E233 Series
| Number of lines | Joestu Line
Mihara Line Namboku Line Tozai Line Yamate Line |
|---|---|
| Began Operation | 2022 |
| Operator(s) | KCR Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) |
|---|---|
| Rolling stock | KCR-E233
E233-100 E233-200 E233-300 E233-400 |
| Track gauge | 1453mm |
|---|---|
| Electrification | 25Kv AC overhead (KCR) 1500V DC overhead (HRT Lamtsu) |
| Operating speed | 120 (Most variants) 80 (E233-300) |
The E233 Series is a family of rolling stock used by Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) and Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu). The base variant is produced and operated by KCR, although only one is in operation at the moment on the Joestu Line from Bubba Town to Mito. 3 variants, the E233-100, E233-200 and E233-300 are under production by New Tshai Industries for use in Lamtsu. A forth variant, the E233-400, is under study. The KCRC E233 variant entered service on the Joestu Line on the 3rd of March 2022, with the HRT E233 variants expected to enter service when the Lamtsu Railway Reconstruction is complete.
Design Features
The E233 series has a stainless steel body and a significantly narrower frame than some of the other trains, allowing them to run with a lower loading gauge than similar commuter trains, such as the SP100. The exterior design was initially designed by KCRC, with the NTI variants using the same design but with differing liveries. The front of the train has a display screen for the line as well. Due to the hugely different climates in the region, the E233 Series has variable temperature adjustment, allowing for energy conservation in areas where power is not a significant issue.
While the KCR E233 has 4 cars with 5 doors each, the HRT Lamtsu variants have significantly shorter cars to aid with navigating the curvy lines in Lamtsu, with each car having 4 doors instead of 5 and being 20m long instead of 25m.
Variants
- KCR E233: 4 car set used on the Joestu Line
- E233-100: 5+5 car set used on the Mihara Line
- E233-200: 10 car set used on the Namboku Line and Tozai Line
- E233-300: 10 car set used on the Yamate Line
- E233-400: 5 car set used on the Ome Line
KCR E233
HRT E233
The HRT E233 has 3 variants with significantly differing properties.
E233-100
| Status | Operational |
|---|
| Type | Mihara Line |
|---|---|
| Operator(s) | Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) |
| Depot(s) | Lamtsu Depot |
| Track gauge | 1435mm |
|---|---|
| Electrification | 1500V DC |
| Operating speed | 130km/h (Design) 120km/h (Service) |
The first E233 variant to run on a HRT Lamtsu line was the E233-100, introduced in 1998, replacing the aging E44 trains that had been constantly breaking down and massively impacting service on the line. The fleet of vehicles arrived in stages, from 1998 to 2022, with a total of 50 cars and 10 sets being ordered for the line, as frequency had been decreased.
In July 2022 the decision was made to add green cars to the Mihara Line rapid service, and so sets were sent to Kata Heavy Industries central plant in Kata, Misato City, with service supplemented by E233-200 sets from the Namboku and Tozai Lines. The green cars will be placed in the centre 2 cars of the 10-car consist.
This variant is designed for consistent operation at maximum operating speed, 120km/h. They also are designed for both 5-car and 10-car service, and can navigate curves the best of all the variants. This train has a slower acceleration than the other 2 variants, however. The pantograph is on top of car 3.
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | M | T | M' | T | M |
E233-200
| Status | Operational |
|---|
| Type | Namboku Line Tozai Line |
|---|---|
| Operator(s) | Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) |
| Depot(s) | Meguro Depot Mibu Depot |
| Track gauge | 1435mm |
|---|---|
| Electrification | 1500V DC |
| Operating speed | 140 (Design) 120 (Service) |
This variant is the most similar to the KCR E233, with only minor differences in acceleration. Like the E233-100, this variant can operate at 120km/h without significant issues. The rolling stock was ordered starting in 2002, to replace the SP100 trains that had been operating on the Namboku and Tozai Lines. The 10-car consist does not have green cars, as the Namboku and Tozai Lines are close to maximum capacity.
E233-300
| Type | Yamate Line |
|---|---|
| Operator(s) | Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) |
| Depot(s) | Ofuna Depot |
| Track gauge | 1435mm |
|---|---|
| Electrification | 1500V DC |
| Operating speed | 110 (Design) 120 (Service) |
This variant is the slowest of the 3 variants, with a maximum operating speed of 110. This variant does not go faster than 80km/h in operation, but has the fastest acceleration of the variants.
E233-400
This variant is similar to the E233-100, but has a wider turn radius and the worst acceleration of the 4. This is because of the motors used in this variant, which were designed to save power over long distances between stops.
E233-500
This variant is a suburban variant of the E233, which is compatible with the Aotetsu's O-ATS signalling system. It has a maximum speed of 160km/h, but only does 120 in service.
E233-600
This variant is a 8-car formation, with 2 Green Cars at the front. The variant is the only one to run on 25kv AC.