The Class 81 is the first and oldest type of

electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number o ...

introduced by

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) (; Jawi: ) or colloquially referred to simply as KTM, is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. The railway system dates back to the British colonial era, when it was first built to transport tin. ...

for its

KTM Komuter KTM Komuter is a commuter rail system in Malaysia operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). It was introduced in 1995 to provide local rail services in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding Klang Valley suburban areas. Services were later expanded to o ...

service. 18 sets were designed by Hunslet Transportation Projects and built by

Ganz Works The Ganz Machinery Works Holding is a Hungary, Hungarian holding company. Its products are related to rail transport, power generation, and water supply, among other industries. The original Ganz Works or Ganz ( or , ''Ganz companies'', formerly ...

in 1993-1994.KTM Class 81 EMU Malaysia 1993.10.07. steel body construction in Hungary
/ref>Current rail services — Klang Valley Integrated Transit System
/ref> The Class 81 currently operates in a fixed 3-car formation for its regular service. The middle coach is exclusively for women and children. The KTM Class 81 design is derived from the

British Rail Class 323 The British Rail Class 323 is a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train built by Hunslet Engine Company, Hunslet Transportation Projects and Holec. All 43 units were built from 1992 through to 1995, although mockups and prototype ...

, with the main alteration being that it has single leaf swing-plug doors instead of a double leaf type.

Description

The EMUs were built from 1993 to 1994 and entered service on 3 August 1995. The EMUs were the first electric trains of any kind in KTM's history. They operate in

multiple-unit A multiple-unit train (or multiple unit (MU)) is a self-propelled train composed of one or more carriages joined, and where one or more of the carriages have the means of propulsion built in. By contrast, a locomotive-hauled train has all ...

formation, The EMUs were state-of-the-art, with remote-controlled pneumatic doors, Automatic Train Protection (ATP), train data recorder, wheel-slip control, GTO/IGBT traction electronics and regenerative braking, and ran from

overhead catenary An overhead line or overhead wire is an electrical cable that is used to transmit electrical energy to electric locomotives, Electric multiple unit, electric multiple units, trolleybuses or trams. The generic term used by the International Union ...

supply. Up to the point of their introduction no other KTM motive power used these modern train control systems. The train runs in a 3-car formation. They were once run in 3+3 formations during rush hour, but this configuration was discontinued. The cessation of Jenbacher’s rail operations resulted in loss of spare parts for these trains. Over the years, their maintenance lapsed, resulting in poor reliability and premature failure. As a result, some had to be used as dummy coaches in a hybrid service. A diesel locomotive pulled the coaches and a power generator was attached at the end. The hybrid service started in 2009 and ended in 2012, when new trains rendered this stopgap measure unnecessary. Many trains were rendered surplus after the introduction of the Class 92 in 2012. Some were brought down to be converted to intercity sets, while others were scrapped. The refurbished sets could not be used as intercity sets in the end as regulations mandate that long distance trains have a toilet, which this class lacks. The class disappeared from passenger service from 2012 to 2018. However, in 2018, many of the refurbished EMUs were brought back into service. They currently operate on the Batu Caves shuttle, the Northern Sector and occasionally the Central sector.

Gallery

File:KTM Komuter (Class 81 train interior).jpg, The (modified—with walls cut open and additional handle bars) interior of a Class 81 EMU train. File:Class 81 KTM Komuter train, Kuala Lumpur.jpg, A Class 81 EMU 03 commuter train File:KTM CLASS 81 EMU 14 & CLASS 82 EMU 42.jpg, Class 81 EMU 14 (left) File:KTM CLASS 81 EMU 06.jpg, Class 81 EMU 06 File:KTM CLASS 81 EMU 06 Signal Switch.jpg, Class 81 EMU 06 File:Seremban railway station (Rawang-Seremban Line), Seremban.jpg, Class 81 EMU at

Seremban railway station The Seremban railway station is a Malaysia, Malaysian Train station, railway station located in the heart of Seremban, the capital of the state of Negeri Sembilan. The station is named after the city. The station is served by the KTM ETS train s ...

References

{{Rail transport in Malaysia KTM Komuter Electric multiple units of Malaysia Train-related introductions in 1994 25 kV AC multiple units Ganz-Mavag multiple units