NZR FM class

Infobox Train
background =
name = NZR FM/FT class
"Matangi"

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imagesize = 300px
caption = Artist's impression of the new Matangi class EMUs
interior

interiorcaption =
InService = planned 2010

Manufacturer = Hyundai Rotem/Mitsui
Factory =
Family =
Built =
Refurbishment =
Replaced =

Formation = 1 FM class + 1 FT class (per set)
Designation =
Operator = Tranz Metro
Depots =
LinesServed = Wellington suburban lines
Paraparaumu Line
Hutt Valley Line
Melling Line
Johnsonville Line (subject to alterations)

yearconstruction = 2008 - 2010
yearservice = planned 2010
yearscrapped =
numberconstruction = 35
numberbuilt =
numberservice =
numberscrapped =

CarBody =
CarLength = convert|20.7|m|ft maximum
CarWidth = convert|2.73|m|ft maximum
CarHeight = convert|3.51|m|ft maximum (excluding pantographs)
floorheight = convert|1.11|m|ft maximum
platformheight = convert|0.68|m|ft nominal
entrylevelorstep =
art-sections =
doors =

MaxSpeed =
Weight =
Capacity = around 150 cite web | url= http://www.metlink.org.nz/story28307.php | title= Metlink News - Issue 6, July 2008 | publisher= Metlink | date= July 2008 | accessdate= 2008-10-02 ]
Acceleration =
Deceleration =
Traction =
Engine =
Power =
Transmission =
Auxiliaries =
Power-supply =
Gauge = RailGauge|1067|al=on|lk=on
Voltage = 1500V DC overhead
Brakes =
SafetySystem =

The NZR FM class is a type of electric multiple unit to be used (in pairs with FT trailer units) in the Wellington region of New Zealand by Tranz Metro. They are designed for the Wellington 1,500v DC electrification, using overhead catenary feed. They are to be called Matangi, which is Māori for “wind” and pronounced "Mah-tongue-ee" cite web |url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/story26548.cfm |title= Greater Wellington - New name for new trains | accessdate=2008-08-06 |work= |publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council|date= 2008-03-10] cite web |url= http://www.metlink.org.nz/story26413.php |title= Metlink - New name for new trains|accessdate=2008-08-06 |work= |publisher= Metlink |date= ]

They will provide commuter services to the Wellington suburban area; ie the Hutt Valley line to Upper Hutt, the Paraparaumu line to Paraparaumu and Waikanae, and the Melling and Johnsonville branches. The clearances in tunnels on the Johnsonville Branch are to be increased to allow the use of the EM and FM multiple units cite web |url= http://www.metlink.org.nz/story_images/5144_Metlinknews5web_s10344.pdf |title= Metlink News - Issue 5, April 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-06 |work= |publisher= Metlink|date= April 2008] . The power requirements of the new trains has necessitated an upgrade of both the electricity supply and signalling system for the Wellington network; ONTRACK plans to install ten new substations and to harden the signals against interference from the AC-powered traction equipment.cite journal |quotes= |last=Taylor |first=Bruce |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2008 |month=October-November |title=Upgrading the Line to Waikanae |journal=The New Zealand Railway Observer |volume=65 |issue=4 |pages=130 |publisher=New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society |location=Wellington |issn=0028-8624 |pmid= |pmc= |doi= |bibcode= |oclc= |id= |url= |language= |format= |accessdate= |laysummary= |laysource= |laydate= |quote=]

They will be made in Korea, and will be supplied from 2010. The budget cost is $210 million. They will be supplemented by the existing EM class multiple units supplied by Ganz-Mavag in 1982-83, and will enable the older DM class multiple units supplied by English Electric from 1949 to be retired. There are 70 units (cars) on order, ie 35 each of the motor units (FM) and trailer units (FT).

The name "Matangi"

The name "Matangi" came about from a competition to name the new trains. The competition run by Grater Wellington Regional Council, and over 100 entries were received, including several "Thomas" suggestions.

"Matangi" was nominated by regular commuter Brian Bond of Linden. "Matangi", the Maori word for "wind", was chosen for Wellington City's windy reputation, and the new trains being "as fast as the wind" and a "breath of fresh air to the transport system". The name was also chosen as it is easy to pronounce and spell, is distictively Kiwi, and had support from local iwi.

Tender and Supply

In December 2006 the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) announced that it would begin the tender process for 58 new electric multiple units to replace the DM/D class English Electric EMUs and to provide additional capacity. Three suppliers had been shortlisted [ cite web |url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/story20591.cfm |title= Greater Wellington - All aboard for new train tenders |publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council |accessdate= 2008-08-08 | date= 2006-12-20 ] . The GWRC formed Greater Wellington Rail Limited to purchase the EMUs.

In July 2007 the GWRC announced that the preferred supplier was a consortium of Rotem and Mitsui, and they were to be built in Korea. [cite web |url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/story23189.cfm |title= Greater Wellington - Greater Wellington negotiating with preferred supplier for trains |publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council |accessdate= 2008-08-08 |date= 2007-07-24 ] [cite web |url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/story25137.cfm |title= Greater Wellington - Greater Wellington buys new electric commuter trains |publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council |accessdate= 2008-08-08 |date= 2007-11-13] . The other two shortlisted tenderers were Bombardier (Australia) and CAF (Spain) [ cite web| url= http://www.metlink.org.nz/story22096.php? | title= Metlink News - Issue 2, May 2007 | publisher= Metlink | accessdate= 2008-10-02 | date= May 2007 ] .

In April 2008 the GWRC announced that an additional 20 units would be purchased [ cite web| url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/story27159.cfm | | title= Greater Wellington - Option to buy 20 additional commuter trains exercised | publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council | date= 2008-04-30 | accessdate= 2008-10-02 ] though an earlier announcement referred to an additional 12 units, making a total of 70 [ cite web| url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/story21238.cfm? |title= Extra carriages plan backed by full council |publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council | date= 2007-02-22 | accessdate = 2008-10-02 ] . Some additional cars (units) may be ordered this year [ Official Information Request 2008/079 of 9 July 2008 ] .

The GWRC Annual Plan says that "Planned work of $4.7 million to continue upgrading the traction and signalling equipment for the new passenger trains has been brought forward to 2008/09" [GWRC "2008/09 Annual Plan" approved 30 June 2008 (page 24)] .

pecifications

The GWRC advised that the Request for Tender documentation included the following requirements, although some specifications may change and no weight specifications were available [ Official Information Request 2008/083 of 4 August 2008 ] .
*The car body height shall not exceed 3506 mm Above Rail Line (ARL) with the pantographs lowered.
*The external width of the cars shall not exceed 2730 mm.
*The maximum height of the floor shall not exceed 1106 mm ARL.
*The platform level floor height shall be nominally 680 mm ARL.
*The single car length should not exceed 20700 mm.
*Bogie centres should be 15300 mm.

Though designed to operate in Wellington's 1.5 kV DC network, the FM cars will actually have AC drive gear and thus will need to convert the DC power supply to AC.

Interim Increases

Interim measures to increase passenger capacity with six extra reconditioned British Rail Mark 2 carriages hauled by NZR EA/EO class (1968) locomotives, and reconditioning of some NZR DM class EMUs in storage were announced in February 2007 [ cite web| url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/section1592.cfm | title= Greater Wellington - New and upgraded trains and bus services to come from package | |publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council | date= 2005-01-27 | accessdate= 2008-10-02 ] [ cite web| url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/story20078.cfm |title = Greater Wellington - On track for increasing carriage capacity | publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council |date= 2006-11-17 | accessdate= 2008-10-02 ] . The Hillside Workshops are to recondition the ex-BR carriages to SE class, and the Hutt Workshops the EO locomotives.

The GWRC proposes the refurbishing of up to three locomotives and up to five additional English Electric units as well as six ex-BR carriages. The proposed refurbishment of the Ganz-Mavag units is to be deferred from 2008/09, until the new units are available [GWRC "2008/09 Annual Plan" approved 30 June 2008 (page 24)] .

The interim increase is: two English Electric units in September (ex-Ferrymead), two English Electric units in October (Phoenix, owned by Kiwirail), and six ex-BR carriages and locomotive(s) in December to provide an 'express' service, see [ cite web | url= http://www.gw.govt.nz/story28261.cfm | title= Greater Wellington - Refurbished trains back on track soon| publisher= Greater Wellington Regional Council |date= 2008-08-01 | accessdate= 2008-10-02 ] .

References