MEMU. In Indian Railways, a MEMU is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train that serves short and medium-distance routes in India, as compared to normal EMU trains that connect urban and suburban areas. The acronym stands for Mainline Electric Multiple Unit.

History 
Indian Railways (IR) started MEMU service on Asansol – Adra section on 15 July 1995 and on Kharagpur – Tata section on 22 July 1995. Delhi-Panipat MEMU service started on 27 September 1995. Raipur–Durg–Bhatapara–Raipur–Bilaspur MEMU service started on 17 October 1995. Arakkonam-Jolarpettai MEMU service on 22 May 2000. Bankura-Midnapore MEMU started on 30 June 2000. The first 20 coach MEMU ran between Surat to Virar in 2017. Since 2019, 3-phase MEMUs have started replacing existing MEMU rakes.

New 3rd generation was rolled out from RCF Kapurthala with following features:
 Ethernet-based Train Control Management System which provides advanced control features
 designed for speeds of up to 110 kmph
 Energy efficient LED lights have been provided with 50 percent emergency lights in each coach
 train is equipped with the latest GPS-based public address and passenger information system in each coach to facilitate passengers with respect to railway stations enroute
 train is equipped with 3-phase IGBT-based converter and inverter designed and developed by BHEL
 train also features a technologically advanced regenerative braking system.

IR is progressively replacing all locomotive-hauled slow and fast passenger and intercity trains with EMUs. The upgraded trains are re-branded as MEMUs.

Operation 
The system uses multiple electrical units operating on 25 kV AC drawn from overhead lines. The trailer coaches have two toilets for passengers and one for the crew.

The train can run up to  between Eastern Ghat and Western Ghat. The rakes have a maximum permitted speed of  on broad-gauge tracks. The motorcoaches use DC traction motors. These rakes use asynchronous traction motors and have a maximum designed speed of 110 km/h. These use a stainless steel body. Two of them operate on South Central Railways.

ICF launched new MEMUs capable to operate at 110–130 km/h. The construction cost is  26 crore per unit and can carry 2,618 passengers. This train has a three phase traction motor and operates on 25 kV current which saves 35% energy. It offers GPS-based passenger information systems and announcement in coaches. It has double leaf sliding doors, gangways, CCTV cameras and aluminium luggage racks. The driver's cabin has AC and the coach has an emergency communication facility. It is designed to operate between cities  away in Uttar Pradesh. The train may start in February 2019.

Manufacturing 

MEMUs are manufactured at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, and Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. Rakes are maintained in the Titlagarh coach maintenance shops.
Marathwada Rail Coach Factory, Latur is currently trying to ramp up production capacity of 250 MEMU coaches per annum.

Maintenance

MEMU Car Sheds are functioning for the maintenance of MEMU rakes in most of the states where the services are operated. MEMU Car Sheds are operational in Avadi, Bangalore, Kollam, Palakkad, Tambaram, Trichy and Vijayawada under Southern Railway.

Rolling stock

MEMU usually uses 8,12 and 16 car coaches, but there are 14,18 and 20 coach configurations too. The trailer coaches have two toilets for passengers and one for the crew. This train can go either fast or slow.

Services

Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMU)

Electric Multiple Units (EMU)

Gallery

See also
 SSEMU
 Comparison to locomotive hauled train
 Namo Bharat (trainset)
 Vande Bharat (trainset)
 Vande Bharat (sleeper trainset)
 High-speed rail in India
 Multiple units of India
 Express trains in India
 Slow and fast passenger trains in India
 Suburban trains

References

External links

 MEMU/DEMU Electric/Diesel Multiple Unit Shuttle Trains - Railway Enquiry
 Indian Railways Fan Club Photo Gallery: MEMU

 
25 kV AC multiple units
Train-related introductions in 1995