Phase II LRV

Phase II LRV
Last run of Phase II LRV (26 February 2023)
Manufactuer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Year Manufactured	1992
Line(s) Observed	All Light Rail Routes
Sevice Years	28 October 1992
Year Retired	26 February 2023
Technical Information
Length	19,400mm
Width	2,650mm
Height	3,865mm
Weight	D-Car：32t MT-Car：30.5t
Train Formation	1M/2M/1M1MT
Direct Current	750
Gauge	1435
Capacity	D-Car: 220 (Official) MT-Car: 224 (Official) D-Car: 195 (Actual) MT-Car: 199 (Actual)

ThePhase II LRV (輕鐵第二期列車) is one of the Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) that used to be in service, which were fully owned by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) and leased to the MTR Corporation for operation after rail merger.

There were 30 LRVs of this type (1071-1090, 1201-1210), of which 10 are MT-Cars (1201-1210).

History

To cope with the passenger volume after the opening of the Tin Shui Wai Extension, the KCR Administration approved the purchase of 30 LRVs in March 1990, and signed a contract with Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries in January 1991 with a total amount of nearly HKD $394 million, is the only light rail train series produced in Japan. Compared with the first phase of trains, the new trains are equipped with more handrails, and the cooling capacity of the air-conditioning system in the trains is also increased by 60% compared with the previous batch of trains. The first batch of new cars arrived in Hong Kong on September 9, 1992. On October 28 of the same year, the inauguration ceremony of the new batch of LRVs was held. The first four cars officially began to carry passengers on Routes 505, 610 and 612the next day.

In the early 2000s, alongside their Phase I classmates, Phase II LRVs received LED displays to replace the rollsigns and a rear display, which required the installation of a new rear cap on each car. This generally occurred as they were being repainted into the SP1900-based livery.

Following the refurbishment of the Phase I LRVs, these units retained their original front cab and the blue SP1900-based livery. The Phase II units were not refurbished, thus maintaining their original cab design. They could be identified by having an air conditioner above the cab alongside having a curved headlight cluster and a rear emergency door. Trailer cars could be identified by having a flat front with no front display, a feature that would be kept on their successors.

Planned Refurbishment

These LRVs were originally planned to be refurbished in 2015. However, on August 26, 2015, a pre-qualification invitation letter titled "Supply of New Light Rail Vehicles (Contract No.: K1846-15E)" appeared in the "Tender and Contract Announcement" on the MTR website. The invitation letter pointed out that MTR plans to replace the existing Phase II LRVs running on the Light Rail,and is expected to arrive in Hong Kong and put into service between 2019 and 2021. On July 29, 2016, the media took the lead in disclosing that CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. won the bid for 40 Phase V LRVs, with a total value of HK$745 million. It is expected to be put into service from 2019 to 2023. At that time, all 30 Phase V LRVs will replace this type of LRV. Three days later, MTR also officially issued a related press release.

Retirement

In August 2022, retirement of these units began, with 1071, 1201, 1073 & 1206 moved to an unused reversing loop near On Ting to free up space in the depot for new Phase V LRVs. 1071, 1201 & 1203 were sent back to the LRT Depot on October 12 for decommissioning, although 1201 was sent back with 1205. However, 1088 was retired prematurely in July 2021 before its conversion, along with some other LRVs in 2021. The removal process of LRVs began in August 2022, using heavy duty cranes to load the vehicles onto trailers.

As more new Phase V LRVs were delivered, the trucks used to deliver them were also used to send retired Phase II cars to the scrapper, being loaded during the day and taken away early the next morning. MTR also ran visits to the Light Rail depot, which initially would have a ride on a Kawasaki LRV while in other cases, rare photo charters for the series were held in 2022 and early 2023 by railfans. Throughout 2022 and 2023, more LRVs were decommissioned in the depot and scrapped. Yuen Hing Godown Company, Ltd. won the tender for scrapping the majority of the Phase II LRVs.

The final passenger run occurred on February 26, 2023 with the last four cars in service, being 1086/1209 (as an extra) and 1090/1210 operating an express run, with run number 066 from Yuen Long to Siu Hong. This was accompanied with a custom exposure on set 1090/1210 and a farewell ceremony at Siu Hong Station. However, another non-revenue run was held a few months later when cars 1086 and 1209 as a consist made a photo run within the Light Rail Depot for railfans.

Notable Retirement Timepoints

• September 14, 2022: 1071, 1201, 1073 & 1206, as a four-car train were sent to On Ting for storage; three of these cars were sent back to the LRT Depot on October 12
• September 26, 2022: 1072 was retired
• September 30, 2022: 1074 was retired
• October 18, 2022: 1205 and 1201 were sent to On Ting to free up space for new Phase V LRVs, with 1090 towing them there
• February 10, 2023: MTR states only two Phase II LRVs are left in service; farewell ceremony to be held
• February 11, 2023: 1088 is unveiled as a STEAM classroom after being donated to Ying Wa College and Primary School, alongside a cab section of a retired MLR carriage
• February 26, 2023: The final passenger run occurred, as a special express service from Yuen Long to Siu Hong to officially retire the Phase II LRV, with a one hour farewell ceremony at Siu Hong for people to take photos and display related memorabilia

Preservation

As of September 18, 2023, cars 1086, 1090 & 1210 (three of the four that did the final revenue run) have been preserved in operational condition, where they were put on display for the LRT Depot open day in commemoration of 35th anniversary of Light Rail. The number plates from 1083 & 1203 have also been kept at the depot.

However, 1088 was shortened and converted into a STEAM classroom. It was donated to Ying Wa College and Primary School in February 2023, under the Legacy Train Revitalization Programme. 1078 & 1201, after being loaded onto flatbed trailers, were donated to Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology.

MTR-ization of LRVs

All units have completed their MTR-ization proccess, , with only some stickers on LRVs 1075 and 1088 retaining the old version of the MTR logo. In addition, Phase II LRV 1078 had its automated announcement system replaced with tri-lingual MTR-style announcements as part of passenger trials in 2013, followed by other cars. The announcements were reverted to the 2007 version (and was modified to accommodate Tuen Ma Line stations in 2021 on all LRVs).

Notes

• 1201-1210 were built specifically as trailer cars, thus having no front LED display/rollsign; although they have hostler controls and headlights so that they can be operated independently within the Light Rail Depot or in an emergency. However, the hostler controls were never used in regular service.
• Prior to the refurbishment of Phase I LRVs, both types would often be operated in mixed consists (e.g. a Phase I with a Phase II-D and vice versa or a Phase I with a Phase II-MT); mixed phase sets now only occur on non-revenue runs.
• 1071-1090 were the only vehicles in service to keep the original driver's cab design used by the Light Rail system after 2011. Since their retirement, all LRVs in service have a slightly sloped, flat front driver's cab.

See Also

• Phase I LRV
• Coupled-Set Light Rail Vehicles