DALIAN, June 23 — The first two sets of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains, along with two electric locomotives for cargo transportation under the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, are expected to arrive in Malaysia in October this year.
The first batch of ECRL trains will be shipped by the manufacturer, CRRC Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co Ltd (CRRC Dalian), a wholly owned subsidiary of CRRC Corp, with the shipment set to take around a month to reach Malaysia.
CRRC Dalian vice-president Zhang Jian said the company will provide a “full life cycle service” for the ECRL fleet, covering the entire process — from product research and development, production and operation, to final maintenance and servicing.
“For the ECRL project, we can continue cooperating across the full life cycle in the future to ensure reliable operation of the trains on Malaysia’s railway lines,” he told the Malaysian media delegation at CRRC Dalian’s headquarters here.
Dalian is a coastal city in northeastern China’s Liaoning Province, located about 800km southeast of Beijing, known for its major port and strong manufacturing industry.
In August 2022, CRRC Dalian signed a supply contract with China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd, or CCCECRL, the main contractor of the ECRL project, to deliver 11 train sets of EMUs and 12 electric locomotives.
Zhang said the trains will have completed factory commissioning in Dalian prior to shipment.
“Upon arrival, they will undergo testing on-site. The first EMU must undergo 8,000km of testing, while the subsequent batch requires 5,000km of testing,” he said.
The EMUs are designed to carry passengers at speeds of up to 160kph, while the electric locomotives, operating at 80 kph, will be used to transport cargo.
Technical experts from CRRC Dalian will be deployed to Malaysia to provide on-site servicing and training.
“There are two groups; one group will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the EMUs and locomotives, and the other group will provide technical training to local personnel, helping them acquire maintenance skills,” he noted.
He said the company will also provide two-year warranty services for the EMUs and electric locomotives.
The arrival of the first trains by year end will ensure preparedness for the ECRL’s scheduled launch in 2027.
— Bernama
