ECRL KotaSAS station in Kuantan, Pahang - NSTP FILE PIC
By T.n. Alagesh
KUANTAN: The country's mega rail project, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), is set to enter a new phase tomorrow (Feb 11) with the unveiling of the Golden Train Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) and Electric Locomotive (E-Loco) at the KotaSAS Station here.
Two sets of six-car EMU passenger trains and E-Loco for freight each arrived at Kuantan Port late last year after departing from Dalian Port in China in November.
KotaSAS marks another significant milestone, having become the first station along the 665km alignment, which comprises 20 stations, to complete system installation works in May last year.
Notably, the station was also the site of the project's groundbreaking ceremony on Aug 9, 2017, officiated by then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Apart from the train unveiling tomorrow, the appointment of a mobile network infrastructure provider along the project alignment will also be handed over to the utility company.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, China's Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, and Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak are expected to attend the event.
The EMU trains can operate at speeds of up to 160km per hour, while the E-Locos can reach speeds of up to 80km per hour.
Each six-car EMU can carry 425 passengers in an all-economy configuration, or 409 passengers when fitted with a business-class cabin.
Each E-Loco can haul up to 45 wagons, with a maximum freight capacity of 3,500 tonnes per trip.
The remaining nine EMUs are scheduled to arrive in Malaysia ahead of the testing and commissioning phase in June, while the balance of the 10 E-Loco are expected to arrive on a staggered basis until next year.
The ECRL project, which traverses Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Selangor, linking Kota Baru to the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal, is slated to begin operations in January 2027.
Its extension from Gombak to Port Klang is expected to be operational by January 2028.
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