LRTA 1200 class

LRTA 1200 class
A 1200 class train near Monumento station in July 2025
Train interior in February 2022
Stock type	Light rail vehicle
In service	2006–present
Manufacturer	Kinki Sharyo and Nippon Sharyo
Assembly	Osaka (Kinki Sharyo) and Toyokawa, Aichi (Nippon Sharyo), Japan
Constructed	2005–2006
Entered service	December 11, 2006;18 years ago (2006-12-11)
Number built	48 (12 trainsets)
Number in service	44 (11 trainsets)
Formation	4 cars per trainset (Mc–M–M–Mc)
Fleet numbers	1201–1248
Capacity	1,388 passengers (272 seats)
Operators	LRTA (2007–2015) LRMC (2015–present)
Depots	Baclaran
Lines served	Line 1
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Train length	105.7 m (346 ft 9+27⁄64 in)
Car length	26.35 m (86 ft 5+13⁄32 in) (Mc) 26.5 m (86 ft 11+5⁄16 in) (M)
Width	2.59 m (8 ft 5+31⁄32 in)
Height	3.91 m (12 ft 9+15⁄16 in)
Floor height	0.92 m (3 ft 7⁄32 in)
Platform height	0.69 m (2 ft 3+11⁄64 in)
Doors	Double-leaf pocket-type; 4 per side 1.5 m × 1.9 m (59 in × 75 in)
Articulated sections	2
Wheel diameter	660–600 mm (26–24 in) (new–worn)
Wheelbase	1.9 m (74+13⁄16 in)
Maximum speed	60 km/h (37 mph)
Weight	37.4 t (82,000 lb) (Mc) 36.5 t (80,000 lb) (M)
Axle load	10.3 t (23,000 lb)
Steep gradient	4%
Traction system	Mitsubishi Electric MAP-112-15VD173 IGBT–VVVF
Traction motors	4 × 105 kW (141 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output	420 kW (563 hp) per LRV 1.68 MW (2,253 hp) (4 cars)
Transmission	Two-stage reduction drive
Acceleration	1.1 m/s2 (2.46 mph/s)
Deceleration	1.3 m/s2 (2.91 mph/s)
Auxiliaries	440 V AC IGBT static inverter 110 V DC batteries
HVAC	Roof-mounted duct-type air conditioning
Electric system(s)	750 V DC overhead catenary
Current collection	Single-arm pantograph
UIC classification	Bo′+2′+Bo′
Bogies	Inside-frame type
Minimum turning radius	25 m (82 ft 0 in)
Braking system(s)	Knorr-Bremse [1] regenerative and electro-pneumatic
Safety system(s)	Siemens fixed block ATP/ATS (2007–2022) Alstom Atlas 100 ETCS-1 with subsystem of ATP (2022–present)
Coupling system	Semi-permanent
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
Sourced from [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] unless otherwise noted.

The LRTA 1200 class is the third-generation class of high-floor light rail vehicles (LRV) of the LRT Line 1, built by Kinki Sharyo and Nippon Sharyo. Purchased as part of the second phase of the capacity expansion of the line, the trains entered service in December 2006. ^[9]

History

Background and purchase

With the completion of the initial capacity expansion of the LRT Line 1, its capacity was raised by half with the introduction of seven four-car trains and the upgrading of the existing two-car trains to three cars in 1999. However, its capacity was expected to become insufficient once the railway network in Metro Manila was completed in 2004 with the full opening of the LRT Line 2. ^[10]

On April 7, 2000, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) extended a ₱8.893 billion loan to finance the second phase of the capacity expansion project. ^[11] While existing rolling stock were refurbished, twelve more four-car trains were purchased, in conjunction with other upgrades in signaling, telecommunications, and existing railway tracks as well as upgrades at stations and the depot. ^[12]

Two firms bidded for the project: Kanematsu and Kawasaki Steel Corporation, and the joint venture of Sumitomo Corporation and Itochu. Marubeni was disqualified from the bidding but questioned the technicalities of the bidding procedure. However, delays were encountered in the bidding process, with senator Francisco Tatad claiming on March 21, 2004, that "unconfirmed reports" reaching him disclosed that groups identifying themselves with the President of the Philippines (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the time) attempted to extort US$1 million from each bidder supposedly as campaign funds for the May 2004 elections. This, according to Tatad, limited the bidders to the two aforementioned firms. His claims were denied by LRTA administrator Pacifico Fajardo, as well as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC; precursor to the DOTr). ^[13] Fajardo later claimed that JBIC posed "no objection" to the bidding, and said that it was conducted with transparency. ^[14]

After a delay of more than three years since 2001, Sumitomo and Itochu won the contract and was given the go-ahead in March 2005. ^[15] Following this, they signed a construction contract with Kinki Sharyo and Nippon Sharyo to manufacture the light rail vehicles. ^{[5] [16]}

Production and commissioning

In December 2005, officials from the Light Rail Transit Authority and Manila Tren Consortium—the project consultant of the capacity expansion project, inspected the full-scale mock-up model at Kinki Sharyo's factory in Osaka. ^[17] It was then displayed at the line's depot in Baclaran in March 2006. ^[18]

After delivery in the third quarter of 2006, the third-generation trains underwent mainline test runs in the late evening, during non-operating hours. Some scheduled tests in late September 2006 were cancelled due to Typhoon Xangsane. ^[19]

On December 9, 2006, at a ceremony in Baclaran, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inaugurated the third-generation 1200 class trains. These were then deployed for revenue operations two days later. ^[20] The trains raised the line's capacity from 27,000 passengers per hour per direction to 40,000 passengers per hour per direction. ^[18]

Themed trains

On September 6, 2018, a 3G trainset was decorated with a special Gabay Guro decoration to celebrate the National Teachers' Month in the Philippines. The decoration has a library-themed look with images of books. The special themed train was launched on that date and ended a year later. ^[21]

Design

A scale model drawing of the LRTA 1200 class in a 4-car formation

Like the 1100 class, the 1200 class shares the 6-axle rigid body LRV design consisting of two articulated cars.

Car body

The train car body is made of beadless lightweight stainless steel, with composite materials on the indoor panels and aluminum on the inner bone to reduce weight. ^[5]

Each light rail vehicle has two roof-mounted air-conditioning units that has a cooling capacity of 41,000 kilocalories (170,000 kilojoules). In total, there are eight air-conditioning units in a four-car train set. ^[22]

• 
  A 1200 class train (front cab) at 5th Avenue station in October 2016.
• 
  A 1200 class train at Balintawak station in December 2021.
• 
  A 1200 class train with wrap advertising at Vito Cruz in August 2023.

Interior

The interior is color-toned based on light and dark two-color green in the seats to complement the landscape of Manila. Seats are made of fiber reinforced plastic and has an aluminum bracket type cantilever longitudinal seat for reducing weight. Seating and grip sticks are designed to have ergonomic dimensions, aside from equipment arrangement inside the cab. ^[22] A wheelchair-compatible space is provided beside the gangway of the intermediate car, alongside an equipped fire extinguisher. ^[17]

• 
  1200 class interior
• 
  Wheelchair strap and space, and fire extinguisher
• 
  The now-unused Tube information system

Electrical

Each LRV consists of four totally enclosed, self-ventilated 3-phase AC induction motors, driven by variable-voltage/variable-frequency drive (VVVF) inverters. Auxiliary power is sourced from 440-volt alternating current static inverters and 110-volt direct current batteries. ^[23]

• 
  Mitsubishi Electric VVVF inverter of a 1200 class LRV.
• 
  A single-arm pantograph above the driving car of the 1200 class

Mechanical and braking

Each LRV has three inside-frame bogies, similar to the 1000 class. The bogies consist of two motorized bogies at the ends of the LRV and one shared trailer bogie under the articulation. ^[5] The primary suspension is a chevron rubber spring, while the secondary suspension is an air suspension, similar to the 1100 class. ^[24] Semi-permanent couplers are present in the ends of each light rail vehicle except the driving cab section of the MC car.

The 1200 class employs a regenerative and electronically controlled pneumatic braking system manufactured by Knorr-Bremse. ^[1] The resistors are mounted on the roof for backup regenerative brakes. ^[5] Each VVVF controller is equipped with an Electronic Command Braking Device (ECBD). ^[22] Disc brakes are present on the bogies. ^[23]

• 
  The inside-frame bogie of a 1200 class LRV.
• 
  Semi-permanent couplers of the 1200 class

Train formation

The configuration of a four-car trainset is Mc–M–M–Mc. Mc denotes a driving car while M denotes an intermediate car.

Cars of 1200 class

Car type		Mc		M
		A-car	B-car	A-car	B-car
Quantity		2		2
Control cab
VVVF inverter
Auxiliary inverter
Pantograph
Car length	m	26.35		26.5
	ft in	86 ft 5+13⁄32 in		86 ft 11+5⁄16 in
Capacity	Seated	66		70
	Standing	272		286
	Total	338		356

Incidents

• On June 24, 2010, two trains (1G and 3G) collided at Balintawak station. ^[25] As a result, LRVs 1248 and 1247 sustained damage. There were plans to restore it, ^[26] but the involved cars remain idle as of 2022.
• On February 18, 2011, two trains (1G and 3G) collided near Roosevelt Station in Quezon City at the reversing tracks, around a kilometer away to the east. There were no passengers on board when the incident happened. ^[27] 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. ^[28] This however caused LRV 1236, the 3G unit involved in the incident, to be in idle state and has not yet been restored for service.
• On May 23, 2015, thousands of passengers were stranded after two trains (1G and 3G) collided near the Monumento station. A train driver was hurt after the impact caused his head to slam into the dashboard of the train. ^[29] 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. ^[30]

Build details (original configurations)

All 1200 class trains were designed and built to agreed specifications with no comparable differences.

Set No.	1	2	3	4	Manufacturer	Notes
1	1201	1202	1203	1204	Kinki Sharyo	—
2	1205	1206	1207	1208
3	1209	1210	1211	1212	Nippon Sharyo
4	1213	1214	1215	1216
5	1217	1218	1219	1220	Kinki Sharyo
6	1221	1222	1223	1224
7	1225	1226	1227	1228	Nippon Sharyo
8	1229	1230	1231	1232
9	1233	1234	1235	1236	Kinki Sharyo	1233–1234 re-configured to 1246–1245
10	1237	1238	1239	1240		—
11	1241	1242	1243	1244	Nippon Sharyo
12	1245	1246	1247	1248		1246–1245 re-configured to 1233–1234

References

1. Knorr-Bremse 2011, p. 11.
2. Department of Transportation and Communications; Light Rail Transit Authority (June 4, 2012). MANILA LRT1 EXTENSION, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROJECT (PDF). Public-Private Partnership Center (Report). Retrieved April 9, 2018.
3. "LRTA LRV". Kinki Sharyo. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
4. Kinki Sharyo 2006.
5. Nippon Sharyo 2007.
6. JICA 2013b, p. B-3.
7. DOTC & LRTA 2012, p. 61.
8. JICA 2013a, p. 12-87.
9. "PGMA, Japan PM inaugurate 3G trains" (Press release). Light Rail Transit Authority. December 7, 2006. Archived from the original on July 8, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
10. JICA 2012, p. 14.
11. Araneta, Sandy (April 3, 2005). "RP urged to speed up LRT expansion". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
12. JICA 2012, p. 24.
13. Ronda, Rainier Allan (March 25, 2004). "LRTA denies anomaly in rail expansion project". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
14. "LRT expansion proj delay a disservice to public — LRTA". The Philippine Star. March 29, 2004. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
15. Araneta, Sandy (March 20, 2005). "P8.5-billion LRT-1 expansion approved". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
16. "ITOCHU Corporation". Japan Overseas Railway System Association. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2021. In the Philippines, we undertook the Manila LRT Line 1 Capacity Expansion 2 as a JV contractor and we supplied rolling stock and railway systems.
17. "Osaka Inspection Tour" (Press release). Light Rail Transit Authority. December 12, 2005. Archived from the original on December 29, 2005. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
18. "3rd Generation LRV Mock Up on Display" (Press release). Light Rail Transit Authority. March 9, 2006. Archived from the original on April 24, 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
19. Otsuki 2007, p. 13.
20. "GMA, Japan PM inaugurate '3-G' trains". The Philippine Star. December 10, 2006. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
21. "LOOK: 'Gabay Guro' train offers chance to rediscover joys of reading, learning". ABS-CBN News. September 6, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
22. Kinki Sharyo 2006, p. 2.
23. DOTC & LRTA 2012, p. 60.
24. JICA 2013b, p. A-26.
25. JICA 2013a, p. 8-8.
26. Department of Transportation and Communications (September 14, 2012). "Invitation to Bid - Rehabilitation and Restoration of Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) Project" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 27, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
27. Castro, Doland (February 18, 2011). "2 LRT trains collide". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
28. Tan, Kimberly Jane (April 11, 2011). "LRT Balintawak, Roosevelt stations resume operations". GMA News. GMA News and Public Affairs. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
29. Gonzales, Yuji Vincent (May 23, 2015). "2 LRT trains collide due to technical glitch; at least 1 hurt". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
30. Palma, Paola (May 23, 2015). "Minor collision disrupts LRT operation Saturday". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on January 1, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2021.

Sources

• Kinki Sharyo (October 2006). New product マニラ1号線向け連接電車 (PDF) (Report) (in Japanese). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2018.
• Nippon Sharyo (January 2007). フィリピン・マニラ都市圏軽軌道公社殿向けLRT１号線用車両完成 (Report) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 16, 2015.
• Knorr-Bremse Group (PDF) (Report). September 22, 2011.
• 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 December 27, 2021.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency; Oriental Consultants Co., Ltd.; ALMEC Corporation; Katahira & Engineers International; Tonichi Engineering Consultants, Inc. (July 2013b). "Appendices" (PDF). 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) (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
• Department of Transportation and Communications; Light Rail Transit Authority (September 14, 2012). PROJECT NO. 5B Restoration of Two (2) 3rd Generation LRVs (RE-BID) (PDF) (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
• Otsuki, Tsutomu (2007). "The Commissioning – In Case of a Project in Manila" (PDF). KS World. 14. Kinki Sharyo: 12–13. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (2012). Ex-Post Evaluation of Japanese ODA Loan Project - LRT Line 1 Capacity Expansion Project (II) (PDF) (Report). Retrieved December 11, 2021.