Transperth A-series train

Transperth A-series
AEA209 leading AEB309 through Bassendean in February 2010
Manufacturer	ABB/ADtranz (now Bombardier Transportation) and Walkers (now Downer Rail)
Built at	Maryborough, Queensland
Replaced	ADK/ADB class diesel railcars ADL/ADC class diesel railcars
Constructed	1991 - 1999
Number built	48 2-carriage sets
Number in service	48 2-carriage sets
Formation	2 carriages per trainset, can be coupled as 4 or 6 cars
Fleet numbers	AEA201-AEA248 AEB301-AEB348
Capacity	400 (standing 2 cars) 800 (standing 4 cars), 1100 (standing 6 cars)
Operator(s)	Transperth
Depot(s)	Claisebrook, Nowergup
Line(s) served	Armadale, Thornlie, Midland, Fremantle
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel structure
Train length	43 m (141 ft 1 in)
Width	2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height	3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
Doors	Pneumatic, 4 per car
Maximum speed	110 km/h (68 mph) (120km/h design)
Weight	94 t (93 long tons; 104 short tons)
Traction system	Thyristor phase angle control (ASEA)
Traction motors	Six 195kW DC motors per trainset (ASEA)
Power output	195kW
Electric system(s)	25 kV AC overhead lines
Current collection method	Pantograph
Bogies	Fabricated steel
Braking system(s)	Electro-pneumatic braking (Davies and Metcalfe)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Seating	126 per trainset

The A-series trains are a class of electric multiple unit built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for Transperth between 1991 and 1999. When introduced in 1991 the A-series trains became the first electric passenger trains to operate in Western Australia and until 2004, were the only type of train in use on the Perth suburban rail network.

Studies for the electrification of Perth's suburban rail network began in 1984 and in 1988 43 two-car electric railcars were ordered from Walkers Limited, Maryborough. Prior to this, Perth's rail transport network consisted of three railway lines radiating from Perth and operated by a mixture of diesel railcars and diesel locomotive hauled trains. In 1979 one of these lines, the Fremantle line, was closed but reopened in 1983 following a change in State Government.

The trains were transported across the continent on standard gauge bogies and converted to Western Australia's 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge standard locally. The first set, set 01, arrived in September 1990 and immediately became the subject of industrial action at Westrail's Midland Railway Workshops over a pay dispute and the impending one-man train operation which the new trains would ensure.

Testing of the new trains began soon afterwards and mostly on the Armadale line while the electrification process continued. While the trials were largely successful a number of negative points were noted, not the least of which were braking issues and the creation of a harmonic vibration from the train's bogies which caused nausea in otherwise healthy passengers.

The trains entered revenue service on the 28 September 1991, running Perth Royal Show specials and by April 1992 had virtually taken over the suburban network timetables, with only a very limited number of services still operated by the older diesel trains. The last entered service on 30 October 1992.