Diesel multiple unit

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PESA SA134 of Opole Voivodeship in Opole, Poland

The Transwa Prospector DEMU capable of up to 200 km/h (124 mph) provides a passenger service between Perth, Western Australia and the mining town of Kalgoorlie

A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the diesel engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.

Design [edit]

The diesel engine may be located above the frame in an engine bay or under the floor. Driving controls can be at both ends, on one end, or none.

Types [edit]

DMUs are usually classified by the method of transmitting motive power to their wheels.^{[citation needed]}

Diesel-mechanical [edit]

In a diesel-mechanical multiple unit (DMMU) the rotating energy of the engine is transmitted via a gearbox and driveshaft directly to the wheels of the train, like a car. The transmissions can be shifted manually by the driver, as in the great majority of first-generation British Rail DMUs, but in most applications gears are changed automatically.

Diesel-hydraulic [edit]

In a diesel-hydraulic multiple unit, a hydraulic torque converter, a type of fluid coupling, acts as the transmission medium for the motive power of the diesel engine to turn the wheels. Some units feature a hybrid mix of hydraulic and mechanical transmissions, usually reverting to the latter at higher operating speeds as this decreases engine RPM and noise.

Diesel-electric [edit]

In a diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) a diesel engine drives an electrical generator or an alternator which produces electrical energy. The generated current is then fed to electric traction motors on the wheels or bogies in the same way as a conventional diesel electric locomotive.^[1]

In modern DEMUs, such as the Bombardier Voyager family, each car is entirely self-contained and has its own engine, generator and electric motors.^[1] In older designs, such as the British Rail Class 207, some cars within the consist may be entirely unpowered or only feature electric motors, obtaining electrical current from other cars in the consist which have a generator and engine.

Benefits [edit]

A train composed of DMU cars scales well as it allows extra passenger capacity to be added at the same time as motive power. It also permits passenger capacity to be matched to demand, and for trains to be split and joined en route. It is not necessary to match the power available to the size and weight of the train - each unit is capable of moving itself, so as units are added, the power available to move the train increases by the necessary amount.

Distribution of the propulsion among the cars also results in a system that is less vulnerable to single-point-of-failure outages. Many classes of DMU are capable of operating with faulty units still in the consist. Because of the self-contained nature of diesel engines, there is no need to run overhead electric lines or electrified track, which can result in lower system construction costs.

These advantages often outweigh the underfloor noise and vibration that may be a problem with this type of train.

Around the World [edit]

Asia/Australasia [edit]

Australia [edit]

TransAdelaide's 3100-class diesel-electric railcars operating in Adelaide, South Australia

DMUs were first introduced to Australia in the late mid-20th century for use on quiet branch lines that could not justify a locomotive hauled service.

• Western Australia's Transwa operates the Prospector, Avonlink and Australind on medium and long country services.

Indonesia [edit]

Indonesian DMU Sri Lelawangsa, Medan

Japan manufactured DMU introduced in Indonesia in 1970s, First line which served by DMU is Surakarta - Jogja line or also called Kudaputih (white Horse) line. Indonesian manufactured DMU (KRDI / Kereta Rel Diesel Indonesia) introduced in 2000s, manufactured by Indonesian Train Industry (PT Industri Kereta Api) now its served Surakarta - Yogyakarta line, or Prambanan Express, Sri Lelewangsa (Medan - Binjai) line, Joglosemar (Semarang - Yogyakarta) line, and Surabaya - Sidoarjo line.^{[citation needed]}

Japan [edit]

JR Hokkaido KiHa 283 tilting DMU on Hakodate Main Line

In Japan, where gasoline driven ralibuses (on small private lines) and railmotors (Kihani 5000 of the national railways) had been built since the 1920s, in 1937 the first two streamlined DMUs came in service, class Kiha 43000 (キハ43000系).^[2]

The service of several hundreds (in sum even thousands) of diesel railcars and DMUs started in 1950s following the improvement of fuel supply that was critical during World War II.^[3] The Japanese railway network, except of the famous Shinkansen high speed lines, has cape gauge. Nevertheless very advanced DMUs have been developed for this general network.^{[citation needed]}

A refurbished ADL class DMU at Britomart Transport Centre in Auckland

Philippines [edit]

A PNR Hyundai Rotem DMU

The Southrail or the South Main Line of the Philippine National Railways which travels South of the Luzon island is one of the oldest rail lines in Asia and in the world. It operates Hyundai Rotem DMUs on the commuter rail service in Metro Manila.^{[citation needed]}

South Korea [edit]

Korail DHC-PP with new CI colour

Korail operates many DMUs. The DHC (Diesel Hydraulic Car), which made its debut for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, can reach speeds up to 150 km/h (93 mph) and serves Saemaul-ho trains.^{[citation needed]}

India [edit]

A DMU in India

Indian Railways operates DMUs in India. However, most major services such as the Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express are locomotive^{[clarification needed]} hauled.^{[citation needed]}

SNCF's turbotrain in Houlgate on the Deauville-Dives line. Turbotraines in Iran were converted to DMU

Iran [edit]

Iranian Railways operates many type of DMUs in Iran.^{[citation needed]}

Sri Lanka [edit]

A Sri Lankan DMU - Class S11

DMUs were first introduced to Sri Lanka in 1940. Aim of this was connecting minor railway stations and stops on the main line where most of express trains were not stopping. Currently there are about 120 Diesel Multiple Units operated by Sri Lanka Railways. DMUs are classified as Class S in Sri Lanka:^{[citation needed]}

• Class S3 - Operating Between Galle & Matara (MAN Germany) - 1 Trainset
• Class S5 - Tourist excursion Train (Hitachi Japan) - 4 Trainsets
• Class S6 - Operating On Broad gauge Kelani Valley Line Between Colombo & Awissawella - 10 Trainset
• Class S7 - Operating On Broad gauge Kelani Valley Line Between Colombo & Awissawella - 10 Trainset
• Class S8 - Running On Main Line, connecting Colombo and Sub Urbs. This DMU has a remarkably high acceleration rate from zero to 60 mph - 20 Trainset Available
• Class S9 - Running On Main Line, capable of running with an overhead Pantograph connected to a catenary. 15 Trainsets are available
• Class S10 - Chinese MTU Diesel Electric Train
• Class S11 - Manufactured By Rites India

Taiwan [edit]

The DMUs are now usually used on the Taiwan Railway Administration Hualien–Taitung Line, North-Link Line. DMUs in Taiwan are classified as Class DR.

• Class DR2700 - Built by Tokyu Car Corporation in 1966. Was the fastest train on the Western Line.
• Class DR2800 - Built by Tokyu Car Corporation in 1982 and 1984.
• Class DR2900
• Class DR3000
• Class DR3100

Europe [edit]

Germany [edit]

German ICE TD DMU near Rostock

The Flying Hamburger of Germany, introduced in 1933, was the fastest regular railway connection in the world. Its top speed was 160 km/h (99 mph), the average speed being 124 km/h (77 mph) on the tracks between Berlin and Hamburg.^{[citation needed]}

Ireland [edit]

DMU 2751 in Colbert Station, 2006

In the Republic of Ireland the Córas Iompair Éireann (CIE), which controlled the republic's railways between 1945–86, introduced DMUs in the mid-1950s and they were the first diesel trains on many main lines. The Great Northern Railway, merged into CIE at this time, also brought some DMUs of its own of a similar style.^{[citation needed]}

United Kingdom [edit]

East Midlands Trains 222009 at London St Pancras

The first significant use of DMUs in the United Kingdom was by the Great Western Railway, which introduced its small but successful series of diesel-mechanical GWR railcars in 1934. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway also experimented with DMUs in the 1930s, both on its own system, and on that of its Northern Irish subsidiary, but development was curtailed by World War II.

After nationalisation, British Railways revived the concept in the early 1950s. At that time there was an urgent need to move away from expensive steam traction which led to many experimental designs using diesel propulsion and multiple units. The early DMUs proved successful, and under BR's 1955 Modernisation Plan the building of a large fleet was authorised. These BR "First Generation" DMUs were built between 1956 and 1963, and some are still in service as of 2008. Most were diesel-mechanical, but a few designs had hydraulic transmissions (these were generally less successful and were withdrawn earlier than the main diesel-mechanical types).^{[citation needed]}

BR's owners, the British Government, required that contracts for the design and manufacture of new locomotives and rolling stock be split between numerous private firms as well as BR's own workshops, while different BR Regions laid down different specifications. The result was a multitude of different types, one of which was:

• 'Intercity' units, which were more substantially constructed, and shared many features with contemporary hauled coaching stock. They were built for express services on important secondary routes on the Scottish, North Eastern and Western Regions.^{[citation needed]}

In 1960, British Railways introduced its Blue Pullman high speed DEMUs.^[4] These were few in number and relatively short-lived,^[4] but they paved the way for the very successful British Rail "InterCity 125" or High Speed Train (HST) units, which were built between 1975 and 1982 to take over most principal express services on non-electrified routes.^[5][6] These 125 mph (201 km/h) trains run with a streamlined power car at each end and (typically) 7 to 9 intermediate trailer cars.^[7][8] Although originally classified as DEMUs, the trailer cars are very similar to loco-hauled stock, and the power cars were later reclassified as locomotives under Class 43.^[7][8] They remain in widespread use.^[7][8]

The popular Class 170 was the best selling DMU of the last 10 years in the UK.

By the early 1980s, many of the surviving First Generation units were becoming life-expired, which lead to spiralling maintenance costs, poor reliability and a poor public image for the railway. A stopgap solution was to convert some services back to locomotive haulage, as spare locomotives and hauled coaching stock were available, but this also increased operating costs. Commencing in the mid '80s, British Rail embarked upon its so called "Sprinterisation" programme, to replace most of the first generation DMUs and many locomotive-hauled trains with three new families of DMU:

• Class 140-144 Pacer railbuses, ultra-low-cost diesel-mechanical units utilising 4-wheeled chassis and lightweight bus bodywork, designed for provincial branch line and stopping services. The earliest examples have now been withdrawn from service;^{[citation needed]}
• Sprinter a family of diesel-hydraulic DMUs. These fall into three sub-groups; Class 150 Sprinters (for branch line/commuter service), Class 153 / 155 / 156 Super Sprinters (for longer cross country services), and Class 158 / 159 Express units (for secondary express services);
• Networker diesel-hydraulic units, of Class 165 Network Turbo (standard commuter version) and Class 166 Network Express (for longer distance commuter services). These took over the remaining non-electric commuter services into London.^{[citation needed]}

Following the privatisation of British Rail in the late 1990s, several other diesel-hydraulic DMU families have been introduced:^{[citation needed]}

• Class 168 Clubman and Class 170/171 Turbostar units, a development of the earlier Networkers. These are built by Bombardier Transportation and are the most numerous and widespread of the post-privatisation designs. The same basic design has been adapted for a variety of different types of use, ranging from commuter to secondary express services;
• Class 175 Coradia were designed by Alstom as a rival to the 170 Turbostar, but bought only by First North Western;
• Class 180 Adelante were an Alstom design for express services built only for First Great Western;
• Class 185 Desiro, a Siemens design introduced to the UK in 2006 for First TransPennine Express services.

North America [edit]

Budd Rail Diesel Car RDC-1 #407 of the Cape May Seashore Lines, New Jersey.

A type of Diesel Multiple Units in North America was the Budd Rail Diesel Car (RDC). The RDC was a single passenger car with two diesel engines and two sets of controls.^{[citation needed]}

Canada [edit]

Two Bombardier Talent low-floor DMUs on the O-Train prototype line in Ottawa Canada.

Canada generally follows similar buffer strength requirements to the USA,^[9] but new services are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. As a result several types of lightweight DMUs have been used:

• The O-Train prototype in Ottawa, Ontario uses European-standard Bombardier Transportation Talent DMUs on conventional railway tracks under a specific safety agreement with Transport Canada.^{[citation needed]}
• Via Rail still^[when?] operates Budd Rail Diesel Cars as its Victoria – Courtenay train on Vancouver Island of British Columbia, and on Ontario's Sudbury – White River train.
• Canadian National operates the small custom-built Koaham Shuttle between Lillooet, and D'Arcy via Seton Portage, 213 northeast of Vancouver.^{[citation needed]}

United States of America [edit]

In the United States only FRA compliant DMU systems are permitted on freight rail corridors. This is due to the Federal Railway Administration setting higher coupling strength requirements than European regulators, effectively prohibiting the use of lighter weight European-style inter-city rail DMUs on U.S. main line railways. This has greatly restricted the development of DMUs within the U.S. as no other country requires the much heavier FRA compliant vehicles and no export market for them exists.^{[citation needed]}

• The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority has used a Colorado Railcar bi-Level DMU and Coach consist since October 2006 as a technology demonstrator on the 87-mile long Tri-Rail commuter rail line between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida. In early 2007, three more bi-level DMUs and an additional bi-level non-powered coach were acquired.^{[citation needed]}

South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Tri-Rail Bi-Level DMU

• Since February 2009, TriMet is using FRA-compliant Colorado Railcar DMUs for its rush-hour Westside Express Service (WES), a suburb-to-suburb commuter rail line between Beaverton and Wilsonville, Oregon. The opening of the line was delayed from fall 2008 to early 2009 due to delays in getting the vehicles.^{[citation needed]}
• Also in Oregon, former BC Rail DMUs were used on the Lewis and Clark Explorer excursion train from Portland to Astoria.^{[citation needed]}
• In Denton County, Texas, DCTA uses Stadler GTW cars to operate its A-train service. DCTA has secured from the FRA the first-ever alternative vehicle technology waiver to use these cars on freight corridors.^[10]

Operations using non FRA compliant vehicles:

• New Jersey Transit operates the River LINE from Camden, NJ to Trenton, NJ, every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes at other times. Trains are one or two cars. The line is classified as light rail because it utilizes imported European DMUs that do not meet FRA crash guidelines. The cars may not operate with the freight rail service that shares the line so evening operating hours are restricted to Saturday nights. This line currently carries over 7,500 passengers on a typical weekday, exceeding expectations.
• NCTD operates the Sprinter line using DMUs built by Siemens AG. Opened March, 2008, The line operates every half-hour everyday except limitations in the morning and at night on Saturday, Sunday and on holidays. The line runs from Oceanside, CA, where transfer is possible with Coaster commuter rail service to San Diego, to Escondido, CA. Like the New Jersey Transit River LINE, it is classified Light Rail due to European DMUs, but does not run at a more typical light rail frequency.

Proposed operations:

• BART The eBART expansion plan calls for diesel multiple unit train service to be implemented from the existing Pittsburg/Bay Point station. The first phase of the expansion will proceed east along the Highway 4 corridor to the town of Antioch. The plan includes an option for a station at Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. Future expansions in this direction could connect the eBART service to Oakley, Brentwood, Byron, and beyond to Tracy and Stockton. The DMU system was chosen as a less-expensive alternative to the existing third-rail BART design. Funding for this expansion was approved in April 2009.^[11]
• Boston's Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is reportedly considering options to utilize DMUs on the Fairmount Line, currently run by locomotive-pulled carriages, in order to improve service and headways on the line. This plan has become known as the Indigo Line.^{[citation needed]}
• The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved an allocation of $250,000 for a feasibility study of DMUs for "future transportation options for the region" on 5 July 2006 (Ara Najarian, Metro Board Member).^{[citation needed]}
• Chicago's commuter rail line, Metra, is studying the use of DMUs on its newly proposed lines (STAR line, SES). They claim these DMUs will have better acceleration, be more fuel efficient, and seat more customers than the current diesel locomotive and double decker rail cars that are currently in use.^[12]
• Seattle Area - The Central Puget Sound's regional transit agency Sound Transit, along with the Puget Sound Regional Council evaluated the feasibility of both DMU and diesel locomotive technology for operation in the Eastside BNSF Corridor in response to a state legislative request. The Eastside BNSF corridor runs from the City of Snohomish in the north to Renton in the south of the metro area. Sound Transit has no plans to operate passenger rail service in the eastside BNSF corridor, but has committed limited funds to provide capital improvements in the event another public or private operator proposes to operate the service. Link Light Rail.^[13]
• Anchorage Mat-Su Area- As part of a joint U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and ARRC Chugach Forest Whistle Stop project, a self-propelled rail car was purchased and delivered spring 2009. The diesel multiple unit (DMU) maybe available for flexible demonstration service during winter months.^[14]
• The Long Island Rail Road, the busiest commuter railroad in the United States, is exploring the possibility of operating DMUs on some of its lesser traveled routes in non-electrified territory, where operation of its current fleet of C3 bilevel railcars pulled by DE30AC/DM30AC locomotives is uneconomical and inefficient.

Manufacturers [edit]

DMU manufacturers include:

• AnsaldoBreda, Italy
• Bombardier Transportation of Montreal, Canada
• CAF
• Colorado Railcar, US (Rader Railcar 1988–1997, Colorado Railcar 1997–2008, US Railcar [5] 2009– )
• EIKON International
• PESA SA
• Niigata Transys of Tokyo, Japan
• Hyundai Rotem of Seoul, South Korea
• Siemens Desiro DMU
• Stadler Rail of Bussnang, Switzerland
• Integral Coach Factory of Chennai, India
• TÜVASAŞ of Adapazari, Turkey
• British Railways, United Kingdom (1950s-1962)
• BREL, United Kingdom (1962-1980s)
• Ganz-MÁVAG, Hungary
• RVR, Latvia
• Metrovagonmash, Russia
• Luganskteplovoz, Ukraine
• PT Industri Kereta Api, Indonesia
• Torzhoksky car-building factory, Russia
• Demikhovo Machine-building plant, Russia
• Nippon Sharyo/Sumitomo, Japan

See also [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Diesel multiple units

• Electric multiple unit
• Diesel locomotive

References [edit]