Department of Infrastructure, State Government of Victoria, Australia.

VLocity trains

Modern, high speed VLocity trains are now operating throughout regional Victoria.

Information on this page


Fleet expansion

Thirty-eight two-carriage VLocity trains were introduced as part of the Regional Fast Rail project. The trains were built by Bombardier Transportation and represent a $535 million investment by the State Government. A further two, 2-car sets were delivered in December 2007.

An extra 54 motorised carriages are being delivered from mid 2008 to help meet expected growth in demand for regional rail services.

These extra carriages will feature:
  • seating for between 68 and 76 passengers
  • wide, four across (2 x 2) seating, with a seat width equivalent to current first class seating
  • four dedicated wheelchair sites
  • air-conditioning
  • passenger information systems to announce stops
  • storage for bicycles and surfboards
  • modern safety systems.
More information is available from the New and refurbished trains and trams page.
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Features

Features of existing 2-car train sets include:
  • seating for 140 passengers
  • wheelchair accessible
  • ‘four across’ seating
  • new passenger information systems to announce stops
  • temperature-controlled carriages
  • travel up to 160 km/h
  • a carpeted saloon area
  • ergonomic seats with movable armrests
  • baby change tables
  • water fountains
  • luggage racks above the seats at key points

In 2005 the trains won the Australian Design Awards and the Engineers Australia Award for excellence in engineering design. The awards recognise that they are unsurpassed in design, excellence and innovation and also add significant value to Australia's cultural and design identity.

The contract was one of the largest rail car contracts in Victoria's history, creating around 1,000 new jobs - 160 in the factory and hundreds more in supply industries across the State. There is 70 percent local content in their construction and a minimum of 80 to 90 percent in their maintenance. Local content included the bodyshell, fabricated metal parts, air conditioning, interior, seating and wheel and axle sets.
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Technical and performance specifications

Performance and capacity

Acceleration rate (service)0.9m/s2
Service braking0.95m/s2
Emergency braking1.12m/s2
Buff load700kN (collision post) 1800kN (coupler)


Technical characteristics

Primary powerCummins QSK 19R diesel engine (559kW) per car
Auxiliary powerCummins 80KW generator set per car
Battery (1 hour)
PropulsionEnergy efficient hydraulic transmission (Voith T312)
Engine and transmission controlElectronic
DoorsTwo electrically operated sliding plug doors on each side of the car
Service brakesHydrodynamic and pneumatic friction brake blending
Parking brakesTrain-lined, spring applied air pressure release

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Photo gallery

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