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The P set (used by AnyTrip) Xplorer is a class of diesel multiple unit used operated by NSW TrainLink on their regional network. They are very similar to the Endeavour railcars used on the intercity network. All 23 carriages were built by ABB Transportation (now Bombardier Transportation) in Dandenong, Victoria. The Xplorer railcars are a predecessor of the Vlocity railcars operated by V/Line in Victoria.

History[]

Xplorer1

An Xplorer set at Central (in the original CountryLink livery)

The Xplorer trains entered service in 1993. Originally there were only 21 cars, with 7 of each type. Later, one Endeavour set was converted to an Xplorer, adding one EA and one EC car.

On 2 December 2016, a short-circuit occurred and started a small fire in the auxillary engine of EC2525. The carriage was operating as part of the northbound Armidale/Moree service. The fire suppression system shut down the affected engine and so 2 carriages lost power. Although the engines remained available on other carriages, the driver was unable to restore power and eventually lost power on all carriages. The train was stuck for four hours, with no air-conditioning or toilet facilities until power was restored by a technician. The outside temperature reached 39ºC during this time and several passengers were subsequently treated for heatstroke.[1]

The state government is planning to replace the Xplorers with the CAF Civity. These trains are expected to start running in the early 2023 and should improve safety, comfort and reliability.[2]

Design[]

The Xplorers are diesel multiple units. Each car is fitted with two engines, one for traction and one to generate electricity to power lights, airconditioning etc. Each car can carry 1600L of fuel, giving them a range of 1600km. There are single leaf sliding doors at both ends of each carriage, with those adjacent to crew compartments designated as staff only.

Countrylink Xplorer Economy Carriage

An EC carriage

There are three different types of Xplorer carriages:

Prefix Layout (L-R)
EA Driving cab, first class seating, buffet, toilet
EB Toilet, economy seating, toilet
EC Accessible toilet, wheelchair space, economy seating, luggage compartment, driving cab

The sets are usually arranged as EA-(zero or more EB according to demand)-EC. Two sets can also connect together for services such as the Armidale/Moree service, which divides at Werris Creek to serve both branches of the line. Unlike the XPT, there are no sleeper cars on this train.

Service[]

These trains run on NSW TrainLink's shorter regional routes:


New South Wales Rail Rollingstock
Suburban EMUs

Red Rattlers S set, K set, C set, T set (Tangara), M set (Millennium), A (Waratah) and B sets (Waratah Series 2)
Sydney Metro: Alstom Metropolis set


Intercity EMUs
U set, V set, H set (OSCAR), D set (Mariyung)


Country Trains
Retired: CPH railmotor (Tin Hare), Creamy Kate and Trailer, Silver City Comet, 400/500 class, 600/700 class, 620/720 class, 660/760 class, 900/800 class (DEB), 1100 class (Budd), 1200 class (Tulloch)
In Service: XPT, Xplorer, Endeavour, Hunter
Future: CAF Civity


NSWGR Diesel Locomotives
40 class, 41 class, 42 class, 421 class, 422 class, 43 class, 44 class, 442 class, 45 class, 47 class, 48 class, 49 class, 70 class, 71 class, 72 class, 73 class, 79 class, 80 class, 81 class, 82 class, 90 class, PL class, X100 class tractor, X200 class tractor


NSWGR Electric Locomotives
71 class, 46 class, 85 class, 86 class


NSWGR Steam
10 class, 11 class, 12 class, 13 class, 14 class, 15 class, 16 class, 17 class, 18 class, 19 class, 20 class, 21 class, 23 class, 24 class, 25 class, 26 class, 27 class, 28 class, 29 class, 30 class (3112), 30T class, 32 class (3237)(3265), 34 class, 35 class (3526), 36 class (3642), 38 class (3801)(3820)(3830), D50 class, D53 class, D55 class, D57 class, D58 class, D59 class(5917), AD60 class
SMR 10 class, ROD 2-8-0


Trailers
End platform, S type, N type, HUB, RUB, Stainless steel carriage stock


Light Rail
Adtranz Variotram, CAF Urbos 3, Alstom Citadis 305


Rail transport in New South Wales - Rail rollingstock in New South Wales - Sydney Trains Fleet - NSW TrainLink

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