China: Hong Kong’s rail operator MTR put 14 eight-car Q-Train SFM47/47A trains into operation on the 16.3 km Island Line with 17 stations.
The trains replace the rolling stock by British Metro-Cammell (acquired by Alstom in 1989), which has been operating since the line’s launch in 1985.
Each train can reportedly accommodate up to 3,480 people. It runs with a maximum commercial speed of 80 km/h and has a starting acceleration rate of 1.3 m/s2. The Q-Train is said to be fitted with Mitsubishi Electric traction systems, Faiveley (part of Wabtec) automatic couplers and Hubner inter-car gangways. It also has a traditional predictive component diagnostics system for by CRRC.
Inside the Q-Train SFM47/47A from CRRC built for Hong Kong. Source: MTR
The $779 mln contract to supply 93 such trains for several Hong Kong metro lines was concluded in 2015. November 2022 saw the launch of the first 13 trains on the Kwun Tong line.
