SP1900 EMU
| Industry | Railway transport |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1980s |
| Successor | MTR Corporation |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Key people | Michael Tien (former chairman) |
| Products | SP1900 EMU / SP1950 EMU trains |
The SP1900 EMU / SP1950 EMU, also referred to as the IKK Train (previously known as KCR EMU SP1900 / SP1950 EMU; , and promoted under the name Millennium Train), is a series of trains operating on Hong Kong’s Tuen Ma line. This model represents the second generation of electric multiple units introduced by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) following the 1980s MTR Metro Cammell EMU (AC), and has been managed by the MTR Corporation (MTRC) since the 2007 MTR–KCR merger.
The trains were delivered in multiple batches, resulting in several model designations—SP1900, SP1950, KRS991, and 1151—all sharing a uniform design. Unless specified otherwise, the term SP1900 collectively encompasses these variants. A related train model, 1141A (MTR CRRC Changchun EMU), bears a similar design but includes some differences and is manufactured by a separate company. After the rail merger, the SP1900 units had their original KCR logos replaced with MTR branding, and updated route maps were installed inside the carriages.
History
On 8 March 1999, a Japanese consortium comprising Itochu, Kinki Sharyo, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (IKK) secured a contract valued at HK$3.1 billion to produce a new commuter train type for the Kowloon–Canton Railway (KCR), officially designated as SP1900.
The SP1900 fleet entered service on the KCR East Rail line in 2001, with initial deliveries arriving on 22 March and operations commencing on 4 September. Out of the 250 cars ordered, 96 were allocated to East Rail, arranged into eight trainsets each consisting of 12 cars, running alongside existing Metro Cammell EMUs. The remaining 154 cars, delivered starting in 2002, supported operations on the KCR West Rail line launched in December 2003, configured into 22 trainsets of seven cars each.
In December 2000, KCRC placed an additional order for 72 SP1950 units intended for the Ma On Shan Rail line, which opened in December 2004; these were formed into eighteen four-car trainsets.
A subsequent contract named KRS991 was signed in January 2006 to supply 34 cars for the Kowloon Southern Link, which began service in 2009. Of these, twenty-eight cars formed four seven-car trains serving West Rail, while six combined with existing stock on the Ma On Shan line to create two more seven-car trains. Deliveries for this batch started in October 2007.
Conversion
On 24 January 2014, MTRC—then operating West Rail under KCRC—commissioned 36 new carriages under contract 1151 to convert SP1900 trains across all three lines into eight-car formations in preparation for integration into the future Tuen Ma line (previously known as East West Corridor). These upgraded SP1900 sets received dynamic route map screens replacing earlier static plastic maps, along with larger LCD displays. The trains retained their original KCR color scheme featuring blue bodies with red doors. Prior to the full launch of Tuen Ma line in 2021, these refurbished trains operated separately on West Rail and Ma On Shan lines but were withdrawn from East Rail service and replaced by new Hyundai Rotem EMUs.
Separately, an order was placed for 136 carriages from Changchun Railway Vehicles to form new eight-car sets complementing the SP1900s on the East West Corridor. This contract (designated 1141A) produced what is known as the TML C-Train, which features a refreshed SP1900 exterior with altered cab ends and different electrical systems. These trains bear a livery matching that of SIL C-Trains and R-Trains operating on the North South Corridor. They commenced service on Ma On Shan line on 12 March 2017.
The SP1900 EMUs ceased operations on East Rail line as of 6 February 2021 following implementation of the Trainguard MT signaling system. Except for eight cars withdrawn due to structural roof issues, remaining East Rail units are being refurbished for deployment on the Tuen Ma line.
Design and capacity
The SP1900 trains present a marked contrast to the former Metro-Cammell EMU units previously used on the East Rail line. A distinctive feature is the "D car," which has a streamlined front resembling a bullet train, enhancing acceleration and minimizing aerodynamic resistance. The exterior paint scheme closely resembles that of both older refurbished units and more recent models, with five sliding doors on each side. Prior to modifications, first-class compartments were equipped with two doors per side, one generally remaining unused.
Inside, the cars exhibit yellow-toned walls paired with blue flooring and feature fully longitudinal seating arrangements similar to those found in urban M-Train sets. The gangways connecting cars are notably wider compared to those in refurbished Metro Cammell EMUs. Each carriage is outfitted with six LCD screens that broadcast daily news from Cable TV Hong Kong's Newsline Express, alongside advertisements and safety information. Additionally, two compact video cameras per car monitor operational activities.
According to manufacturer Kinki Sharyo, D cars have a capacity exceeding 430 passengers, while other car types can accommodate up to 452; first-class seating is set at 72 seats. MTR documentation specifies capacities as "52 seats with standing room for up to 286" per car, and for first-class sections "72 seats with standing space for up to 144."
In 2007, KCRC launched the "Art Unlimited" initiative featuring exterior wraps on one East Rail and one West Rail train set showcasing artwork created by public volunteers; these decorations were removed prior to the MTRC merger later that year.
Signalling technology differs across lines: East Rail line trains utilize TBL combined with advanced ATP, whereas other lines employ SelTrac systems incorporating ATO and ATP. Despite the trains being identical models, driver cab control panels vary accordingly.
Electrification on the Tuen Ma and East Rail lines operates at , contrasting with the urban lines’ . If future interoperability becomes necessary, dual voltage trains may be required.
Train configurations
| Cars of SP1900 / SP1950 train | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car type | Driving
cab |
Hostler | Motor | Pantograph | Length (mm) |
Seats | Standing capacity |
Total | ||
| WR | TM1 | Spare | ||||||||
| D car | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | 24820 | 48 | 382 | 66 | 10 | 20 |
| P car | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | 23216 | 50 | 402 | 66 | 10 | 20 |
| M car | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 23216 | 50/52 | 400/402 | 66 | 10 | 20 |
| H car | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | 23216 | 50/52 | 400/402 | 33 | 5 | 10 |
| C car | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | 23216 | 50 | 402 | 33 | 5 | 10 |
The current revenue service configuration for SP1900/SP1950/C1151 trains running towards Wu Kai Sha is D-P-M-H-C-M-P-D (and reversed for Tuen Mun-bound services). Historically, East Rail line formations were (southbound) D-P-M-H-C-H-M-P-F-M-P-D (northbound), West Rail line operated (southbound) D-P-M-C-M-P-D (northbound), and Ma On Shan line used (westbound) D-P-M-D (eastbound). All D cars in 8-car sets are designated as quiet cars. Previously, quiet car assignments varied by line: on East Rail they were located at positions 1, 4, and 11 southbound and 2, 9, and 12 northbound; West Rail placed them in cars 1 and 4 southbound and cars 4 and 7 northbound; Ma On Shan line’s four-car sets designated all M cars as quiet zones. Car type prefixes identify each car’s role.
Major incidents
On 14 February 2007 at 09:15, a transformer on the roof of a West Rail SP1900 train (D305/306) malfunctioned and exploded while traveling southbound through the Tai Lam Tunnel, approximately 2 kilometers from Tsuen Wan West station. The transformer overheated, causing its insulating oil to vaporize and detonate; however, the circuit breaker did not successfully interrupt the power supply. About 650 passengers evacuated via the tunnel, with nearly 340 escaping through a ventilation shaft located at Chai Wan Kok. Eleven individuals required medical attention at hospitals. Normal service was restored after a delay of four hours.
Following this event, KCRC chairman Michael Tien announced that West Rail rides would be complimentary from 9am to 1pm on 21 February 2007, the first business day after the Chinese New Year holiday period.