Bringing Life to KTMB’s Strategic Asset: Impact Analysis

Remanufacturing of KTMB’s ETS-04 Accident Train by SMH Rail Sdn Bhd

Leveraging on local capabilities to extend life of Government’s strategic asset

22^nd February 2023 – TDA was present in a ceremony held at SMH Rail’s internationally certified rolling stock manufacturing plant in Rasa, Selangor to witness the completion of the remanufactured ETS-04 (SCS trains) to KTMB. KTMB was represented by its Chief Technical Officer, Ir. Ahmad Nizam. The remanufactured ETS-04 train will be sent to Batu Gajah depot for final testing and commissioning.

SMH Rail, Malaysia’s rolling stock manufacturer and engineering service provider for the global markets was awarded the contract by KTMB to remanufacture the accident ETS-04 train. The project of this nature was indeed challenging at the time when Covid-19 was at its peak with strict movement restrictions in place. Furthermore, supply chain system was severely affected, as delivery of critical parts and components from the various suppliers (local and overseas) were disrupted.

This project is technically complex, as it requires intensive technical knowledge on structural engineering wherein rigorous works were carried out in the design development and re-engineering to meet the stringent standard requirements of KTMB. TDA is pleased to note based on feedback from KTMB, SMH Rail during the course of the project has improvised and developed several assembly and testing procedures such as 3D modeling, cable testing protocols and redesigned critical parts and components that are obsolete. These value added services have undergone validations and certifications from professional entities. In addition, SMH Rail supported local vendors for the supply of the various components and services which increased local content.

The successful completion of this technically challenging remanufacturing project and the extensive technical collaboration between KTMB and SMH Rail marked an important milestone in the local rail industry. This collaboration is a testament to the technical competencies and capabilities of locally homegrown companies to undertake heavy repair and remanufacturing works of future rolling stock. The support rendered by local companies will be critical for the long-term maintenance of Government strategic asset.

SMH Rail was a beneficiary under TDA’s Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP), which enabled SMH Rail to acquire technology transfer and enhancing technical know-how. Equipped with these competencies, SMH Rail successfully manufactured and delivered driverless metro cars under the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) projects for the Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) and Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) lines. Both projects were delivered ahead of schedule resulting in cost savings for the government.

Successful collaborations with global OEMs in the likes of Siemens AG, Hyundai-Rotem Company and Wabtec for the manufacturing and assembly of metro trains and diesel electric locomotives has propelled SMH Rail into a leading rolling stock manufacturer in the region and enabled the company to secure global projects such as the Mumbai monorail in India and the World Bank funded project of diesel electric locomotives for Tanzania Railways.