TransAdelaide
Encyclopedia
TransAdelaide was a publicly owned corporation which provided suburban train and tram services in Adelaide
, South Australia, under contract to the Government of South Australia
.
Between 4 July 1994, and 22 April 2000, TransAdelaide also operated local bus services in Adelaide. All metropolitan bus routes have since been transferred to private companies such as Torrens Transit
, but TransAdelaide retained the contract to maintain and operate the rail system until at least April 2010.
TransAdelaide was part of the Adelaide Metro
public transport system. Adelaide Metro is a trading brand of the S.A. Government’s Office of Public Transport, which provides funding, coordination and a central publicity and marketing service for public transport in the city. Adelaide Metro also administers the Metroticket system, which allows unlimited transfers between all buses, trains and trams in the Adelaide metropolitan area within a ticket’s period of validity.
TransAdelaide was abolished in late 2010, and its staff and functions were transferred to the newly created Office of the Rail Commissioner.
and two branch lines, with a total length of 120 km. In 2006 there are 240 round-trip train journeys on Monday to Fridays (plus an extra two on Fridays), 95 on Saturdays and 88 on Sundays. In the 12 months to 30 June 2009, the train system was used by a total of 11.74 million passengers, while 2.62 million used the Glenelg tram
. The total train patronage in the suburban TransAdelaide network is lower than the country train network in Victoria
, which recorded 12.05 million passenger trips in the same period.
Adelaide is the last suburban rail network in Australia to be electrified
, with some funding provided in the 2008-09 State Budget to commence work. A$245 million has been allocated to the Outer Harbor line and A$209.7 million for the Noarlunga line. The Proposed 10-year, A$2 billion program intends to deliver 50 new electric train
s, 58 3000 class railcars converted for electric use, 15 hybrid tram/trains. The 2000 class cars will be removed from suburban service.
After retiring the last of the aging Redhen railcar
s in 1996, TransAdelaide operated 99 broad-gauge diesel railcars, split into two classes and four types - the diesel-hydraulic powered 2000 and 2100 classes
and the diesel-electric 3000 and 3100 classes
. All were maintained by Bombardier
at a central depot adjacent to Adelaide station
.
The Adelaide–Glenelg tram line
was also operated and maintained by TransAdelaide. The tram line had undergone a major A$71 million overhaul in 2005–2006 with new Bombardier
Flexity
light-rail vehicles replacing the aging H-type trams which had been in service since 1929. During 2007, the tram line was extended from its previous city terminus at Victoria Square
along King William Street
to the railway station
.
In 2010, the tram was further extended to the inner north west suburb of Hindmarsh, terminating outside the Entertainment Centre.
In 2006, TransAdelaide installed Rail Real Time electronic information boards at these stations:
with driving cabs at both ends that can operate singly, or in multiple
with other 3000 and 3100-class units to build up trains of 2, 3 or 4 cars. 30 cars were delivered, all of which are in service. TransAdelaide regularly used single cars on lightly patronised routes such as the Tonsley and Grange lines, and on the main lines at weekends or in the evening.
The 3100-class railcars are generally similar to the 3000-class, but have only one driving cab per car. They always operate in pairs as two-car sets, or in multiple
with other 3000 or 3100-class units to form longer trains.
All 3100-class railcars are currently in service.
Both the 3000 and 3100-class units were built in two batches, by Clyde Engineering
and Comeng
. When delivered all 3000 and 3100-class railcars were painted in an orange and blue State Transport Authority livery. However by 2007 all 3000 and 3100 class railcars have been repainted into the South Australian State colours of yellow, blue and red which are standard across the Adelaide Metro
bus and light rail fleets.
By 2018, 58 of the 70 cars will be converted to electric power with 12 remaining diesel powered for Belair line services. These trains are currently being refurbished with an improved interior, fully automatic doors and enhanced security. The entire 3000/3100 fleet will be refurbished by 2012-2013.
TransAdelaide’s 2000 & 2100-class units are a unique and somewhat unusual series of suburban diesel railcars. They are large, comfortable, air-conditioned cars, which are popular with local rail enthusiasts and regular commuters and have been given the nickname 'Jumbos'.
Jumbos come in two distinct varieties – the 2000-class power cars and 2100-class trailers. Each type has a single elevated driver’s cab at one end only, which means they must operate as a minimum 2-car set. Longer trains are built up by adding extra power cars and trailers with 6 cars being the maximum length.
Jumbos were conceived and designed in the late 1970s to provide fast commuter services to Adelaide's expanding suburbs. They perform much the same function today, being used mainly on weekday daytime services and working the busiest express trains in the morning and evening peaks. Off-peak, evening and weekend rail services in Adelaide are usually operated by the more economical 3000 & 3100-class units.
s, built by Bombardier
in Germany. The first of the new Flexities
was delivered to the Glengowrie depot in November 2005, and entered public service on 9 January 2006. Delivery continued in small batches through 2006, with new trams operating the Glenelg line side-by-side with the H-class in the interim. The Flexitys are painted in a standard Adelaide Metro
colour scheme of white, with yellow, blue and red ends, very similar to Adelaide’s metropolitan bus fleet.
five car trams made in France by Alstom
. These trams were originally for the Metro Ligero
system in Madrid
, Spain, but are now considered "superfluous." Costing A$
3 million each, they are expected to be running by December 2009.
and 37 400 Class
diesel railcars
commonly known throughout Adelaide as RedHens. These were inherited from the South Australian Railways
and the State Transport Authority (STA)
respectively. The final units were retired in October 1996.
The H class Adelaide tram were the mainstay of the Glenelg tram
line for 75 years since the line was converted from railway to tramway
operation and electrified in 1929. Formerly operated by TransAdelaide, all of the class have been replaced by new Bombardier
Flexity Classic
low-floor trams. It is uncertain if the weekend tourist operation of these trams will continue.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia, under contract to the Government of South Australia
Government of South Australia
The form of the Government of South Australia is prescribed in its constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
.
Between 4 July 1994, and 22 April 2000, TransAdelaide also operated local bus services in Adelaide. All metropolitan bus routes have since been transferred to private companies such as Torrens Transit
Torrens Transit
Torrens Transit is a privately owned public transport company which operates a bus service in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. It is part of Transit Systems Australia, which also operates Swan Transit....
, but TransAdelaide retained the contract to maintain and operate the rail system until at least April 2010.
TransAdelaide was part of the Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
public transport system. Adelaide Metro is a trading brand of the S.A. Government’s Office of Public Transport, which provides funding, coordination and a central publicity and marketing service for public transport in the city. Adelaide Metro also administers the Metroticket system, which allows unlimited transfers between all buses, trains and trams in the Adelaide metropolitan area within a ticket’s period of validity.
TransAdelaide was abolished in late 2010, and its staff and functions were transferred to the newly created Office of the Rail Commissioner.
Operations
TransAdelaide operated four main rail linesRailways in Adelaide
The rail network in Adelaide, South Australia, consists of five lines and 81 stations, totalling 125.9 km. It is operated by Adelaide Metro, and is part of the city-wide Adelaide Metro]public transport system. Apart from the Glenelg Tram, Adelaide's railway system is serviced entirely by...
and two branch lines, with a total length of 120 km. In 2006 there are 240 round-trip train journeys on Monday to Fridays (plus an extra two on Fridays), 95 on Saturdays and 88 on Sundays. In the 12 months to 30 June 2009, the train system was used by a total of 11.74 million passengers, while 2.62 million used the Glenelg tram
Glenelg Tram
The Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network...
. The total train patronage in the suburban TransAdelaide network is lower than the country train network in Victoria
V/Line
V/Line is a not for profit regional passenger train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. It was created after the split-up of VicRail in 1983. V/Line is owned by the V/Line Corporation which is a Victorian State Government statutory authority...
, which recorded 12.05 million passenger trips in the same period.
Adelaide is the last suburban rail network in Australia to be electrified
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
, with some funding provided in the 2008-09 State Budget to commence work. A$245 million has been allocated to the Outer Harbor line and A$209.7 million for the Noarlunga line. The Proposed 10-year, A$2 billion program intends to deliver 50 new electric train
Electric train
Electric train may refer to:* Diesel-electric locomotive...
s, 58 3000 class railcars converted for electric use, 15 hybrid tram/trains. The 2000 class cars will be removed from suburban service.
After retiring the last of the aging Redhen railcar
Redhen railcar
A Redhen is a type of diesel railcar, formerly used on the suburban railway system in Adelaide, South Australia. Redhens were the backbone of Adelaide’s metropolitan rail system between the late 1950s and the early 1990s...
s in 1996, TransAdelaide operated 99 broad-gauge diesel railcars, split into two classes and four types - the diesel-hydraulic powered 2000 and 2100 classes
2000 class railcar
The "2000" class railcars are self-propelled diesel railcars which are used by TransAdelaide on the Adelaide metropolitan rail network. The body shell design was based on the Budd SPV2000, Metroliner and Amfleet cars but the 2000 class railcars have a slightly different curve to the Amfleet. They...
and the diesel-electric 3000 and 3100 classes
3000 class railcar
The "3000" class railcar is the main workhorse of TransAdelaide's suburban passenger operations in Adelaide, South Australia. There are two variants: 3000 series, featuring a cab at each end, and 3100 series with one cab....
. All were maintained by Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
at a central depot adjacent to Adelaide station
Adelaide Railway Station
Adelaide Railway Station is the central terminus of the Adelaide Metro railway system. It is at on the north side of North Terrace, west of Parliament House. The Adelaide Casino is in part of the building that is no longer required for the station....
.
The Adelaide–Glenelg tram line
Glenelg Tram
The Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network...
was also operated and maintained by TransAdelaide. The tram line had undergone a major A$71 million overhaul in 2005–2006 with new Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
Flexity
Flexity Classic
The Flexity Classic is a model of light-rail tram manufactured by Bombardier. Although it is marketed as the most traditionally-designed member of the Flexity family, it is nevertheless a modern bi-directional articulated tram with a low-floor section allowing improved accessibility, especially to...
light-rail vehicles replacing the aging H-type trams which had been in service since 1929. During 2007, the tram line was extended from its previous city terminus at Victoria Square
Victoria Square, Adelaide
Victoria Square is a public square in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. The square is in the centre of the city's grid of one square mile, and was named by the Street Naming Committee on 23 May 1837 after Princess Victoria, heir presumptive of the British throne. Less than a month later the...
along King William Street
King William Street, Adelaide
King William Street is the part of a major arterial road that traverses the CBD and centre of Adelaide . It was named by the Street Naming Committee on 23 May 1837 after King William IV, the then reigning monarch, who died within a month...
to the railway station
Adelaide Railway Station
Adelaide Railway Station is the central terminus of the Adelaide Metro railway system. It is at on the north side of North Terrace, west of Parliament House. The Adelaide Casino is in part of the building that is no longer required for the station....
.
In 2010, the tram was further extended to the inner north west suburb of Hindmarsh, terminating outside the Entertainment Centre.
In 2006, TransAdelaide installed Rail Real Time electronic information boards at these stations:
- Gawler Central line
- Mawson Lakes
- Salisbury
- Elizabeth
- SmithfieldSmithfield railway station, AdelaideSmithfield Interchange is a railway station on the Gawler railway line located in the northern Adelaide suburb of Smithfield. It is 30.2 km from the Adelaide Railway Station, and is part of the Smithfield Interchange which allows a connection with the 228, 440, 441, 442, 443 and 451 bus...
- Gawler
- Gawler Central
- Noarlunga Centre line
- Goodwood
- Woodlands Park
- Oaklands
- BrightonBrighton railway station, AdelaideBrighton railway station on the Noarlunga Centre railway line in the south-western Adelaide suburbs is 16.0 km by railway from Adelaide Railway Station...
- Seacliff
- Hallett Cove
- Hallett Cove Beach
- Noarlunga CentreNoarlunga Centre InterchangeNoarlunga Centre Interchange is the terminus of the Noarlunga Centre line, a part of the suburban railway system in Adelaide, South Australia....
- Belair line
- Goodwood
- MitchamMitcham railway station, AdelaideMitcham railway station is located on the Belair railway line in Adelaide, South Australia. It is located 8.5 km by rail from Adelaide Railway Station, and is actually located in Lower Mitcham...
- Coromandel
- Blackwood
- Outer Harbor line
- WoodvilleWoodville railway station, AdelaideWoodville station is on the suburban rail routes from Adelaide to Grange and Outer Harbor, 7.5 km from Adelaide. It is the junction station for the Grange branch and is one of the busiest stations on the Outer Harbour and Grange Lines. It has auto pedestrian gates and lights, the only location...
- Port Adelaide
- Glanville
- Outer Harbor
- Woodville
3000 and 3100 class
The 3000-class are a diesel railcarRailcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
with driving cabs at both ends that can operate singly, or in multiple
Multiple unit
The term multiple unit or MU is used to describe a self-propelled carriages capable of coupling with other units of the same or similar type and still being controlled from one driving cab. The term is commonly used to denote passenger trainsets consisting of more than one carriage...
with other 3000 and 3100-class units to build up trains of 2, 3 or 4 cars. 30 cars were delivered, all of which are in service. TransAdelaide regularly used single cars on lightly patronised routes such as the Tonsley and Grange lines, and on the main lines at weekends or in the evening.
The 3100-class railcars are generally similar to the 3000-class, but have only one driving cab per car. They always operate in pairs as two-car sets, or in multiple
Multiple unit
The term multiple unit or MU is used to describe a self-propelled carriages capable of coupling with other units of the same or similar type and still being controlled from one driving cab. The term is commonly used to denote passenger trainsets consisting of more than one carriage...
with other 3000 or 3100-class units to form longer trains.
All 3100-class railcars are currently in service.
Both the 3000 and 3100-class units were built in two batches, by Clyde Engineering
Clyde Engineering
Clyde Engineering was the name of part of the business now known as Downer EDI Rail. Clyde Engineering were involved in the construction of railway locomotives and rolling stock, as well as larger scale engineering projects on behalf of the governments of Australia...
and Comeng
Commonwealth Engineering
The Commonwealth Engineering Company Limited is the brand name of a former Australian Engineering Company that designed Locomotives, Electrical Multiple Units , Diesel Multiple Units and Trams.-History:...
. When delivered all 3000 and 3100-class railcars were painted in an orange and blue State Transport Authority livery. However by 2007 all 3000 and 3100 class railcars have been repainted into the South Australian State colours of yellow, blue and red which are standard across the Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
bus and light rail fleets.
By 2018, 58 of the 70 cars will be converted to electric power with 12 remaining diesel powered for Belair line services. These trains are currently being refurbished with an improved interior, fully automatic doors and enhanced security. The entire 3000/3100 fleet will be refurbished by 2012-2013.
2000 and 2100 class
Jumbos come in two distinct varieties – the 2000-class power cars and 2100-class trailers. Each type has a single elevated driver’s cab at one end only, which means they must operate as a minimum 2-car set. Longer trains are built up by adding extra power cars and trailers with 6 cars being the maximum length.
Jumbos were conceived and designed in the late 1970s to provide fast commuter services to Adelaide's expanding suburbs. They perform much the same function today, being used mainly on weekday daytime services and working the busiest express trains in the morning and evening peaks. Off-peak, evening and weekend rail services in Adelaide are usually operated by the more economical 3000 & 3100-class units.
Bombardier Flexity Trams
In 2006, TransAdelaide began to replace the H-class cars with a fleet of eleven new low floor articulated trams – the Flexity ClassicFlexity Classic
The Flexity Classic is a model of light-rail tram manufactured by Bombardier. Although it is marketed as the most traditionally-designed member of the Flexity family, it is nevertheless a modern bi-directional articulated tram with a low-floor section allowing improved accessibility, especially to...
s, built by Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
in Germany. The first of the new Flexities
Flexity
Flexity is the name given by Bombardier Transportation to most of the trams they manufacture. For specific information, see the following articles:...
was delivered to the Glengowrie depot in November 2005, and entered public service on 9 January 2006. Delivery continued in small batches through 2006, with new trams operating the Glenelg line side-by-side with the H-class in the interim. The Flexitys are painted in a standard Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Metro
Adelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
colour scheme of white, with yellow, blue and red ends, very similar to Adelaide’s metropolitan bus fleet.
Alstom Citadis Trams
In May 2009 it was leaked that the State Government had purchased six Citadis 302Citadis
The Citadis is a low-floor tram built by Alstom in La Rochelle, France, and Barcelona, Spain. 1,140 Citadis are currently in use in 28 cities, among others: Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Orléans, the Paris area, and Barcelona, Dublin, Gdańsk, Katowice, Adelaide, Melbourne, Jerusalem and...
five car trams made in France by Alstom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
. These trams were originally for the Metro Ligero
Madrid Metro
The Madrid Metro is a metro system serving the city of Madrid, capital of Spain. The system is the sixth longest metro in the world though Madrid is approximately the fiftieth most populous metropolitan area in the world...
system in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Spain, but are now considered "superfluous." Costing A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
3 million each, they are expected to be running by December 2009.
Fleet Table
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Routes operated | Built | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | Limit mph/h |
Limit km/h |
||||||
| 3000 Class 3000 class railcar The "3000" class railcar is the main workhorse of TransAdelaide's suburban passenger operations in Adelaide, South Australia. There are two variants: 3000 series, featuring a cab at each end, and 3100 series with one cab.... |
 |
Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit | 87 | 140 | 56 | 90 | 30 | All Routes Except Glenelg Tramline |
1987- |
| 3100 Class 3000 class railcar The "3000" class railcar is the main workhorse of TransAdelaide's suburban passenger operations in Adelaide, South Australia. There are two variants: 3000 series, featuring a cab at each end, and 3100 series with one cab.... |
 |
Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit | 87 | 140 | 56 | 90 | 40 | All Routes Except Glenelg Tramline |
1988-96 |
| 2000 Class 2000 class railcar The "2000" class railcars are self-propelled diesel railcars which are used by TransAdelaide on the Adelaide metropolitan rail network. The body shell design was based on the Budd SPV2000, Metroliner and Amfleet cars but the 2000 class railcars have a slightly different curve to the Amfleet. They... Jumbos |
 |
Diesel Multiple Unit 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:... |
87 | 140 | 56 | 90 | 11 | Gawler Central, Grange, Noarlunga Centre, Outer Harbor, Tonsley | 1980 |
| 2100 Class 2000 class railcar The "2000" class railcars are self-propelled diesel railcars which are used by TransAdelaide on the Adelaide metropolitan rail network. The body shell design was based on the Budd SPV2000, Metroliner and Amfleet cars but the 2000 class railcars have a slightly different curve to the Amfleet. They... Jumbos |
 |
Control Car Control car (rail) A control car is a generic term for a non-powered railroad vehicle that can control operation of a train from the end opposite to the position of the locomotive... |
87 | 140 | 56 | 90 | 18 | Gawler Central, Grange, Noarlunga Centre, Outer Harbor, Tonsley | 1980 |
| Flexity Classic Flexity Classic The Flexity Classic is a model of light-rail tram manufactured by Bombardier. Although it is marketed as the most traditionally-designed member of the Flexity family, it is nevertheless a modern bi-directional articulated tram with a low-floor section allowing improved accessibility, especially to... |
 |
Tram Tram A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities... |
-- | -- | 50 | 80 | 11 | Glenelg Glenelg Tram The Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network... |
2006 |
| Alstom Citadis | Tram Tram A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities... |
-- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | Glenelg Glenelg Tram The Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network... |
2009 | |
Future fleet
Funding has been provided in the 2008-09 State Budget for electrification, with A$245 million to start work on the Outer Harbor rail line and A$209.7 million for the Noarlunga line. The 10-year, A$2 billion program will deliver 50 new electric trains to complement the 58 existing trains converted for electric use and 15 hybrid tram/trains. The invitation to tender was issued in 2009.Past fleet
TransAdelaide used to operate 74 300 ClassRedhen railcar
A Redhen is a type of diesel railcar, formerly used on the suburban railway system in Adelaide, South Australia. Redhens were the backbone of Adelaide’s metropolitan rail system between the late 1950s and the early 1990s...
and 37 400 Class
Redhen railcar
A Redhen is a type of diesel railcar, formerly used on the suburban railway system in Adelaide, South Australia. Redhens were the backbone of Adelaide’s metropolitan rail system between the late 1950s and the early 1990s...
diesel railcars
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:...
commonly known throughout Adelaide as RedHens. These were inherited from the South Australian Railways
South Australian Railways
South Australian Railways built and operated railways in South Australia from 1854 to the incorporation of its non-urban railways into the Australian National Railways Commission in 1975, together with the former Commonwealth Railways and the former Tasmanian Government Railways...
and the State Transport Authority (STA)
State Transport Authority (South Australia)
The State Transport Authority was the government agency which controlled public transport within the State of South Australia between 1974 and 1994....
respectively. The final units were retired in October 1996.
The H class Adelaide tram were the mainstay of the Glenelg tram
Glenelg Tram
The Glenelg Tram is a route from the centre of Adelaide, South Australia to the beach-side suburb of Glenelg. It is Adelaide's only remaining tramway, running at approximately 15-minute intervals, and is part of the integrated Adelaide Metro public transport network...
line for 75 years since the line was converted from railway to tramway
Trams in Adelaide
Until 1958, Trams in Adelaide formed a network spanning most of suburban Adelaide, with a history dating back to 1878. Adelaide ran horse trams from 1878 to 1914 and electric trams from 1909, but has primarily relied on buses for public transport since 1958...
operation and electrified in 1929. Formerly operated by TransAdelaide, all of the class have been replaced by new Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
Flexity Classic
Flexity Classic
The Flexity Classic is a model of light-rail tram manufactured by Bombardier. Although it is marketed as the most traditionally-designed member of the Flexity family, it is nevertheless a modern bi-directional articulated tram with a low-floor section allowing improved accessibility, especially to...
low-floor trams. It is uncertain if the weekend tourist operation of these trams will continue.
See also
- Adelaide MetroAdelaide MetroAdelaide Metro is the public transport system of the South Australian capital of Adelaide and the brand name of the Public Transport Division of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. It is an intermodal system with services provided by bus, tram or commuter rail throughout the...
- State Transport Authority
- List of Adelaide railway stations
External links
- TransAdelaide (official site)
- Adelaide Metro
- South Australian Office of Public Transport