a look at the gradient of Khun Tan section (Mae Tan Noy - Khun Tan -> 26 mill -> 26 in 1000, curve radius of 400 meter) and Dong Phya Yen section (Kaeng Khoi - Pakchong -> 24 mill -> 24 in 1000, curve radius of 200 meter). .. Even today that Dong Phya Yen has the max speed of 45 kph ... Similar thign can be said to Ma Tan Noy section. Both section are the ultimate testing sites of ANY trains that enter into services for Thai railways. Failture to pass these 2 sections will DISQUALIFY them from running ...

Speedign over the max seppd will result in derail as it happened in Mae Tan Noy section in 1922. At that time, the max speed for this section is 25 kph sicne the track can accpet the axle load of 10.5 ton on 50 lb steel rails and wooden sleepers ....

Even DMU tilt trains for JRs has max speed of 120-130 kph ... This will be very good fro the section with sharp curve and steep tracks ... sicne the cost for rehabilitation the track to extend the max speed from 45 kph to 120 kph will be like burnign money in the bush fire (or conflagation) ... Even double track wil not help very much unless ther are very dense traffic that even overwheme CTC for single track.

Wisarut · Posted: 09/08/2008 12:52 am Post subject:

This is the route of JR Hokkaido that run Kiha 283 (Tilt DMU) - Supporo - Kushiro ->
Click on the image for full size

One set of for Super Ozora Express consisted of 6 carriage shown as follows
Click on the image for full size

It cut the travel time for Sapporo to Kushiro from 4 hours 25 minutes to 3 hours and 34 minutes ...

Aishwarya · Posted: 27/08/2008 12:50 am Post subject:

How beautiful it is! I've never been before to the "Land of Down Under," Australia, but I do appreciate the scenary and a number of various kinds of Australian locations.

Right, the trains themselves are so tremendous and splendid. ... Well, everyone, the 1.4-meter-wide Australian track is considered to be used there, isn't it?

beer45 · Posted: 04/11/2008 2:49 am Post subject:

oh...picture over size please edit... Embarassed