MTR buys 23 Chinese trains for US$2.57m

New diesel/electric trains pollute less and are less noisy.

The Mass Transit Railway Corporation has bought 23 trains for US$25.7 million from China CNR Company. The new trains, which will be used in the city’s transit system, will become operational in early 2014.

The CKD0A locomotives ordered by MTR meet the strictest global emission standards and reduce operational noise to less than 70 decibels, lower than the 78-decibel standard on the Chinese mainland.

The CKD0A locomotive is expected to be used in MTR's rolling stock in addition to subway vehicle rescue. The contract calls for the first locomotive to be delivered to MTR by March 2014 followed by a 5,000 kilometer test run.

CNR says the CKD0A meets advanced international standards in fabrication, design, quality control and performance tests. The trains can run at 80 kilometers an hour and are powered by two electric motors and a diesel engine.

The design also provides more interior room by eliminating the need for a gearbox, which also improves the locomotive's reliability. The driver's cab has two sets of controllers equipped with computer and cruise control systems.

MTR has also ordered high-speed trains valued at US$299 million from China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co Ltd. CSR's CRH380A model will be customized to meet MTR requirements and serve on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong express rail link expected to enter service in 2015.