KTM Class 81 explained

Class 81
Background:yellow
Manufacturer:Ganz-Hunslet
Factory:Ganz Works (Jenbacher Transport)
Designer:Hunslet TPL
Refurbishment:2018 by Woojin Industrial Systems[1]
Operator:Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Formation:3 per trainset
Numberbuilt:54 cars (18 sets)
Depots:
  • Batu Gajah Rail Depot
  • Sentul Komuter Depot
Lines:
Service:1994–2012, 2018–present
Traction:
Traction Motors:8 × HOLEC DMKT55/18.5 161kW 3-phase AC induction motor[2]
Poweroutput:1288kW
Height:3.65m (11.98feet)
Weight:121t
Capacity:414 (224 seats)
Maxspeed:
  • 160km/h (design)
  • 120km/h (service)
Electricsystem: overhead catenary
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Uicclass:Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′

The Class 81 is the first and oldest type of electric multiple unit introduced by Keretapi Tanah Melayu for its KTM Komuter service. 18 sets were designed by Hunslet TPL and built by Ganz Works in 1993-1994.[3] [4]

The Class 81 currently operates in a fixed 3-car formation for its regular service.[5] The middle coach is exclusively for women and children.

The KTM Class 81 design is derived from the British Rail Class 323, with the main alteration being that it has single leaf swing-plug doors instead of a double leaf type.

Description

The EMUs were built from 1993 to 1994 and entered service on 3 August 1995. The EMUs were the first electric trains of any kind in KTM's history. They operate in multiple-unit formation, The EMUs were state-of-the-art, with remote-controlled pneumatic doors, Automatic Train Protection (ATP), train data recorder, wheel-slip control, GTO/IGBT traction electronics and regenerative braking, and ran from overhead catenary supply. Up to the point of their introduction no other KTM motive power used these modern train control systems.

The train runs in a 3-car formation. They were once run in 3+3 formations during rush hour, but this configuration was discontinued.

The cessation of Jenbacher’s rail operations resulted in loss of spare parts for these trains. Over the years, their maintenance lapsed, resulting in poor reliability and premature failure. As a result, some had to be used as dummy coaches in a hybrid service. A diesel locomotive pulled the coaches and a power generator was attached at the end. The hybrid service started in 2009 and ended in 2012, when new trains rendered this stopgap measure unnecessary.

Many trains were rendered surplus after the introduction of the Class 92 in 2012. Some were brought down to be converted to intercity sets, while others were scrapped. The refurbished sets could not be used as intercity sets in the end as regulations mandate that long distance trains have a toilet, which this class lacks.

The class disappeared from passenger service from 2012 to 2018. However, in 2018, many of the refurbished EMUs were brought back into service. They currently operate on the Batu Caves shuttle, the Northern Sector and occasionally the Central sector.

Car No. 1 2 3
Seating capacity72 80 72
DesignationMc Tp Mc
Set Designation 1 2 3 Status
EMU 01C8101T8101C8102Scrapped
EMU 02C8103T8102C8104Abandoned
EMU 03C8105T8103C8106
EMU 04C8107T8104C8108
EMU 05C8109T8105C8110Refurbished[6]
EMU 06C8111T8106C8112
EMU 07C8113T8107C8114Abandoned
EMU 08C8115T8108C8116
EMU 09C8117T8109C8118Refurbished
EMU 10C8119T8110C8120Abandoned
EMU 11C8121T8111C8122
EMU 12C8123T8112C8124
EMU 13C8125T8113C8126Refurbished
EMU 14C8127T8114C8128
EMU 15C8129T8115C8130Abandoned
EMU 16C8131T8116C8132Abandoned at Rawang
EMU 17C8133T8117C8134
EMU 18C8135T8118C8136Abandoned

Notes and References

  1. News: Barrow . Keith . Woojin to upgrade Malaysian EMUs . 7 July 2018 . . 26 April 2018.
  2. Web site: Majestic Engineering Sdn Bhd . Our Business .
  3. https://img.index.hu/imgfrm/5/7/2/0/BIG_0000195720.jpg KTM Class 81 EMU Malaysia 1993.10.07. steel body construction in Hungary
  4. https://www.mot.gov.my/en/land/infrastructure/current-rail-services Current rail services — Klang Valley Integrated Transit System
  5. Web site: KOMI. https://web.archive.org/web/20100429181809/http://www.ktmkomuter.com.my/about_us/komi.php#here. dead. 29 April 2010. ktmkomuter.com.my. KTM Komuter. 29 January 2012.
  6. Web site: 81 Class KTM Komuter . Railtravel Station.