On Aug 18, local time, in Santiago, the capital of Chile, CRRC Corporation Limited (CRRC) officially won the letter of award for the Melipilla and Batuco electric multiple units (EMU) procurement project issued by Chile's State Railway Company, also known as the EFE. It is the largest single rolling stock order in the EFE's history.
The sketch design of electric multiple units for Chile's State Railway Company by CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The project is a landmark project of the "Chile on Railway" development plan, which aims to upgrade and transform Chilean railway facilities. These newly purchased EMU trains will be used on two railway lines running from Melipilla to Alameda and from Batuco to Quinta Normal.
The project launched an international bid in 2021. A consortium of CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of CRRC and local partner Temoinsa successfully won the international bid.
With a designed speed of 140 kilometers per hour, the new trains are suitable for the 1,676 mm wide gauge lines. Each train has three units and has a maximum passenger capacity of about 800 people.
The train boasts advanced design concepts such as light weight construction, intelligence, and eco-friendliness. It reserves space for upgrading lithium-ion batteries, strives to achieve faster speed, larger passenger capacity, and a wider and lighter body, and is more intelligent and environmentally friendly. These new trains are an upgrade for the EFE.
The delivery of EMU trains is expected to commence in 2025. They will effectively improve the passenger transport capacity of the Chile's railways, shorten the travel time from Santiago to Melipilla by two hours, and provide a more convenient and comfortable way to travel for more than one million residents along the line.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
