Written By: Matthew Read
Photos By: Matthew Read and Thomas Bulic
Page Last Updated: 22/9/20
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Unit Info:
Type: Electric Multiple Unit Manufactured: Hyundai Rotem, Changwon, South Korea Number Built: 111, 56 4 Car Sets, 55 6 Car sets Under Testing: 6 Delivered: 2 4 Car Length: 81 meters (approx) 6 Car Length: 122 meters (approx) 8 Car Length: 143 meters (approx) 10 Car Length: 204 meters (approx) Weight: 264 tonnes per 4 car set (approx) 390 tonnes per 6 car set (approx) Traction Equipment: Mitsubishi Electric Power Supply: 1500 V DC Passenger Capacity: 329 (4 car sets), 510 (6 car sets), 658 (8 car sets) 839(10 car sets) Max Speed: 160 km/h |
D2 with D102 on a 'max' power test between Summer Hill and Ashfield. (23/3/20)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
The New Intercity Fleet, abbreviated as the NIF or commonly known as ‘D Sets’ are a 10 carriage electric multiple unit made up of a 4 car set and 6 car set coupled together. These new trains are being manufactured by Hyundai Rotem/UGL/Mitsubishi Electric and are currently being slated to be built between 2019 and 2024.
D103 with running through the City Circle at Museum. (21/6/20)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
D102 at Edgecliff with a run to Wollongong. (4/7/20)
Photo By: Matthew Read |
The NIF project was announced back in 2014 as a concept to introduce new trains to replace the aging Comeng V Set carriages with the design dating back to 1970. These new trains were originally designed to be off the shelf so they could be built for cheap and quickly rolled out across the intercity network in order to replace the remaining V Sets in service and move the OSCar fleet onto suburban services to replace all the remaining second generation rolling stock known as ‘K’ and ‘C’ Sets.
After months of planning, a mockup of the train was revealed to the public in mid 2018 allowing selected community members to have their say in how the train was to be built in order to be up to 21st century standards. Feedback on the proposed design included; vision, mobility, hearing and cognitive impaired groups, aged customers and those travelling with children, luggage and bicycles. With this feedback, the train has been designed with the utmost importance of safety and comfortability. These features include; wider, more spacious two-by-two seating for extra room and comfort with armrests, tray tables, and high seat backs - charging ports for mobile devices, and dedicated spaces for luggage, prams and bicycles - improved accessibility including dedicated space for wheelchairs and accessible toilets - improved customer information through digital information screens and announcements, CCTV and help points, and modern heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
After months of planning, a mockup of the train was revealed to the public in mid 2018 allowing selected community members to have their say in how the train was to be built in order to be up to 21st century standards. Feedback on the proposed design included; vision, mobility, hearing and cognitive impaired groups, aged customers and those travelling with children, luggage and bicycles. With this feedback, the train has been designed with the utmost importance of safety and comfortability. These features include; wider, more spacious two-by-two seating for extra room and comfort with armrests, tray tables, and high seat backs - charging ports for mobile devices, and dedicated spaces for luggage, prams and bicycles - improved accessibility including dedicated space for wheelchairs and accessible toilets - improved customer information through digital information screens and announcements, CCTV and help points, and modern heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
D103 with a test run at Domestic Airport. (24/5/20)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
D103 next to D2 at Central. (31/5/20)
Photo By: Matthew Read |
In mid 2019, photos of the NIF being transported in Korea were revealed showing its modern and futuristic design in similar fashion to the suburban Waratah fleet and after, the first NIF arrived in Australia at Port Kembla where sets D2/D102 and D3/D103 were unloaded. The first NIF transfer from Port Kembla to Eveleigh occurred on 22/12/19 with much fanfare as lots of trainspotters were out to document the event. Set D2 and D102 was hauled by engine G513. The following night on the 23/12/19, set D3 and D103 was transferred once again by engine G513. Soon after, testing commenced with the set being loco hauled out west to Mount Druitt where they did testing in track possession between St. Marys and Blacktown. On the 16th of April, set D2 ran under its own power to Wollongong in the dead of night as run Y711 and Y712. Over time, the NIF was tested gradually to more places with many different tests conducted with it to make sure they were fit for revenue running on the NSW Trains network. As of the 23rd of July, three 10 car sets are in Australia. They are D2-D4 and D102-D104. While the NIF is seen as a big positive with passengers, the union and many staff have been against the NIF as it will revoke many guard positions on trains and they see it as a potential safety hazard with the driver incharge of both driving and operating the doors. Lots of protesting against the NIF including political support from the opposition has made sure the public was known about these ‘issues’ however the minister has downplayed them and assured passengers and railway staff no issues will arise with them.
The NIF has been scheduled to enter service at the end of 2020 on the Central Coast line. They will eventually be rolled out onto the Blue Mountains and South Coast line. Under normal operation, they will be run as either 4, 6 or 10 car sets however it is possible for an 8 or 12 car set to be formed with the set arrangements. Initially 512 carriages that would form 77 four car sets and 34 six car sets were ordered however in february 2019, this order was extended with a further 42 carriages being ordered to be put onto 21 of the 77 four car sets to allow for them to be run as six car sets. This capacity would be incredibly important especially on South Coast peak hour services. A contract was let to Downer EDI to make modifications and upgrades to existing rail infrastructure across the electrified network to accommodate the New Intercity Fleet however a contract has been awarded to the Continuum Alliance, an alliance between Transport for NSW, CPB Contractors and Lendlease, to make modifications to the Blue Mountains line specifically.
The NIF has been scheduled to enter service at the end of 2020 on the Central Coast line. They will eventually be rolled out onto the Blue Mountains and South Coast line. Under normal operation, they will be run as either 4, 6 or 10 car sets however it is possible for an 8 or 12 car set to be formed with the set arrangements. Initially 512 carriages that would form 77 four car sets and 34 six car sets were ordered however in february 2019, this order was extended with a further 42 carriages being ordered to be put onto 21 of the 77 four car sets to allow for them to be run as six car sets. This capacity would be incredibly important especially on South Coast peak hour services. A contract was let to Downer EDI to make modifications and upgrades to existing rail infrastructure across the electrified network to accommodate the New Intercity Fleet however a contract has been awarded to the Continuum Alliance, an alliance between Transport for NSW, CPB Contractors and Lendlease, to make modifications to the Blue Mountains line specifically.
D103 with a test run at Green Square. (24/5/20)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
D3 with a test run at Sutherland. (20/4/20)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
Unit Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current State |
NSW Trainlink |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Yet to Begin |
Under Testing |
|
NSW Trainlink |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Yet to Begin |
Under Testing |
|
NSW Trainlink |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Yet to Begin |
Under Testing |
|
NSW Trainlink |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Yet to Begin |
Under Testing |
|
NSW Trainlink |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Yet to Begin |
Under Testing |
|
D104 |
NSW Trainlink |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Yet to Begin |
Under Testing |
D5 |
NSW Trainlink |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Yet to Begin |
Delivered |
D105 |
NSW Trainlink |
Transport Asset Holding Entity |
Yet to Begin |
Delivered |
A link for the future test runs of the NIF can be found here