MTR Metro-Cammell EMUs to be withdrawn

[matthewy415]

Having served Hong Kong's East Rail Line for more than 30 years, these units which were based on the Class 317s are to be replaced by new Korean-built EMUs. It's quite sad, as to see their DC brothers which were also built by Metro Cammell on the MTR being withdrawn soon as well. At the same time their cousins overseas, the Class 317s, are being replaced...

 

[williamn]

They don't look very similar!

 

[ac6000cw]

Bodyshell-wise, they look like just a variation of the then-standard Met-Camm LU sub-surface stock design, complete with 'outside hung' sliding doors.

The BR 317s have quite a different BR-designed steel bodyshell (derived from the Mk3 coach design).

I suspect about the only thing they might have in common is GEC-supplied traction equipment - even that was tap-changer control on the MTR AC emus originally (later replaced with thyristor equipment), whereas the 317s were thyristor based from the outset (BR's first thyristor controlled production EMUs I think).

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Are these the ones I will have seen being delivered down the A34 through Newbury back in the early 1980s?

 

[DanNCL]

The DC units presumably will be the Hong Kong units that shared the Tyne & Wear Metro test track in North Tyneside back in the late 1970s/early 1980s.

This is a photo (from google, not mine) of a MTR Hong Kong EMU on the Tyne & Wear Metro test track. I assume these are the same units that MTR are shortly going to be withdrawing from service?

 

[317666]

...whereas the 317s were thyristor based from the outset (BR's first thyristor controlled production EMUs I think).

Doesn't that honour go to the 314s?

 

[ac6000cw]

Doesn't that honour go to the 314s?

On further investigation, it looks like it does (in 1979)

Thanks for the correction.

 

[317666]

On further investigation, it looks like it does (in 1979)

Thanks for the correction.

No worries

As for the poll at the top of the thread asking about whether I'll miss the sound of the 317s? I'm sure you can tell the answer from my username! Having been born and raised in Cambridge it's a sound I grew up with!

 

[tfzoofss]

They don't look very similar!

The unit was refurbished in 1998 in order to satisfy the rapid growing population in New Territories.
The original unit was painted with yellow front as well and the interior is quite similar to Class 315 but more spacious. There is still a 3-car unit being kept in Fo Tan Depot, but there is nowhere to be exhibited to public.
I found the sound quite identical to Class 319.

 

[matthewy415]

The unit was refurbished in 1998 in order to satisfy the rapid growing population in New Territories.
The original unit was painted with yellow front as well and the interior is quite similar to Class 315 but more spacious. There is still a 3-car unit being kept in Fo Tan Depot, but there is nowhere to be exhibited to public.
I found the sound quite identical to Class 319.
View attachment 47878 View attachment 47877

Well they had the same GEC G315BZ motors but not sure about the future of E44 (the sole surviving unit in pre-refurb state)