Alstom Metropolis (SM)

Alstom Metropolis Set
General
Manufacturer	Alstom
Track gauge	Standard gauge (1,435mm; 4′81⁄2″)
Fleet numbers	01 - 45
Maximum speed	120km/h
Current collection method	Pantograph
Traction system	Alstom OPTONIX MG 1500 IGBT–VVVF (1C4M×1) with 4-ECA-2120 (16 × 200 kW) 4-pole induction motor
Automatic couplers	Dellner Type 330
Line(s) served
Operator(s)	Sydney Metro
Fuel	Electric
Signalling system	Moving block Alstom Urbalis 400 CBTC-ATC under ATO GoA 4 (UTO), with subsystems of ATP, Iconis ATS and Smartlock CBI
Dates
Constructed	2016–
Entered service	2019
In service	2019–present
Years withdrawn	None
Statistics
Number in service	22 sets
Number withdrawn	N/A
Formation of carriages per set	6
Features
Airconditioned	Yes
Accessible toilet	No
Baby change table	No
Reversible seating	No
Wheelchair access	Yes

The Sydney Metro Metropolis Set is the first (and currently only) class of electric multiple unit operated by Sydney Metro. It is the first automated passenger train in Australia as well as the first single-deck set to operate in Sydney since the withdrawal of the "Red Rattlers" in the 1990's. A total of 176 carriages, making up 22 6-car sets, were ordered and later entered service in 2019 with the opening of the Metro North West Line. 23 more sets will be rolled out for the Metro City & Southwest Line commencing service in 2024, expanding the Metropolis fleet to 45 sets.

Initially, the Metropolis sets will start out with 6 carriages per set (a total of 132 carriages), but will later extend to 8 carriages per set to meet future demand for high patronage on the metro network. Each carriage has 3 sets of doors on each side, allowing for faster passenger boarding and alighting times. The carriages are also longer than other existing Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink sets, to compensate for the single deck arrangement.

History

The Metropolis Sets are manufactured in India by French company Alstom, who have a separate contract with Sydney Light Rail to deliver the Citadis 305 Trams. The company is well-known for building many metro rapid-transit trains used in countries within Europe and Asia. The design, created by Xavier Allard, is custom-made for Sydney's system while keeping the intended basis of Alstom's Metropolis trains.

In November 2019, Metro Trains Sydney (joint-venture of MTR Corporation, UGL Rail and John Holland Group) was awarded a 10-year contract to control the upcoming Metro City & Southwest from Chatswood to Bankstown, in addition to the existing Northwest contract. Accordingly, 23 additional Metropolis sets were ordered, bringing the total fleet to 45 sets in time by the time City & Southwest services commence.

Description and Design

A six-car Metropolis Set has a capacity of 1,100 passengers, including 378 seated. The sets utilise Alstom's trademark Urbalis 400 Grade-of-Automation signalling system that ensures trains are capable of operating automatically at all times including doors opening and closing, obstacle detection and emergency situations. If a fault occurs, an engineer can operate the train using backup driving controls located at both ends of each set.

The top stripes, doors and priority seating are coloured in a teal blue colour; the colour code used for Sydney Metro on maps and at stations.

Inside, the trains feature longitudinal 'bench-style' seating per carriage (similar to most metro rapid-transit/subway trains), with distinctly coloured seats for priority (i.e pregnant, elderly) and disabled passengers. Seats in wheelchair spaces can fold up in order to fit prams and wheelchairs. Above the doorways, a light flashes green if the doors are open, and red if the doors are closed. The green handrails with hanging grips and three-sided poles are for standing passengers to hold on to. The Metropolis sets also do not have separated gangway doors, meaning passengers can see and freely walk through the whole train.

Much like the Millennium, OSCAR, Waratah and Hunter Railcar sets, the Metropolis sets include multiple CCTV cameras (38 per train), internal Passenger Information Display screens (PIDS) and Digital Voice Announcements (DVA). Each set uses full-colour LCD screens above the doors as well as white LED screens on the ceiling. When a train approaches a station, these screens will flash blue with the name of the next station, along with icons for available transport mode interchanges (such as trains, buses and/or light rail). The Metropolis sets are also fitted with air conditioning and emergency help points. There are also two multi-purpose areas for prams, luggage and bicycles, which are located in the front and rear carriage. An exclusive feature of the Metropolis sets is the inclusion of USB charging ports inside the carriages.

Set 22 is equipped with track geometry monitoring equipment. This allows track defects to be found on metro lines, as no other track monitoring trains run on metro lines.

Formation

Set numbers on Metropolis sets are identified by the first two digits of the carriage numbers. The fleet is currently numbered from 01 to 22.

Carriage number formation on the Metropolis Sets is:

xx01 - xx03 - xx05 - xx06 - xx04 - xx02

(The xx initials represent the corresponding set number)

In Service

The Sydney Metro Metropolis sets officially entered service on 26 May 2019 on the Metro North West Line from Tallawong to Chatswood.

The current fleet consists of 22 six-car sets with a further 23 sets on order for Sydney Metro City & Southwest. More sets will be ordered in the future for Sydney Metro West and Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport. The trains will also be extended to 8 car sets when demand warrants it. All metro station platforms have provisions in place (extra platform and screen length) to hold an 8 car set.

The Metropolis Sets will operate on all lines of the Sydney Metro network:

• Northwest, City & Southwest (Tallawong to Bankstown)
• West (City to Westmead)
• Western Sydney Airport (St Marys to Western Sydney Airport)

Gallery

Metropolis Set promotional image

Interior of a Metropolis Set

Miniature model

Life-sized model at the Sydney Royal Easter Show

A Metropolis Set at Tallawong

Closeup of the doors

Metropolis Set on the skytrain bridge at Rouse Hill

Metropolis Set and a Waratah A Set at Chatswood

Doors opened

Prototype Metropolis Set

External Links

• https://www.sydneymetro.info/metro-trains
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alstom_Metropolis

New South Wales Rail Rollingstock

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