MEMU
{{Short description|Electric multiple unit trains in India}}
{{Other uses|Electric multiple unit}}
{{Infobox public transit
| box_width =
| name = MEMU
| image = RCF-designed Aerodynamic MEMU train.jpg
| alt =
| imagesize = 300px
| caption = A 3rd-generation MEMU train produced by Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala.
| native_name =
| owner = Indian Railways
| area served = India
| transit_type = Regional rail/Commuter rail
| daily_ridership =
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| began_operation = 1995
| ended_operation =
| operator = Indian Railways
| marks = IR
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| vehicles =
| train_length = 12 coaches
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| track_gauge = {{track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} broad gauge
| minimum_radius_of_curvature =
| el = 25 kV AC Overhead line
| average_speed =
| top_speed = {{convert|110|km/h|abbr=on}}
| chief_executive =
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In Indian Railways, a MEMU is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train that serves short and medium-distance routes in India, as compared to normal EMU trains that connect urban and suburban areas. The acronym stands for Mainline Electric Multiple Unit.{{Cite web|last=TTI|title=MEMU Trains in India|url=http://www.totaltraininfo.com/memu.php|access-date=2021-02-08|website=Total Train Info}}
History
Indian Railways (IR) started MEMU service on Asansol – Adra section on 15 July 1995 and on Kharagpur – Tata section on 22 July 1995. Delhi-Panipat MEMU service started on 27 September 1995. Raipur–Durg–Bhatapara–Raipur–Bilaspur MEMU service started on 17 October 1995. Arakkonam-Jolarpettai MEMU service on 22 May 2000. Bankura-Midnapore MEMU started on 30 June 2000. The first 20 coach MEMU ran between Surat to Virar in 2017. Since 2019, 3-phase MEMUs have started replacing existing MEMU rakes.{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/3-phase-memu-to-replace-conventional-dc-rakes-soon/article29588400.ece | title=3-phase MEMU to replace conventional DC rakes soon | newspaper=The Hindu | date=3 October 2019 }}
New 3rd generation was rolled out from RCF Kapurthala with following features:
- Ethernet-based Train Control Management System which provides advanced control features
- designed for speeds of up to 110 kmph
- Energy efficient LED lights have been provided with 50 percent emergency lights in each coach
- train is equipped with the latest GPS-based public address and passenger information system in each coach to facilitate passengers with respect to railway stations enroute
- train is equipped with 3-phase IGBT-based converter and inverter designed and developed by BHEL
- train also features a technologically advanced regenerative braking system.
IR is progressively replacing all locomotive-hauled slow and fast passenger and intercity trains with EMUs. The upgraded trains are re-branded as MEMUs.
Operation
The system uses multiple electrical units{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/SCR-starts-2-Memu-trains/articleshow/9290256.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601035824/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-20/hyderabad/29794082_1_passenger-train-memu-train-services|url-status=live|archive-date=June 1, 2013|title=SCR starts 2 Memu trains|date=July 20, 2011|work=The Times of India|access-date=December 10, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/corporation-adamant-on-saving-memu-dream/210268-60-122.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318051612/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/corporation-adamant-on-saving-memu-dream/210268-60-122.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 18, 2013|title=Corporation adamant on saving MEMU dream|author=Express News Service|date=December 9, 2011|work=CNN-IBM|access-date=December 10, 2011}} operating on 25 kV AC drawn from overhead lines. The trailer coaches have two toilets for passengers and one for the crew.
The train can run up to {{convert|200|km|abbr=on}} between Eastern Ghat and Western Ghat. The rakes have a maximum permitted speed of {{convert|105|km/h|abbr=on}} on broad-gauge tracks. The motorcoaches use DC traction motors. These rakes use asynchronous traction motors and have a maximum designed speed of 110 km/h. These use a stainless steel body. Two of them operate on South Central Railways.
ICF launched new MEMUs capable to operate at 110–130 km/h. The construction cost is {{INR}} 26 crore per unit and can carry 2,618 passengers. This train has a three phase traction motor and operates on 25 kV current which saves 35% energy. It offers GPS-based passenger information systems and announcement in coaches. It has double leaf sliding doors, gangways, CCTV cameras and aluminium luggage racks. The driver's cabin has AC and the coach has an emergency communication facility. It is designed to operate between cities {{convert|200|-|300|km|abbr=on}} away in Uttar Pradesh. The train may start in February 2019.[https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/new-train-18-like-memu-for-north-india-indian-railways-rolls-out-130-kmph-train-for-short-distance-travel/1419415/ New Train 18-like MEMU for North India! Indian Railways rolls out 130 kmph train for short-distance travel]
Manufacturing
File:MEMU Rakes built by BEML, Bangalore.jpg
MEMUs are manufactured at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, and Integral Coach Factory, Chennai. Rakes are maintained in the Titlagarh coach maintenance shops.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}
Marathwada Rail Coach Factory, Latur is currently trying to ramp up production capacity of 250 MEMU coaches per annum.
Maintenance
File:Kollam MEMU Shed, Jan 2017.jpg in Kollam Junction railway station premises]]
MEMU Car Sheds are functioning for the maintenance of MEMU rakes in most of the states where the services are operated. MEMU Car Sheds are operational in Avadi, Bangalore, Kollam,{{cite web |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/memu-to-be-extended-to-malabar-passenger-trains-to-be-replaced-with-memu--1.4232605 |title=MEMU to be extended to Malabar; Passenger trains to be replaced with MEMU |website=english.mathrubhumi.com |date=2019-10-28 |access-date=2019-10-28}} Palakkad, Tambaram, Trichy and Vijayawada under Southern Railway.
Rolling stock
MEMU usually uses 8,12 and 16 car coaches, but there are 14,18 and 20 coach configurations too. The trailer coaches have two toilets for passengers and one for the crew. This train can go either fast or slow.
Services
=Diesel Electric Multiple Units (DEMU)=
{{static row numbers}}
class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers" style="font-size:small;" |
Service
! Locale ! Distance ! Average speed ! Travel time ! Stops ! Frequency ! {{tool tip|Ref|References}} |
---|
Ambala–Amb Andaura
| Haryana and Himachal Pradesh | {{cvt|213|km}} | {{cvt|41|km/h}} | 06h 10m | 22 | Twice a day |
Amritsar–Attari
| Punjab | {{cvt|24|km}} | {{cvt|32|km/h}} | 00h 45m | 13 | Daily |
Ara–Sasaram
| Bihar | {{cvt|97|km}} | {{cvt|28|km/h}} | 03h 30m | 26 | Daily |
Banihal–Baramula DEMU
| {{cvt|135|km}} | {{cvt|58|km/h}} | 02h 35m | 12 | Daily |
Indore–Dr. Ambedkar Nagar
| {{cvt|21|km}} | {{cvt|23|km/h}} | 0h 55m | 12 | Daily |
Indore–Ratlam
| {{cvt|115|km}} | {{cvt|44|km/h}} | 02h 40m | 13 | Daily |
Jalandhar City–Amritsar
| Punjab | {{cvt|79|km}} | {{cvt|39|km/h}} | 01h 50m | 13 | Daily |
Mahesana–Abu Road DEMU
| {{cvt|117|km}} | {{cvt|37|km/h}} | 00h 55m | 15 | Daily |
Nizamabad–Kacheguda
| {{cvt|166|km}} | {{cvt|40|km/h}} | 04h 10m | 12 | Thrice a day |
Raichur–Gadwal–Kacheguda
| {{cvt|60|km}} | {{cvt|60|km/h}} | 01h 00m | 8 | Daily |
Rajgir–Bakhtiyarpur
| Bihar | {{cvt|54|km}} | {{cvt|22|km/h}} | 02h 25m | 5 | Daily |
Ratlam–Laxmibai Nagar
| {{cvt|115|km}} | {{cvt|45|km/h}} | 02h 45m | 14 | Daily |
Rohtak–Rewari
| Haryana | {{cvt|81|km}} | {{cvt|40|km/h}} | 02h 00m | 13 | Daily |
Sabarmati–Mahesana
| Gujarat | {{cvt|63|km}} | {{cvt|47|km/h}} | 01h 20m | 7 | Daily |
Sabarmati–Patan
| Gujarat | {{cvt|103|km}} | {{cvt|40|km/h}} | 02h 35m | 7 | Daily |
Vasai Road–Diva
| {{cvt|40|km}} | {{cvt|46|km/h}} | 00h 52m | 5 | Daily |
=Electric Multiple Units (EMU)=
{{static row numbers}}
Gallery
File:Bhongir-Falaknuma MEMU at Malkajgiri station 02.jpg|An older MEMU set with the initial blunt nose design.
File:RCF-designed Aerodynamic MEMU train.jpg|New Generation of MEMU trainsets manufactured by RCF Kapurthala
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Mainline Electric Multiple Units}}
- [http://indiarailinfo.com/trains/memu-demu/memudemu MEMU/DEMU Electric/Diesel Multiple Unit Shuttle Trains - Railway Enquiry]
- [http://www.irfca.org/gallery/Suburban/MEMU/ Indian Railways Fan Club Photo Gallery: MEMU]
{{Indian Railways}}