MRTC 3100 class

The MRTC 3100 class or CRRC Dalian 8MLB LRV, commonly called as the Dalian Train, is the class of second-generation uni-directional light rail vehicles built in China by CNR Dalian, now CRRC Dalian. Since its delivery, most of the trains are still being tested and undergoing final assessments, before being used on regular services on Line 3 of the Manila Metro Rail Transit System.[1]

"Dalian Train" redirects here. For the rapid transit system in Dalian, see Dalian Metro.

MRTC 3100 class
CRRC Dalian 8MLB LRV
A 3100 Class (8MLB) train approaching Shaw Boulevard station
Interior of the 3100 class train in November 2019.
In serviceNot in regular service (2016–22; 2023–present)
ManufacturerCNR Dalian
Built atDalian, China
Constructed2014–2016
Entered serviceMay 7, 2016 (2016-05-07)[lower-alpha 1]
Number built48 vehicles[lower-alpha 2]
Number in serviceNone
Formation3 cars per trainset
Design code8MLB
Fleet numbers3101–3148
Capacity1,182 passengers (394 per LRV)
Operator(s)Department of Transportation
Depot(s)North Avenue
Line(s) servedMRT Line 3
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Train length95.16 m (312 ft 2 in)
Car length31.72 m (104 ft 1 in)
Width2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
HeightFrom top of rail:3.65 m (12 ft 0 in)
Pantograph locked down:3.3 m (10 ft 10 in)
Floor height925 mm (3 ft 0.4 in)
Platform height900 mm (2 ft 11 in)
EntryLevel[lower-alpha 3]
Doors5 per side; double-leaf plug-type; 861 mm / 1,255 mm × 1,900 mm (2 ft 9.9 in / 4 ft 1.4 in × 6 ft 2.8 in)
Articulated sections3 per LRV
Wheel diameterNew: 700 mm (27.56 in)
Worn: 595 mm (23.43 in)
WheelbasePer bogie:1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Between bogie centers:7.5 m (24 ft 7 in)
Total:22.5 m (73 ft 10 in)
Maximum speed65 km/h (40 mph)
Weight49.7 t (110,000 lb)
Axle load9.4 t (21,000 lb)
Steep gradient5%
Traction systemVoith IGBT–VVVF
Traction motorsTraktionssysteme Austria TMR 36-28-4 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output120 kW (160 hp) per motor
480 kW (640 hp) per LRV
TransmissionQuill drive
Acceleration1.03 m/s2 (3.4 ft/s2)
DecelerationService: 1.1 m/s2 (3.6 ft/s2)
Emergency: 1.5 m/s2 (4.9 ft/s2)
AuxiliariesStatic converter
HVACRoof-mounted air-conditioning units; 3 units per LRV
Electric system(s)750 V DC overhead wire
Current collector(s)Single-arm pantograph
UIC classificationBo′+2′+2′+Bo′
Wheels driven8/16 per LRV
BogiesInside frame-type
Minimum turning radius25 m (82 ft)
Braking system(s)Dynamic (regenerative and rheostatic) (Knorr-Bremse)
Safety system(s)Bombardier EBICAB 900 ATP[lower-alpha 4]
Coupling systemScharfenberg
Multiple workingWithin type
MRTC 3000 class (planned)
Headlight typeLED lamp
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
SeatingLongitudinal
Notes/references
[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

These trains are the first LRVs produced by CNR Dalian, which caused some controversy due to compatibility issues raised by MRTC.[13]

The CRRC Dalian 8MLB LRVs are owned by the Philippine government and operated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Purchase

With the ridership of the Line 3 already peaking at almost half of its 350,000 original daily capacity, there have been calls to purchase additional trains as early as 2008.[14] Initially, in 2013, the government was looking at buying 52 second-hand trains from Madrid Metro and Inekon Trams to immediately augment the problem,[15][16] but after evaluation, the order was cancelled due to less advantage and higher maintenance costs.[17]

The first of three contracts of the Line 3 capacity expansion project, which involves the procurement of 48 light rail vehicles,[18] was opened on February 22, 2013.[17] CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive, later CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, submitted a bid but was disqualified by the Department of Transportation and Communications (later the Department of Transportation). The only bidder left was CNR Dalian who controversially was awarded the ₱3.8 billion contract on January 16, 2014.[19][20][21]

Production

Production of the 3100 class trains began in 2014. The first prototype, LRV 3101, arrived at the Port of Manila on August 14, 2015,[22] and was assembled at the LRT-1 Baclaran Depot on September 3.[23] It was then hauled by an LRT-1 train along the railtracks of the LRT-1 until the prototype arrived at the MRT-3 North Avenue Depot on September 5.[24] CNR Dalian delivered all 48 train vehicles from 2016 to 2017, with some trains assembled at the Taft Avenue station using a temporary track extension, and at the LRT-1 Baclaran Depot in Pasay.

Design

Car body

The car body is made of stainless steel with a livery of sky blue and yellow fascia. Dimensions are nearly the same to the RT8D5M, which are also built for single-ended operations. It is connected by a Jacobs bogie and a gangway in each railcar section. The LRV design is a one-way eight-axle motorized car consisting of three articulated cars, which are connected to each other by the joint and the cover.[8]

Each light rail vehicle has three roof-mounted air-conditioning units. In total, there are nine air-conditioning units in a three-car train set.

  • 3100 class trains parked in November 2016.
    3100 class trains parked in November 2016.
  • 3100 class trains parked in January 2017.
    3100 class trains parked in January 2017.

Interior

Each railcar is provided with five double leaf, electronically operated, plug-sliding doors. The three center doors have an open width of 1,255 millimeters (4 ft 1.4 in) while the two end doors at 861 millimeters (2 ft 9.9 in).[10]

Each train car has a capacity of 394 passengers. A 3-car trainset can accommodate 1,182 passengers.[12] Two wheelchair-compatible spaces are provided beside the driver cab of each LRV, each provided with seatbelts to prevent the wheelchair from moving around while the train is in motion. The sides of the doors are equipped with fire extinguishers. The trains also have an equipped passenger emergency alarm button in case of an emergency.[25]

Mechanical

Each LRV has four bogies consisting of two motorized bogies at the ends of the LRV and two trailer bogies under the articulations. Scharfenberg couplers manufactured by Voith are present in each vehicle.[9]

Unlike the RT8D5M trains, the bogies do not feature track brakes.

Traction

The control device is an IGBT–VVVF inverter control manufactured by Voith, and two controllers are installed per light rail vehicle. The traction motor is a three-phase induction motor (totally enclosed/self-ventilated type) manufactured by Traktionssysteme Austria, model TMR 36-28-4, and is combined with Voith quill drive unit.[26][9] The traction motors have a power output of 120 kW (160 hp).[9]

The traction equipment includes two Voith EmCon I1000-9AU traction inverters with 350 kVA continuous power in each that drives the traction motors, one auxiliary converter, and a VPort IO control unit.[9]

Operations

The trains run at a maximum speed of 65 kilometers per hour (40 mph) and run over standard gauge rail tracks.[27] The trains consists of 3 vehicles, with plans laid for operating with 4 vehicles each. There was a 4-car trainset that was in service by the end of May 2016.[28]

The trains first entered service on May 7, 2016.[6] However, these trains quietly went out of service a few months later. No in-service operations of the trains occurred in 2017, although a series of test runs were conducted that year.[29] On October 27, 2018, the 3100 class trains officially entered service after numerous tests and audits, with the deployment of the first train on the same day for validation tests.[1] The second trainset was deployed from December 11 to 23, 2018,[30] while the third trainset was deployed from January 23[31] to March 2019.[32] The validation tests were conducted by the Philippine National Railways and Toshiba Infrastructure Systems.[33][34]

The 3100 class trains were not seen in operations when the line's rehabilitation began on May 1, 2019. Under the rehabilitation and maintenance contract with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Sumitomo Corporation, the contract prohibits the use of the Dalian trains. If not, Sumitomo imposes penalties to the DOTr.[35] After DOTr and Sumitomo signed a consent to deploy the trains, these were again deployed from October 15 to December 31, 2019 for trial runs.[2] It was again deployed from June 1, 2020[3] to May 25, 2021. After a ten-month hiatus, one of the trainsets returned to revenue service on March 28, 2022, with a three-car trainset (configuration 3109-3132-3135) returning to service on the first day of the free ride program.[4]

Currently, none of the 3100 class trains are in service, owing to the restrictions set in the maintenance contract by Sumitomo. Another factor is a pending case filed against the DOTr due to their contract with CRRC Dalian; however, the Supreme Court ruling is currently in the favor of DOTr which will allow the usage of the trains.[36] The other remaining trainsets are likewise yet to undergo tests for deployment readiness, due to unsettled payables and outstanding concerns with CRRC Dalian. In a COA report detailing the statuses of the Dalian trains, some of the provisionally accepted train sets have outstanding issues that negatively impacted the operations and thus were not pursued for usage.[37]

There are plans for multiple working with the MRTC 3000 class trains.[7]

Controversies

The trains have been involved in controversies during procurement and the trains' compatibility with the existing infrastructure of the MRT Line 3. Due to the controversies, in September 2017, the DOTr planned to return these trains back to China to have the trains fixed.[38]

The technical issues of the trains would later be resolved through numerous adjustments to the trains since August 2018.[39][40] Due to the Dalian trains undergoing the said adjustments, they are now slowly being introduced into revenue runs since October 2018.[1]

Procurement issues and safety concerns

After the contract for the procurement of the 48 light rail vehicles was awarded to CNR Dalian in January 2014, controversies arose. A Regional Trial Court in Makati filed a temporary restraining order on January 30 after the Metro Rail Transit Holdings (MRTH), the majority shareholder of the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC) filed a case against the procurement process, citing violations with the build-lease-transfer agreement between the Department of Transportation and Communications (later the Department of Transportation) and the MRTC. Under the BLT agreement between the DOTC and MRTC, MRTC was obliged to buy new trains for the line, although the DOTC purchased the trains.[41] The case however was dismissed on February 21 and favored DOTC.[42] The MRTH however appealed its case to the Court of Appeals that also favored DOTC.[43]

During the delivery of the 3100 class trains, in January 2016, the MRTC, through its chairman Robert Sobrepeña, stated that the trains will pose a safety risk to the line. It also stated that the trains did not undergo a 5,000-kilometer (3,100 mi) test run in China before the shipment to the Philippines.[13]

Signalling issues

A DOTr official stated on March 15, 2017 that the trains would not be in use until 2018 due to lack of signalling system equipment, while the signalling system for two trains were being installed and undergoing tests before certification by Bombardier Transportation.[44] However, Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez stated on April 25 that the 3100 class trains would not be for at least until 2019 or 2020 due to the same aforementioned reason.[45] According to Chavez, as of February 2018, only 29 out of 48 trains were installed with on-board automatic train protection (ATP) system equipment.[5]

Bombardier Transportation, the original equipment manufacturer for the signalling system of the MRT Line 3, has certified the onboard signalling systems of the trains.[46]

Weight issues

Another controversy is the tare weight of the trains weighing 49.7 tonnes (110,000 lb), which is 3.4 tonnes (7,500 lb) heavier than the required 46.3 tonnes (102,000 lb).[47][48] A consultant with former MRT-3 maintenance provider Comm Builders & Technology Philippines (CB&T) stated in a Senate hearing on February 20, 2018 that the trains are within the allowable specifications set by the DOTr. The railway consultant explained that the 49.7-metric-ton (110,000 lb) weight of each light rail vehicle had to be divided by the eight axles. The axle load was later to be revealed as 9.4 metric tons (21,000 lb), which is within the allowed specifications between 8.5 and 10 metric tons (19,000 and 22,000 lb).[12] An audit from TÜV Rheinland revealed that the weight of the trains under fully loaded condition complied with the specification limit.[46]

Incidents
  • On December 16, 2020, at 7:20 PM, a 3100 class train arriving at Boni station stopped due to a technical glitch.[49] Partial operations between North Avenue and Shaw Boulevard stations were implemented, and around 3,500 commuters were affected. Normal operations resumed the following day.[50][51]

See also

Notes
  1. Re-entered service on October 27, 2018 (2018-10-27),[1] October 15, 2019 (2019-10-15),[2] June 1, 2020 (2020-06-01),[3] and  ().[4]
  2. Configurable to 16 three-car train sets or 12 four-car trains
  3. Despite the floor height and platform height difference of 25 mm (0.98 in).
  4. As of February 2018, only 29 LRVs are installed with this train protection system.[5]

References
  1. Talabong, Rambo (October 27, 2018). "After years of delay, DOTr begins adding Dalian trains to MRT3". Rappler. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  2. de Guzman, Robie (October 15, 2019). "First set of Dalian trains to hit MRT-3 tracks Tuesday". UNTV News and Rescue. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  3. "MRT to have 4 additional trains on Monday, train speed also to get boost: DOTr". ABS-CBN News. May 31, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  4. Luna, Franco (March 29, 2022). "MRT-3 deploys 4-car, 3-car train sets simultaneously". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  5. Santos, Jamil Joseph (February 3, 2018). "Koko demands P3.8-B refund from Dalian, blacklisting of MRT3 supplier". GMA News. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  6. Francisco, Kevin Bruce (May 7, 2016). "New MRT Line 3 coaches begin operations today". YugaTech. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  7. Dela Cruz, Raymond Carl (March 25, 2022). "MRT-3 'free ride' program ready for 400K daily passengers". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  8. "菲律宾马尼拉3号线车辆". CRRC Dalian (in Chinese).
  9. "Electric traction system High-floor LRV Manila MRT3 Metro Rail Transit Corporation" (PDF). Voith.com. Voith. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. Department of Transportation and Communications (2013). Design and/or Supply and Delivery of Forty-Eight (48) Light Rail Vehicles with On-board Communication System (Radio, Public Address, Intercom), On-board ATP System and One (1) Unit Train Simulator (PDF) (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  11. "DOTC to expedite testing of MRT3 prototype train car". Rappler. September 9, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  12. "China-made trains within 'allowable' weight for MRT: consultant". ABS-CBN News. February 20, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  13. De Guzman, Kristine (January 21, 2016). "MRTH: New coaches a danger to the public". CNN Philippines. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  14. Lorenzo, A. (June 20, 2008). "EDSA railway needs 30 more cars". BusinessWorld. Retrieved December 20, 2021 – via GMA News.
  15. Macapagal, Maan (February 2, 2013). "MRT-3 to get additional 52 coaches". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  16. Agcaoili, Lawrence (September 12, 2013). "Inekon: PH can save $5M a year with new MRT trains". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 21, 2021 – via ABS-CBN News.
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  20. Barrow, Keith (June 16, 2014). "CNR trains ordered for Manila Line 3". International Railway Journal. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
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  26. "Voith LRV for Manila MRT3". Traktionssysteme Austria. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved January 8, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. "About". dotcmrt3.gov.ph. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  28. Lo, Francis Christopher (May 30, 2016). MRT3 Dalian 8MLB 4-Car Train. YouTube. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  29. Dalian train 2017 tests. 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  30. Pateña, Aerol John (December 12, 2018). "MRT deploys 2nd Dalian train set". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  31. Pelayo, Marje (January 23, 2019). "3rd set of Dalian trains hits track". UNTV News and Rescue. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
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  33. Rey, Aika (September 11, 2018). "Dalian MRT3 trains test run in October". Rappler. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  34. Aguinaldo, Camille A. (September 11, 2018). "PNR to validate Dalian MRT train repair findings". BusinessWorld. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  35. Panti, Llanesca T. (October 20, 2020). "COA: DOTr-Sumitomo deal on MRT3 rehab, maintenance should lift ban on using Dalian trains". GMA News. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  36. "SC junks plea for injunction of MRT operators vs DOTr - BusinessMirror". BusinessMirror. October 17, 2022.
  37. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/07/18/2281889/coa-p37-billion-dalian-trains-remain-idle
  38. Nano, Joan (September 13, 2017). "DOTr plans return 48 Dalian trains to China". UNTV News. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
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  40. Rey, Aika (August 30, 2018). "Chinese firm Dalian agrees to pay all costs to fix unused MRT3 trains". Rappler. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  41. "Court stops DOTC's purchase of MRT trains". Rappler. February 4, 2014. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  42. Agcaoili, Lawrence (February 25, 2014). "MRT-3 to get new trains – DOTC". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  43. Gomez, Zyrile (July 28, 2015). "DOTC to MRT private owner: Drop case vs. new train cars". CNN Philippines. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  44. Ilas, Joyce (March 16, 2017). "48 new MRT-3 coaches cannot be used until next year - DOTr exec". CNN Philippines. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  45. Bondoc, Marlly Rome (April 25, 2017). "New light rail vehicles for MRT-3 to remain unused for next three years". GMA News. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
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  47. Bondoc, Jarius (July 27, 2017). "Overweight Dalian trains will crush MRT-3 tracks". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
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  49. Dalian train stops at Boni station, December 16, 2020, retrieved November 8, 2021[self-published]
  50. Dominguez-Cargullo, Dona (December 17, 2020). "Mahigit 3,500 na pasahero naapektuhan ng service interruption ng MRT-3 kagabi". Radyo Inquirer (in Filipino). Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  51. Dela Cruz, Raymond Carl (December 17, 2020). "MRT-3 back to full ops after 'technical glitch'". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
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