Sunday 6 April 2014

Indonesian Railway Update: The 205 Series Debuts

A 10-car train, set number HaE 15 of the EMU ex-JR East 205 series makes a debut in Jakarta
Photo: Faris Fadhli
 
I have received news from an active Indonesian rail fan again. The ex-JR East EMU 205 series has debuted in Jakarta. My thanks go to Mr. Faris Fadhli, who kindly sent me the photos.

The 205 series is a 1,500V direct current EMU, which was originally launched in Japan in 1985. It has been widely operated on the urban routes in Tokyo. A total of 23 sets, 230 units, have been introduced to the JR East Saikyo Line. It has a stainless steel body and DC commutator motors with a resistor control system.

Two decades have passed since the 205 series debuted. The 205 series was retired from the Saikyo Line, and recently started its second life in Jakarta. A local railway operator, KRL Jabodetabek (Jakarta Metropolitan Commuter Electric Railway), is pursuing the modernization of the trains in this rapidly growing city. All non-air conditioned cars have been taken off the route. Instead, they have been importing air conditioned secondhand EMUs from Japan. A total of 18 sets, 180 units of the 205 series have crossed the ocean and arrived at Jakarta.

In the meantime, KRL Jabodetabek has taken this opportunity to start a 10-car train operation. All 205 series trains are operated as 10-car trains. Previously, the longest EMU was an 8-car train in Jakarta. To cover the "added two cars", special platforms (steps) were hastily equipped in front of the train doors in each station.

I hope that the passengers get in and out of the train safely.

 
"Special platforms" are prepared for the 10-car train at Manggarai Station in Jakarta, Indonesia
Photo: Faris Fadhli