CHINA: CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co presented its ‘new generation’ straddle monorail vehicle for low- and medium-capacity routes on February 1.
CRRC Changchun has drawn on its experience of supplying 770 monorail sets since 2004. The manufacturer says that the use of carbon fibre composite for some components makes the vehicle 25% lighter compared with earlier generations, leading to a 22·7% reduction in energy consumption. The vehicle is equipped with permanent magnet motors and emergency traction batteries, and is winterised to operate at temperatures down to -40°C. Three sizes are offered, having a capacity of a four-car set 962, 792 or 552 passengers.
