On the 27th of December after months and months and months of testing the first High Capacity Metro Train(HCMT entered passenger service on the Pakenham Line. Running as an extra the train run by unit 11 performed a single return trip from the depot at Pakenham East to Flinders Street Via the City Loop and back to Pakenham East.
On board were just about everyone from PTV, Metro and the Evolution Rail consortium and of course lots of railfans even some lucky cricket fans who were heading to the days play at the MCG.
Arriving into Narre Warren HCMT Unit 11.
A general overview inside 9011.
In each car above each doorway is two passenger displays showing the next station and when the train passes a beacon on the track displaying which side the doors will on.
That beacon ensures the doors are open only on the correct side and in the event of an overshoot or stop short prevent doors not on the platform.
When the doors are released the doors on non platform side lock and the red ring on the door button and warning light illuminate.
Looking towards the drivers cab showing two of the six wheelchair bays and the two "companion seats" in the Tc car. The large cabinets each side contain a wheelchair ramp.
Looking back down the car is the other four wheelchair bays.
In addition to displays above the doors there are three dynamic displays per car. These display a strip map of the line and when arriving at a station connecting services. In this case arriving showing connecting services at Parliament.
Another look in the train at Flinders Street.
The SPOT(Single Person Operation of Trains) monitors are somewhat redundant with the new fleet as every car has two cameras on the outside of the train allowing the driver a full view of the train. That and the HCMT stopping mark is well beyond where you can even see them.
Another look at the dynamic displays show the full strip map.
These trains have "Assistance" buttons along with Passenger Emergency Intercoms. Talking to people in the know thier functionally isn't really that different.
With the cricket crowd gone and many having gone for thier ride the trip back to Pakenham was less busy.
And finally departing Hughesdale. One of five rebuilt stations put on an elevated line.
There are a few little bugs to iron out but overall they seem to be up to the task of carrying passengers on an increasingly busy line.
On board were just about everyone from PTV, Metro and the Evolution Rail consortium and of course lots of railfans even some lucky cricket fans who were heading to the days play at the MCG.
Arriving into Narre Warren HCMT Unit 11.
A general overview inside 9011.
In each car above each doorway is two passenger displays showing the next station and when the train passes a beacon on the track displaying which side the doors will on.
That beacon ensures the doors are open only on the correct side and in the event of an overshoot or stop short prevent doors not on the platform.
When the doors are released the doors on non platform side lock and the red ring on the door button and warning light illuminate.
Looking towards the drivers cab showing two of the six wheelchair bays and the two "companion seats" in the Tc car. The large cabinets each side contain a wheelchair ramp.
Looking back down the car is the other four wheelchair bays.
In addition to displays above the doors there are three dynamic displays per car. These display a strip map of the line and when arriving at a station connecting services. In this case arriving showing connecting services at Parliament.
Another look in the train at Flinders Street.
The SPOT(Single Person Operation of Trains) monitors are somewhat redundant with the new fleet as every car has two cameras on the outside of the train allowing the driver a full view of the train. That and the HCMT stopping mark is well beyond where you can even see them.
Another look at the dynamic displays show the full strip map.
These trains have "Assistance" buttons along with Passenger Emergency Intercoms. Talking to people in the know thier functionally isn't really that different.
With the cricket crowd gone and many having gone for thier ride the trip back to Pakenham was less busy.
And finally departing Hughesdale. One of five rebuilt stations put on an elevated line.
There are a few little bugs to iron out but overall they seem to be up to the task of carrying passengers on an increasingly busy line.
