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. The KCRC E233 variant entered service on the Joestu Line on the 3rd of March 2022, with the HRT E233 variants expected to completely 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.
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: 3 car set used on the Seiyo Main Line (Urban)
- E233-500: 5 car set used on the Ome Line
- E233-600: 8 car set used on the Sakura Main Line.
- E233-700: 5,6,8 car set used on the Lamtsu Main Line and Seiyo Main Line
- E233-800: 10 car set used on the Tozai 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 25 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. After the upgrade, the E233-100 will be split into another 2 variants: the E233-110, and the E233-120.
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 | DT | T | M' | T | DT |
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DT | T | T | T | M' | M | T | T | T | DT |
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 line is close to maximum capacity.
Due to the hugely different climates in the region, this variant of the E233 Series has variable temperature adjustment, allowing for energy conservation in areas where there is no significant need for cooling or heating. The cars were manufactured in the New Tsihai Industries plant in New Tsihai, and shipped to Lamtsu Port, where they were subsequently checked at the Kata Heavy Industries plant.
120 cars or 12 sets of the Namboku Line livery were ordered, and 150 cars or 15 sets of the Tozai Line were ordered, replacing the SP100 in stages from 2002 to 2022. In 2022, the Tozai Line extension to Mibu required a switch of the power supply from 1500V DC to 25kv AC, so it was decided to place an order for a new E233 series for the Tozai Line, to falicitate the travel on the Mibu Branch Line. The Tozai Line E233 will then be scrapped or sold to other raiways.
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DT | M | T | T | M' | T | T | T | M | DT |
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. The variant was designed for quick acceleration to full speed, and according quick deaccellaration. the variant runs on the Yamate Line, and was the third E233 variant to be introduced in service in Lamtsu.
The E233-300 is the most advanced in terms of passenger features and comfort, having LCD displays and climate-variable cooling, allowing the inside of the train to change the temperature according to the amount of passengers there. This has led to cost-savings for HRT (Lamtsu) totalling close to 1.7 million every year.
The E233-300 is the most famous variant of the E233, due to it's position as the only rolling stock on the Yamate Line.
The E233-300 was produced natively by Kata Heavy Industries, with the design supplied by New Tsihai Industries. There were 140 cars or 14 sets ordered by Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu), replacing the SP100 on the Yamate Line in stages from 2008 to 2017, making the Yamate Line the first line to completely switch from existing rolling stock to the E233 series.
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DT | M | M' | M | T | T | M | M' | M | DT |
E233-400
| Status | Operational |
|---|
| Type | Seiyo/Lamtsu Main Line (Urban) |
|---|---|
| Operator(s) | Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) |
| Depot(s) | Kata Depot |
| Track gauge | 1435mm |
|---|---|
| Electrification | 1500V DC 25kv AC |
| Operating speed | 160 (design) 120 (Service) |
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. The variant also is a BEMU version of the E233 series, as the section that passes through the Mishato City does not have overhead wires. The 3-car consist has both heating and cooling functions, as the Mishato City is on the Tai Hing Plateau. The variant has a turquoise stripe, for the Seiyo Main Line. Due to the relatively low ridership on this area and the high costs of the route, the first car is a green car, and the second has all reserved seating.
The first cars were ordered in 2022 to falicitate the Hakone Access Line extension off the Seiyo Main Line to Tai Hing Forest, which at the time, had no rolling stock capable of both heating and cooling functions. They were designed and manufactured by New Tsihai Industries, and the first cars arrived for testing in August 2022.
9 cars of 3 sets were ordered, and all of them arrived simultaneously via the Lamtsu Main Line in 2022. The trains are capable of running on both 1500V DC and 25KV AC, which allows them to service the Ome Line if there is a need.
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DM' | T | T |
E233-500
| Type | Ome Line |
|---|---|
| Operator(s) | Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) |
| Depot(s) | Nanae Depot Mihara Depot |
| Track gauge | 1435mm |
|---|---|
| Electrification | 1500V DC |
| Operating speed | 160 (Design) 120 (Service) |
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. The variant was ordered in 2020, when Harmony Rail Transit was rerouting the Ome Line to a new route, and considering breaking service up at Mihara to have 4 service sections: Urban, Suburban, Rural, Shuttle. The plan only went through halfway, however, so the initial order of 32 sets was reduced to 16, which are used on the Ome Line (City) service, and replaced the E44 on the Ome Line (Urban) service.
The E233-500 was designed to navigate the extremely curved sections of track between Mihara and Hayakawa, which were slated to be rebuilt in the 2022 Lamtsu Railway Rebuild. However, due to issues with closing several stations, the E233-500 was required to keep the residents happy while the reconstruction works were progressing.
Due to decreasing ridership on the Ome Line, green cars were introduced on the Ome Line (Urban) service, but not on the city service. Therefore, similar to the Mihara Line, 2 variants were produced: the E233-510, and the E233-520. The Green Cars on the E233-520 are located in the front 2 cars, and only have 2 doors.
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DT | T | M' | T | DT |
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DT | T | T | M' | DT |
E233-600
| Status | Operational |
|---|
| Operator(s) | Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) |
|---|---|
| Depot(s) | Otaki Depot |
| Track gauge | 1345mm |
|---|---|
| Electrification | 25kv AC |
| Operating speed | 150 (Design) 120 (Operation) |
This variant is a 8-car formation and is the only one to run on 25kv AC. The variant was ordered to replace the aging M-train roling stock that had been aquired from KCRC, and was also to standardise the rolling stock used. The E233 series is the primary rolling stock type used by Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu), in all the areas it operates in. The E233-600 has one of the slowest accelerations of the entire family, due to the Sakura Main Line being an extremely straight and simply built line.
The Sakura Main Line is one of the most crowded main lines on the eastern side of Lamtsu, requiring 8 cars for the Lamtsu Urban Section. The E233-600 has 2 green cars as the platforms can handle 8 cars, and crowding data shows only 107% crowding during peak hour on 6-car trains, so there is not expected to be any signifcant effect on crowding.
Due to the Sakura Main Line having 2 services, 2 types of E233-600 subvariants were ordered: The E233-610, and the E233-620. The E233-620 is the 8-car variant, and runs to the end of the suburban section, while the E233-610 only runs to Meguro. The E233-610 has 2 green cars at the front, while the E233-620 has 4 green cars in the centre. However, there are no differences in the technical details.
The E233-600 was designed by New Tsihai Industries and manufactured by Kata Heavy Industries, and then sent to Otaki Depot via truck, as the Yamate Line runs on 1500V DC.
| Car No | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DT | T | T | M' | M | T | T | DT |
E233-700
| Status | Operational |
|---|
| Type | Seiyo Main Line Lamtsu Main Line |
|---|---|
| Operator(s) | Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) |
| Depot(s) | Multiple |
| Track gauge | 1345mm |
|---|---|
| Electrification | 1500V DC |
| Operating speed | 160km/h (Design) 120km/h (Service) |
The E233-700 is used on both the Lamtsu Main Line and Seiyo Main Line, and there are 3 variants, all with differing formation lengths. These sets are extremely similar to the E233-400 in both design, except that these are the first series to feature Reenergative Braking.
The E233-700 was first ordered in 2022, when Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) decided that they wanted to standardise the rolling sotck, and start placing Automatic Platform Gates at Misato Station to improve safety and reduce suicides, which were very inconvenient to railway operations, as they often cause delays. The E233-700 has 3 subvariants, the E233-710, E233-720, and E233-730, all with different lengths and number of green cars. However, for Limited Express and Express trains, Harmony Rail Transit (Lamtsu) uses a completely different family of trains.
The E233-710 is 5 cars long, and has one green car at the front. The pantograph is at car 4.
The E233-720 is 6 cars long, and has 2 green cars at the front. The pantograph is at car 5.
The E233-730 is 8 cars long, and has 4 green cars in the centre. The pantograph is at car 2.
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DT | T | T | M' | DT |
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DT | T | T | T | M' | DT |
| Car no | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | DT | M' | M | T | T | T | M | DT |
E233-900
The details of this are exactly the same as the E233-200, except that is is only used on the Tozai Line and uses 25kv AC instead of 1500V DC.