CHINA: New battery trains and resignalling are included in Hong Kong operator MTR Corp’s plans to create a ‘brand new look’ for the Disneyland Resort Line from 2028.
The 3·5 km line opened in 2005 as an automated shuttle linking Sunny Bay station on the Tung Chung Line with the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park.
The renewal plan announced on April 11 includes the purchase of three four-car trainsets from CRRC Qingdao Sifang. These will have ‘advanced battery-driven functions’ enabling operation with or without power from the existing overhead of electrification. MTR Corp said this would provide flexibility when planning future operations.
The trainsets will have Disney themed exterior and interior styling ‘to create a magical journey for passengers’. This follows from the existing fully automatic trainsets which were converted from Metro Cammell M-Train stock dating from 1994-95 and have features including Mickey Mouse shaped windows.
CBTC signalling for the line is to be supplied by Traffic Control Technology, and MTR Corp said it would introduce ‘advanced technology’ to enhance operational efficiency and the customer experience.
‘We look forward to applying new technologies including artificial intelligence in this comprehensive asset renewal project of the Disneyland Resort Line to create more favourable conditions for future railway facilities, operations and maintenance, and passenger experience’, said Dr Tony Lee, Operations & Innovation Director at MTR Corp.
