South Korea: An eight-car train is the first serial multiple unit model by Hyundai Rotem with a design speed of 320 km/h. It was produced at the manufacturer’s plant in Changwon by order of the Korail national passenger operator. Its launch into commercial operation is scheduled on the Gyeongbu and Honam high-speed lines in 2023, and the new train will be the fastest one running in the country.
The contract for the development and supply of 2 eight-car EMUs-320 and 19 six-car EMUs-260 (later renamed into KTX-Eum) was signed in 2016. Both models have the same design, but differ in composition and maximum speed indicators – 320 and 260 km/h, respectively. The first EMU-320 was released last week, and the second one is scheduled to be completed in November. In turn, all 19 KTX-Eum trains were delivered to Korail in 2020-2021.
The EMU-320 and KTX-Eum trains are based on the HEMU-430X model, an experimental high-speed train designed for a speed of 430 km/h. That train was developed by Hyundai Rotem in 2012 and produced as the only unique vehicle. The new EMU-320 is a complete multiple unit with distributed traction. The previous model of the Hyundai Rotem high-speed train, KTX-Sancheon, is in operation in South Korea since 2009 and has an operational speed of 305 km/h, but it is a push-pull train as its head cars are locomotives (for example, the same as in the high-speed trains of Alstom).
According to the manufacturer, the multiple unit design of the train allowed to reduce the maximum axle load, optimize traction and braking characteristics by transferring power through a larger number of motor axles, as well as evenly distribute seats across all cars, with the exception of those located at the end of the train near the driver’s cabs. According to Yong-Bae Lee, CEO of Hyundai Rotem, the need for distributed traction is dictated by the large number of curves and short distances between stations on the Korail network.
The manufacturer highlights that the EMU-320 can accelerate from 0 to 300 km/h in 230 seconds. At the same time, KTX-Sancheon high-speed train needs 316 seconds for this. Unlike the KTX trains, the seats in the EMU-320 offer more legroom, wider armrests, USB ports, wireless chargers and entertainment displays. The passenger capacity of the eight-car EMU-320 is 515 people, for the six-car KTX-Eum it is 380 people.
Overview of the Hyundai Rotem EMU-320 high-speed train interior. Source: 철도경제신문, youtube.com
Hyundai Rotem is looking to enter the international market with the new EMU-320 high-speed train. According to Yong-Bae Lee, the company will do everything possible for this. First of all, it is aimed at Turkish and Thai markets, where high-speed rail is now actively developing.
