MTR CAF-Train

"CAF-Train" (alternatively LAR-Train and less commonly A-Train or A-Stock) is a colloquial name used to describe the Adtranz-CAF EMU, a set of suburban electric multiple units operated by the MTR Corporation on the Tung Chung Line and Airport Express of the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway since June 1998.
==History==
The CAF-Train was designed for service on the Tung Chung Line, intended to enter service in 1998. A total of twenty-three sets were jointly built by Adtranz GmbH and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) from 1996 to 1997 under contract 551. CAF built the sets in Beasain, Spain while Adtranz (now Bombardier) contributed control and traction equipment.
Operations began on the Tung Chung Line on 21 June 1998 and on the Airport Express on 6 July 1998, initially as seven car sets; the two networks are collective known as the Lantau Airport Railway, hence their colloquial name of "LAR-Train" on occasion. An eighth car, designated the "W7XX" and "F2XX" cars for the Tung Chung Line and Airport Express sets respectively, was added to the trains in 2003 and 2005 respectively.
A total of twelve sets, numbered V601~V801 through V612~V812, are in service on the Tung Chung Line, while eleven sets, E101~K101 through E111~K111, are in service on the Airport Express. When not in use, the sets are berthed at Siu Ho Wan depot. These are expected to be replaced with new trains manufactured by CRRC Qingdao Sifang due to their age.
==Design==
The CAF-Trains feature a streamlined design; their unique shape led them to be nicknamed "duck-billed train" by enthusiasts. Two variants were produced; one for use on the Tung Chung Line and one for use on the Airport Express. The latter variant features more luxurious fittings and a blue and teal livery. A warm orange LED display is situated under the front window, displaying the train running number.
The exterior design of the sets was penned by British design firm Design Triangle; DIARADESIGN was involved in penning designs for the train's refurbishments. British design firm Jones Garrard designed the interior of the Tung Chung Line variant while Design Triangle designed the interior for the Airport Express variant.
The Airport Express set features seven cars to carry passengers and one baggage car, designated the "K4XX" car; this car features essentially the same design as the Tung Chung Line CAF-Train's cab cars but without side windows. These are specifically designed to carry bulky baggage checked in via the in-town check-in services at Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations.
==Specifications==
Construction of the sets is of aluminum with fiberglass cabs. The sets use AEG's DASU 6.1 3-level GTO variable frequency drives, powering AEG BAZu 5551/4 traction motors.
==Gallery==
MTR E110 2019.jpg|E110~K110 Airport Express set in March 2019
==Trivia==
*The CAF-Trains were often known as A-Trains or A-Stock in the past; this terminology has largely been deprecated due to them never being referred to as such in internal documents, with CAF-Train or LAR-Train encouraged to be used instead. CAF-Train is the preferred term used in MTR's internal documents and contracts.
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Adtranz locomotives
Category:CAF locomotives
Category:MTR trains