Rio de Janeiro EMUs go into service
Written by Douglas John BowenElectric multiple-unit (EMU) trains manufactured by China's CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. went into operation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 20. An inaugural ceremony was held on that date.
Chinese consortium CMC-CNRCRC signed a contract for delivery of 30 new trains to State Transport of Rio de Janeiro in June 2009. Constructed of stainless steel, the car bodies are constructed according to AAR standards, the consortium says.
The EMUs will operate on the existing five electric lines of Rio de Janeiro. The consortium says the equipment is the first Chinese EMU gear running in South America.
CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. also will deliver 114 rapid transit (“metro”) cars to Rio de Janeiro this year, with all EMU and metro equipment delivered in time for the International Federation of Association Football (Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA) World Cup in 2014, as well as the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
