# Adelaide DMU fleet replacement

**URL:** <https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/adelaide-dmu-fleet-replacement/1416>\
**Category:** South Australia\
**Tags:** rollingstock, discussion, heavy-rail\
**Created:** [3 January 2026 23:54 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/adelaide-dmu-fleet-replacement/1416 "2026-01-03T23:54:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Electro\_Sykes](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/electro_sykes/32/4018_2.png) [@Electro\_Sykes](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Electro_Sykes)\
**Post date:** [3 January 2026 23:54 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/adelaide-dmu-fleet-replacement/1416/1 "2026-01-03T23:54:14Z")

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So in the 2030s, Adelaide’s oldest Diesel trains will need replacing. Should Adelaide electrify all remaining lines, buy new DMU or buy battery powered trains. And also who should build them?.

 ![IMG_6510](https://d2ncxwic62bt2e.cloudfront.net/original/2X/e/e08f087b1a25284d8f17eb4b902d17f7148fdb1d.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Ozbob](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/ozbob/32/1784_2.png) [@Ozbob](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Ozbob)\
**Post date:** [4 January 2026 00:30 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/adelaide-dmu-fleet-replacement/1416/2 "2026-01-04T00:30:26Z")

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Adelaide’s non-electrified train lines are the Belair Line, Outer Harbor Line, Grange Line, and the Port Dock Spur, with hybrid diesel rail cars. 3000 and 3100 class diesel railcars were converted to hybrids recently I think. So maybe they might be around for a while longer. I think battery in future could be an option.

 ![image](https://d2ncxwic62bt2e.cloudfront.net/original/2X/6/6a53a57ccbae30b38b8dd4de11f3a84ba066c6e7.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Electro\_Sykes](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/user_avatar/forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/electro_sykes/32/4018_2.png) [@Electro\_Sykes](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/u/Electro_Sykes)\
**Post date:** [4 January 2026 03:40 UTC](https://forum.bettertransportqueensland.org/t/adelaide-dmu-fleet-replacement/1416/3 "2026-01-04T03:40:54Z")

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The conversion is only a life extension I think. Surely they’re not crazy enough to hold onto these old birds for another 20 years.

(Then again, guess this is Adelaide we are talking about).