PNR Hyundai Rotem DMU

PNR Hyundai Rotem DMU
DMU set 06 with its new livery in February 2020.
Interior of the DMU in June 2019.
Stock type	Diesel multiple unit
In service	2009–present
Manufacturer	Hyundai Rotem
Built at	Changwon, South Korea
Replaced	JNR 12 series coaches CMC class DMU (decommissioned 2004)
Constructed	2009
Entered service	July 14, 2009;14 years ago (July 14, 2009)
Refurbished	2019
Number built	18 cars (6 sets)
Number in service	0 cars (0 set)
Formation	3 cars per trainset DMR–ITR–DMR
Fleet numbers	DMR-01 to DMR-12 ITR-01 to ITR-06
Capacity	674 passengers
Operators	Philippine National Railways
Depots	Tutuban
Lines served	Metro Commuter Line (2009–2024)
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Train length	64.1 m (210 ft 3+5⁄8 in)
Car length	21.4 m (70 ft 2+33⁄64 in) (DMR) 21.3 m (69 ft 10+37⁄64 in) (ITR)
Width	2.85 m (9 ft 4+13⁄64 in)
Height	4.06 m (13 ft 3+27⁄32 in)
Floor height	1.2 m (3 ft 11+1⁄4 in)
Doors	Double-leaf pocket-type; 2 per side Width: 1,500 mm (59 in)
Wheel diameter	860–780 mm (34–31 in) (new–worn)
Maximum speed	80 km/h (50 mph) [lower-alpha 1]
Weight	Approx. 100 t (220,460 lb) (3-car trainset)
Axle load	15 t (33,000 lb)
Prime mover(s)	Cummins N14-R
Power output	260 kW (350 hp)
Transmission	Diesel–hydraulic
Auxiliaries	Auxiliary power supply unit (380V AC with additional 220V AC)
HVAC	Roof-mounted air conditioning
Bogies	Bolsterless type
Braking system(s)	Electro-pneumatic
Coupling system	Janney coupler
Seating	Longitudinal
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

The PNR Hyundai Rotem DMU is a diesel multiple unit (DMU) train operated by the Philippine National Railways (PNR) since 2009.

Operational history

Purchase

During the administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a project to rehabilitate the PNR Metro Commuter Line was pursued. The first phase of the Northrail-Southrail Linkage Project, includes the purchase of DMUs. 21 DMU cars that can be configured into seven three-car sets were planned to be procured. However, due to budget constraints, the order was downgraded to 18 DMU cars or six three-car sets, as the budget was not enough to cover the seven sets. ^[8]

In 2007, the South Korean consortium of Daewoo, Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, and Rotem was awarded the contract for the first phase of the Northrail-Southrail Linkage project. The consortium was appointed by PNR by way of negotiated procurement, wherein the government directly negotiates with contractors in case of an emergency. This happened after two failed biddings in early 2007. ^[8]

The US$49.096-million project was funded by a US$50.42-million loan from the Export–Import Bank of Korea. ^[8]

Operations

The PNR Hyundai Rotem DMU fleet entered service on July 14, 2009, coinciding with the launch of the new PNR system and logo. ^[2] It was used for Commuter Express services running from Tutuban to Bicutan. The line eventually was extended to Sucat and up until Alabang on April 19, 2010. Plans were made for the possible upgrade of the trains in 2011, however, due to the procurement of the 203 series as the new main vehicles, the plan was scrapped. ^[5]

The trains were last used in Metro North Commuter (MNC) services running from Governor Pascual to Bicutan. They are currently idle as the North and South Main Line has been closed for the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway.

Refurbishments

In July 2015, the then-Department of Transportation and Communications (later the Department of Transportation) conducted a bidding for the refurbishment of nine vehicles, equivalent to three sets. ^{[9] [10]} However, after the bidding period ended in September 2015, no new reports have surfaced in this refurbishment.

In November 2019, DMU Sets 05 and 06 received their new livery. The window mesh screens were removed for the installation of polycarbonate panels. ^{[11] [12]} The new panels eliminated the need of the window mesh screens as these are virtually shatterproof and can better withstand stoning and debris.

Design

Car body

The train was introduced as the first lightweight, stainless steel made trainsets of the PNR in 2009. ^[4]

When the trains first entered service, there were two livery variants. There were DMUs that sported a silver-colored body and orange lining with white-colored front cabs and the old PNR logo used in the 1960s. Another was a variant with the same silver-colored body and orange lining but with the cabs sporting colors of white and blue, and stylized PNR FilTrack logos on the side windows of the front cabs and in the middle of the ITR car.

By 2015, all remaining active DMU units sported a navy blue livery, while still maintaining the orange lining in its sides.

The current livery used since 2019 has orange at the front and the body is mostly covered white with blue stripes at the side. The PNR logo is placed at the front of the Rotem DMUs. ^{[11] [12]}

A new variation of the above has black instead at the front, matching the color scheme used by the INKA DMUs, first seen in November 2023.

Interior

The seats of the trains are longitudinal-type and are made up of fiber-reinforced plastic. ^[5] The trains have 2 double-leaf, electro-pneumatically operated sliding doors per side with a width of 1.5 meters (4 ft 11 in). ^[13] There is an additional pair of single-leaf doors at the driver cab.

The design capacity of a three-car trainset is 674 passengers. ^[3]

Bogies and electrical components

The front and rear bogies of the DMR cars are engine-propelled driven, while the bogies under the ITR cars are trailer bogies. Each DMU has two sets of auxiliary power supply units under the ITR cars which generates three-phase 380V AC and additional 220V AC. ^[13]

Formation

	3-car trainset
Car No.	1	2	3
Designation	DMR	ITR	DMR
Numbering	DMR-xx	ITR-xx	DMR-xx

Status

As of April 2024, one set is serviceable and last ran in the Metro North Commuter (Gov. Pascual-Bicutan) Line.

Other sets either are currently idle, swapped from their initial formations or some damaged from accidents, either beyond economical repair or awaiting repair and refurbishment.

Trainset	Status	Configuration	Notes
Set 1	Inactive	DMR-07 + ITR-01 + DMR-03
Set 2	Inactive	DMR? ITR-02 DMR-08
Set 3	Inactive	DMR-12 ITR-03 DMR??
Set 4	Inactive	DMR-04 ITR-04 DMR??
Set 5	Active	DMR-02 + ITR-05 + DMR-10	DMR-05 derailed causing PNR to Put DMR-10 in Set 5
Set 6	Inactive	DMR-?? + ITR-06 + DMU-06	DMR-09 was damaged in an accident involving a boom crane that rendered it inoperable. DMR-02 was repainted to reactivate the set weeks later. Currently parked at Tutuban station.

Images

• 
  Set 05 at FTI station (July 2019).
• 
  DMU Set 06 at Gov. Pascual station.
• 
  DMU Set 05 passing Buendia station.
• 
  DMU Set 05 at Alabang (2019).
• 
  PNR DMU at Alabang station (2011).
• 
  PNR DMU at Blumentritt station (2011).
• 
  PNR DMU at EDSA station (2011).
• 
  PNR DMU at Sucat station.
• 
  Route map displayed inside the DMU.

Accidents and incidents

2010s

• On April 29, 2011, DMR-11 of the original Set 06 collided with a Coca-Cola truck at Manalac Crossing located in Tanyag, Taguig. ^[14]
• On May 19, 2014, a DMU train collided with a jeepney in the Balic-Balic railroad crossing while operating a southbound train. A person was dead and more than 6 are injured. The accident caused delays in the train operations. ^[15]
• On April 29, 2015, Set 03 derailed between EDSA railway station and Nichols railway station. There were 50 reported injuries and mostly are minor cases. ^[16] The incident was caused by missing parts of the railtracks that were stolen. ^[17] This however, prompted PNR operations to be suspended on May 5, 2015, to conduct safety tests by PNR and TÜV Rheinland. ^[18] The operations of the PNR resumed on July 23, 2015. ^[19]

2020s

• On January 1, 2020, Set 05's windshield was shattered due to a stoning incident while performing an MNC Trip at Caloocan. ^[20] The glass window was replaced with polycarbonate the day after the incident. It was also found that a group of minors were the ones who did the crime. ^[21]
• On June 3, 2020, Set 06 rammed a car at Abad Santos Railroad Crossing in Tondo, Manila. The crossing barrier was not down when the accident happened. The train dragged the car for about 10 meters (33 ft). ^[22]
• On September 2, 2021, a DMU train rammed a blue car at the Piy Margal Railroad Crossing in Manila despite early warning by the crossing keepers. No injuries were reported. The PNR management is yet to release a statement about the absence of barriers at the railroad crossing, particularly at the southbound lane. ^[23]
• On September 25, 2022, Set 06 collided with a crane while performing a MNC service in Sta. Mesa, Manila, causing three injuries. The crane involved in the accident was used for the NLEX Connector project. The front area of the train was smashed on the right side. No statements from the construction company nor PNR have been released so far. The damaged unit, DMR-09, was brought to the Caloocan shops after the accident. ^[24]

See also

Current Philippine National Railways rolling stock

• PNR 900 class
• PNR 2500 class
• PNR 8000 class
• PNR 8100 class
• PNR 8300 class
• PNR 9000 class
• KiHa 52

Philippine rail rolling stock manufactured by Hyundai Rotem

• LRTA 1100 class
• LRTA 2000 class

Notes

1. There was an occurrence of one of the DMU trains hitting at a speed of 90 kilometers per hour (56 mph). ^[1]

References

1. DMU PNR hitting 90 kph, September 26, 2011 (YouTube). September 27, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
2. Romero, Paolo (July 15, 2009). "GMA unveils new PNR trains". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
3. DOTC 2015, p. 64-65.
4. "Philippines PNR DMU". Hyundai Rotem. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
5. "フィリピン国鉄（PNR）DMR1" (in Japanese). Retrieved December 17, 2021.
6. "N14". Cummins. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
7. Hyundai Rotem 2011, p. 37.
8. Estavillo, Maricel E. (July 4, 2007). "PNR remits $14.7M to South Korean consortium". BusinessWorld. Retrieved January 30, 2022– via GMA News.
9. DOTC 2015, p. 4-5.
10. Camus, Miguel R. (July 31, 2015). "Bids sought to supply spare parts, refurbish PNR". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
11. PNR DMU 06 in new livery leaving Sta. Mesa Station. YouTube. November 10, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
12. PNR DMU 05 in new livery arriving Pandacan Station. YouTube. November 27, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
13. DOTC 2015, p. 65.
14. Railways, Philippine (April 30, 2011). "Aksidente na ginawa ng Coca-Cola sa PNR" . Retrieved December 25, 2018.
15. "1 patay, 6 sugatan nang sumalpok ang tren ng PNR sa isang jeep". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
16. Batallones, Jeck (April 29, 2015). "PNR train derailed; 50 hurt". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
17. EXCL: Pagnanakaw ng riles, sinisi sa pagkadiskaril ng PNR. YouTube. ABS-CBN News. May 24, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
18. "Operations of Philippine National Railways (PNR) will not Continue Effective on May 5, 2015". onlinefilipinoworkers.com. May 6, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
19. "PNR TO RESUME TRIPS JULY 23, 2015". pnr.gov.ph. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
20. "Another PNR train damaged in New Year's Day stone-throwing incident". Coconuts Manila. January 2, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
21. Marquez, Consuelo (January 4, 2020). "PNR tags minor as person of interest in stoning of trains". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
22. 24 Oras: Kotse, nasalpok at nakaladkad nang halos 10 metro ng PNR train. YouTube. June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
23. Santos, Jamil (September 3, 2021). "Doctor survives after train hits, drags her SUV in Manila". GMA News. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
24. Santos, Pat C. (September 27, 2022). "PNR loses train in crane mishap". Daily Tribune. Retrieved September 29, 2022.

Further reading

• Hyundai Rotem Company (2011). Hyundai Rotem's Experiences and New Solutions (Report). Retrieved February 24, 2022.
• Department of Transportation and Communications (July 30, 2015). REFURBISHMENT OF DIESEL MULTIPLE UNITS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS (Restoration and Repair of Nine (9) DMUs) (PDF) (Report). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.