KTM Class 93

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Class 93
ETS 5 (cropped).jpg
ETS 203 KTM Class 93 at Pulau Sebang/Tampin Station.
In service2016
ManufacturerCSR Zhuzhou
Built atZhuzhou, China
Constructed2013 - 2018
Number in service90 cars (15 sets; first class : 10, second class : 5)
30 cars (5 sets on order)
Formation6 cars per trainset
Capacity320 (320 seats)[1]
Operator(s)Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Depot(s)Batu Gajah Rail Depot
Line(s) servedPadang Besar-Butterworth-Kuala Lumpur-Gemas Route
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Train length140 m
Car length24 m (End cars)
23 m (Intermediate cars)
Width2,750 mm (108 in)
Height3,905 mm (153.7 in)
Floor height1,100 mm (43 in)
Doors2 single-leaf doors per side
Articulated sectionsNone
Wheel diameter850 mm
Maximum speed180 km/h (Design)
140 km/h (Service)
Weight258 t
Traction systemAC traction unit IGBT-VVVF Siemens
Power output3,200 kW of power per unit
TransmissionElectric
Electric system(s)25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead line
Current collection methodDouble-arm Z-shaped Pantograph
Braking system(s)Two-pipe regenerative break system
Safety system(s)ETCS, ATP
Coupling systemAAR couplers
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge

The Class 93 is a type of electric multiple unit used by Keretapi Tanah Melayu for its intercity Electric Train Service (ETS). A total of 10 sets in 6-car formations have been built and delivered by CSR Zhuzhou of China, with 9 to follow. As per the technology exchange agreement, part of the consignment will be partially assembled in Batu Gajah, Malaysia.[2]

The Class 93 ETS is utilised in the electrified section of the West Coast Line, from Gemas to Padang Besar. It has cut journey times significantly, covering 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.

Another 9 sets are on order and currently being delivered. They are branded as ETS 2, and offer a business class coach as well as a redesigned standard class accommodation.

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.[3]

The mechanical and exterior design of the original Class 93/1 and the newer Class 93/2 are almost identical, the only difference being the exterior livery.

On-board service[]

Class 93/1[]

Standard Class interior on Class 93/1

Standard Class: The seats are arranged in a 2+2 fashion, and have blue seat covers and red headrests. The seats have amenities such as a power outlet and a tray table, typical of long distance trains. 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. 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.[4]

Class 93/2[]

Standard Class interior on Class 93/2

Standard Class: The facilities are very similar to those offered on the first batch, with a few improvements. In addition to the transverse seating layout, there are cluster seats which face each other. Such seats have a table between them. The seats have grey seat covers and red headrests. Toilets have changing tables for infants.

Business Class interior on Class 93/2

Business Class: The Business class accommodation and service marks a step up from the standard class. In addition to the facilities already enjoyed in standard class, there are additional features otherwise not seen on the standard class. The seats are arranged in a 2+1 configuration and are wider and able to recline up to 45 degrees. The seats can be rotated to face any direction. In addition to a power outlet, a USB port is provided. Each seat has its own on demand video screen for in-train entertainment. Wi-Fi is complimentary for business class passengers. Each coach has its own steward or stewardess, which the passenger can summon from his seat. On-board dining is included in the fare. Passengers are given their own amenity kit.

Testing and Commissioning[]

Before launch, all new train sets must undergo and pass compulsory testing, in this they are required to go 10,000 km without logging a single fault. The train set 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 delayed until October.[5] The first 4 sets went into service on 10 October 2015, operating between Padang Besar and Gemas on the ETS Ekspres service. As of 2016, all 10 sets from the first batch are in service.

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.[6][7][8]

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 was commissioned in Batu Gajah, Malaysia to assist on this end. In April 2017 a further nine set of ETS trains were ordered.[9].Each train set costs RM50 million.[10]

Launch date[]

The first of the 6-car Class 93 EMUs entered service on 3 September 2015. 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).[11]

The second batch of 9 trainsets, Class 93/2, entered service on 11 October 2019.

A third batch 10 trains set Class 93/3 is currently being tendered in March 2020. This order is meant for the ETDP extension from Gemas to Johor Bahru in 2022.

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 Status Launch Date Assembled in
Class 93 ETS 201 C9301 T9301 M9301 M9302 T9302 C9302 In Service 7 Sep 2015 China
Class 93 ETS 202 C9303 T9303 M9303 M9304 T9304 C9304 In Service Sep 2015 China
Class 93 ETS 203 C9305 T9305 M9305 M9306 T9306 C9306 In Service 7 Oct 2015 China
Class 93 ETS 204 C9307 T9307 M9307 M9308 T9308 C9308 In Service 10 Oct 2015 China
Class 93 ETS 205 C9309 T9309 M9309 M9310 T9310 C9310 In Service Dec 2015 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 206 C9311 T9311 M9311 M9312 T9312 C9312 In Service Jan 2016 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 207 C9313 T9313 M9313 M9314 T9314 C9314 In Service Feb 2016 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 208 C9315 T9315 M9315 M9316 T9316 C9316 In Service 2016 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 209 C9317 T9317 M9317 M9318 T9318 C9318 In Service 2016 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 210 C9319 T9319 M9319 M9320 T9320 C9320 In Service 2016 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 211 C9321 T9321 M9321 M9322 T9322 C9322 In Service 11 Oct 2019[12] Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 212 C9323 T9323 M9323 M9324 T9324 C9324 In Service 2019 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 213 C9325 T9325 M9325 M9326 T9326 C9326 In Service 2020 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 214 C9327 T9327 M9327 M9328 T9328 C9328 In Service 2020 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 215 C9329 T9329 M9329 M9330 T9330 C9330 In Service 2020 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 216 C9331 T9331 M9331 M9332 T9332 C9332 In Service 2020 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 217 C9333 T9333 M9333 M9334 T9334 C9334 In Service 2020 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 218 C9335 T9335 M9335 M9336 T9336 C9336 In Service 2020 Malaysia
Class 93 ETS 219 C9337 T9337 M9337 M9338 T9338 C9338 In Service 2020 Malaysia

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

Gallery[]

  • ETS 202 KTM Class 93 Port Klang.

  • ETS 201 KTM Class 93 at Port Klang.

  • ETS 201 Class 93 EMU train.

  • The KTM Class 93 ETS 203 leaving Pulau Sebang/Tampin to Gemas.

  • View inside ETS Train 203 during its run from Padang Besar to Gemas.

  • TV screen in ETS Train 203 displaying the stops from Padang Besar to Gemas.

  • TV screen in ETS Train 2013 showing train speed at 142km per hour.

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. ^ "Manufacturer working hard to solve issues with new ETS sets before official handover - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my.
  4. ^ "First of Class 93 ETS EMUs enters service | MalayanRailways.com". malayanrailways.com.
  5. ^ "Manufacturer working hard to solve issues with new ETS sets before official handover".
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ KTMB orders EMUs with graphene capacitor energy storage Railway Gazette International 13 April 2017
  10. ^ Meng Yew Choong. "Manufacturer working hard to solve issues with new ETS sets before official handover". The Star Online. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  11. ^ "First of Class 93 ETS EMUs enters service | MalayanRailways.COM". malayanrailways.com.
  12. ^ "KTMB offers business class seats on ETS2 from Oct 11".
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