LRTA 1000 class

LRTA 1000 class
A three-car 1000 class train at Carriedo, June 2023
Interior of the train captured in March 2022
Stock type	Light rail vehicle
In service	1984–present
Manufacturer	BN and ACEC
Assembly	Bruges, Belgium
Constructed	1982–1983
Entered service	December 1, 1984;39 years ago (1984-12-01)
Refurbished	1999–2001, [1] 2003–2008 2016–2022
Scrapped	2000–
Number built	64 vehicles (32 sets, initially 2-car sets) [2]
Number in service	41 vehicles
Number scrapped	8 vehicles
Successor	13000 class
Formation	2–3 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	1001–1064
Capacity	748–1,122 passengers (162–243 seats)
Operators	METRO, Inc. (1984–2000) LRTA (2000–2015) LRMC (2015–present)
Depots	Baclaran
Lines served	Line 1
Specifications
Car body construction	BI sheet/copper-clad steel [3]
Train length	59.59–89.37 m (195 ft 6+1⁄16 in – 293 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Car length	29.79 m (97 ft 8+53⁄64 in)
Width	2.5 m (8 ft 2+27⁄64 in)
Height	3,272 mm (10 ft 8+13⁄16 in) (as built) 3,525 mm (11 ft 6+25⁄32 in) (refurbished)
Floor height	0.9 m (2 ft 11+7⁄16 in)
Platform height	0.69 m (2 ft 3+11⁄64 in)
Doors	5 sets of 1.3 m (51 in) double-leaf plug doors per side
Articulated sections	3
Wheel diameter	660 mm (25+63⁄64 in) (new)
Wheelbase	1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) (motor bogies) 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) (trailer bogies)
Maximum speed	60 km/h (37 mph)
Weight	41 t (90,000 lb) (as built) 46 t (101,000 lb) (refurbished)
Axle load	9 t (20,000 lb)
Traction system	ACEC thyristor chopper
Traction motors	2 × 217.7 kW (291.9 hp) DC series-wound motor
Power output	435.4 kW (583.9 hp) (single LRV) 870.8 kW (1,167.8 hp) (2-car train) 1.31 MW (1,760 hp) (3-car train)
Transmission	Right-angle link drive
Acceleration	1.0 m/s2 (3.28 ft/s2)
Deceleration	1.3 m/s2 (4.27 ft/s2) (service) 2.08 m/s2 (6.82 ft/s2) (emergency)
Auxiliaries	Static converter
HVAC	Forced ventilation (1984–2008) Roof-mounted duct-type air conditioning (2004–present)
Electric system(s)	750 V DC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)	Schunk [4] single-arm pantograph
UIC classification	Bo′+2′+2′+Bo′
Bogies	Inside-frame type
Minimum turning radius	25 m (82 ft 0 in)
Braking system(s)	WABCO [4] electro-pneumatic, regenerative, and rheostatic Bogie-mounted disc and track brakes
Safety system(s)	ATS (1984–2007) ATP (2007–present; for active trains)
Coupling system	Semi-permanent [5]
Seating	Longitudinal
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
Sourced from [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] unless otherwise noted.

The LRTA 1000 class is the first-generation class of high-floor light rail vehicles (LRV) of the LRT Line 1.

Purchased under soft loans from the Belgian Government, the trains first entered service under the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) in 1984. It has undergone two refurbishments; the first from 1999 to 2008, and the most recent by the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) from 2016 to 2017.

The newer 13000 class trains have gradually replaced the older 1000 class trains since 2023. ^[11]

Operational history

LRT 1000 class LRVs under construction in the BN plant in Bruges, Belgium

Purchase

The construction of the original 15-kilometer (9.3 mi) section of the LRT Line 1 was funded by a ₱300 million soft and interest-free loan from the Belgian Government. Additional funding for the project was later sourced from a ₱700 million loan provided by the consortium of ACEC (Ateliers de Constructions Electriques de Charleroi), BN (Constructions Ferroviaires et Metalliques, formerly Brugeoise et Nivelles), TEI (Tractionnel Engineering International), and TC (Transurb Consult). The trains were included in the second loan package, along with the power systems, signaling, and telecommunications. ^[12]

Production and initial operations

The trains were manufactured by BN (now Bombardier Transportation Belgium S.A.), while the electrical equipment supplied were from ACEC. A total of 64 trains were built between 1982 and 1983.

In its early stages, these trains ran on a two-car configuration until 1999, when it was upgraded to three cars. ^[7] However, not all of the train cars are capable to be coupled to form three-car sets.

First refurbishment

From 1999 to 2001, 32 LRVs underwent the first refurbishment, carried out by BN (Bombardier Transportation Belgium S.A.), ACEC Transport SA, Transurb Consult, and Tractebel. The car body was repaired and a new livery design was added. Seats were also replaced, new components were installated, and modifications were made on the roof for the installation of air conditioning units. Replacement and cleaning of electrical components were not included. ^[1]

The 31 remaining LRVs that were not modernized in Phase 1 underwent refurbishment by the Light Rail Transit Authority from 2004 to January 2008. This involved the replacement of the electrical components of the trains, along with additional works in the 32 refurbished LRVs. ^[13]

Second refurbishment

In September 2012, the then-Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) announced a ₱203 million rehabilitation program for twenty-one first-generation vehicles. ^[14]

After the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) took over the operations and maintenance of Line 1 in 2015, ^[15] the company initiated the second refurbishment of the trains in 2016 worth ₱1 billion. ^[16] LRMC contracted Joratech Corporation to rehabilitate forty-six LRVs. ^{[17] [18]} These underwent removal of rust from the car body, repainting, replacement of flooring, and installation of new LED lightings and onboard signaling systems. ^[19]

As of April 2022, 46 light rail vehicles underwent the second refurbishment. ^[20]

Themed trains

By 2016, LRMC began placing special themed decorations in the 1000 class trains. These include the yearly Christmas and Valentine's-themed trains, ^{[21] [22]} special COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination-themed decorations, ^[23] and a Gabay Guro themed train for teachers. ^[24]

Retirement

The first-generation 1000 class trains are planned to be replaced with the newer 13000 class fourth-generation trains. ^[11]

As of 2021, there are eight decommissioned 1000-class LRVs from accidents, cannibalized trains, and 1037 involved in a terrorist attack. These were previously stored at the LRT Line 1 Baclaran Depot until they were transferred to the LRT Line 2 Santolan Depot due to the expansion of the former, and the last known train to be operated as a school train was on February 15, 2024. ^[25]

Design

The LRV design is an 8-axle rigid body consisting of three articulated cars. It is the only 8-axle light rail vehicle in the entire rolling stock of the LRT Line 1, as subsequent trains since 1999 were built to the 6-axle design.

Car body

The 1000 class trains are made of BI sheet, ^[6] sporting a white body livery with blue and yellow cheatlines. Prior to the first refurbishment, the 1000 class wore an orange and cream-white livery under the "Metrorail" branding, and notably had "mushroom-cap" roof-mounted ventilation.

Prior to the 2003 refurbishment, each light rail vehicle had 12 roof-mounted forced ventilation units. A refurbished light rail vehicle has five roof-mounted air-conditioning units. ^[7]

• 
  A two-car 1000 class train approaching EDSA station
• 
  A three-car 1000 class train at Monumento station
• 
  A newly refurbished 1000 class LRV with an LED destination front display

Interior

Each LRV has five door swing plug-type doors per side. Each train car has a capacity of 81 seated passengers and 293 standing passengers, carrying a total of 374 passengers. Seats are colored blue and are longitudinal-type.

• 
  Interior of 1000 class LRV (first refurbishment).
• 
  Interior of 1000 class LRV (second refurbishment).
• 
  Interior with new Alstom signaling equipment on the left.

Electrical and mechanical

A thyristor chopper traction control system is installed in the trains, powering two direct current (DC) straight-wound traction motors. Ateliers de Constructions Electriques de Charleroi (ACEC) manufactured the electrical and traction equipment for the trains. ^{[6] [4]}

Each LRV has four inside-frame bogies consisting of two motorized bogies at the ends of the LRV and two trailer bogies under the articulations. The primary suspension is a conical rubber, while the secondary suspension is a coil spring. ^[8] Semi-permanent couplers ^[5] are present at the ends of the non-cab section (section B) of the light rail vehicles. ^[6]

Braking system

Dynamic brakes are used as a service brake. There are two disc brakes per trailer bogies acting as a service brake and two disc brakes per motor bogies used as an emergency and substitution brake. Each bogie has two electromagnetic track brakes for use in case of emergency. ^[6]

The transmission is a bogie-mounted transmission consisting of a right-angle link drive transmitted via gears and two elastic couplings. ^[6]

Train formation

Each unidirectional light rail vehicle consists of three articulated cars.

Cars of 1000 class

Car designation		A-car	B-car	C-car
Control cab
Motor
Pantograph
Car length	m	31.72
	ft in	97 ft 8+53⁄64 in
Capacity	Seated	81
	Standing	293
	Total	374

Incidents and accidents

• On December 30, 2000, Rizal Day, a train (car number 1037) exploded at Blumentritt station as part of a series of explosions in a terrorist attack known as the Rizal Day bombings. The attack on Line 1 killed some 22 people and injured hundreds. The damaged train was decommissioned immediately after the incident. No confirmed plans were announced on its ultimate fate, whether it would be restored or scrapped. ^[26] The train, together with other trainsets involved in accidents, have been ultimately sold for scrap. ^[27]
• On June 24, 2010, two trains (1G and 3G) collided at Balintawak station. ^[28]
• On February 18, 2011, two trains (3G and 1G trains) collided near Roosevelt Station in Quezon City on Friday at the reversing tracks, around a kilometer away to the east. No passengers were injured. ^[29] This caused the Roosevelt and Balintawak stations to remain closed for two months until the stations were reopened on April 11, 2011. An investigation was conducted and was shown that one of the drivers was texting when the incident occurred. ^[30] As a result, LRV 1015 sustained damage.
• On May 23, 2015, thousands of passengers were stranded after a train of Line 1 slammed into another train near Monumento station. A train driver was hurt after the impact caused his head to slam into the dashboard of the train. ^[31] The accident, later revealed to be caused by power fluctuation that affected the signalling system, forced passengers to alight from the station until services was restored around 1 pm at the same day. ^[32]
• On March 10, 2016, a door in a 1G train car was left open while running between Central Terminal and Pedro Gil stations. The problem was fixed at the Pedro Gil station. ^[33]
• On March 22, 2016, the doors of a 1G train car at the Central Terminal station failed to open, leaving passengers trapped inside the train. ^{[34] [35]}
• On September 26, 2016, a faulty door in a 1G train car suddenly slammed shut in less than a second. No one was injured. ^[36]
• On September 26, 2018, a faulty 1G train door was unable to open at the Balintawak station. A passenger pushed the door open and was able to disembark. The next passenger pushed the door though it abruptly closed on him but managed to get through. ^[37]
• On November 6, 2020, a 1G train car emitted smoke at Gil Puyat station at 2:00 PM due to a catenary fault. Passengers were evacuated, and the line implemented a provisional service from Balintawak to Central Terminal and vice versa. ^[38] The situation normalized at 8:00 PM. ^[39]

References

1. Light Rail Transit Authority. "The LRT Line 1 Rehabilitation I Project Phase 3 – Rolling Stock Rehabilitation". Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
2. "Alstom in the Philippines" (PDF). Alstom. November 26, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
3. Department of Transportation and Communications; Light Rail Transit Authority (September 14, 2012). PROJECT NO. 4 Rehabilitation of 21 Units LRT1 BN LRVs (Re-bid) (PDF) (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 27, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
4. Light Rail Transit Authority (2006). "PROCUREMENT PLAN 2006 LRV ROLLING STOCK MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL SPARE PARTS IMPORTED ITEMS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 30, 2006. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
5. "Infrastructure". Marubeni Philippines. Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
6. "BN Light Rail". Facebook . May 16, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
7. Department of Transportation and Communications; Light Rail Transit Authority (June 4, 2012). MANILA LRT1 EXTENSION, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROJECT (PDF) (Report). Retrieved April 9, 2018.
8. JICA 2013b, p. A-26.
9. Light Rail Transit Authority (2006). "PROCUREMENT PLAN 2006 LRV ROLLING STOCKS - ELECTRONICS SPARE PARTS IMPORTED ITEMS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 24, 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
10. JICA 2013a, p. 12-87.
11. "New '4th gen' trains for LRT-1 arrive in PH". NationBuilder. October 26, 2021. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
12. "LRTA History". lrta.gov.ph. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
13. Light Rail Transit Authority. "The LRT Line 1 Modernization Phase II-Project: Modernization and Upgrading of Existing BN ACEC LRVs". Archived from the original on July 8, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
14. "DOTC invites bidders for P203-m rehab of 23 LRT LRVs" (Press release). Department of Transportation and Communications. September 14, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
15. Cabacungan, Gil; Camus, Miguel (September 15, 2015). "LRT1 now under Ayala, Metro Pacific management". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved March 30, 2019.
16. "LRMC spending P1B to rehabilitate old trains of LRT-1". Interaksyon. June 8, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
17. "Rehabilitation (Body, Flooring Repair & Repainting) of 8 Units 1st Generation Light Rail Vehicle (LRV)". Joratech. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
18. "Repair and Repainting Works of 46 units LRV Roofing". Joratech. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
19. Marasigan, Lorenz (June 7, 2017). "25 LRT 1 trains complete P1-billion rehabilitation, LRMC head says". BusinessMirror. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
20. Peadon, Brad. "April 2022". Manila Metro Rail Systems LRT - MRT Status. 6. Philippine Railways Historical Society.
21. "LOOK: LRT-1 launches Christmas-themed train". ABS-CBN News. November 29, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
22. Esguerra, Darryl John (February 12, 2020). "'Love is in the Train': LRT-1 commuters off to a Valentine's treat". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
23. "LRMC launches LRT-1 Ingat Angat Bakuna Lahat themed train". Manila, Philippines: Light Rail Manila Corporation. August 5, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
24. Arcilla, Jan (September 19, 2019). "LRT 1 mounts 'Gabay Guro Train' to promote Baybayin". The Manila Times. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
25. "The last 1G na nasakyan at napitikan ko si LRV 1012 nung ginamit itong school train last Feb.15, 2024. Ikaw sino ang huling 1G na nasakyan mo?". Facebook. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
26. Tubeza. Philip (July 8, 2003). "Terrorist raps filed vs Asia's most wanted man". Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 6, 2003.
27. Peadon, Brad; Soriente, Aris. "April 2022". Manila Metro Rail Systems LRT - MRT Status. 6. Philippine Railways Historical Society.
28. JICA 2013a, p. 8-8.
29. Castro, Doland (February 18, 2011). "2 LRT trains collide". Quezon City, Metro Manila. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
30. Tan, Kimberly Jane (April 11, 2011). "LRT Balintawak, Roosevelt stations resume operations". GMA News. GMA News and Public Affairs. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
31. Gonzales, Yuji Vincent (May 23, 2015). "2 LRT trains collide due to technical glitch; at least 1 hurt". Philippine Daily Inquirer. South Caloocan, Metro Manila: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
32. Palma, Paola (May 23, 2015). "Minor collision disrupts LRT operation Saturday". Metro Manila. Archived from the original on January 1, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
33. "LRT-1 train travels two stations with door open". CNN Philippines. March 11, 2016. Archived from the original on March 18, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
34. Bajo, Ramil; Galupo, Rey (March 23, 2016). "LRT passengers trapped as LRT doors fail to open". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
35. People Trapped inside LRT and One Passed Out Because the Door Won't Open!. YouTube (video).
36. Yee, Jovic (September 28, 2016). "LRT-1 door slams shut on passengers; no one hurt". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
37. "YOU SHALL NOT PASS: Malfunctioning train door closes by itself, makes disembarking a challenge for commuters". Coconuts Manila. September 28, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
38. Marquez, Consuelo (November 6, 2020). "LRT-1 train catches fire in Pasay; management limits train ops". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
39. Marquez, Consuelo (November 6, 2020). "LRT-1 resumes regular operations after technical woes at Gil Puyat Station". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved April 25, 2021.

Sources

• Japan International Cooperation Agency; Oriental Consultants Co., Ltd.; ALMEC Corporation; Katahira & Engineers International; Tonichi Engineering Consultants, Inc. (July 2013). Study on railway strategy for enhancement of railway network system in Metro Manila of the Republic of the Philippines: Final report, Vol.1-LRT Line 1: Cavite extension project (2013) (PDF) (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency; Oriental Consultants Co., Ltd.; ALMEC Corporation; Katahira & Engineers International; Tonichi Engineering Consultants, Inc. (July 2013b). Study on railway strategy for enhancement of railway network system in Metro Manila of the Republic of the Philippines: Final report, Vol.1 LRT Line 1: Cavite extension project (2013) (PDF) (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.