East Rail Line Metro Cammell EMU
| East Rail Line Metro Cammell EMU | |
|---|---|
 MTR MLR Train |
|
 Interior of a refurbished Metro Cammell EMU |
|
| In service | 1982-present |
| Manufacturer | Metro Cammell |
| Built at | Washwood Heath, Birmingham, England |
| Constructed | 1980-1989 |
| Entered service | 1982-1992 |
| Refurbishment | Alstom (1996-1999) |
| Number built | 351 cars (29 sets + 3 surplus cars) |
| Number in service | 348 cars (29 sets) |
| Number scrapped | 2 cars (in 1984 accident) |
| Formation | 12-car (including 1 First-Class car) (6 and 9 cars in the past) |
| Capacity | 1st & 3rd batch cars: 329 passengers per car 2nd, 5th & 6th batch cars: 332 passengers per car 4th batch cars: 72 seating passengers per car Total capacity: 3718 people per train |
| Operator | KCR (1982-2007) MTR (2007-present) |
| Depot(s) | Ho Tung Lau |
| Line(s) served | █ East Rail Line |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 23750 mm |
| Width | 3100 mm |
| Height | 4700 mm |
| Doors | 5 per side (originally 3 per side, 2 per side in First-Class cars) |
| Maximum speed | Design 130 km/h Service 120 km/h (originally 105 km/h) |
| Acceleration | 2.0 km/h/s |
| Deceleration | 3.6 km/h/s (in service) 5.0 kn/h/s (Emergency) |
| Traction system | Thyristor control, GEC DC traction motor model G315 |
| Power output | 225 kW or 301.5 hp per motor 3600kW or 4824 Horsepower per 12 car set |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV AC, 50 Hz |
| Safety system(s) | AWS (former), ATC (ATO), TBL (enhanced with ATP) |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: KCR trains |
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East Rail Line Metro Cammell EMU is an electric multiple unit owned by and originally operated by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), now operated by MTR after merger of both companies. Rolling stock of this model are currently serving on the East Rail Line in Hong Kong. Although MTR Corporation owns another set of EMU trains from the same manufacturer, Metro Cammell, there are some significant differences between the two models, with the Metro Cammell EMUs of the original MTR being known as the Modernization Train.
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[edit] History
The trains were ordered during the electrification of the KCR British section, now known as MTR East Rail Line, in 1978. Sets E1-E45 and E46-E61 were delivered to KCRC in 2 batches in 1982-1983, when electrification was completed first between Hung Hom and Sha Tin, and from then to Lo Wu respectively. KCRC also reordered further train sets in 1986 (sets E62-E86) and 1990 (sets E87-E118). These train may suffer from temporary loss of electricity while passing the dead zone (also known as the neutral zone) due to the lack of internal batteries. The exteriors of the trains before refurbishment featured a red stripe running across the length of the trains, and the design of the front part of the first and last cars, which encapsulates the driver's cab, is commonly referred to as the "Yellow-cab" due to its aforementioned colour.
Prior to the rule proclaimed in 1994 which fixed the number of cars on each trainset to 12, trains were inconsistent in terms of length, ranging from six cars (two EMUs), nine cars (three EMUs) to 12 cars (four EMUs).
Like the MTR Metro Cammell EMUs (Modernization Train), KCR Metro Cammell EMUs have undergone major refurbishment from 1996 to 1999 to extend their lifespan, carried out by the successor of Metro Cammell, Alstom. Refurbishments included the replacement of transverse seating by longitudinal bench seats to create more space for standing passengers (although transverse seating was retained in First Class), removal of all toilets, increasing the number of doors from 3 per side of each car to 5, removal of the freight compartment between driving cab and First Class compartment along with its doors, removal of intermediate driving compartments and the removal of gangway doors excluding First Class. Also, the safety systems were changed to TBL (enhanced with ATP) from AWS in 1998 and ATC/ATO in 2002.[1] The refurbishment reflected the significant change of role of KCR's British section, because of the development of New Territories new towns.
The refurbished trains are also known as Mid-Life Refurbishment Train (MLR Train).
[edit] Fleet
| Cars of East Rail Line Metro Cammell train | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| car type | driver cab | motor | batteries | pantograph | first class | length (mm) |
seat | standing capacity |
total |
| 1xx | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | 23750 | 42 | 287 | 29 |
| 2xx | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 23750 | 52 | 280 | 116 |
| 3xx | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | 23750 | 47 | 275 | 29 |
| 4xx | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | 23750 | 72 | - | 29 |
| 5xx | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | 23750 | 51/52 | 280/281 | 58 |
| 6xx | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | 23750 | 51/52 | 280/281 | 87 |
Configuration of East Rail Line Metro Cammell EMU is (southbound) 1xx-2xx-5xx-6xx-2xx-5xx-6xx-2xx-4xx-6xx-2xx-3xx (northbound).[2]
| southward (towards Hung Hom) | (towards Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau) northward | |
|
101-201-501-615-215-515-634-234-434-669-269-369 102-202-502-616-216-516-618-218-418-671-271-371 103-203-503-684-284-584-633-233-433-626-226-326 104-204-504-611-211-511-648-248-448-625-225-325 105-205-505-614-214-514-647-247-447-659-259-359 106-206-506-686-286-586-619-219-419-667-267-367 107-207-507-612-212-512-654-254-454-670-270-370 108-208-508-617-217-517-639-239-439-627-227-327 109-209-509-685-285-585-631-231-431-629-229-329 180-280-580-610-210-510-649-249-449-672-272-372 181-281-581-613-213-513-653-253-453-676-276-376 182-282-582-679-279-579-638-238-438-623-223-323 183-283-583-620-220-520-637-237-437-662-262-362 188-288-588-587-287-687-652-252-452-668-268-368 190-290-590-589-289-689-640-240-440-661-261-361 192-292-592-591-291-691-632-232-432-624-224-324 194-294-594-593-293-693-655-255-455-674-274-374 196-296-596-595-295-695-651-251-451-628-228-328 198-298-598-597-297-697-641-241-441-666-266-366 1100-2100-5100-599-299-699-658-258-458-678-278-378 1102-2102-5102-5101-2101-6101-650-250-450-663-263-363 1104-2104-5104-5103-2103-6103-656-256-456-664-264-364 1106-2106-5106-5105-2105-6105-635-235-435-660-260-360 1108-2108-5108-5107-2107-6107-636-236-436-665-265-365 1110-2110-5110-5109-2109-6109-642-242-442-675-275-375 1112-2112-5112-5111-2111-6111-643-243-443-673-273-373 1114-2114-5114-5113-2113-6113-630-230-430-621-221-321 1116-2116-5116-5115-2115-6115-646-246-446-622-222-322 1118-2118-5118-5117-2117-6117-657-257-457-677-277-377 |
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[edit] Accidents and incidents
[edit] Train accidents
On 25 November 1984, an East Rail Line Metro Cammell EMU train derailed between Sheung Shui and Lo Wu station. The incident occurred when the driver, preparing to back the train up to Sheung Shui station, failed to follow a speed/stop signal while the train was exceeding the speed limit. The train crashed into a boulder buffer with the first two cars piling on top of each other. The degree of damage was so extensive that the cars never returned to service. Passengers were unloaded prior to the crash while the driver sustained only minor injuries. However, the accident caused train services to be suspended for the rest of the day and the incident spurred a series of public outcries concerning railway safety. Set E45 was hence commissioned as a result of the accident to replace the damaged cars.
[edit] Underframe cracking
On 21 December 2005, an East Rail Line Metro Cammell EMU train failed while in operation. Following examination of the train, KCRC staff detected minor cracks in the welding of mounting brackets for some underframe components. A review panel commissioned by KCRC looked into the problem from four aspects:[3]
- the rate of change of the acceleration and deceleration of trains
- the welding of components' mounting brackets
- the profile of the track and train wheels
- suspension system
Since the full introduction of Automatic train operation (ATO) on the East Rail system in 2002, the rate of change of acceleration and deceleration resulting from ATO driving added stress to the underframe components. To allow a root cause investigation to be carried out, the use of the ATO system was suspended on January 15, 2006, leaving the operation of trains back in the hands of the train drivers, the safety of train operation under the control of the Automatic Train Protection system.[1] This resulted in a decreased frequency (from 24 to 23 trains per hour) and lengthened trip time (increase by 90 seconds to 42.5 minutes).[3] KCRC also temporarily transferred some staff from West Rail Line to cope with recent maintenance of trains.
The Environment, Transport and Works Bureau reprimanded the KCRC for not immediately notifying the Government when it found problems with its East Rail trains in 2005. Secretary for the Bureau Dr Sarah Liao said she has ordered the KCRC to inspect all its trains, and did not rule out suspending services if there are safety doubts. Dr Liao ordered the chairman to review the corporation's operations, including its management and overall system, and submit a report. KCRC Chairman Michael Tien accepted responsibility for the corporation's poor judgement in not sharing the information with the public in a timely matter.
On 21 January 2006, Michael Tien stated that the safety problems of East Rail had been controlled, and the train service was expected to operate as usual, including train service in the Chinese New Year. KCRC East Rail trains reverted to ATO operation on 6 August 2006, after the investigation confirmed that the ATO system is not a direct cause of the cracking.[1]
[edit] Preserved examples
A 1:1 scale model was once on display at the Hong Kong Railway Museum, built from components of carriage 145 of set E45. The model has since been scrapped.[4]
[edit] Gallery
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First class seating in a MTR Metro Cammell EMU
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LCD screen at top of window
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KCR Metro Cammell EMU running on the East Rail Line.
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Logo of KCR changed to that of MTR after merger
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Automatic Train Operation (ATO) of East Rail trains". Legislative Council Panel on Transport Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways. Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation. May 2007. http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr04-05/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0613cb1-1766-1-e.pdf. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ List of configurations of East Rail Line Metro Cammell EMU
- ^ a b "KCREast Rail Train Incident on 21 December". Legislative Council Panel on Transport Subcommittee on matters relating to railways Special Meeting on 18 January 2006. Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation. January 2006. http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0118cb1-732-2e.pdf. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
- ^ "1:1 Yelloe-head model .". www.rrpicturearchives.net. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=372256. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2008) |
[edit] External links
- East Rail Rolling Stock - Hong Kong Railway Information Centre (fan site)
- 1980s Metro-Cammell Products - Metcam.co.uk (dedicative site)
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[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Automatic Train Operation (ATO) of East Rail trains". Legislative Council Panel on Transport Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways. Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation. May 2007. http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr04-05/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0613cb1-1766-1-e.pdf. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
- ^ List of configurations of East Rail Line Metro Cammell EMU
- ^ a b "KCREast Rail Train Incident on 21 December". Legislative Council Panel on Transport Subcommittee on matters relating to railways Special Meeting on 18 January 2006. Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation. January 2006. http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr05-06/english/panels/tp/tp_rdp/papers/tp_rdp0118cb1-732-2e.pdf. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
- ^ "1:1 Yelloe-head model .". www.rrpicturearchives.net. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=372256. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
