New Matangi EMUs

[Flippikat]

Sneaky!

The new arrival(s) are in the sidings, but frustratingly BEHIND the other Matangi units - as viewed from a passing commuter train.

I have managed to get the number of one new unit - 4374 (confirmation, anyone?) - but it's hard to see anything else

I've no idea if there are others - let alone what TMS numbers might be.

Do we have any insiders here who might know more about the new arrival(s)???

[Flippikat]

Another update:

Another of the sets that arrived in the last shipment was 4512 - just saw it today, peeking out from behind some other sets - still wrapped.

I THINK there's yet another one as well (which would make it 3 new units).. I think I saw the number starting with 452.. but it was a fleeting glimpse & could have been the tail end of 4512

Anyone else got a better look at them?

[scooter]

I can see one sitting next to the sheds under the Thorndon bridges from Thorndon Quay..... but not close enough to get a look at any numbers. No idea if there is more than one newbie so I'll have to take your word for now

[Callum]

I saw it on the way to Wellington this morning - FP/FT4529, in wraps next to the shed under the Thorndon bridges.

[welliboi]

According to the latest Metlink News, looks like the Matangi are not gonna be on the J ville line till March now!!

[scooter]

According to the latest Metlink News, looks like the Matangi are not gonna be on the J ville line till March now!!

I'm not even certain that NZTA have cleared them to run up the hill yet...

[kaiwhara]

One of the substations has been taken offline for a while too as it kept blowing roof fuses on the EE sets too.

[welliboi]

According to the latest Metlink News, looks like the Matangi are not gonna be on the J ville line till March now!!

I'm not even certain that NZTA have cleared them to run up the hill yet...

I remember reading somewhere that they were gonna start running Matangi for the Jville line for normal service from January 2012...then again they were supposed to be on there in early 2011! Maybe they should just stop stating times and when it happens it happens!

[Flippikat]

Update - looks like 4512 is the only one of the latest batch that's still in wrap - saw it on the way home today.

There were very few Matangi in the sidings just north of the depot this afternoon so I had a good clear view from the Ganz i was in.

Still I suppose it's a good sign that they're getting out into service

[scooter]

More newbies under wrap in the yard today. Theres at least two of them. Only spied the number on the more northerly parked one (4564) as I wasnt expecting to see any.

[scooter]

And I think the one behind is it 4558

[greenwelly]

The EMU yard adjacent to Platform 1 is currently awash with Matangi(s), I counted at least 18 sets at lunchtime,
(hmm BTW is there a consensus amongst railfans on what the plural or Matangi is?, older English rules would lean toward Matangis, but newer usage would favour Matangi)

[kaiwhara]

The Latter, it is a Maori name, Maori grammar applies.

The EMU yard adjacent to Platform 1 is currently awash with Matangi(s), I counted at least 18 sets at lunchtime,
(hmm BTW is there a consensus amongst railfans on what the plural or Matangi is?, older English rules would lean toward Matangis, but newer usage would favour Matangi)

[Andrew]

Would that make it Matangimatangi?

[Flippikat]

I've seen 4564 & 4558 a few times in the last few days - they are still in their wrap - and I've been keenly looking to see if there's a third one.

Unfortunately there's been a lot of Matangi and Ganz sets blocking my view in those sidings.

However today I think I saw the corner of a third new set - still in it's wrapping - can I have confirmation of 4541 ?

[scooter]

I've seen 4564 & 4558 a few times in the last few days - they are still in their wrap - and I've been keenly looking to see if there's a third one.

Unfortunately there's been a lot of Matangi and Ganz sets blocking my view in those sidings.

However today I think I saw the corner of a third new set - still in it's wrapping - can I have confirmation of 4541 ?

I've suspected that theres one parked to the south of 4558

[Callum]

Yes, 4541 is next to 4558. Saw it coming out of Wellington.

[Andy]

According to wiki there was a 4th set delivered - 4529. Can anyone verify?

[Flippikat]

According to wiki there was a 4th set delivered - 4529. Can anyone verify?

Hmm.. I read this earlier today, and had another look on the way home.. trying to see 4529..

It doesn't look like there's enough room for a 4th one in wrap, but it is hard to tell when they're hidden behind other EMUs in the sidings.

Remember, I had my doubts about a 3rd unit in this shipment until I saw it!

Still, if we don't count the unverified 4529 there's 30 of the 48 sets delivered - so 62.5% of the fleet is here.

Pretty soon we'll be passing another milestone - having half of the 48 sets delivered AND in service
(I think currently we have either 20 or 21 in service - can someone confirm what the breakdown of service/training units/testing is?)

...and that's not to mention their introduction to the Johnsonville line - Last I heard that was scheduled for March this year - and the retirement of the last few EEs

All this will be hopefully rolling along before winter bites - if we don't have any further setbacks it could be the best winter that commuters have had in a while *fingers crossed*

[scooter]

Does anyone "in the know" know the state of play with the J'Ville line? Have the Matangi's been cleared for the hill yet by NZTA or not?