Kolkata Metro rolling stock

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The rolling stock of Kolkata Metro, India consists of seven classes. Five classes for Line 1 and two classes for Line 2.

All trains receive 750 V DC using third rail electrification system. Trains can operate up to eight (line 1) and six (line 2) cars in length.

Since Kolkata Metro was constructed in 1970s, there were some technical limitations. Due to the tunnel dimensions, and being under Indian Railways, Kolkata Metro opted Indian metre gauge shell (22.7m) with 1676 mm broad gauge tracks. So the options of rake manufacturers for Kolkata Metro Line 1 are very limited. While, the Kolkata Metro Line 2, being modern, uses the 1435 mm Standard Gauge tracks.^[1]

Line 1[]

The Kolkata Metro Line 1 has five classes of trains, out of which four are operational and one is under trial.

ICF/BHEL rake
In service	1984–present
Manufacturer	Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and Integral Coach Factory
Designer	Integral Coach Factory
Assembly	Chennai, India
Built at	Integral Coach Factory
Family name	ICF 1000 series
Entered service	1984–1988
Number built	9
Number in service	0
Number preserved	1
Number scrapped	8
Successor	3000 series
Formation	6 MC + 2 TC
Design code	Bn
Capacity	2,400 passengers
Operator(s)	Metro Railway, Kolkata
Depot(s)	Noapara depot, Tollygunge depot and New Garia depot
Line(s) served	Line 1
Specifications
Train length	156 m
Car length	19.5 m
Width	2.74 m
Height	3.7 m
Doors	Sliding doors
Maximum speed	80 kmph
Power output	3036 HP
Acceleration	1.1 m/s2
Deceleration	1.3 m/s2
Power supply	750 V DC
Train heating	Non AC, forced ventilation with washed and cooled air
Electric system(s)	Third rail
Current collection method	Contact shoe
Bogies	ICF bogie
Braking system(s)	Eddy current and electro-pneumatic brakes
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Indian gauge
Seating	Longitudinal facing seats

ICF/BHEL rake[]

9 rakes were manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai and were passed into service in the first phase when the metro initially ran from Esplanade to Bhawanipur.^[2] These trains were dark green in colour and had a yellow stripe at the bottom. Later the colour was changed to white with a dark blue stripe. Presently they are yellow with a wide brown band at the bottom. These rakes are numbed Bn (where n is the rake no.; 1, 2,...., 9)^[3][4][5][6]

ICF/NGEF rake[]

By 1988–90, 9 more rakes manufactured by ICF were procured and put in service when the system expanded. These rakes were tougher and had higher acceleration than the previous ones. The colors of these trains were dark yellow with a maroon stripe at the bottom, later they were repainted in white with a maroon stripe and now they are white with a blue band at the bottom. In 2017–18, these were refurbished and put into service in a phased manner. The rakes are marked with 8N symbols.^[7][8][5]

ICF/BHEL/Knorr-Bremse rake
In service	2010-present
Manufacturer	Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Integral Coach Factory and Knorr-Bremse
Designer	Integral Coach Factory
Assembly	Chennai
Family name	ICF 3000 series
Number built	13
Number in service	13
Successor	4000 series
Design code	Old: ACn/n+1 New: MR-30n
Capacity	3,136 passengers
Operator(s)	Metro Railway, Kolkata
Depot(s)	Noapara depot, Tollygunge depot and New Garia depot
Line(s) served	Line 1
Specifications
Doors	Sliding doors
Power supply	750 V DC
Train heating	Air conditioned
Electric system(s)	Third rail
Current collection method	Contact shoe
Bogies	ICF bogie
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Indian gauge
Seating	Longitudinal facing seats

ICF/BHEL/Knorr-Bremse rake[]

These are the first AC trains that were passed into service in 2010, after the elevated corridor from Mahanayak Uttam Kumar to Kavi Nazrul was completed. Later, as the last extension from Kavi Nazrul to Kavi Subhash was finished, more 3000 series rakes were introduced. These trains are manufactured by ICF in collaboration with BHEL and Knorr-Bremse, Germany. They have microprocessor controlled temperature and humidity, LCD displays inside the motorman's cabins and multilingual electronic LED sign boards both inside and outside the train. Presently there are 13 (3000 series) rakes, which are operating on Line 1. These rakes are numbed ACn/n+1 (where (n+1)/2 is the rake number). The rolling stocks numbers are now being changed to MR-30n (where n is the rake no.; 1, 2, 3....13) as they are being gradually repainted to white and violet.^[5]

ICF/MEDHA rake
In service	2019-present
Manufacturer	Integral Coach Factory and Medha Servo Drives Private Limited
Designer	Integral Coach Factory
Assembly	Chennai, India
Family name	ICF 4000 series
Number built	15
Number in service	15
Formation	2DTC+4MC+2TC
Design code	MR-40n
Capacity	3,520 passengers
Line(s) served	Line 1
Specifications
Car length	19.5 m
Width	2.74 m
Height	3.625 m
Doors	Sliding doors
Maximum speed	90 kmph
Traction motors	204 kW
Power output	3264 HP
Acceleration	0.85 m/s2
Deceleration	1.1 m/s2
Train heating	Air conditioned
Current collection method	Contact shoe
Bogies	ICF bogie
Braking system(s)	Regenerative braking
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Indian gauge
Seating	Longitudinal facing seats

ICF/ rake[]

2 prototype rakes manufactured by ICF Chennai and Medha and were supplied to Kolkata Metro by September 2017. These state-of-the-art trains will be completely different from existing AC trains made by ICF, BHEL, Knorr-Bremse. These will have 3 phase alternating current motors, regenerative braking, stainless steel body, CCTV cameras (not present in rakes, numbered as MR-401 & MR-402), and better passenger information system. 14 rakes were delivered by April 2021.On April 3, 2019, the first ICF MEDHA rake ran between Noapara and New Garia, after 20 months. Gradually followed by 2 more rakes. After the initial hiccups these trains are praised by passengers for their comfort during braking and acceleration. Metro expressed satisfaction over the performance of the rakes as these rakes are more energy efficient. These rakes are numbed MR-40n (where n is the rake no.; 1, 2, 3....8).^[9][10]

CRRC Dalian rake
The first rake at Noapara depot
Manufacturer	China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation
Assembly	Dalian, China
Design code	MR-50n
Operator(s)	Metro Railway, Kolkata
Line(s) served	Line 1
Specifications
Car length	19.5 m
Width	2.74 m
Height	3.65 m
Floor height	1.13 m
Wheel diameter	860 mm
Maximum speed	80 kmph
Axle load	17 tons
Power supply	750 V DC
Train heating	Air conditioned
Electric system(s)	Third rail
Current collection method	Contact shoe
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Indian gauge
Seating	Longitudinal facing seats
Notes
Under trial

CRRC Dalian rake[]

There was a need to replace non-AC rakes on Line 1 and so during mid 2015 it was announced that Indian Railways for the first time would rope an international train-maker, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) based in Dalian.^[11] As per the tender, 14 new rakes composed of 8 coaches each will be supplied to Kolkata metro by CNR Dalian Locomotive company, a subsidiary of CRRC, which will be running on Line 1. These rakes will be of ultra-modern technology. They will have doors that will be 20 cm wider than any other metro rails in India. They will have wide vestibules, 2.5 feet wider than the existing trains. The design consists of the aerodynamic front with large doors and LED lights, and violet colored stripe on silver color body. These rakes are capable of a top speed of 80 km/h. The first of the 14 rakes from Chinese firm Dalian was slated to arrive by December 2017 but got delayed due to various reasons. The first rake finally arrived in Kolkata on 3 March 2019 on a vessel at Netaji Subhas Dock (NSD).^[12] Each of the 8 coaches of the rake weigh nearly 45 tonnes. The rake was unloaded and taken to Noapara carshed after which trial runs and inspection would be carried out before commencing operations. Other 13 rakes are ready, but the shipment got delayed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

These rakes are under performance trials for more than 20 months as serious problems related to performance of the rake were identified during trials. Some of the issues related to insufficient power to climb up the slopes in the tunnels and higher oscillation in the bogie.^[13][14]

Line 2[]

BEML rake[]

The bidding by the Spanish company CAF for Line 2 was cancelled due to funding related problems. Re-bidding was done and BEML was given the contract for 14 rakes of 6 coaches each at a cost of ₹900 crore. The rakes will be microprocessor controlled with 3 phase AC motors and CBTC system. The rakes were supplied to Kolkata from 2017.^[15][16] They are numbered MR-60n (where n is the rake no.; 1, 2, 3....14).^[17][18]

MCF/Dawonsys rake[]

In 2019, Indian Railways approved the manufacturing of 500 aluminium body coaches at the Modern Coach Factory, in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, following the Transfer of Technology from Dawonsys. A prototype of 3 coaches (2 MC + 1 TC) will be received by MCF, and the rest will be built here. These will have a top speed of 100 km/h and life span of 40 years.^[19][20]

References[]

External links[]

• Metro Railway, Kolkata