Wabtec Corporation has signed an agreement to modernise 25 Mk3 Battery-Electric Locomotives for Hong Kong's MTR Corporation. The order, worth approximately £12 million, will extend the life of the fleet, improve performance and reliability.
Garry Mowbray, Group Managing Director and Regional Vice President of UK, Wabtec, said that the order was the result of an extensive collaboration with MTR to define a project that would maximise the capital investment in the fleet. He added that the tailored approach was designed to install the latest technologies where necessary to provide the greatest benefit to MTR's fleet. Mowbray said that the project provided an innovative and lasting transportation solution unlocking the potential of one of MTR's strategic assets.
MTR's modernisations come as the company looks to meet the growing demands on its transit network by maximising and extending the capabilities of the locomotive fleet. The project aims to extend the service life of the locomotives by more than 15 years.
Kim-Hung Lee, Acting Chief of Operations Engineering Maintenance, MTR Corporation, said that he was confident that the project would be delivered on time and enhance the operational efficiency and performance of MTR locomotives. He said that this was due to Wabtec's extensive knowledge of this particular locomotive.
Wabtec built the original locomotives for MTR in 1996 and 1997. Following a detailed feasibility study of modernising these locomotives, the project focuses on three key areas. Wabtec will upgrade the locomotive's existing control electronics and the motor alternator control units, as well as replace the battery charger units.
The control electronics upgrade will also include a data logger, which provides comprehensive diagnostic capabilities. Additionally, Wabtec will design and build new automatic test equipment to ensure the newly refurbished electronic racks meet different modes of operation.
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