TransAdelaide

TransAdelaide is a public transport company which previously operated the majority of the suburban bus network in Adelaide, Australia and currently operates the suburban train and tram network. TransAdelaide was established as a Corporate Body, in place of the State Transport Authority, a state-owned company that operated all the bus, train and tram networks from 1975 until 1994. On April 22 2000, TransAdelaide ceased to run bus services, with private companies taking over the following day.

TransAdelaide is integrated into Adelaide Metro's public transport system, making use of Metrotickets and the larger company's marketing and information capability.

After discarding the last of the aging Redhen railcars in 1996, TransAdelaide operates four types of railcars, the 2000/2100 class and the 3000/3100 class - all of which are diesel-based and are maintained by Bombardier. The 3000/3100 class are affectionately referred to as the "Pox Box" among rail enthusiasts, depicting their resemblance of the Electric multiple unit railcars found in other states. To date, TransAdelaide operates five metropolitan rail lines, which total to a length of 120km.

The Adelaide-Glenelg tram line is also operated and maintained by TransAdelaide, and is anticipating a major AU$71 million overhaul with new light-rail vehicles replacing the aging H-type trams which have been in service since 1929. Adelaide's metropolitan rail network is the only one in Mainland Australia which has not been electrified. However, there has been evidence of attempts by several governments throughout the 20th century to electrify the system.

TransAdelaide Railcars and Trams

3000-class

Each 3000-class diesel railcar has driving cabs at both ends and can operate singly, or in multiple with other 3000 and 3100-class units to build up trains of 2, 3 or 4 cars.

TransAdelaide regularly uses single cars on lightly-patronised routes such as the Tonsley and Dry Creek lines, and on the main lines at weekends or in the evening.

When delivered from the builders, all 3000 and 3100-class railcars were painted in an orange and blue State Transport Authority livery. In recent years, most 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. Only a few of the newest railcars in the fleet still retain the original orange & blue and this is expected to disappear with the next scheduled overhaul.

All of the 30 original 3000-class units are still in service.

3000-class Railcars
Track Gauge:	Broad Gauge 1600mm (5ft 3in)
Transmission:	Diesel-electric
Power Plant:	One Twin turbo-charged Mercedes Benz V-12 354kW (475 hp) direct injection underfloor diesel engine + 400kVA alternator powering one bogie.
Number in class:	30
Unit numbers:	3001 - 3030
Introduced:	1987 to 1996
Built by:	3001 - 08 Comeng 3009 - 30 Clyde GM
Passenger Seating Capacity:	106
Weight:	48 tonnes

3100 Class

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. Usually, they operate as consecutively numbered pairs (e.g. 3107 with 3108, 3109 with 3110). Occasionally, depending on maintenance needs, they can be seen in service as non-matched pairs, a single 3100 joined to a 3000-class car. Though non-matched 3100s are very rare. Only Clyde 3100 can be used with 3000s (Comeng and Clyde). Since the Comeng 3100 rear couplers are different.

Both the 3000 and 3100-class units were built in two batches, by two different manufacturers (see table). However the two batches are virtually identical.

All 3100-class railcars are currently in service.

3100-class Railcars
Track Gauge:	Broad Gauge 1600mm (5ft 3in)
Transmission:	Diesel-Electric
Power Plant:	One Twin turbo-charged Mercedes Benz V-12 354kW (475 hp) direct injection underfloor diesel engine + 400kVA alternator powering one bogie.
Number in class:	40
Unit numbers:	3101 - 3140
Introduced:	1988 to 1996
Built by:	3101 - 12 Comeng 3113 - 40 Clyde GM
Passenger Seating Capacity:	113
Weight:	46 tonnes

2000 / 2100-class

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. The 2000 class powercars are quite loud, emitting a high pitch whining noise when accelrating. But are quiet to ride in, especially the trailers.

Jumbos were conceived and designed in the late 1970’s to provide fast, attractive commuter services to expanding suburbs of the Adelaide metropolitan area along the Gawler and Noarlunga rail lines. 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 3000 & 3100-class units.

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. In the 1990s, any powercar used any trailer but today, Each powercar is usually assigned its own trailers, 2001 for example uses 2102 and 2113 (Though 2101 is likely to replace 2113 someday). Three of the five 3 car sets have trailers in consecutively numbered pairs. Powercars which usually run on 2 car sets are 2005,2007,2010 and 2012, Powercars that usually run on 3 car sets are 2001,2003,2004,2008, and 2011. 2006 and 2009 are out of service while 2002 is the spare. Most of the cars still retain their original orange paint scheme but Three sets of Jumbos (9 cars total) are painted in the Adelaide metro colour scheme as of Jan 2006, they are 2102-2001-2113, 2105-2011-2106 and 2117-2008-2118. 2118 is decoupled from 2008-2117 for weekend services to Belair.

2-car trains: 1x 2000, 1x 2100
3-car trains: 1x 2000, 2x 2100
4-car trains: 2x 2000, 2x 2100

Also Seen

5-car trains: 2x 2000, 3x 2100
6-car trains: 2x 2000, 4x 2100

On three-car trains the power car is sandwiched between the two trailers.

Five and six car Jumbos operated in the 1980’s and 1990's in peak hour services on the Noarlunga Centre line, but since 1996 train lengths on regular suburban services have been no more than 4 cars, mainly because the addition of more frequent train services. Sometimes, a 5 or 6 car set operates on the Noarlunga Centre line.

2000/2100-class Railcars
	2000-class	2100-class
Track Gauge:	Broad Gauge 1600mm (5ft 3in)	Broad Gauge 1600mm (5ft 3in)
Transmission:	Diesel Hydraulic	Trailer
Power Plant:	Two turbocharged Cummins 6-cylinder 390kW (525 hp) underfloor diesel engines, plus two torque converters and 175 kVA alternator	Trailer
Number in class:	10* (originally 12)	14* (originally 18)
Unit numbers:	2001 - 2012	2101 - 2118
Introduced:	1980	1980
Built by:	Comeng	Comeng
Passenger Seating Capacity:	64	104
Weight:	68 tonnes	42 tonnes

Note: * several power & trailer cars were stored out-of-service as of mid-2005. Cars 2006,2009,2103,2104,2112,2116 are out of service. However there is a chance that all of these are likely to be reinstated to the operational fleet in the future. Power Car 2002 is a spare powercar and is only used when a powercar of another set is getting serviced, since it must operate its trailer (or trailers), 2012 uses 2115 for example so if 2012 gets serviced, 2002 uses 2115, etc.

Trailer car No 2117 has had a section of seating removed for use of Bikes for weekend Belair services. Usually Runs with Powercar 2008 (or sometimes with 2002). 2118 is added to the consist for the Weekday services. This is the only 2000 class set that runs on all 4 major lines. The bike area also can be used for standing room in peak hour services to Noarlunga Centre.

H-class (Glenelg) Trams

TransAdelaide’s H-class trams have been the mainstay of the Glenelg tram line for 75 years since the line was converted from railway to tramway operation and electrified in 1929.

The cars were specially built for the conversion of the line by local manufacturers A. Pengelley and Sons. They have many of the characteristics of American interurban streetcars of that period and their heritage ambience has been carefully maintained. Although the H-class trams have been through several refurbishment programmes over the years (incorporating more up-to-date features like safety glass, fluorescent lighting and upgraded bogies), they still retain varnished wood and etched glass interiors, a classic Tuscan Red and cream exterior colour scheme and neither heating nor air-conditioning in the passenger saloons.

The H-class regularly run as 2-car coupled sets at busier times. All services are operated by a crew of driver and conductor (driver and two conductors on coupled sets). Most of the H-class trams are scheduled to be replaced in early 2006 by new Bombardier Flexity Classic low floor trams with vigilance control. However five H-class were specially refurbished in 2000, with the intention of retaining these cars for special weekend and holiday operations and ar due to be fitted with vigilance control plus electromagentic track brakes.

H-class Trams
Track Gauge:	Standard Gauge 1435mm (4ft 8½in)
Power Source:	600V DC overhead wire
Traction:	4x 48 kW (65 hp) traction motors
Number in class (in 2005):	21 (out of original 30) - 15 operational - 5 non-operational - 1 restaurant tram
Unit numbers: (most cars have been re-numbered during their lives. Numbers carried today are not necessarily the number as built)	351 – 380
Introduced:	1929
Built by:	A. Pengelley & Sons, Edwardstown, S.A.
Passenger Seating Capacity:	64
Weight:	23 tonnes

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