MTR M-Train

"M-Train" (short for Modernization Train) is a colloquial name used to describe the DC Metro-Cammell EMU, a set of city commuter electric multiple units operated by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation and its successor the MTR Corporation on the Kwun Tong, Tseun Wan, Island and Disneyland Resort Lines of the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway since October 1979.
==History==
The M-Train was the first electric multiple unit operated on Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway. Ordered in six phases by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, the first sets entered service on the Kwun Tong Line on 1 October 1979.
The first batch of M-Train cars was ordered by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation in July 1976, with an initially order of 140 cars from Metro-Cammell; these sets were known as the M-Stock sets and were delivered from 1979 to 1982. The second to sixth batches of sets were classified the T, I, G, H and Q-Stock sets respectively. Production of the H and Q-Stock sets was handled by GEC-Alsthom after Metro-Cammell was acquired by GEC-Alsthom in 1989; the cars were built mostly at Washwood Heath in Birmingham with the exception of the H-Stock sets which were shipped in knockdown kit form to Hong Kong and assembled at Kowloon Bay. When the M and T-Stock sets received traction system changes from 1992 to 1995, they were renamed the CM and CT-Stock respectively.
The sets were refurbished from 1998 to 2001 by United Goninan (now UGL Rail); an additional twelve cars were refurbished by the MTR in 2005 for operation on the Disneyland Resort Line, being reformed into three driverless four-car sets. These sets entered service on 1 August 2005. When not in service, the sets are stationed at Kowloon Bay, Tsuen Wan, Chai Wan, Tseung Kwan O and Siu Ho Wan Depots depending on the line. A second refurbishment was planned under contract C1066-13E to update their exterior and interior features to become more modern, but this was called off as the M-Trains are now planned to be replaced by newer trains due to "better value for money".
Retirements of the class began in 2019, with A255/A126 and A131/A112 retired due to their involvement in accidents. Full withdrawals began on 10 September 2022, with A167/A168 retired from service and scrapped later in the year. One withdrawal has been made every month since January 2023, with all sets expected to be retired by 2029; the Disneyland Resort Line sets will remain in service for the foreseeable future although a tender was called for their replacement, expected to happen around 2028.
==Design==
The M-Trains feature a boxy design with low-mounted headlights. Originally featuring a white body with red accents, the cars feature a silver body with black accents. A red LED display below the driver's side window acts as a destination indicator while the opposite window features an eight-segment display to display the train running number.
Sets A/C274, A/C281, A/C284, A/C289, A/C291 and B/C490 (part of the H-Stock shipment) were rebuilt into three four-car sets operating on the Disneyland Resort Line. These feature a significantly different appearance, with Disney motifs scattered around the sets and statues of various Disney characters around the sets.
==Specifications==
Construction of the sets is of aluminum. The sets were initially shipped with GEC camshaft resistance control before being changed to GEC GTO chopper control; the sets used on the Island Line use Mitsubishi RCT chopper control. The sets ride on Duewag SF2100 bogies.
==Gallery==
MTR M Stock.jpg|Unrefurbished set
MTR P501 2017.jpg|P501/P502 Disneyland Resort Line set in November 2017
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Alstom locomotives
Category:Metro-Cammell locomotives
Category:MTR trains