MEMBERS of the media had the privilege of being the first visitors to a replica of a train which will be used for the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line during a media tour at KL Sentral on 17 March 2014.

The media tour was organised in conjunction with the opening of the life-sized to the public. The replica is located at the KLIA Ekspres Arrival Hall at Kuala Lumpur’s main rail transport hub.

The MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line will have 58 train sets, with each train having four cars. This will allow a frequency of one train every 3.5 minutes during peak hours. Each train set can carry a total of 1,200 passengers.
The trains, themed “The Guiding Light”, were designed by DesignworksUSA of the BMW Group, and will be supplied by Siemens AG.

Before they were invited to get onto the replica train, the media were given a briefing on the technical aspects of the MRT trains by a panel comprising Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) Director of Strategic Commuications and Public Relations Encik Amir Mahmood Razak, MRT Corp Director Systems Mr Tom Khella, Siemens AG Urban Transport Rail Systems Division Chief Executive Officer Ms. Sandra Gott-Karlbauer.

“Commuters will spend more time on trains than in any other component of a rail service. This is why MRT Corp wanted the public to be able to get a feel of our trains before the actual trains start running,” MRT Corp Director of Strategic Communications and Public Relations, En. Amir Mahmood Razak explained.

The assembly of the mock train was a collaboration effort between MRT Corp and Siemens.

“This mock-up came from halfway around the world. It was built in Germany, then disassembled and shipped to Malaysia before being reassembled again here at KL Sentral,” said Ms. Sandra Gott-Karlbauer said.

Inside the replica, the journalists got to try the train’s various features and facilities such as the chairs, grab bars and poles. They were also shown the display boards and LED screens which will provide information to the passengers. The replica also comes complete with public announcements.

Besides the replica, there are LED TV screens in the exhibition area with video clips showing the construction of the MRT Project, including the MRT tunnels. Information boards are also at hand to provide more information about the MRT Project.

The MRT train replica is open to the public until May 2014 from 9am to 9pm everyday.

Members of the public can share their experience and excitement during their visit to the replica with by posting any photo of them with the train on Instagram with the hashtag #MRTMalaysia and #Ilovemymrt.