Taipei Metro VAL 256
Encyclopedia
The Taipei Metro VAL 256 is a medium capacity rapid transit
EMU
operated on the Taipei Rapid Transit System
.
The VAL 256 was the first trainset to enter service on the Taipei Metro in 1996 (followed by the C301
cars later that year). VAL 256 cars are capable of driverless operation, as of all other trainsets.
The first 101 cars were built by the Matra
conglomerate from circa 1990 to 1993 as part of the VAL family of automated rubber-tired trainsets, and entered service three years later. Within a year of revenue operations, Matra terminated the service contract, removing all maintenance crew. They filed and won a complaint against the Taipei City Government over contract delay compensations. All the while, the VAL256 trains continued service for twelve years, serviced by TRTC engineers and Academia Sinica
researchers. They featured fixed-block ATC
/ATO
systems for driverless and manual operation, which was replaced by Communication-based train control (CBTC) in 2006-2009.
In June 2003, Bombardier Transportation was contracted to extend the Muzha/Wenshan line into Neihu. This involves building 202 new cars, the track signaling system, and overhauling the Matra cars to function under the new system.
The Bombardier trains were built from 2006 to July 4, 2009. Integration of the Bombardier-built cars with the Matra-built cars was a daunting task, the consequences of which were multiple system malfunctions and failures along the Wenshan and Neihu Lines.
Each four-car train is formed by two coupled two-car trainsets. Any two sets can be coupled, and their numbers do not need to be consecutive (unlike the heavy-capacity trains).
The VAL256 train sets have served the Muzha Line from 1996 to 2009. The trains were taken offline for 17 months for control system upgrades, and is to resume service in December 2010.
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
EMU
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 of the carriages...
operated on the Taipei Rapid Transit System
Taipei Rapid Transit System
The Taipei Metro, more commonly known as the MRT or formally as the Taipei Rapid Transit System, is a rapid transit system serving metropolitan Taipei in Taiwan. The system is built and operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation and consists of 89 stations and of revenue track...
.
The VAL 256 was the first trainset to enter service on the Taipei Metro in 1996 (followed by the C301
Taipei Metro EMU301
The Taipei Metro EMU301 cars are the first electric multiple units to operate on the heavy-capacity lines of the Taipei Rapid Transit System when it began operations in 1996...
cars later that year). VAL 256 cars are capable of driverless operation, as of all other trainsets.
The first 101 cars were built by the Matra
Matra
Mécanique Aviation Traction or Matra was a French company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to automobile, bicycles, aeronautics and weaponry. In 1994, it became a subsidiary of the Lagardère Group and now operates under that name.Matra was owned by the Floirat family...
conglomerate from circa 1990 to 1993 as part of the VAL family of automated rubber-tired trainsets, and entered service three years later. Within a year of revenue operations, Matra terminated the service contract, removing all maintenance crew. They filed and won a complaint against the Taipei City Government over contract delay compensations. All the while, the VAL256 trains continued service for twelve years, serviced by TRTC engineers and Academia Sinica
Academia Sinica
The Academia Sinica , headquartered in the Nangang District of Taipei, is the national academy of Taiwan. It supports research activities in a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from mathematical and physical sciences, to life sciences, and to humanities and social sciences.Academia Sinica has...
researchers. They featured fixed-block ATC
Automatic Train Control
Automatic Train Control is a train protection system for railways, ensuring the safe and smooth operation of trains on ATC-enabled lines. Its main advantages include making possible the use of cab signalling instead of track-side signals and the use of smooth deceleration patterns in lieu of the...
/ATO
Automatic train operation
Automatic train operation ensures partial or complete automatic train piloting and driverless functions.Most systems elect to maintain a driver to mitigate risks associated with failures or emergencies....
systems for driverless and manual operation, which was replaced by Communication-based train control (CBTC) in 2006-2009.
In June 2003, Bombardier Transportation was contracted to extend the Muzha/Wenshan line into Neihu. This involves building 202 new cars, the track signaling system, and overhauling the Matra cars to function under the new system.
The Bombardier trains were built from 2006 to July 4, 2009. Integration of the Bombardier-built cars with the Matra-built cars was a daunting task, the consequences of which were multiple system malfunctions and failures along the Wenshan and Neihu Lines.
Each four-car train is formed by two coupled two-car trainsets. Any two sets can be coupled, and their numbers do not need to be consecutive (unlike the heavy-capacity trains).
The VAL256 train sets have served the Muzha Line from 1996 to 2009. The trains were taken offline for 17 months for control system upgrades, and is to resume service in December 2010.