InterCity Express (Queensland Rail)

The InterCity Express are a class of electric multiple units manufactured by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for Queensland Rail. They were built to operate the Spirit Of Capricorn service on the North Coast line service between Brisbane and Rockhampton. The trains have been used on commuter rail services in South East Queensland since 2003.

History
The InterCity Express EMUs were ordered from Walkers Limited, Maryborough to operate the Spirit Of Capricorn service between Brisbane and Rockhampton following the electrification of the North Coast line. Electrical equipment was provided by ABB. In 1998, the faster Electric Tilt Train replaced most Spirit of Capricorn services, which were reduced to once a week from 1998 then discontinued on 24 May 2003, when the Diesel Tilt Train service to Cairns was launched.

They briefly operated on the Gold Coast line following the extension to Robina in 1998 and then on the Corinda-Yeerongpilly line, the use of which has since been discontinued, deemed too unsafe due to the fact that at the time the doors could be opened while the train was moving. Since 2003, ICEs have been used by Citytrain for interurban services exclusively on the Sunshine Coast line for services to and from Gympie North.

The trains have undergone multiple refurbishments since their introduction, adding new high-visibility lights, yellow doors, upgraded toilets and as is with the EMU sets, changed to squared-off windows on the cabs, instead of the original wrap-around windows. Unlike the EMU sets, neither of these sets received a push button retrofit during their refurbishment program. These units are also the only type in the Queensland Rail fleet to retain use of the original calico blinds, as opposed to the advanced MobiTEC electronic destination board display, although some have been upgraded.

Operation
The carriages can be configured to run in four-, five- or six-car configuration. Generally ICE sets are numbered in two groups of Trains. 151-154 are three car "sets" consisting of an EMD car (cab car) an EMM and an EMT (Similar to EMM but without motors). 155-158 are two car sets, consisting of only an EMD and EMM. Note: Different cars can be (and often are) mixed between "sets". Trains must run in sets of two, as to have a cab on each end (unless coupled to an EMU). This allows four, five and six car ICE trains. A Power Pair is an EMD and EMM car consist. These have two motor cars, one of which has a Pantograph and Driver's cab. Both have ABB thyristor drive equipment, The power pairs are numbered 151-158. (Cars EMD5151-EMD5158 and EMM6151-EMM6158) The remaining four cars are EMT cars, these do not have a motor. Numbered EMT7151-EMT7154

A power pair (with or without EMT car) can also be coupled with an EMU set to form a five/six-car ICE/EMU hybrid unit. The five-car ICE/EMU hybrid configuration was only used for service on the Sunshine Coast line. This no longer occurs due to operational reasons.

Future
All ICE units, along with the Electric multiple units (EMU), are in the process of being replaced by the 700 series 6 car trainsets, with some services to and from Gympie North being operated by Interurban multiple units (IMU).