MRTC 3100 class

The MRTC 3100 class or CRRC Dalian 8MLB LRV, commonly called as Dalian Train, is a light rail vehicle built in China by CNR Dalian (later 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.[2]

MRTC 3100 class
CRRC Dalian 8MLB LRV
A 3100 Class (8MLB) train approaching Shaw Boulevard station
Interior of the 3100 class train in 2019.
In serviceMay 2016
October & December 2018
January–February 2019
October–December 2019
June 2020 – May 2021
ManufacturerCNR Dalian
(later CRRC Dalian)
Built atDalian, China
Constructed2014–2015
Entered serviceMay 7, 2016 (2016-05-07)[note 1]
October 27, 2018 (2018-10-27)[note 2]
Number built48 vehicles
Number in service0
Formation3 cars per trainset
Design code8MLB
Fleet numbers3101–3148
CapacityPer car: 394 passengers
Total maximum load: 1,182
Operator(s)Department of Transportation
Depot(s)North Avenue
Line(s) servedLine 3
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Train length99,000 mm (324 ft 10 in)
Car length33,000 mm (108 ft 3 in)
Width2,500 mm (8 ft 2 in)
Height3,650 mm (12 ft 0 in)
Floor height925 mm (3 ft 0.4 in)
Doors5 double leaf, plug-sliding doors per side
Articulated sections2 per car
Wheel diameter700 mm (27.56 in)
Maximum speed65 km/h (40 mph)
Weight49,700 kg (109,600 lb)
Traction systemVoith IGBT–VVVF
Traction motorsTSA Three-phase induction motor
TMR 36-28-4
Power output120kW
TransmissionQuill drive
Acceleration1.3 m/s2 (3.28 ft/s2)
Deceleration1.1 m/s2 (service) 1.58 m/s2 (emergency)
Train ventilationAir-conditioned; roof-mounted duct type (3 units per car)
Electric system(s)750 V DC overhead wire
Current collection methodSingle-arm pantograph
UIC classificationBo'+2'+2'+Bo'
AAR wheel arrangementB+2+2+B
Minimum turning radius25 m (82 ft)
Coupling systemScharfenberg-type
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
SeatingLongitudinal seating
Notes
Key features are noted from these references.[3][4]

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

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. Initially, in 2013, the government was looking at buying 52 second-hand trains from Madrid Metro and Inekon Trams to immediately augment the problem,[5][6] but after evaluation, the order was cancelled due to less advantage and higher maintenance costs.[7]

In 2012, it was announced that the government intended to buy new trains for the line through public bidding. The bidding for a contract to purchase 48 light rail vehicles was opened on February 22, 2013.[7] Companies from Europe, Japan, and South Korea were initially interested to participate at the bidding, but after the budget was published, decided to back out due to the low amount stipulated. The only bidder left was CNR Dalian (now CRRC Dalian) who controversially was awarded the contract in January 2014.[8][9] The 48 new light rail vehicles for the MRT 3 are worth ₱3.8 Billion.[10] The first prototype arrived on August 14, 2015,[11] while the company delivered all 48 train vehicles from 2016 to 2017. Nevertheless, it was subject to scrutiny through numerous independent studies which are still being conducted as of February 2019.[12]

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. It has a one-way eight-axle motorized car consisting of three articulations, which are connected to each other by the joint and the cover.

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 mm (4 ft 1.4 in) while the two end doors at 861 mm (2 ft 9.9 in).

Each train car can seat 80 passengers and carry, under rush loading conditions, 394 commuters at any one time. A 3-car trainset can accommodate 1,182 passengers.

Bogie layout and traction equipment

Each LRV has four bogies consisting of two motorized bogies at the ends of the LRV and two trailer bogies under the articulations.[4]

The control device is an IGBT–VVVF inverter control manufactured by Voith, and six controllers are installed per trainset. The traction motor is a three-phase induction motor (totally-enclosed/self-ventilate type) manufactured by Traktionssysteme Austria[13] and is combined with Voith quill drive unit. The traction motors produce 120 kW (160 hp).[4]

Formation
  Single car configuration
Designation Mc'TM
Numbering 3100A3100B3100C

The configuration of a three-car trainset is Mc'-T-M + Mc'-T-M + M-T-Mc'.

Details of the car designations are listed below:

  • Mc' - motor lead car
  • M - motor car
  • T - trailer car

Operations

The trains run at a maximum speed of 65 kilometers per hour (40 mph) and run over standard gauge rail tracks.[14] 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 in the end of May 2016.[15]

The trains first entered service on May 7, 2016.[1] However, these trains quietly went out of service due to compatibility issues. 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.[2] The second trainset was deployed from December 11 to 23, 2018,[16] while the third trainset was deployed from January 23 to February 1, 2019.[17] The trains were again deployed from October 15 to December 31, 2019, for trial runs by MRT-3's maintenance provider, Sumitomo Corporation.[18]

The last known in-service operations of the 3100 class trains were from June 1, 2020[19] to May 25, 2021. Currently, there are no 3100 Class trains in service since May 26, 2021[20] possibly due to repairs and comprehensive testing, as one unit, LRV 3132, was sent to Mihara Test Center of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. Sumitomo Corporation will conduct several tests to ensure the overall performance, with the tests taking three months.[21] Meanwhile, the targeted deadline for full operations of the train sets are set in 2022,[22] with four trainsets passing validation tests in 2018 and 2019.

Incidents
  • On December 16, 2020, at 7:20 PM, a 3100 class train arriving Boni station stopped due to a technical glitch.[23] Partial operations between North Avenue and Shaw Boulevard stations were implemented, and around 3,500 commuters were affected. Normal operations resumed the following day.[24][25]

See also

Notes
  1. First date when the trains entered service.[1]
  2. The date when the trains officially entered service after various audits.[2]

References
  1. Francisco, Kevin Bruce (May 7, 2016). "New MRT Line 3 coaches begin operations today". YugaTech. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  2. Talabong, Rambo (October 27, 2018). "After years of delay, DOTr begins adding Dalian trains to MRT3". Rappler. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  3. "菲律宾马尼拉3号线车辆" (in Chinese).
  4. "Electric traction system High-floor LRV Manila MRT3 Metro Rail Transit Corporation" (PDF). Voith.com. Voith. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  5. Macapagal, Maan (February 2, 2013). "MRT-3 to get additional 52 coaches". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  6. 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.
  7. Agcaoili, Lawrence (June 9, 2013). "DOTC drops plan to buy 2nd-hand trains for MRT 3". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 8, 2021 – via ABS-CBN News.
  8. Agcaoili, Lawrence (January 13, 2014). "DOTC taps Chinese firm for MRT 3 capacity expansion". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  9. Barrow, Keith (June 16, 2014). "CNR trains ordered for Manila Line 3". International Railway Journal. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  10. "The MRT3 Dalian trains now provide a surprisingly pleasant ride—but it had a bumpy history". ANCX. October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  11. de Guzman, Kristine (August 14, 2015). "MRT-3 train prototype arrives". CNN Philippines. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  12. Ignacio, Reicelene Joy (April 21, 2018). "CRRC DALIAN confident MRT-3 trains will pass audit". Manila Times. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  13. "TSA - Voith LRV for Manila MRT3". Traktionssysteme Austria. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  14. "About". dotcmrt3.gov.ph. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  15. Lo, Francis Christopher (May 30, 2016). MRT3 Dalian 8MLB 4-Car Train. YouTube. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  16. Pateña, Aerol John (December 12, 2018). "MRT deploys 2nd Dalian train set". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  17. Pelayo, Marje (January 23, 2019). "3rd set of Dalian trains hits track". UNTV News and Rescue. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  18. 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.
  19. "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.
  20. MRT-3 Daily Operations Report - May 29, 2021, retrieved May 30, 2021[self-published]
  21. "マニラMRT3100形 三菱重工「MIHARA試験センター」搬入". 2427junction.com (in Japanese). Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  22. Magsino, Dona (October 2, 2020). "13 Dalian train sets for MRT3 to be operational in 2022 —DOTr exec". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  23. Dalian train stops at Boni station, December 16, 2020, retrieved November 8, 2021[self-published]
  24. 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.
  25. 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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