NZR ADL class (Diesel Multiple Unit)
Encyclopedia
The ADL class consists of ten diesel multiple unit
(DMU) cars each coupled to an ADC class trailer, built by Goninan for the Western Australian Government Railways
(WAGR) in the early 1980s. They were purchased by New Zealand Rail Limited
in 1993 to replace suburban carriage trains used in Auckland. The units were credited with an increase in patronage in the Auckland system, but have a number of reliability problems due to their age.
The units are operated by Veolia
for MAXX.
(NZR) in 1993. Later that year they were sold by NZR to the Auckland Regional Council. In July 1993 they entered revenue service on the Auckland suburban network.
In 2002, the Auckland Regional Council funded a NZ$
8.5 million upgrade of the entire class, starting in April. This project included the refurbishment of the interiors of the units and the painting of the exterior in the new MAXX colour scheme. The first refurbished unit entered service in December 2002, followed progressively by the remaining nine, with the last in November 2003.
, although which four are to be retained has not yet been specified.
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
(DMU) cars each coupled to an ADC class trailer, built by Goninan for the Western Australian Government Railways
Western Australian Government Railways
Western Australian Government Railways was most common name of the Western Australian government rail transport authority from 1890 to 1976. It is, in its current form, known as the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia....
(WAGR) in the early 1980s. They were purchased by New Zealand Rail Limited
Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail, formally Tranz Rail Holdings Ltd , was the main rail operator in New Zealand from 1991 until it was purchased by Toll Holdings in 2003.- Formation :...
in 1993 to replace suburban carriage trains used in Auckland. The units were credited with an increase in patronage in the Auckland system, but have a number of reliability problems due to their age.
The units are operated by Veolia
Veolia (New Zealand)
Veolia Transport Auckland, formerly Connex Auckland Ltd, is a division of Australasia's largest passenger train company, French-owned Veolia. It runs Auckland's urban passenger trains under contract from Auckland Transport under their MAXX brand, on infrastructure owned and managed by KiwiRail...
for MAXX.
History
The ADL units were introduced by Westrail to the Perth (WA) suburban network between 1982 and 1985. Some saw less than ten years' service in Perth, as the units were purchased by New Zealand Rail LimitedTranz Rail
Tranz Rail, formally Tranz Rail Holdings Ltd , was the main rail operator in New Zealand from 1991 until it was purchased by Toll Holdings in 2003.- Formation :...
(NZR) in 1993. Later that year they were sold by NZR to the Auckland Regional Council. In July 1993 they entered revenue service on the Auckland suburban network.
In 2002, the Auckland Regional Council funded a NZ$
New Zealand dollar
The New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....
8.5 million upgrade of the entire class, starting in April. This project included the refurbishment of the interiors of the units and the painting of the exterior in the new MAXX colour scheme. The first refurbished unit entered service in December 2002, followed progressively by the remaining nine, with the last in November 2003.
Future
Six of the ten two-car sets have been scheduled to be decommissioned by the end of 2015 at the end of the Auckland rail electrification projectAuckland Railway electrification
The Auckland railway electrification has been proposed for several decades, but physical works only began in the late 2000s. After investment into new infrastructure and improved services created massive patronage gains on Auckland's commuter rail network in the middle 2000s, the long-discussed...
, although which four are to be retained has not yet been specified.
Specifications
- Seating capacity: 68
- Standing capacity: 62
- Passenger doors: air-operated sliding doors, two each side (four per car), 1.26 m wide
- Step height from rail level: 1.124 m
- Air conditioned: yes
Class register
| Number | Current status | Current livery | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADL 801 | In service | MAXX Blue MAXX Blue (livery) thumb|Passengers board a MAXX branded Northern Express operated by [[Ritchies Coachlines]] on the [[Northern Busway, Auckland|Northern Busway]].... |
(photo) | |
| ADL 802 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADL 803 | In service | MAXX Blue | ||
| ADL 804 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADL 805 | In service | MAXX Blue | (old photo) | |
| ADL 806 | In service | MAXX Blue | ||
| ADL 807 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADL 808 | In service | MAXX Blue | ||
| ADL 809 | In service | MAXX Blue | (old photo | |
| ADL 810 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADC 851 | In service | MAXX Blue | (old photo) | |
| ADC 852 | In service. | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADC 853 | In service | MAXX Blue | ||
| ADC 854 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADC 855 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADC 856 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADC 857 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADC 858 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) | |
| ADC 859 | In service | MAXX Blue | (old photo) | |
| ADC 860 | In service | MAXX Blue | (photo) |
External links
- New Zealand Diesel and Electric Traction - Class ADL / ADK (Internet Archive copy)