KTM Class 83
The Class 83 is a type of electric multiple unit operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu on its KTM Komuter services. 22 sets were built by Hyundai Precision and Marubeni of South Korea and Japan respectively, in 3-car formations.
The KTM class 83 3-car formation consists of two motor cabs at either end of the set and a single trailer car in between. The trailer car in between is equipped with a Brecknell Willis pantograph for electric pick up. Narrow gangways integrate the 3-car sets. Each car features 3 double-leaf pneumatic sliding doors at either side, and these make the KTM class 83 have the highest density of doors per rail-car in Malaysia.
Over the years, the KTM class 83 has been overhauled a number of times and its interior refurbished. However, its interior layout, consisting of longitudinal seating, has remained the same throughout its service life. Four sets of the Class 83 have been refurbished for the KTM Skypark Link. The colour was also changed from blue and yellow, to orange and grey.
With the withdrawal of the Adtranz/Walkers EMU, which served the Ampang and Sri Petaling lines, the KTM Class 83 is now the second oldest still-functioning electric multiple unit in Malaysia after the KTM Class 81.
Design
The Class 83 was designed with a streamlined sloped head, with large front windows and two high beam lamps concentrated at the center top part of the cavity, and two standard headlights at either bottom sides. An AAR coupling system is used, and this is compatible with all of KTMB's modern rolling stock. Route direction is indicated on the top-right front of the train within a confined fluorescent lighted box using a lightly transparent plastic, built integrated with the window shell. The driver's cab features a dedicated access to the outside, which is atop the door access to the passenger area. The Class 83 cab head is designed to be bottom-heavy, with the bulk of the power transformers located beneath the coach. With full use of the top for passenger use, power traction motors are contained within the bogie itself. In terms of safety, the front outer frame is made of heavy, carbonized steel, which is capable of sustaining high impact, as with the KTM Class 82.Unlike its successor, the Class 92, the Class 83 trains are endowed with multi-layered tempered glass, which is of a higher degree of impact resistance.
The Class 83 had a top speed of, at the time of launch. This was similar to the top speed of the other classes, but significantly faster than the rail buses which were in use at the time. During normal operation, was the typical top speed with the average speed being around. Compared to the other classes, the class 83 was found to have the best acceleration among the 8x classes, and this is due to the Mitsubishi regenerative braking system being used, which gave efficient energy conservation during braking and reasonable acceleration during runs.
Accidents and incidents
On 1 November 2013, an EMU19 derailed near Rawang station while moving through a track switch. No one was hurt when the incident happened. The two rear coaches were separated and towed away using a locomotive while the remaining front coach was removed by cranes.On 4 September 2020, an EMU29 was side-swiped by KTM Class 93 near the Kuang Komuter station in Selangor. No fatalities were reported.