In December 2019, the
Public Transport Authority signed a contract with
Alstom to deliver 41 6-car
C Series EMUs and two 3-car like-for-like replacements for the life-expired
ADP/ADQ Class Australind railcars. In January 2025, the order was doubled to four 3-car DMUs. The ADR/ADS railcars share similar features to the
C Series EMUs, both cosmetically and electrically. They operate in semi-permanently coupled 3-car sets. Each car is powered by a
Voith R2876T3-390 (
MAN D2876LUE631) horizontal R6 diesel engine via a
cardan shaft to a single axle. The first railcar left the
Alstom Manufacturing and Assembly Facility at
Bellevue on 26 September 2025 and testing commenced at
Cardup on 30 September 2025. High-speed testing between
Mandurah and
Rockingham was undertaken from November 2025. Testing on the
Arc Infrastructure network commenced on 23 February 2026 with the first run to
Bunbury on 4 March 2026. A new orange livery was launched to the public on 27 March 2026. The railcars are planned to commence passenger service with the resumption of the Australind service on 29 June 2026. == References ==