New Zealand EM class electric multiple unit

New Zealand EM/ET class
EM 1367 leading a southbound four-car train on the Hutt Valley Line, 17 May 2003
In service14 June 1982 – 27 May 2016
ManufacturerGanz-MÁVAG
Built atBudapest, Hungary
Replaced
Constructed1979 – 1982
Entered service14 June 1982 – 1983
Refurbished
  • Tranz Rail 1996 – 2002 (entire fleet)
  • Metlink/Tranz Metro 2010 (one unit)
Number built44
Number preserved2
Number scrapped26
FormationEM–ET
Fleet numbers
  • EM 1004 – 1528
  • ET 3004 – 3528
Capacity148 seats
OperatorsTranz Metro
DepotsWellington
Lines servedKapiti, Hutt Valley, Melling
Specifications
Car body construction20.73 m (68 ft 18 in)
Train length43.06 m (141 ft 3+14 in)
Car length21.53 m (70 ft 7+58 in) over couplers
Width2.72 m (8 ft 11+18 in)
Height3.73 m (12 ft 2+78 in) without pantograph
Platform height730 mm (2 ft 5 in)
Doors8 electrically operated sliding twin doors (centrally controlled)
Maximum speed
  • 110 km/h (68 mph) (design) [1]
  • 95 km/h (59 mph) (service)
Weight
  • EM: 37.6 t (37.0 long tons; 41.4 short tons)
  • ET: 34.5 t (34.0 long tons; 38.0 short tons)
Traction systemGEC Traction camshaft resistance control
Traction motorsGEC Traction G316AZ DC motor
Power output400 kW (540 hp)
Acceleration0.75 m/s2
Power supplyMotor-alternator producing 230/400 V 50 Hz AC
HVACElectric heating
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead
Current collector(s)pantograph
UIC classificationBo′Bo′+2′2′
Braking system(s)Westinghouse "Westcode" electro-pneumatic brakes (six-step) with automatic air brake backup[2]
Multiple workingWithin class only
Track gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)

The New Zealand EM/ET class (also known as Ganz-Mavag) electric multiple units were used on suburban services in Wellington, New Zealand from 1982 to 2016. They were owned initially by the New Zealand Railways Corporation and finally by the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and operated by Tranz Metro, part of national railway operator KiwiRail.[3]

The 44 two-car units of an EM motor car and an ET trailer car were introduced between 1982 and 1983 on the 1500 V DC electrified Kapiti, Hutt Valley and Melling lines. After the introduction of the Matangi FP/FT class EMUs in 2011–12, they were largely relegated to peak services only. In 2012, the GWRC ordered a second batch of Matangi units to replace the Ganz-Mavag units, and the last units were withdrawn from revenue service on 27 May 2016 after 34 years in service.

The name "Ganz-Mavag" comes from the units' manufacturer, Ganz-MÁVAG of Hungary. It was widely used by the GWRC and in the media to distinguish them from other electric multiple units used on the Wellington suburban lines; they were also referred to as Hungarian units.

  1. ^ McGavin 1982, p. 57.
  2. ^ Sinclair, Roy (1992). Rail, the Great New Zealand Adventure. Grantham House Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86934-013-1.
  3. ^ "$168m Wellington Rail Package Signed". The Dominion Post. 5 July 2011. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.