200407 – ERL Malaysia, Siemens Operations Control System

The Express Rail Link (ERL) commenced operation in April 2002 and is a newly constructed 57 km railway, connecting the centre of the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur and the principal international airport (KLIA).

The ERL is effectively two railways in one.

The railway is designed to allow the primary Airport Express service to operate at a 10-minute interval with a journey time of 28 minutes and a Commuter Rail Service (CRS) at 20-minute intervals serving three intermediate stations.

The link consists of a 25 KV 50 Hz electrified standard gauge double-track and is designed to operate at speeds of up to 160 km/h by a twelve strong fleet of four-car electric units. These units were supplied by Siemens and were based on the successful ET425 design widely used in Germany. Eight of the fleet of twelve, are ERL dedicated trains each having 156 seats and, like the Heathrow Express trains built by Siemens for the UK, have an ambience similar to business class air travel. The other four units are employed on the CRS commuter services, with higher density accommodation.

The system was built with a Turnkey Project approach including Civil Works, Track Works, E & M Works and Rolling Stock.

The system has 2 terminals, 3 intermediate stations, a crossover and a depot, everything implemented by the consortium. Only some stations were developments of 3rd parties whereas Siemens-YTL (SYZ)-Consortium had to incorporate the ERL / CRS system.

The project’s total construction duration was undertaken in a remarkably short time of just under three years.