MTR Metro Cammell EMU (AC)

Not to be confused with MTR Metro Cammell EMU (DC).
East Rail Line Metro Cammell EMU

MTR MLR Train

Interior of a refurbished Metro Cammell EMU
In service 1982-2019
Manufacturer Metro Cammell
Built at Washwood Heath, Birmingham, England
Replaced Will be with MTR R-Stock EMU around 2018-2019
Constructed 1980-1989
Entered service 1982-1992
Refurbishment Alstom (1996-1999)
Scrapped Expected 2018 (E45 - 1984)
Number built 351 cars (29 sets + 3 surplus cars)
Number in service 348 cars (29 sets)
Number scrapped Total 3 (2 cars (in 1984 accident), 1 car (depot accident), remaining to be scrapped in 2018
Formation 12-car (including 1 First-Class car)
(6 and 9 cars in the past)
Fleet numbers 1xx, 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 5xx, 6xx
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(s) KCR (1982-2007)
MTR (2007-present)
Depot(s) Ho Tung Lau
Line(s) served      East Rail Line
Specifications
Car body construction Aluminum + Plastic
Car length 23,750 mm (77 ft 11.0 in)
Width 3,100 mm (10 ft 2.05 in)
Height 4,700 mm (15 ft 5.04 in)
Doors 5 per side (originally 3 per side, 2 per side in First-Class cars)
Maximum speed Design 130 km/h (81 mph)
Service 120 km/h (75 mph) (originally 110 km/h or 68 mph)
Traction system Thyristor control, GEC DC traction motor model G315AZ
Power output 225 kW or 301.7 hp per motor
3,600 kW or 4,828 hp per 12 car set
Acceleration 2.5 km/(h·s) (1.55 mph/s)
Deceleration 3.6 km/(h·s) (2.24 mph/s)
(in service)
5.0 km/(h·s) (3.11 mph/s) (Emergency)
Electric system(s) 25 kV AC, 50 Hz Catenary
Current collection method Pantograph
Braking system(s) Pneumatic
Safety system(s) AWS (former), ATO, TBL (enhanced with ATP)
Coupling system Janney (AAR) coupler, Semi-permanent coupler
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge

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 two networks. Rolling stock of this model serve 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. MTR will withdraw all 30 sets in 2019. The trains will be replaced by new modified R-Stock trains ordered in December 2012.

History

A Metro Cammell EMU train in original form, 1993.
A Metro Cammell EMU train in original form, 1993.

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 trains 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 down the length of the trains, and the design of the front part of the first and last cars, which encapsulated the driver's cab, was 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).

The only non-refurbished train was E44 (144-244-444)

Fleet

Cars of East Rail Line Metro Cammell train
car type driver cab motor batteries pantograph first class length
(mm)
seat standing
capacity
total
1xx237504228729
2xx2375052280116
3xx237504727529
4xx2375072-29
5xx2375051/52280/28158
6xx2375051/52280/28187

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
  • (E1)101-201-501-615-215-515-633-233-433-626-226-326(E26)
  • (E2)102-202-502-616-216-516-642-242-442-675-275-375(E75)
  • (E3)103-203-503-684-284-584-648-248-448-625-225-325(E25)
  • (E4)104-204-504-611-211-511-641-241-441-666-266-366(E66)
  • (E5)105-205-505-614-214-514-647-247-447-659-259-359(E59)
  • (E6)106-206-506-686-286-586-652-252-452-668-268-368(E68)
  • (E7)107-207-507-612-212-512-649-249-449-672-272-372(E72)
  • (E8)108-208-508-617-217-517-634-234-434-669-269-369(E69)
  • (E9)109-209-509-685-285-585-651-251-451-628-228-328(E28)
  • (E80)180-280-580-610-210-510-631-231-431-629-229-329(E29)
  • (E81)181-281-581-613-213-513-630-230-430-621-221-321(E21)
  • (E82)182-282-582-679-279-579-632-232-432-624-224-324(E24)
  • (E83)183-283-583-620-220-520-655-255-455-674-274-374(E74)
  • (E88)188-288-588-587-287-687-637-237-437-662-262-362(E62)
  • (E90)190-290-590-589-289-689-638-238-438-623-223-323(E23)
  • (E92)192-292-592-591-291-691-654-254-454-670-270-370(E70)
  • (E94)194-294-594-593-293-693-656-256-456-664-264-364(E64)
  • (E96)196-296-596-595-295-695-657-257-457-677-277-377(E77)
  • (E98)198-298-598-597-297-697-650-250-450-663-263-363(E63)
  • (E100)1100-2100-5100-599-299-699-646-246-446-622-222-322(E22)
  • (E102)1102-2102-5102-5101-2101-6101-635-235-435-660-260-360(E60)
  • (E104)1104-2104-5104-5103-2103-6103-658-258-458-678-278-378(E78)
  • (E106)1106-2106-5106-5105-2105-6105-639-239-439-627-227-327(E27)
  • (E108)1108-2108-5108-5107-2107-6107-636-236-436-665-265-365(E65)
  • (E110)1110-2110-5110-5109-2109-6109-640-240-440-661-261-361(E61)
  • (E112)1112-2112-5112-5111-2111-6111-618-218-418-671-271-371(E71)
  • (E114)1114-2114-5114-5113-2113-6113-619-219-419-667-267-367(E67)
  • (E116)1116-2116-5116-5115-2115-6115-653-253-453-676-276-376(E76)
  • (E118)1118-2118-5118-5117-2117-6117-643-243-443-673-273-373(E73)

Accidents and incidents

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 (which was 233-234-235) was hence commissioned as a result of the accident to replace the damaged cars.

The depot accident included the only remaining coach no. 233 on E45, and coach no. 272 on E58. 233 took over the crashed 272 on E58 and became the current 458 in the late 90s. After then, the whole set E45 was scrapped, and a 1:1 yellow head model was included until it made room for the retired locomotive 51.

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]

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]

Preserved examples

A 1:1 scale model was once on display at the Hong Kong Railway Museum, built from components of carriage 272 of set E58. The model has since been scrapped to make room for Locomotive 51.[4]

Scrapped Units and Surplus Cars

E45 (which was 233-234-235) was supposed to be 145-245-445. After the incident, the only remaining coach was coach no. 233. Coach 233 replaced the crashed 272 in E58 and officially became coach no. 272, and then 458. Due to the extensive damage, coaches 234 and 235 were wrecked in the 1984 accident in a siding, and the only remaining historical train was E44 (144-244-444).

If these were not involved, 144 and 145 would have become 644 and 645.

After Refurbishment

Prior to the removal of the driving compartments, coaches 1xx became 6xx, and 3xx became 5xx, but the 6-car trains became 6xx.

Future

All 29 sets, will be retired from service around 2018-2020. They will be replaced 37 9-car R-Trains manufactured by Rotem, which will be similar to the K-Stock operating on the Tung Chung Line, the Tseung Kwan O Line, and the Kwun Tong Line. There will be a 1st class car in the new R-Train.

Gallery

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Automatic Train Operation (ATO) of East Rail trains" (PDF). Legislative Council Panel on Transport Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways. Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation. May 2007. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  2. zh:港鐵都城嘉慕電動列車 (交流電)#.E8.BB.8A.E5.BB.82.E7.B7.A8.E7.B5.84
  3. 1 2 "KCREast Rail Train Incident on 21 December" (PDF). Legislative Council Panel on Transport Subcommittee on matters relating to railways Special Meeting on 18 January 2006. Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation. January 2006. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  4. "1:1 Yelloe-head model .". www.rrpicturearchives.net. Retrieved 2011-02-16.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to KCR trains.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to East Rail Metro Cammell EMUs.
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