ADK/ADB class diesel multiple unit: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:31, 10 November 2019

Revision as of 09:12, 10 December 2019

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In 1967 and 1968 ten two-carriage stainless steel sets were manufactured for the [[Western Australian Government Railways]]. Each set consisted of an ADK power car manufactured by [[Commonwealth Engineering]], and an ADB trailer built by the WAGR's [[Midland Railway Workshops]]. The ADK cars were manufactured in [[Granville, New South Wales|Granville]] and railed via [[Melbourne]] and [[Adelaide]] requiring a change of bogies at each of these locations and again at [[Kalgoorlie]].<ref name=GrayMay>{{cite book|last1=Gray|first1=Bill|last2=May|first2=Andrew|title=A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages|date=2006|publisher=Bill Gray|___location=Perth|isbn=0-646-45902-3|pages=298–303}}</ref><ref name=JDunn>{{cite book|last=Dunn|first=John|title=Comeng: A History of Commonwealth Engineering Volume 3: 1966-1977|year=2010|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|___location=Kenthurst|pages=11–15|isbn=9781877058905}}</ref>

Following the electrification of the [[Perth]] rail network they were rendered surplus and in 1993 all except ADK 689 were sold, along with the newer [[ADL/ADC class diesel multiple unit|ADL/ADC class]], to [[Tranz Rail|New Zealand Rail]] to replace [[NZR 56-foot carriage|56-foot carriages]] on suburban trains in [[Auckland]].<ref name=GrayMay/><ref name=JDunn/><ref>{{cite book|title=The Railways of New Zealand|author=Churchman & Hurst|page=64}}</ref> In October 1993, prior to being privatised, New Zealand Rail sold the class to the [[Auckland Regional Council]] (ARC).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070530060205/http://www.trainweb.org/nzdiesels/railcar/wrdmu/ ADK/ADL] New Zealand Diesel & Electric Traction</ref>

In 2004 the ARC -funded an upgrade, which included refurbishment of the interiors, painting in the new [[MAXX (brand)|MAXX blue]] colour scheme and mechanical improvements to extend their life by 10 years. After the upgrade, they ran as four-car rather than two-car sets. All were refurbished except ADB 773 (in use at Lock 'n' Load paintball arena) and ADK 689 (which didwas not moveexported to New Zealand). [[Westrail]] planned on converting ADK 689 to a self-propelled track inspection carriage, howeverbut this did not eventuate.

Unlike the [[ADL/ADC class diesel multiple unit|ADL/ADC class]] and SA sets, the units have not been fitted with Electronic Train Protection (ETP) equipment, owing to their imminent replacement by the [[New Zealand AM class electric multiple unit|AM class]]. All are scheduled for withdrawal by late 2014.<ref name=history>{{cite journal|title=Railfan|publisher=Triple M Publications|volume=20|number=3|ISSN=1173-2229|date=June 2014}}</ref>

{{As of|2014|9|15}}, all services on the Manukau Line are operated by the [[New Zealand AM class electric multiple unit|AM class]]. As a result of this, all ADK units were placed into warm storage. Services to Papakura formerly run by ADKs are now run by ADLs, also displaced from the Manukau Line. A farewell trip was run by the [[Railway Enthusiasts Society]] on 16 November 2014, running on every suburban line in Auckland.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} The units were completely withdrawn on 20 July 2015. In August 2017 eight units were shipped to [[Mozambique]],<ref>http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1708/S00692/aucklands-old-diesel-trains-set-for-new-life-in-mozambique.htm</ref> with one unit being purchased by the [[New Zealand Special Air Services]] for training.

==References==