New Matangi EMUs

[Daniel]

Excessive noise from the new Matangi trains has some Crofton Downs residents wishing for the return of the old trains..../Snip

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... -residents

Here is an idea for the ungrateful Johnsonville commuters. You can have back your old English Electrics and lets put these new Matangi's on the Kapiti line.

From what I've read the EE's just don't have any life left in them. For the Johnsonville line it's the Matangi's or bustitution.

That doesn't mean however that there can't be a legitimate problem with the Matangi's, just because they weren't build in China. Perhaps the designers didn't adequately take into account the effect the tight curves of the Johnsonville line would have on the bogies?

If they complainants lived in new houses build too close to the railway lines, or if their issue was only with the train horns, I would be less sympathetic but that does not seem to be the case.

Just because rail is exempt from noise regulations doesn't mean the issue, and its affect on public opinion, can be ignored.

Has anybody here heard the Matangi's along that section of the Johnsonville line?

When I was first made aware of the Matangi's whine I KNEW that sooner or later someone would whinge about it and that Fairfax would have a beat-up over it.
No surprises there. Although I'd like to know if the GWRC took this into account during the Matangi acquisition.

As for the whingers in Crofton Downs, AFAIK nobody there even has a residence adjacent to the line anyway! I can't imagine the Matangi's being more noisy than the sometimes rattling and screeching English-Electrics. If you live near a railway line, you can expect noise. Just like if you live near a main road. I'm sure on those frequently windy days they won't notice a thing. A storm in a teacup...

[Kalelovil]

When I was first made aware of the Matangi's whine I KNEW that sooner or later someone would whinge about it and that Fairfax would have a beat-up over it.
No surprises there. Although I'd like to know if the GWRC took this into account during the Matangi acquisition.

As for the whingers in Crofton Downs, AFAIK nobody there even has a residence adjacent to the line anyway! I can't imagine the Matangi's being more noisy than the sometimes rattling and screeching English-Electrics. If you live near a railway line, you can expect noise. Just like if you live near a main road. I'm sure on those frequently windy days they won't notice a thing. A storm in a teacup...

The article and the related news item that was on TV around a few days ago described a screeching or squealing rather than a whine. That could just be poor reporting though. The Matangi's were also described as being louder/more intrusive than the old trains.
Since their properties aren't adjacent to the line and the noise is still particularly loud and intrusive (allegedly), doesn't that make the problem worse?

[Daniel]

When I was first made aware of the Matangi's whine I KNEW that sooner or later someone would whinge about it and that Fairfax would have a beat-up over it.
No surprises there. Although I'd like to know if the GWRC took this into account during the Matangi acquisition.

As for the whingers in Crofton Downs, AFAIK nobody there even has a residence adjacent to the line anyway! I can't imagine the Matangi's being more noisy than the sometimes rattling and screeching English-Electrics. If you live near a railway line, you can expect noise. Just like if you live near a main road. I'm sure on those frequently windy days they won't notice a thing. A storm in a teacup...

The article and the related news item that was on TV around a few days ago described a screeching or squealing rather than a whine. That could just be poor reporting though. The Matangi's were also described as being louder/more intrusive than the old trains.
Since their properties aren't adjacent to the line and the noise is still particularly loud and intrusive (allegedly), doesn't that make the problem worse?

Well here's a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7pHu1YEAF0


Looks like a media beat-up to me. Just my opinion, but I'll wait until we hear from a lot of people in the Hutt Valley or Porirua/Tawa/Plimmerton whose property is actually adjacent to the line before I'll pay any heed.

[Callum]

Second Matangi unit just delivered is 4282, just saying

As for the Crofton Downs complaints, just sounds like whinging to me.

[Hood]

Lend them a DMU and give them something to really complain about!

[PBYCatalina]

for someone who lives very close to the J-ville line and uses the service frequently, I reckon there is a small increase in noise. Then there is the HORN BLAST at the level crossings, now that is louder, far louder than before. Although i do appreciate they change the horn to a little quiter peep during the early hours and very late hours.

[ka9102]

for someone who lives very close to the J-ville line and uses the service frequently, I reckon there is a small increase in noise. Then there is the HORN BLAST at the level crossings, now that is louder, far louder than before. Although i do appreciate they change the horn to a little quiter peep during the early hours and very late hours.

no its not ust the horns,as mentioned in this media article,its the squealing sound that upsets the residents nearby..

Matangi train noise upsets residents

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/ne ... angi-train\
-noise-upsets-residents


Excessive noise from the new Matangi trains has some Crofton Downs residents
wishing for the return of the old trains.

As the new trains have come into service along the Johnsonville line, nearby
residents say they have had to adjust to high-pitched squealing all through the
day and night as the trains come and go from the nearby station.

Crofton Downs resident Graham Paterson, whose street is close to the station,
said the screeching coming from the new Matangi was much worse than the old
trains.
"They just squeal. When they are arriving and departing from the station you can
just hear this high pitched squealing for ages. I would say it is even louder
than what the old trains used to do.''

The Matangi trains were introduced to the Johnsonville line two weeks ago as
part of the ongoing train upgrade programme. Upgrades to the line were also done
at a cost of $17 million.

Tranz Metro spokeswoman Sophie Lee said it was well aware of the noise
complaints, and would be looking into the problem this week. "We can't say much
at this stage because we are still establishing things, but the issues that have
been raised is something we do want to address. It appears that the horn on the
Matangi is different to the previous set up.''

But Mr Paterson said the noise was loudest when the trains were pulling into and
leaving the station, indicating it was not just the horns creating the high
noise levels. "With the previous trains it was just the braking that would make
a lot of noise, but now it's getting incessant. That can't just be the horn.''

Wellington City Council said some complaints had been received, but the Resource
Management Act exempted road and rail from being classed as excessive.

Tranz Metro staff were hoping to meet Greater Wellington Regional Council this
week to discuss what could be done to remedy the problem.

[greenwelly]

Given the number of Matangis in service at the moment, is there any schedules ( official or otherwise) which indicate on which services you will find them on ( J'ville line excluded)

Specifically, I am taking a trip out to Waikanae this Saturday Evening (After 8pm on the 28th April ) and was wondering what my chances of striking a Matangi were?

[rail_up]

Presumably the squealing is simply due to tight tolerances on the flanges, with everything being new.

In a few months, after they've 'worn in' a bit, I'd think the squealing will diminish.

[c46andc47]

Given the number of Matangis in service at the moment, is there any schedules ( official or otherwise) which indicate on which services you will find them on ( J'ville line excluded)

Specifically, I am taking a trip out to Waikanae this Saturday Evening (After 8pm on the 28th April ) and was wondering what my chances of striking a Matangi were?

Matangis do not run on the weekends. I have seen a suggestion that from the 26th May all weekend services will be operated by Matangis.

Evening (after 2000) and weekend trains to Waikanae are often replaced by buses while the network upgrade continues. I suggest that you check the Tranz Metro web site.

In summary - Matangi 0%, any sort of train maybe 50%

[c46andc47]

Given the number of Matangis in service at the moment, is there any schedules ( official or otherwise) which indicate on which services you will find them on ( J'ville line excluded)

Specifically, I am taking a trip out to Waikanae this Saturday Evening (After 8pm on the 28th April ) and was wondering what my chances of striking a Matangi were?

Matangis do not run on the weekends. I have seen a suggestion that from the 26th May all weekend services will be operated by Matangis.

Evening (after 2000) and weekend trains to Waikanae are often replaced by buses while the network upgrade continues. I suggest that you check the Tranz Metro web site.

In summary - Matangi 0%, any sort of train maybe 50%

Let me qualify that Matangis do not run at the weekends on the Hutt and Waikanae lines.

On the Jville Matangis are the only sets that run as the EEs no longer have running rights and the Ganz Mavags have never has such rights.

[greenwelly]

Matangis do not run on the weekends. I have seen a suggestion that from the 26th May all weekend services will be operated by Matangis.

Evening (after 2000) and weekend trains to Waikanae are often replaced by buses while the network upgrade continues. I suggest that you check the Tranz Metro web site.

In summary - Matangi 0%, any sort of train maybe 50%

Thanks for that, I am aware of the ongoing service disruptions that are occurring on evenings/weekends, so will keep an eye out.

Interesting comment about the possibilities of "All Matangis Weekends" post 26th May, ( Sounds like a Radio Promotion ) I think that would be a good step and one that would certainly be appreciated by weekend travelers, especially with winter fairly close.

[scooter]

4506 was sporting a very colourful urban paint job this morning. Though given where it was parked up the northern end on the Thorndon side of the mains Im not surprised. People can get there without many issues at all

[Flippikat]

Here we go again!

3 more units, fresh off the ship - spotted today in the usual place.

Because there's not much to block the view right now, it was dead easy to get the numbers:

4316
4322
4587

I spotted them this morning and made sure of the numbers when I passed them tonight on the way home.
Not sure exactly when they were delivered, but they sure weren't there around 5PM yesterday!

[edit]

I have updated the Wikipedia article accordingly - Class register & number built/under construction.

So now we have 31 in service, 9 built but under testing (40 built total),
and only 8 still under construction!

Probably only 3 more shipments then?

[eurokiwi78]

I believe 3 Ganz have now been 'mothballed'. Ironic since there are still a couple of EEs running about.

The GWRC website talks about retiring the Ganz from 2018 and supplementing with additional [Matangi?] units.

[scooter]

I believe 3 Ganz have now been 'mothballed'. Ironic since there are still a couple of EEs running about.

The GWRC website talks about retiring the Ganz from 2018 and supplementing with additional [Matangi?] units.

Mothballed or maybe withdrawn to commence SuperGanz-ing? Or have they still not decided to go ahead with the refurb programme?

[kaiwhara]

Gone-skied by the sounds...

Mothballed or maybe withdrawn to commence SuperGanz-ing? Or have they still not decided to go ahead with the refurb programme?

[Callum]

Gone-skied by the sounds...

Mothballed or maybe withdrawn to commence SuperGanz-ing? Or have they still not decided to go ahead with the refurb programme?

Really? They can't be THAT broken ;P maybe they just volunteered themselves to be the first units to get the refurbishment treatment...

[kaiwhara]

Actually, I could believe they are that broken!

Really? They can't be THAT broken ;P maybe they just volunteered themselves to be the first units to get the reburfished treatment...

[Flippikat]

Interesting.. I thought that the decision was cast in stone to go for a Ganz refurbish over new Matangi - comparison of costs & all that.. so you mean that a serious re-think is in progress?

I had a look at the GWRC website, but couldn't find anything about this...

Gone-skied by the sounds...

Mothballed or maybe withdrawn to commence SuperGanz-ing? Or have they still not decided to go ahead with the refurb programme?