MTR Adtranz–CAF EMU
| Company type | Joint venture (consortium) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH (later Adtranz) |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Spain |
Area served | Hong Kong |
| Products | Electric multiple units (EMUs) |
| Parent | Adtranz, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) |
The Adtranz-CAF EMU—also referred to as the A-Train, CAF-Train, or LAR-Train—is an electric multiple unit (EMU) utilized within Hong Kong's MTR rapid transit network. This train family comprises two distinct versions tailored for different services: a standard edition designed for the Tung Chung line and a higher-end model intended for the Airport Express. The interior layouts were commissioned by MTR, with Jones Garrard responsible for the Tung Chung Line interiors and Design Triangle handling those of the Airport Express. Additionally, Design Triangle, based in the UK, crafted the exterior appearance and driver's cab interiors. Both train variants were collaboratively manufactured by Adtranz (which became part of Bombardier Transportation in 2001) and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), with assembly taking place in Spain between 1996 and 1997.
History
On 21 November 1994, the consortium formed by AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH (later known as Adtranz) and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) won the contract to supply rolling stock for the Lantau Airport Railway under Contract 551.
Details
Originally, the Adtranz–CAF EMUs were configured as 7-car formations until expansions occurred in 2003 for the Tung Chung Line and in 2005 for the Airport Express. These extensions involved adding an eighth car following the inauguration of Nam Cheong and AsiaWorld-Expo Stations. Production and assembly were carried out by CAF in Spain, while Adtranz provided the traction and control systems. The trains reach a top speed of 140 km/h but operate at a maximum service speed of 135 km/h. They accelerate at up to 1 m/s², with service braking rated at 1.1 m/s² and emergency braking at 1.35 m/s². Their propulsion system incorporates AEG DASU 6.1 three-level GTO–VVVF inverter technology.
Tung Chung line stock
The Tung Chung Line's train sets were lengthened from seven to eight cars in 2003 by incorporating the 'W7XX' car, coinciding with the launch of the West Rail Line and Nam Cheong Station. An order totaling 96 cars was placed.
| Tung Chung line cars | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| car type | driver cab | motor | pantograph | auto-coupler | length (mm) | seat | standing capacity | wheelchair space | quantity |
| V car | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 24600 | 42 | 252 | 2 | 24 |
| W car | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | 22500 | 48 | 252 | ✗ | 24 |
| X car (trailer) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | 22500 | 48 | 252 | ✗ | 24 |
| Y car | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 22500 | 48 | 252 | ✗ | 12 |
| Z car | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 22500 | 48 | 252 | ✗ | 12 |
A standard formation on the Tung Chung Line operates as follows: Westbound—V6XX-W6XX-X6XX-Y7XX-W7XX-X7XX-Z8XX-V8XX; Eastbound runs in reverse order.
Airport Express rolling stock
The Airport Express (AEL) fleet was initially composed of 7-car sets, including 6 passenger cars and 1 dedicated luggage car, with a total procurement of 88 vehicles. To manage the surge in passenger volume following the inauguration of AsiaWorld–Expo station, each train was extended by incorporating an additional 'F2XX' car, resulting in 8-car formations. The 'K4XX' vehicles function as baggage vans designed to accommodate oversized luggage checked in through the in-town check-in facilities at Hong Kong and Kowloon stations.
| Airport Express rolling stock types | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car type | Driver cab | Motor | Pantograph | Automatic coupler |
Length (mm) |
Seating capacity | Standing capacity | Quantity |
| E car | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 24600 | 60 | 84 | 11 |
| F car | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | 22500 | 64 | 84 | 22 |
| G car (trailer) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | 22500 | 64 | 84 | 22 |
| H car | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 22500 | 64 | 84 | 11 |
| J car | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 22500 | 64 | 84 | 11 |
| K car (van) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 24600 | 13 baggage containers | 11 | |
The standard train formation for AEL is arranged as follows: Westbound—E1XX-F1XX-G1XX-H2XX-F2XX-G2XX-J4XX-K4XX; Eastbound operates in reverse order. Apart from the 'K4XX' baggage vans, which are equipped with five doors on each side, all passenger cars include two doors per side and provide one designated wheelchair space. Each passenger vehicle is outfitted with two LCD screens at both ends, displaying entertainment content, travel information, and announcements for upcoming stations.
In popular culture
Two CAF-built Airport Express trains are featured in the movie Shock Wave 2. In the film, unit E104/K404 is destroyed by explosions including a Davy Crockett device, while another unit suffers damage from the blast’s shockwave and becomes immobilized on the fractured Tsing Ma Bridge.