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Dubai: Dubai has received six more trains from Japan after a successful two-month trial run on the two that arrived in March, Gulf News has learnt.
"We have now received a total of eight trains, and are getting ready for a new and bigger trial run in August," said an official at the Rail Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
He said the trial run on a 14-km track between Ibn Battuta Mall and the Jebel Ali Industrial Stations is expected to start by the end of August.
"People will see a number of trains riding up and down the track," he said, adding that the tests for the first two trains was successful.
The official confirmed that at least three trains would arrive in Dubai every month. A total of 62 trains will eventually operate on the 52.1km Red Line, which will be operational by September 2009. A total of 17 trains will run on the 22.5km Green Line, which will open in March 2010.
Each train consists of five compartments with a maximum capacity of 897 passengers in peak hours.
Every train has three classes, golden, women and children and silver class. Three out of five compartments will be silver class, which is economy, while the other two classes will have one compartment each.
The interior design of the train compartments for Dubai Metro's carriages is based on a water and air theme.
Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, which is carrying out the Dh15.5 billion Dubai Metro project, had earlier said every train would undergo full tests to monitor noise and wobbling for early detection of any problems, before passenger services start on September 9, 2009.
The trial run also involves tests of various systems while the train is in motion, including propulsion and brake tests, load tests, traction power tests, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests, automatic train operation (ATO) tests, communication tests and speed tests.
The train is operated with electricity using "third power track" technology, which means power will be supplied through the track. It operates on 750 volt DC power.
The Rail Agency has already installed the first Main Power Station (MPS) to provide electricity to the Red Line.
A total of three MPSs will be installed to ensure there is sufficient back-up power.
Classes: What to expect
- Total trains: 79
- Trains on the Red Line: 62
- Trains on the Green Line: 17
- Carriages in each train: 5
- Silver class (economy): 4
- VIP, women and children: 1 carriage each
- Passenger capacity: 897
- Seating capacity: around 140
- Average speed: 40 to 45 km per hour
- Cost of each train: Dh36.7 million
90% of viaduct construction work completed
The Rail Agency of the Roads and Transport Authority has completed 90% of viaduct construction work on the Red Line.
Around 1,150 out of 1,300 viaducts have been placed for tracks.
Adnan Al Hamadi, director of construction, Rail Projects said: "Coming August, we aim to complete the construction of viaducts across the Red Line, which will be followed by coating and handrail installation in December, another milestone for the project," he said.
Al Hamadi said construction work is advancing ahead of schedule and the metro will be ready to start carrying passengers on September 9, 2009.
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