KTM Class 81

The Class 81 is the first and oldest type of electric multiple unit introduced by Keretapi Tanah Melayu for its KTM Komuter service. 18 sets were designed by Hunslet TPL and built by Ganz Works in 1993-1994.^[3][4]

Class 81
A Class 81 EMU 14 Komuter train.
In service	1994–2012, 2018–present
Manufacturer	Ganz-Hunslet
Designer	Hunslet TPL
Built at	Ganz Works (Jenbacher Transport)
Refurbished	2018 by Woojin Industrial Systems[1]
Number built	54 cars (18 sets)
Formation	3 per trainset
Capacity	414 (224 seats)
Operators	Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Depots	Batu Gajah Rail Depot Sentul Komuter Depot
Lines served	Seremban-Pulau Sebang/Tampin Route Seremban-Pulau Sebang/Tampin-Gemas Route Padang Rengas Line
Specifications
Height	3.65 m (12 ft 0 in)
Maximum speed	160 km/h (99 mph) (design) 120 km/h (75 mph) (service)
Weight	121 t (119 long tons; 133 short tons)
Traction system	HOLEC GTO–VVVF (original) Woojin IGBT–VVVF (refurbished)
Traction motors	8 × HOLEC DMKT55/18.5 161 kW (216 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor[2]
Power output	1,288 kW (1,727 hp)
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
UIC classification	Bo′Bo′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge

The Class 81 currently operates in a fixed 3-car formation for its regular service.^[5] The middle coach is exclusively for women and children.

The KTM Class 81 design is derived from the British Rail Class 323, with the main alteration being that it has single leaf swing-plug doors instead of a double leaf type.

Description

The EMUs were built from 1993 to 1994^[3] and entered service on 3 August 1995. The EMUs were the first electric trains of any kind in KTM's history. They operate in multiple-unit formation, The EMUs were state-of-the-art, with remote-controlled pneumatic doors, Automatic Train Protection (ATP), train data recorder, wheel-slip control, GTO/IGBT traction electronics and regenerative braking, and ran from 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary supply. Up to the point of their introduction no other KTM motive power used these modern train control systems.

The train runs in a 3-car formation. They were once run in 3+3 formations during rush hour, but this configuration was discontinued.

The cessation of Jenbacher’s rail operations resulted in loss of spare parts for these trains. Over the years, their maintenance lapsed, resulting in poor reliability and premature failure. As a result, some had to be used as dummy coaches in a hybrid service. A diesel locomotive pulled the coaches and a power generator was attached at the end. The hybrid service started in 2009 and ended in 2012, when new trains rendered this stopgap measure unnecessary.

Many trains were rendered surplus after the introduction of the Class 92 in 2012. Some were brought down to be converted to intercity sets, while others were scrapped. The refurbished sets could not be used as intercity sets in the end as regulations mandate that long distance trains have a toilet, which this class lacks.

The class disappeared from passenger service from 2012 to 2018. However, in 2018, many of the refurbished EMUs were brought back into service. They currently operate on the Batu Caves shuttle, the Northern Sector and occasionally the Central sector.

Car No.	1	2	3
Seating capacity	72	80	72
Designation	Mc	Tp	Mc

Set Designation	1	2	3	Status
EMU 01	C8101	T8101	C8102	Scrapped
EMU 02	C8103	T8102	C8104	Abandoned
EMU 03	C8105	T8103	C8106
EMU 04	C8107	T8104	C8108
EMU 05	C8109	T8105	C8110	Refurbished[6]
EMU 06	C8111	T8106	C8112
EMU 07	C8113	T8107	C8114	Abandoned
EMU 08	C8115	T8108	C8116
EMU 09	C8117	T8109	C8118	Refurbished
EMU 10	C8119	T8110	C8120	Abandoned
EMU 11	C8121	T8111	C8122
EMU 12	C8123	T8112	C8124
EMU 13	C8125	T8113	C8126	Refurbished
EMU 14	C8127	T8114	C8128
EMU 15	C8129	T8115	C8130	Abandoned
EMU 16	C8131	T8116	C8132	Abandoned at Rawang
EMU 17	C8133	T8117	C8134
EMU 18	C8135	T8118	C8136	Abandoned

Gallery

• 
  The (modified—with walls cut open and additional handle bars) interior of a Class 81 EMU train.
• 
  A Class 81 EMU 03 commuter train
• 
  Class 81 EMU 14 (left)
• 
  Class 81 EMU 06
• 
  Class 81 EMU 06
• 
  Class 81 EMU at Seremban railway station

References

1. Barrow, Keith (26 April 2018). "Woojin to upgrade Malaysian EMUs". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
2. "Our Business". Majestic Engineering Sdn Bhd.
3. KTM Class 81 EMU Malaysia 1993.10.07. steel body construction in Hungary
4. Current rail services — Klang Valley Integrated Transit System
5. "KOMI". ktmkomuter.com.my. KTM Komuter. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
6. "81 Class KTM Komuter". Railtravel Station.