New Zealand AK class carriage

New Zealand AK class

Northbound Coastal Pacific about to cross Dublin Street and terminate at Picton.
In service 2 November 2011
Manufacturer Hillside Engineering
Constructed 2010–2012
Number built 17
Number in service 17
Fleet numbers AK, AKC (cafe)
Capacity 63 (AK car)
10 (AKC car)
Operator(s) KiwiRail Scenic Journeys
Depot(s) Waltham depot (Christchurch), Westfield (Auckland)
Line(s) served Main North Line,
Midland Line
North Island Main Trunk
Specifications
Car body construction 19.53 m (64 ft 1 in)
Car length 20.38 m (66 ft 10 in) over couplers
Width 2.74 m (9 ft 0 in)
Height 3.72 m (12 ft 2 in)
Doors Four plug-type doors (AK car)
Weight AK: 37.4 t (36.8 long tons; 41.2 short tons)
AKC: 37.4 t (36.8 long tons; 41.2 short tons)
Train heating Heating and air conditioning
Track gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)

The New Zealand AK class of 17 cars was built in Dunedin's Hillside Workshops for KiwiRail's long-distance passenger operation KiwiRail Scenic Journeys consisting of 11 AK saloon cars and four AKC cafe cars, supplemented by three AKL luggage vans and four AKV open-air viewing/generator vans converted from AG vans, similar to those previously used on the Coastal Pacific and the TranzAlpine.

Two AK, an AKC, an AKL and an AKV entered service on the Coastal Pacific on 2 November 2011.[1]

The class is used on the Coastal Pacific, the Northern Explorer and the TranzAlpine, replacing panorama 56-foot carriages. Funding of $NZ39.9 million was announced by the fifth National government in March 2009.

The class features a new white livery with the KiwiRail logo.[2]

Due to passenger loadings falling on both South Island trains as a result of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, three AK, one AKC, one AKL and one AKV have been moved to the North Island for the new three-times-a-week Auckland-Wellington Northern Explorer.

Design

The class was designed by KiwiRail's mechanical design staff in Wellington. It has GPS-triggered announcements, with displays on ceiling-mounted screens and commentary at each seat in five languages: English, French, German, Japanese and Mandarin.[3] It runs on newly designed air-cushioned P11 bogies.[4] Seating was supplied by a Wellington-based manufacturer.[5]

With large panoramic windows and quarter lights in the roof, the area of glass per AK car is 52 m2 (560 sq ft). To one side of each seat is a jack for headphones for the on-board commentary, and in front of each seat is a flip-down tray table. Seats facing each other in groups of four are positioned around a fixed table. Power points are provided at each seat area. Carry-on baggage can be stored overhead.

Class register

Northern Explorer AK and AKV cars at Wellington
The interior of an AK
Seating in an AK

The class include the following sub-types: AK saloon car and AKC licensed café car, supplemented by AKL luggage van and AKV outdoor observation/generator car.[6]

Type Number Entered service Allocation
AK 2018 2 November 2011 North Island
AK 2024 2 November 2011 North Island
AK 2030 1 June 2012 South Island
AK 2047 11 February 2012 North Island
AK 2053 18 May 2012 South Island
AK 2076 18 May 2012 South Island
AK 2082 29 November 2012 North Island
AK 2099 8 November 2012 South Island
AK 2116 26 November 2012 South Island
AK 2122 26 November 2012 South Island
AK 2139 27 November 2012 South Island
AK 2145 5 February 2013 South Island
AKC 2511 2 November 2011 North Island
AKC 2524 18 May 2012 South Island
AKC 2537 26 November 2012 South Island
AKC 2552 December 2012 South Island
AKL 19 2 November 2011 North Island
AKL 21 18 May 2012 South Island
AKL 39 26 December 2012 South Island
AKV 13 2 November 2011 South Island
AKV 26 21 April 2012 South Island
AKV 39 7 November 2012 South Island
AKV 41 5 February 2013 North Island

References

  1. ↑ Palmer, Kloe (3 November 2011). "New carriages debut on South-Island's rails". Christchurch: 3 News. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  2. ↑ "AK1 External". Flickr user 'Wekapass' – accessed 27 March 2011.
  3. ↑ "Hillside Engineering unveils work in progress". Otago Daily Times. 18 May 2010.
  4. ↑ "KiwiRail chooses motovated for new bogie". Scoop News – accessed 29 March 2011.
  5. ↑ RUTHERFORD, HAMISH (25 July 2011). "Rail contract boom for Lower Hutt firm". The Dominion Post. Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  6. ↑ SINCLAIR, ROY (13 December 2011). "World-class scenic transport". The Press. Christchurch: Fairfax New Zealand. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
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