11th September 2022 – (Hong Kong) The Metro Cammell EMU (also known as M-Train or Modernisation Train) is the oldest variation of electric multiple unit that operates on the MTR rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong. A total of 768 cars were built by Metro-Cammell in England (and its successor GEC-Alsthom) between 1977 and 1994, and refurbished from 1998 to 2001 by United Goninan. MTR is about the entire the M-Train fleet.
According to sources, the first train in the series to be retired not due to an accident has arrived at the MTR Siu Ho Wan Depot in the early morning of this morning. It will be dismantled later. The first two trains of the new eight-car train “Q-Train” used for replacement have been tested, and it is expected that the passenger service may be available before the end of October at the earliest. At present, it mainly travels on five urban lines, including Kwun Tong Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Hong Kong Island Line, Tseung Kwan O Line and Disneyland Resort Line.
Among them, the first-generation M-trains are over 40 years old and are expected to be retired from 2023 to 2027. The MTR has to dispose of nearly 700 carriages successively, making it the largest rail vehicle dismantling process in the history.
According to online sources, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has requested the MTR to retire at least 6 M-trains before the end of this year, and the urban line is currently experiencing a “train shortage”. Arranging for the retirement of existing trains may exacerbate the shortage of trains in the short term.
The MTR Urban Lines Vision Train (also known as Q-Train) is a new rolling stock ordered by MTR Hong Kong in July 2015.They are expected to begin replacing all of the aging Metro-Cammell EMU (DC) trains starting at the end of 2022. The order currently consists of 744 cars (93 trainsets).