Written By: Thomas Bulic
Photos By: Thomas Bulic and Will Heino
Page Last Updated: 14/7/20
To provide rolling stock for the electrification of the Ferny Grove and Darra section of the Brisbane rail network, in 1976 Queensland Rail issued a tender for 13 three-carriage electric multiple units Bids were received from Clyde Engineering, Comeng, General Electric, Goninans, and Walkers, with the latter awarded the contract with electrical equipment to be supplied by ASEA. The first was delivered in May 1979, entering service on 17 November 1979 with all in service by October 1980.
EMU34 with EMU28 at Kepperra. (10/10/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
EMU68 at South Brisbane. (27/1/17)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
Before the first had been delivered, a further 11 sets were ordered for the electrification of the Shorncliffe to Kingston section. The first was delivered in November 1980. These differed from the first order by having longitudinal ribs in the panels above the windows
In February 1981, a further 36 three-carriage sets were ordered to provide rolling stock for electrification of services to Petrie and Lota The last 20 were built with one cab, requiring them to operate as six-carriage sets. The fiberglass cab molds were still fitted at the non-driving end, but not fitted out. These had only six powered axles, versus eight when two of the dual cab sets operated in six-car formation.
Further orders for 16, eight and four sets were made in 1983, 1984 and 1985, bringing the total ordered to 88 with the last delivered in December 1986.
In September 1986, sets 84, 85, 86 and 88 were hauled to Gladstone to operate a VIP train to Rockhampton in connection with the completion of an electrification project, before operating some special services to Bajool and Mount Larcom
Sets 81–88 were fitted with VHF radios to allow them to operate Sunshine Coast line services from Caboolture to Nambour from 29 April 1988, pending the delivery of the InterCity Express fleet. Others did appear on Sunshine Coast services with handheld radios, while 84 and 68 ran through to Gympie North in August 1990. After the InterCity Express sets entered service in September 1988, EMUs operated in multiple with them for a period.
In 1996, some appeared on Gold Coast line services, although they were only used sparingly, not being geared to operate at the 140km/h line speed.
In February 1981, a further 36 three-carriage sets were ordered to provide rolling stock for electrification of services to Petrie and Lota The last 20 were built with one cab, requiring them to operate as six-carriage sets. The fiberglass cab molds were still fitted at the non-driving end, but not fitted out. These had only six powered axles, versus eight when two of the dual cab sets operated in six-car formation.
Further orders for 16, eight and four sets were made in 1983, 1984 and 1985, bringing the total ordered to 88 with the last delivered in December 1986.
In September 1986, sets 84, 85, 86 and 88 were hauled to Gladstone to operate a VIP train to Rockhampton in connection with the completion of an electrification project, before operating some special services to Bajool and Mount Larcom
Sets 81–88 were fitted with VHF radios to allow them to operate Sunshine Coast line services from Caboolture to Nambour from 29 April 1988, pending the delivery of the InterCity Express fleet. Others did appear on Sunshine Coast services with handheld radios, while 84 and 68 ran through to Gympie North in August 1990. After the InterCity Express sets entered service in September 1988, EMUs operated in multiple with them for a period.
In 1996, some appeared on Gold Coast line services, although they were only used sparingly, not being geared to operate at the 140km/h line speed.
EMU58 at Fortitude Valley with a Northgate service. (10/10/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
EMU01 with a Ferny Grove service at Darra. (1/9/19)
Photo By: Will Heino |
State of EMUs (Feb 2020)
EMU units still in revenue service:
33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 & 59.
EMU units scrapped
02, 05, 07, 16, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 & 79.
EMU units preserved
01 & 04.
EMU units stored
Ipswich Workshops
03, 08, 09, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 60, 61, 69, 71 & 78.
Port Of Brisbane
06, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 & 31.
Petrie Yard
30 & 32.
Caboolture Yard
29 & 87.
Woombye Yard
80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 & 88.
Inside an EMU
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The interior of EMU28. (10/10/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic
Photo By: Thomas Bulic
All information sourced from Wikipedia and EMU/ICE Observations Group