Taiwan Railway EMU800 series
| EMU800 series | |
|---|---|
 TRA EMU800-ED827 | |
| In service | January 2014 - present |
| Manufacturer |
Nippon Sharyo and Taiwan Rolling Stock Company |
| Built at | Taiwan |
| Constructed | 2013–2015 |
| Entered service | 2014 |
| Number built | 296 vehicles (37 sets) |
| Operator(s) | Taiwan Railways Administration |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) |
| Traction motors | Toshiba IGBT-VVVF |
| Power supply | 25,000V 60Hz AC Overhead Lines |
The EMU800 is a series of electric multiple unit train used by the Taiwan Railways Administration. It is the latest local train to be served on TRA.
Introduction
The EMU800 series was purchased in response to increasing passenger volume and electrification of branch lines, which diverted older commuter EMUs. At 296 cars, the order is the second-largest ever placed by TRA. The first two EMU800 trains were built by Nippon Sharyo, and the remaining 35 were built by the Taiwan Rolling Stock Company from 2013 to 2015. At the beginning there was a dispute for the brake system.[1] After years of negotiation, TRA accepted the proposal and the EMU800 began to service.[2][3]
Features
Unlike previous commuter EMUs, the EMU800 features a fully streamlined nose. Its yellow-and-blue paint scheme has earned it the nickname "Smiling train" (微笑號) due to the way the stripe is painted on. The trainsets also have a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), compared to 110 km/h (68 mph) for all other commuter stock.[4]
The EMU800 is also the first to have bicycle racks, installed in each of the end cars. Another feature new to the 800 is displays inside the cabin to broadcast messages. The EMU800 is meant to displace older locomotive-hauled trains and the older EMU500 on main line services.[5]
Service
EMU800s were introduced into service starting in January 2014. Most trainsets are based out of either Hsinchu or Chiayi on services in the greater Taipei and Kaoshiung areas.
References
- ↑ Shan, Shelley (June 8, 2013). "TRA mulling accepting settlement in train dispute". Taipei Times.
- ↑ Shan, Shelley (July 31, 2013). "TRA's new trains arrive next month". Taipei Times.
- ↑ "Nippon Sharyo supplies the Taiwan Railways Administration with EMU800 railcars". Asian Public Transport News Channel. April 11, 2014.
- ↑ Shan, Shelley (January 1, 2014). "High-speed commuter train begins, travels 130kph". Taipei Times.
- ↑ Taiwan Railways Administration (December 16, 2013). "Fresh Troops from TRA: EMU800 Commuter Train" (Press release).