Specifically designed for V/Line’s regional passenger services and built locally in Dandenong by Bombardier Transportation, VLocities have a stainless steel body, a Cummins QSK 19R diesel engine, Voith T312 energy efficient hydraulic transmission and a hydrodynamic and pneumatic friction brake blending system.

They are designed to run comfortably at speeds of up to 160kph, helping to provide a new, better and faster rail service to country Victorians.

Unit Configuration
A single VLocity unit consists of one DM railcar semi-permanently coupled to one DM(D) railcar, with each of the cars having drivers cabs at the opposite ends. Both cars are practically identical except for the disabled toilet located in the DM(D) car - the (D) representing Disabled toilet.

Passenger Saloon
Incorporating the best of passenger comforts, the seating saloon of VLocities feature carpeted floors, large tinted windows and a 2 x 2 seating layout, providing a total of 140 seats per unit.
Each seat has adjustable arm rests, and the width of the seats is equivalent to that of the present First Class seating found in V/Lines ACN & ACZ carriages.

The train is fitted with a climate control system enabling passengers and crew to be warm in winter and cool in summer, and new passenger information systems announce each stop – instead of the present practice where the on-train conductor announces the stop.

Disabled Access
Full wheelchair access is available from the middle two doors of the DMU, and along with the normal toilet fitted in the DM car, there is a wheelchair accessible toilet located in the DM(D) car.

Luggage
Sufficient luggage storage is available, with overhead luggage racks above seats on both sides of the saloon, and luggage racks adjacent to the vestibules allowing larger items such as surfboards and bicycles to be easily stored.

Toilets
Two toilets are fitted in each unit – a normal sized toilet with a swinging electronically lockable door in the DM car, and a disabled sized toilet with an automatic lockable sliding door in the DM(D) car .

Access in and out of units
Access to VLocities from platforms is by the means of an automatic plug door, with the release and locking of the doors controlled by the driver. The doors can not be opened in normal transit by passengers, except in the case of emergency. Exit from the saloon is the same as entrance - by the automatic plug style door.

Destination Boards
A destination board which displays the location the train is travelling to is fitted to the sides of each unit, and this is controlled by either the conductor or the driver in the either of the drivers cabs.

Numbering
DM cars are numbered in the 1200 series (i.e. 1201, 1202, 1203, etc.) and DM(D) cars are numbered in the 1100 series (i.e. 1101, 1102, 1103, etc.). Each unit can be referred to as simply ‘VL(unit number) – i.e. VL01 is 1201-1101, VL02 is 1202-1102, etc.)

Modifications
Sound Proofing & Water Fountains
The first 26 VLocity Units (VL01-VL26) were built without sound proofing modifications to the floor, and without water fountains. 18 of these units have had there reworking completed at Bombardier in Dandenong, and are all in service with V/Line, with the remaining 8 units stored awaiting reworking.
Units built from VL27 onwards have the soundproofing modifications and water fountains inbuilt.

Tables
VL28 was released into service in late March 2006, and has tables installed between facing seats for evaluation. It is possible that further units may receive tables if the trial with VL28 is successful.

These tables were removed sometime during late June and early July. The results of the trial are unknown.

For detailed information and photos of these tables, visit the news item regarding them
by clicking here.

Present Statuses
As of September 2006, all 38 VLocity Units (Units 1 to 38) of the first VLocity order have been built and released from Bombardier's Dandenong plant. Below is a summary of VLocities in service/accident damaged.

Links
To view scans of a brochure V/Line are handing out to passengers travelling on VLocities to introduce them to the new DMU's, please click here.

For an article on the first revenue service runs of VLocities on Thursday 22nd December 2005, please click here.
(requires Adobe Reader)
 

To view a Fact Sheet on the VLocities, which contains technical specifications, released by V/Line, please click here (requires Adobe Reader)