Hybrid Electric Train
In service2018–2019 (Trial runs and free passenger rides)
November–December 2021 (Loop Trial Runs and Free Passenger Rides)[1]
ManufacturerCar body:
Fil-Asia Automotive and Industries
Bodies:
Sung-Shin Rolling Stock Technology Ltd
DesignerDOST–MIRDC
Built atMetro Manila, Philippines
Constructed2014–2015
Entered serviceMay 6, 2019; 4 years ago (2019-05-06) (first commercial service)
Number built5 non-articulated cars in 1 trainset
(1 pilot car, 1 power car, 3 passenger cars)
FormationTc-T-T-T-Mc
CapacityDesign load:
175 passengers per car
Crush load:
220 passengers per car
OperatorsDOST → Philippine National Railways
DepotsCaloocan depot → Calamba station
Lines servedPNR Metro Commuter Line
Specifications
Car body constructionStructure: Mild steel
Frame interior: Galvanneal steel
Carbody shell: Fiberglass reinforced plastic
Train length60,000 mm (196 ft 10 in)
Car length12,000 mm (39 ft 4 in)
Width2,850 mm (9 ft 4 in)
Height4,432 mm (14 ft 6.5 in)
Doors2 double-sliding doors on each car
Maximum speed80 km/h (50 mph) (computed)
Weight25.5 t (56,000 lb)
Steep gradient1.2%
Power output1,250 hp (930 kW)
TransmissionHybrid diesel-electric
Power supply440V diesel genset and 12V x 260 lead-acid batteries
BogiesSung-Shin outside-oriented H-frame bogies, 2 per car
Minimum turning radius50 m (160 ft)
Braking system(s)Regenerative
Safety system(s)Automatic train stop
Coupling systemIn-between cars:
Semi-permanent couplers
Trainset ends:
Automatic couplers
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
Specs are based from the paper by DOST-MIRDC.[2][3]

The Hybrid Electric Train (HET) is a hybrid electric train built by the Department of Science and Technology's Metals Industry Research and Development Center.

It is the first train crafted and designed locally by Filipino engineers with parts imported from abroad. It was officially turned over to the Philippine National Railways on June 20, 2019.

Background

The development of the Hybrid Electric Train (HET) is a project of the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology in partnership with the Philippine National Railways (PNR).[4]

The Hybrid Electric Train project began in 2012, and the designing of the train commenced in the following year.[5] The bidding process took place in 2013, with the manufacturing taking place from 2014 to 2015.[6] The project was introduced to the public in June 2016.[7]

The train was developed by ten Filipino engineers and technicians from MIRDC led by head engineer Pablo Acuin.[8]

Specifications

The Hybrid Electric Train is a hybrid electric vehicle powered by electricity and diesel.[9] It has 260 lead acid batteries which is used to run the train and operate its automatic doors, air-conditioning and CCTV systems.[5] It can be converted to utilize lithium battery.[9] It also makes use of regenerative braking technology.[5]

The trainset has five non-articulated cars measuring 12 m (39 ft 4 in) long, 2.85 m (9 ft 4 in) wide, and 4.432 m (14 ft 6.5 in) high with one double-sliding doors on each side of each car,[2] which can carry 220 passengers each at 50 kilometers per hour (31 mph).[10][11] Four of its cars serve as passenger coaches with one having a driver's cabin, while the other car not mentioned solely serves as a generator car that also includes a driver's cabin.

The train also has an automatic stop safety feature that would activate in an event of a strong earthquake.[8]

The MIRDC contracted local bus and truck manufacturer Fil-Asia Automotive and Industries Corp. to build the train. Fil-Asia in turn outsourced the motor, chassis, engine, motor, axle, and wheels from outside of the Philippines to be able to manufacture it.[5]

The trainset formation is Tc-T-T-T-Mc in which one of the two cabs are the power cars. The Tc car is described as a pilot car, the T cars are described as passenger cars, and the Mc car is described as a power car.[2]

  • The power car with lined-up 260 batteries.
    The power car with lined-up 260 batteries.
  • Interior of the HET passenger coach
    Interior of the HET passenger coach
  • Driver control panel
    Driver control panel
  • Information screen and CCTV inside the train
    Information screen and CCTV inside the train

Operational history

Trial runs of the Hybrid Electric Train was conducted in July 2018.[10] The first commercial operations of the Hybrid Electric Train began on May 6, 2019, where it served the Alabang-Calamba Line thrice a day.[12][13] The train was officially turned over to the Philippine National Railways on June 20, 2019.[14] After a brief hiatus in service, the train returned to service on November 11, 2021 for free rides between Biñan and Calamba stations. The free rides ended on December 3, 2021,[1] and the hybrid electric train has not made any known public appearances since then.

Future

According to DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, the DOST will find private sector firms that will manufacture the rolling stock of the HET before Rodrigo Duterte ends his term as President in 2022.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Live in Laguna? You can ride PNR's hybrid train for free". Coconuts Manila. November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Puerto, Jonathan; Acuin, Pablo; Tamayo, Rodnel (2018). "Design and Development of a Five-Coach Hybrid Electric Train". Philippine Metals. 5. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  3. ^ Department of Science and Technology (2015). DOST Annual Report 2015 (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  4. ^ "PH-Made HET is DOST's proof that some dreams do come true". Calamba, Laguna: Metals Industry Research and Development Center. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d Cruz, Cherryl Ann (February 21, 2019). "Meet the First Filipino-Built Train: The Hybrid Electric Train (HET)". Carmudi. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  6. ^ Rey, Aika (January 22, 2019). "PNR to run first Philippine-made train". Rappler. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  7. ^ "DOST Usec. Guevarra join the Hybrid Electric Train Project Team in its crush load testing". Metals Industry Research and Development Center. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Pa-a, Saul (April 24, 2019). "1st Filipino hybrid train runs from Calamba to Manila". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Velasco, Ed (January 21, 2019). "PH-made trains to roll soon". Manila Times. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Arayata, Ma. Cristina (July 19, 2018). "DOST urges public to try the PH-made hybrid electric train". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  11. ^ "Details of the Hybrid Electric Train (HET) and Automated Guideway Transit (AGT)". Freedom of Information Philippines. Metals Industry Research and Development Center. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  12. ^ "Pinoy-made hybrid electric train to start operations May 6". ABS-CBN News. April 24, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  13. ^ "DOST's Hybrid Electric Train Inauguration". techmagus. April 29, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  14. ^ "DOST-MIRDC turns over the Hybrid Electric Train (HET) to the PNR". The Official Website of Metals Industry Research and Development Center. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  15. ^ Hybrid electric train, itinurn-over na sa PNR [Hybrid electric train, to be turned over to the PNR] (Television production) (in Filipino). People's Television Network. June 20, 2019.
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