The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) today performed the dynamic testing of (Mumbai Rolling Stock 1) MRS1 prototype train at Charkop depot. The move comes before the beginning of actual trial run on the mainline. Dynamic testing refers to establishing the dynamic behaviour of rolling stock in relation to a particular track and at all speeds. The Mumbai Metro’s Charkop Depot will service the Line-2 & Line-7’s MRS1 BEML train-sets.
BEML Limited, on January 2021, had shipped coaches of the first train-set for Mumbai Metro 18.6 Line-2A (Yellow Line) without dynamic testing. The trains internal electrical and propulsion parts were finally assembled and tested in Mumbai in the run-up to the line’s revised deadline of May 2021. BEML has opened its Depot office at Charkop Metro Depot for commissioning, testing and round the clock services for Driverless Metro cars.
“Since arrival at Charkop, checks by BEML engineers were done with 6 car trains. Separately divided into two units of 3 cars each being prepared for energization & limited movement using only hard-wired commands. For this, Train High Voltage traction supply system, including Pantograph Controls, propulsion equipment & brake system have been tested in parts. The train was energized with 25 KV on 9 February 2021 and the first self-powered movement was performed on 16 and 17 Feb 2021 using one unit at a time. Now, with integrated 6- Car train formation dynamic low speed testing over the test track (520 meters) in Charkop depot was performed on 25 Feb 2021,” said the MMRDA release.
“After completion of the above, functionality of various subsystems such as Vehicle Control Circuit, TCMS Controls & Interfaces with different subsystems, shore supply, High Voltage, Propulsion fine tuning with Brake system, Auxiliary Power Supply, Brakes & Pneumatics, Door System, Air Conditioning, Lighting, Passenger Announcement & Passenger Information System (PA-PIS) etc. shall be undertaken to verify each subsystem individually & with integrated train testing within the depot. The above activities may take one month & once the connectivity to the main line is achieved; train field trials will also start. With the arrival of second train set in March combined integrated testing of train with Signaling will start in parallel. MMRDA expects to complete trial runs in next 4-5 months, after which it will be ready to start commercial run in the service of Mumbaikars,” adds the release.
BEML has been awarded the contract to produce train sets for the project. Indigenously designed & developed, the state of the art Driverless Metro trains are being manufactured at BEML’s Bangalore Complex. The cars will operate on 25 kV AC traction power and equipped with CCTV surveillance and with the provision to carry passenger bicycles in the coaches. The cars are made up of stainless steel body with a capacity of carrying 2280 passengers in 6 cars Metro train set.
Zephir from Italy has supplied the LOK model loco-tractor for the Charkop depot. The loco tractor will haul train sets with radio remote control & pneumatic braking for shunting operations & maintenance duties.