Auckland Transport have released some new photos of the first of our new electric trains being built in Spain. Here is the press release:
The countdown is on for new electric trains to commence passenger service in Auckland.
The first train is about to roll off the production line at Construcciones y Auxillair Ferrocarriles (CAF) in Spain. CAF is building a fleet of 57 three-car high-speed train sets to carry passengers on the Auckland suburban rail network. These new state of the art trains have been designed to meet the specific needs of Aucklanders and feature the latest in terms of safety, comfort and reliability.
The first train is expected to leave Spain in June, arriving here in early September. Between September and April the new trains will be thoroughly tested and used for driver training before going into operation once there is a sufficient number to run a commercial service.
And for the first time we can reveal the seating layout for the trains. This comes after Auckland Transport consulted with user groups (including the mobility impaired and cyclists) on what they need from the trains.
Auckland Transport Chief Executive David Warburton says, “The input of various interest groups has helped with the final layout. These trains are designed specifically for the needs of Aucklanders.
The three-car trains carry up to 375 passengers, around 100 more than the current trains or an increase of over 35 per cent.
All cars will have a variety of seating arrangements. The longitudinal seating will be Priority Seating for people with mobility issues, seniors and parents with children as well as those travelling with large items like bikes and cases. There will be four sets of flip up Priority Seats inside the middle (or trailer) car where bicycles and wheelchairs can be secured for travel.
Dr Warburton says, “Passengers will be able to walk the full length of a three car train via the connection between the motor cars and central trailer car, making it easier to find a seat and meaning increased safety.”
And here are the images. The first shows what appears to be an almost completed motor car (there are two in each three car set)
While the second image shows the interior which is still being fitted out however is already looking very nice
I can’t wait till these are on the tracks and carrying passengers.
Processing...
Can’t wait to see them in the flesh
Are the seats flip-able, change of direction?
No they are fixed with half facing one way and half the other. The centre cars have longitudinal seating, some flips up for bikes and wheelchairs.
Yee-ha! Bring ’em on….
Looking really nice.
Can not come soon enough!
Good to see the general strike in Spain a few months ago did not delay these too much. Will WiFi also be available at the “stations”?
Better be… we have been urging….
Is the colour scheme final, or is this still an interim one?
I am pretty sure it is.
Cluttered. Why on earth did they not go for lengthwise bench seats like most metro systems? Designed by committee by the look of it with little thought to function.
Full carriage back to wall seating would have provided virtually the same number of bms on seats and far better access for large (recalling last year’s media stories), disabled, those young kids, buggies and people carrying luggage. Lost opportunity to have more room for standing passengers heading to Eden Park when trains are crowded, fast entry and exit, no need to climb over people when you’re trying to get out of the window seat, better vision across the carriage to take in the scenery giving the eyes more time to focus on landmarks or see your stop and no need for half the passengers to ride facing backwards. The driver is the only person who needs to be facing forward.
Looks the same as the old trains. Hardly the tranformational shift I thought was the objective.
…Yes. My thoughts too – right down to the square inlaid windows which scream ADL to me. What happened to the mock-up layout shown here (http://greaterakl.wpengine.com/2012/06/18/emu-mock-up-officially-launched/) – or are we seeing just a part of the internal layout above?
There will be longitudinal seating near the doors and in the low floor section of the middle carriage so still lots of space for luggage, buggies etc. In the Mock up they showed the low floor section.
As far as I’m aware the goal at the moment is for as many seated passengers as possible which is why they have gone for the seating they have. One thing that is worth noting is that the seats are cantilevered off the walls. The design is such that in the future the seating can easily be changed to longitudinal if needed.
Like Matt’s says the passenger saloons are a hybrid between suburban and metro configurations. Quite appropriate given our system will serve a similarly hybrid function. Don’t forget we’ll have plenty of trips 40-60 min in length coming out of the outer suburbs, these sets are likely to run to Pukekohe, and perhaps into the North Waikato some day.
And yes they are designed so they can be easily rearranged with fully longitudinal seating, or a greater proportion.
I’m also worried about the size of a 3 car set. If they will mostly run as 6 car sets, then the two extra drivers cabs is a lot of extra space that won’t be used for passengers.
Here is an example of maximising space! The effect of one continous passaenger space looks pretty cool as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCdjg87nWPc&t=100
Flip seats were wonderful. At least that way everyone was facing the front.
len! Len! Is it too late to change the seat layout? Please!
Owen – Flip seats good idea on intercity trains, but would just add to wear and tear and people using seats as foot rests on local services.
Have already put in more than my 10 cents worth today, but just another couple of points in support of longitudinal seating – squabs, floors and glass are all considerably easier to clean – Less potential for etching ‘tags’ on windows and walls and no exposed seat backs means less wear and a cheaper fit out. Across the fleet this would add up in reduced maintenance time and expenditure.
The seats are cantilevered off the floor, I understand, with no middle supports – so no problem cleaning under them if that is true. And I can’t really see how longitudinal seats would prevent window etching???
Presumably doesn’t prevent it, just makes it more obvious that you are doing it, if you are doing it in a crowded carriage – but it seems a bit marginal, I’d say, since presumably window etching mostly happens off-peak…
I am half and half about longitudinal seating…..Those trips out to Pukekohe would be tiring after a while.
Storage space at the top looks pretty inadequate at first glance. It looks like a tight fit for a briefcase, let alone a school bag or a chunky pack. I know Seoul isn’t a fair comparison, but I’m always grateful for the overhead storage space on the metro – especially when I can’t get a seat.
Come and have a look at Wellington’s Matangis which are a big success! The new AK trains appear to be similar in configuration so I expect they will be a success too.
Yes, few people would choose a Ganz over a Matangi. Mind you it’s hard to go past the growl of a DC traction motor as it powers up, way better than an AC motor..
Jarret Walker on seating configurations: http://www.humantransit.org/2013/04/subway-car-configurations-a-matter-of-taste.html