New South Wales Endeavour railcar
The Endeavour railcar are a class of diesel multiple units operated by Sydney Trains on intercity passenger rail services in New South Wales, Australia on the Hunter, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and South Coast lines. They are mechanically identical to the Xplorers, but are fitted out for shorter travel distances. All 30 carriages were built by ABB's Dandenong rolling stock factory.
Fourteen two-carriage sets were ordered in April 1992 to replace Class 620/720 railcars, DEB set railcars and locomotive hauled stock, with the first entering service in March 1994. In November 1994, one further two-carriage set was ordered. Some Endevours are scheduled to be replaced in 2026–2027 by the R sets.
The trains have multiple-unit capability with the Hunter J Set but only in the event of failure or for empty coaching stock movements. These cars normally operate as two-car sets, however during peak periods they can operate as four-car sets.
Features
Each set consists of two carriages, one having a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and the other having luggage space and bicycles racks. All cars are air-conditioned. They operate as four carriage sets on a few peak hour services.Each car is powered by a Cummins KTA-19R diesel engine rated at at 1800rpm coupled to a Voith T311r hydraulic transmission driving both axles on one bogie via Voith Turbo V15/19 final drives. The transmission incorporates a Voith KB260/r hydrodynamic brake. An auxiliary Cummins LT10R diesel engine drives a Newage Stamford UCI274F alternator to supply power for the air conditioning and lighting.
The maximum speed of Endeavour railcars is but in service this is limited to.
In service
Endeavours operate on four lines:- Hunter: between Newcastle Interchange and Maitland or Telarah, with some services extending to Dungog and Scone
- Main Western: the Bathurst Bullet service, an express between Sydney Central and Bathurst
- Southern Highlands: between Campbelltown and Moss Vale, with some services extending to Goulburn and Sydney Central
- Illawarra: between Bomaderry and Kiama
Refurbishment
In 2009–2010, the Endeavours, along with the Xplorers, were refurbished by Bombardier Transportation's Dandenong rolling stock factory. The refurbishment included:- New reversible 3x2 seats, as found on the Hunter railcars and H sets, the seat covers are made of woollen moquette fabric which is more durable and vandal proof
- Vinyl flooring, replacing the original carpet flooring
- Voiceovers to closing the doors
- Improved air-conditioning system
- Improved crew facilities
- A new livery
Second Refurbishment
In 2017, the Endeavours were refurbished by Downer in Cardiff. The refurbishment includes:- New lighting
- New flooring, similar to the Waratahs
- New livery to four cars, 2801, 2851, 2802 & 2852