KTM Class 93

Class 93

ETS 203 KTM Class 93 at Pulau Sebang/Tampin Station.
In service September 2015
Manufacturer CSR Zhuzhou
Built at Zhuzhou, China
Constructed 2013 - 2015
Number under construction 24 cars (4 sets)
Number in service 36 cars (6 sets)
Formation 6 cars per trainset
Capacity 320 (320 seats)[1]
Operator(s) Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Depot(s) Batu Gajah Rail Depot
Line(s) served Padang Besar-Butterworth-Kuala Lumpur-Gemas Route
Specifications
Car body construction Aluminium
Train length 140 m
Car length 24 m (End cars)
23 m (Intermediate cars)
Width 2,750 mm (108 in)
Height 3,905 mm (153.7 in)
Floor height 1,100 mm (43 in)
Doors 2 single-leaf doors per side
Articulated sections none
Wheel diameter 850 mm
Maximum speed 180 km/h (Design)
160 km/h (Service)
Weight 258 t
Traction system AC traction unit
Power output 3 200 kW of power per unit
Transmission electric
Electric system(s) 25 kV, 50 Hz overhead line
Current collection method Double-arm Z-shaped Pantograph
Braking system(s) two-pipe regenerative break system
Safety system(s) ETCS, ATP
Coupling system AAR couplers
Track gauge 1000 millimetre gauge

The Class 93 is a type of electric multiple unit ordered by Keretapi Tanah Melayu for its intercity Electric Train Service (ETS). A total of 10 sets in 6-car formations are in the process of being built and delivered by CSR Zhuzhou of China. As per the technology exchange agreement, part of the consignment shall be partially assembled in Batu Gajah Malaysia.[2]

The Class 93 ETS will be serving the northern route of the electrified double tracking project (EDTP) expanding upon current ETS rail service beyond Ipoh, to destinations such as Butterworth, Alor Setar, until the Malaysian border station of Padang Besar.[3][4] Field testing of the KTM Class 93 sets have found that utilizing the present upgraded electrified double track, it is possible for the train to reach Padang Besar from Kuala Lumpur within four hours and fifteen minutes, with 5 stops at hand, while the Kuala Lumpur-Penang leg can be covered within 3 hours.

The rolling stock were to have been put into operation for the launch of the ETS Transit service between Ipoh and Padang Besar and the ETS Ekspres service between KL Sentral and Padang Besar. However, reports of problems during the testing and commissioning of the train sets had resulted in the Malaysian land public transport regulator, SPAD, not approving the trains for use in time for the launch of the two services on 10 July 2015 and 11 July 2015.[5]

Design

The KTM Class 93 is a custom built train engineered to high speed metre gauge operation. Dubbed the "Malaysian Bullet Train", or "Pocket Rocket", it features a streamline sloped head, with better aerodynamic efficiency relative to previous KTM rail classes. It is expected to be one of the fastest trains operating on metre gauge track. Relative to KTM standard meter gauge bogies, special higher strength materials were used in bogie construction. This is done in order to damp and sustain the higher stresses incurred by going at high speed over narrow gauge.

The train uses a standard light weight aluminum body. The train is capable of starting at 0.7 metres per second per second (140 ft/s/min), thus being able to accelerate from 0 to 160 km/h (99 mph) in two minutes. It is capable of stopping within a minute and half from a kilometer away (0.7 mile) at speed. The rail class also features standard safety systems such as a hotbox alarm system installation, horizontal stabilizer, vehicle health monitoring systems and other advanced safety equipment. Unlike the earlier KTM Class 91, the KTM Class 93 reportedly sources all its components from China, with the exception of the on-board equipment (such as is the ATP) which is sourced from the Chinese subsidiary of Bombardier.[6]

The intercity role of Class 93 requires longer station dwell times and a higher passenger seating comfort, so they have been designed with single leaf doors at each end and side of each carriage, fitted with end to end traverse 2+2 seating. In addition to this, it also features standard intercity offerings such as luggage racks, a toilet and prayer area within the length of an individual 6-car set. It has gang-ways interconnecting each coach, allowing passengers unrestricted movement throughout the entire length of the train. CCTV and 3-pin power outlets are provided as further features. Since these trains will operate in a tropical climate, they have over-head air-conditioning systems, providing temperature control, ventilation and dehumidification to maximise passenger comfort. The trains are also equipped with LTE-enabled WiFi throughout but currently it has not been turned on yet.[7]

Each train set costs RM50 million.[8]

Testing and Commissioning

Before launch, all new trainsets must undergo and pass compulsory testing, in this they are required to go 10,000 km without logging a single fault. The trainset will undergo testing for its automatic train protection system (ATP), other components tested included the propulsion system, the brakes, air-conditioning, door operations, auxiliary power supply, suspension, train control and management system, couplers, and even the wipers.

Delays to the July launch were attributed to ATP warnings whenever ETS201 enters the Butterworth branch line. Thus regulatory approval was not given for quite some time.[9]

Four sets went into service on 10 October 2015, operating between Padang Besar and Gemas on the ETS Ekspres service. The fifth set is already undergoing testing after construction in Malaysia while the rest are still under construction.

Procurement

The purchase of KTM class 93 was made under a bilateral trade agreement between the Malaysian Ministry of Transport and the Chinese Transport Ministry with the contract signed in September 2013. On top of this, the agreement includes a 2-year maintenance agreement. It also includes various aspects including financing, construction of transportation facilities and other turnkey contracts as well as the transfer of advanced technology and management methods.

[10] [11] [12]

The procurement of the Class 93 includes a clause that future sets of the series would be assembled in Malaysia. A CSR facility for maintaining and assembling is in the process of being commissioned in Batu Gajah, Ipoh, Malaysia to assist on this end.

Launch date

The first of the 6-car Class 93 EMUs has finally entered service on 3 September ETS 201 began service by operating the 5AM service from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur Sentral (EG9301). The ETS then operated the 9.30AM KL Sentral to Padang Besar service (EG9208).[13]

By October 2015, four of ten the KTM class 93 sets (ETS201 - ETS204) were already in service to serve the Gemas - Padang Besar and Gemas - Butterworth route.

Formation

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Seating capacity 44 58 58 58 58 44
Designation Mc Tp M M Tp Mc
Set Designation 1 2 3 4 5 6 Expected Arrival Date Status Launch Date Assembled in
Class 93 ETS 201 C9301 T9301 M9301 M9302 T9302 C9302 January 2015 12 January In Service 07 Sept '15 China
Class 93 ETS 202 C9303 T9303 M9303 M9304 T9304 C9304 February 2015 24 February In Service Sept '15 China
Class 93 ETS 203 C9305 T9305 M9305 M9306 T9306 C9306 September 2015 In Service 07 Oct '15 China
Class 93 ETS 204 C9307 T9307 M9307 M9308 T9308 C9308 September 2015 In Service 10 Oct '15 China
Class 93 ETS 205 C9309 T9309 M9309 M9310 T9310 C9310 November 2015 In Service Dec '15 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 206 C9311 T9311 M9311 M9312 T9312 C9312 November 2015 In Service Jan '16 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 207 C9313 T9313 M9313 M9314 T9314 C9314 December 2015 In Service Feb '16 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 208 C9315 T9315 M9315 M9316 T9316 C9316 December 2015 Construction TBA Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 209 C9317 T9317 M9317 M9318 T9318 C9318 January 2016 Construction TBA Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 210 C9319 T9319 M9319 M9320 T9320 C9320 January 2016 Construction TBA Malaysia

Cars 2 and 5 are equipped with a double-arm Z-shaped pantograph.

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Burthun, M (6 February 2015). "ETS Ipoh-Padang Besar mula operasi Julai ini" (in Malay). Sinar Harian. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "CRRC opens Malaysian rolling stock plant". www.railjournal.com.
  3. ↑ "中国首次出口最高速度的米轨动车组下线(组图) China's first export of a maximum speed of meter gauge EMU offline" (in Chinese). 30 November 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  4. ↑ Qin Dexing. "CSR wins order to supply bullet trains in Malaysia". ECNS.CN. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  5. ↑ Meng Yew Choong (19 July 2015). "Manufacturer working hard to solve issues with new ETS sets before official handover". TheStar.com.my. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  6. ↑ "Manufacturer working hard to solve issues with new ETS sets before official handover - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my.
  7. ↑ "First of Class 93 ETS EMUs enters service | MalayanRailways.com". malayanrailways.com.
  8. ↑ Meng Yew Choong. "Manufacturer working hard to solve issues with new ETS sets before official handover". The Star Online. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  9. ↑ http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/07/19/trains-not-running-smoothly-yet/
  10. ↑ "中国首次出口最高速米轨动车组 采用“子弹头”模式" [China's first export of most high-speed meter rail EMU a "bullet" mode] (in Chinese). 1 Dec 2014.
  11. ↑ "我国首次出口米轨动车组，为马来西亚量身定制" [China's first export meter-gauge EMU, tailored for Malaysia] (in Chinese). 1 Dec 2014.
  12. ↑ "中国首次出口米轨动车组 时速达160公里/小时" [China's first export meter gauge EMU speed of 160 km/h (99 mph)] (in Chinese). 1 Dec 2014.
  13. ↑ "First of Class 93 ETS EMUs enters service | MalayanRailways.COM". malayanrailways.com.
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