Overview
In March 1999, a Japanese joint consortium of ITOCHU, Kinki Sharyo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries had won a HK$3.1 billion worth contract in building the new model of passenger commuter train for the KCR. The contract code of these trains is SP1900, based on the technology of JR East E231 series. KCRC has arranged 96 cars of 250, in 12-car configuration, 8 sets of train joining the train fleet of East Rail Line with the existing Metro Cammell EMU. The SP1900 trains have started service on the East Rail Line since 2001. It is known for its quiet design compared to former EMU.
The remaining 154 cars had been reserving until the inauguration of West Rail Line in December 2003. They has been arranged in 7-car configuration, 22 sets of trains running on the system.
In December 2000, KCRC reordered 72 cars of the same model, with different contract code, SP1950, prepared for the inauguration of Ma On Shan Line in December 2004. Making up 18 sets of train in 4-car configuration.
In January 2006, another contract with code KRS991 was signed by the KCRC, ordering an additional 34 compartments of the same model, in preparation for the Kowloon Southern Link, which was opened in 2009. 28 of them were formed as 4 trains, and the remaining 6 compartments joined 8 compartments from 2 trains of Ma On Shan Line to form another 2 trains. All the 6 new trains have 7 compartments each, and are operated on West Rail Line. As of October 2007, they are beginning to arrive on property.
Due to the issue of signalling apparatus, the trains on the East Rail Line has been installed the TBL (enhanced with ATP). With the trains on the other 2 routes has been installed the SelTrac (ATO / ATP). The control and monitor panel of driver cab is different between the 2 controlling systems, in spite of the fact that they're mounted on the same model of train.
Read more about this topic: MTR EMU SP1900