Bodastart CRT.A380

CRT.A380 series
A line drawing of the 18–car CRT.A380A in Western Railway Company Service.
9–car CRT.A380B on the Mediterranean Trunk Line in December 2017.
In service	2014–present
Manufacturer	Bodastart Rail & Power Company
Designer	Bodastart Rail & Power Company Carthage Railway Group Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company
Family name	CRT.A380
Replaced	CRT.A300 series, CRT.B300 series
Constructed	2012–present
Entered service	14 September 2014
Predecessor	CRT.A350
Capacity	1,389 (CRT.A380A)
Operator(s)	Western Railway Company Mediterranean Railway Company
Depot(s)	Lagos, Conakry, Dakar, Oran
Line(s) served	West Coast Trunk Line Inland Trunk Line Mediterranean Trunk Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminum w/carbon composite
Car length	25,000 mm (82 ft) (intermediate cars) 27,000 mm (89 ft) (end cars)
Width	3,380 mm (11.09 ft)
Height	3,690 mm (12.11 ft)
Floor height	1,150 mm (3.77 ft)
Doors	36 (CRT.A380A) 18 (CRT.A380B)
Articulated sections	6 (CRT.380A) 3 (CRT.A380B)
Wheel diameter	900 mm (3.0 ft)
Wheelbase	3,200 mm (10.5 ft) (bogies)
Maximum speed	420 km/h (260 mph)
Weight	700 t (CRT.A380A) 350 t (CRT.A380B)
Axle load	16 t
Traction system	48 × 500 kW (CRT.A380A) 24 × 500 kW (CRT.A380B)
Power output	24 MW (32,000 hp) (CRT.A380A) 12 MW (16,000 hp) (CRT.A380B)
Acceleration	2.6 km/h/s
Deceleration	4.5 km/h/s
Electric system(s)	25 kV AC, 60 Hz overhead catenary
Current collection method	Stabilized pantograph
UIC classification	Bo'Bo'+4*Bo'Bo'Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'
Bogies	Jacobs bogies
Minimum turning radius	7,500 m (24,600 ft) (at speed)
Braking system(s)	Pneumatic, regenerative
Safety system(s)	CTC-R1, CTC-NDS, CTC-MBS
Track gauge	1,500 mm (4.9 ft)

The Bodastart CRT.A380 series is a broad gauge high-speed electric multiple unit train designed and built by the Bodastart Rail & Power Company for use on the West Coast Trunk Line and Inland Trunk Line by the Western Railway Company and the Mediterranean Trunk Line by the Mediterranean Railway Company. With a maximum service speed of 380 km/h (240 mph), the CRT.A380 series is currently the fastest trainset in service in Carthage. Two primary versions exist, the 18-car CRT.A380A used by the Western Railway Company and the 9-car CRT.A380B operated by the Mediterranean Railway Company.

History

A lineup of Western Railway Company trains including the XR-380 demonstrator.

In an effort to address overcrowding on the West Coast Trunk Line, in 2003 the National Railway Bureau approved a plan by the Western Railway Company to construct a second high-speed rail corridor along the West Coast between Dakar and Lagos. This corridor, provisionally known as the West Coast Express Trunk Line and later as the Inland Trunk Line, was to serve communities further inland than the existing WCTL while also having fewer stops, enabling higher speeds for passengers traveling long distances. The ITL was the first line designed from the outset for maximum operating speeds of up to 400 km/h (250 mph) and with new technologies such as moving block control systems.

New rolling stock was required for this railroad as no existing trainsets were capable of reaching the maximum projected speeds. Due to the developing state of technology, the plan approved in 2003 called for the development of a 380 km/h (240 mph) trainset for initial operations, with later upgrades to 400 km/h (250 mph) after more operational and technical experience had been developed. WRC began development of a new trainset in conjunction with the Bodastart Rail & Power Company, with the Mediterranean Railway Company later entering into a cost-sharing agreement with WRC and BRPC to co-develop the new train.

A demonstrator trainset of the 18-car CRT.A380A.

The new train was developed from the XR-380 demonstrator trainsets developed and tested by WRC for improved operating speeds along the WCTL. Tests and design work continued using three test trainsets from 2006 to 2012 with a focus on developing a fully operational vehicle for passenger service. Improvements and modifications included the addition of automatic cruise control and station stopping as well as a driver vigilance device, parking brake, and door controls in each car. A newer, more advanced permanent magnet motor set was introduced in 2009 for testing, and was approved for use in the final specification in 2012.

The finished program delivered a modular train composed of three-car modules in 18- and 9-car sets, with the 18-car sets available in both tilting and non-tilting variants. The tilting variants were developed to allow higher speeds of up to 350 km/h (220 mph) on some legacy lines while the non-tilting variant was designed for the ITL, which is designed to support higher-speed operation without tilting.

The first operational trainsets were delivered in 2013 to the WRC and entered testing for service shortly after. Following nearly a year of tests on the new ITL, the CRT.A380 officially entered service on September 14 with the opening of the last section of the ITL.

Design

The CRT.A380 series is designed for a maximum service speed of 380 km/h (240 mph), requiring several notable departures from standard Carthaginian high-speed rail design practice as well as the incorporation of new technologies. While designed primarily for domestic use on existing high-speed trunk lines, the CRT.A380 series was also designed to be competitive in the export market and a standard gauge variant was also tested in Inukirinwdene.

Module arrangement

Driver's cab.

The CRT.A380 series is designed around three-car modules with the center car articulated on a pair of Jacobs bogies shared with the outer cars. This results in a significant reduction in weight and friction through the elimination of two bogies for every three cars. While all modules in a train are mechanically identical, sets are designed as either intermediate modules or driving control modules with an aerodynamic nose and control cockpit. Due to the focus on export offerings, the modules are designed to be more easily decoupled compared to previous designs, which were generally composed of six or nine-car semi-permanently coupled modules. The use of three-car modules also allowed the same design to operate in both a nine-car and eighteen-car configuration without the use of trailers. Unpowered intermediate trailers were also developed for the export market to allow trainsets of varying lengths to be assembled.

Car bodies are fabricated from extruded aluminum with limited amounts of carbon fiber reinforcement to reduce weight and keep axle loads below the maximum of 18 tonnes despite the reduction in axles per carriage. The weight reduction from the switch to articulated modules and aluminum car bodies was necessary to maintain safe braking distances at higher speeds. Carriage interiors are designed to be easily replaced and refurbished and to maintain a uniform floor height throughout the train for the benefit of the mobility-impaired. Due to the higher speeds involved, roof-mounted external equipment such as air conditioners were either faired smoothly into the structure or moved below the floor.

Traction system

At the conclusion of testing, XR-380 demonstrator set #1 was sent to the Dakar Railway Museum for display.

The higher operational speed of the CRT.A380 required the design of completely new bogies certified for such use. The engineering program certified the final bogie design for service at speeds up to 400 km/h (250 mph) with the expectation that the design could later be uprated to 420 km/h (260 mph), but the current CRT.A380 design as a whole is only certified to 380 km/h (240 mph) in normal service.

While all Carthaginian high-speed trains operate on 25 kV AC at 60 Hz, export CRT.A380 trainsets are capable of operating on a variety of other voltages, including 15 kV at 16.7 Hz, 12.5 kV at 50/60 Hz and 6.5 kV at 50/60 Hz, albeit at reduced speeds. Power is collected via a pair of single-arm pantographs with pneumatic tension adjustment and is stepped down from 25 kV to 1,500 V via a three-level transformer. It is then converted to 3,000 V DC via a rectifier before being converted into variable voltage, variable frequency AC at a maximum of 2,300 V for use in the traction motors. To balance weight and keep axle loads within loading limits, the transformer and rectifier are mounted in either end car and the inverters co-located with each motor.

Each of the four bogies per module has two axles powered by a 500 kW (670 hp) permanent magnet motor with forced-air cooling. Each motor has a separate inverter and as a result may operate at different speeds from other motors depending on traction conditions to maximize adhesion. As a result of further refinements in computer control and more powerful motors, the CRT.A380 is has a higher maximum acceleration than previous designs at 2.6 km/h/s. The end bogies in each module incorporate eddy-current retarders to assist in braking from high speeds and all bogies incorporate a regenerative pneumatic braking system for normal deceleration. Using a combination of retarders, pneumatic brakes, and air brakes, the CRT.A380 can be brought from 380 km/h (240 mph) to a full emergency stop in less than 5,000 meters (16,000 ft).

All of the bogies are bolsterless for reduced weight and incorporate active suspension systems to suppress oscillations and improve ride quality. The new bogie designs are constructed of higher tensile strength steel to further reduce weight.

Signaling

The CRT.A380 is the first Carthaginian high-speed train to be designed from the outset for use with moving block signals, which were incorporated into the design of the Inland Trunk Line. As a result, it is the first train to incorporate the CTC-MBS automatic train control system in addition to the legacy analog CTC-R1 and digital CTC-NDS ATC systems. The CTC-MBS system allows for headways under two minutes but to date the standard minimum headway of three minutes established under the CTC-NDS remains in use while further performance data on the CTC-MBS system is gathered.

Normal operations are managed by central traffic control via the ATC system, although all trains retain drivers with a full set of controls who may override the computer's actions. The CRT.A380 driver cabs are fitted with small forward windows to reduce the mesmerizing effect of high-speed travel on the drivers. While the primary operating areas are generally free of earthquakes, the CRT.A380 retains a focus on safety and is capable of automatically braking when cued by the hazard alert system or the central traffic control center.

Accommodation

Interior of a first class car.

The carriage interiors are designed to accommodate five-abreast seating in standard class in a 2+3 arrangement and four-abreast seating in first class in a 2+2 arrangement. The electrical system was designed to accommodate individual power outlets at each seat due to the widespread proliferation of personal electronics. As a result of changing public health laws and a reduction in the prevalence of smoking among the general public, the CRT.A380 series is the first high-speed trainset in Carthage to eliminate designated smoking rooms, although ashtrays are still provided.

The cooling fans for the traction motors and the compressors for the HVAC system have both been redesigned to reduce noise to minimize noise pollution and improve passenger comfort in crowded stations where the fans and compressors generate the largest share of noise.

Trainsets operating on the West Coast Trunk Line and Mediterranean Line are fitted with tilting mechanisms with a maximum tilt angle of 2° in order to operate at speeds of up to 350 km/h (220 mph) on older tracks with tighter turn radii. In service, the maximum tilt angle is 1.5° and the tilting mechanism is disabled entirely at speeds below 300 km/h (190 mph). Trainsets operating on the Inland Trunk Line omit this feature as the ITL is designed for speeds of up to 420 km/h (260 mph) and has commensurately wider turns.

Variants

• XR-380 - 18-car demonstrator trainset used during development and testing.
• CRT.A380A - 18-car production model.
• CRT.A380AT - 18-car tilting production model.
• CRT.A380B - 9-car tilting production model.
• XRS-400 - 18-car testbed trainset for 400 km/h (250 mph) certification.

Formations

18-car CRT.A380A

• 66 × 18-car sets, A3000–A3065

The first prototype 18-car CRT.A380A was delivered in May 2012 for testing on the Inland Trunk Line while the first production CRT.A380A was delivered in March 2014, entering revenue service in September 2014. 60 trainsets were initially ordered for service on the Inland Trunk Line to replace older rolling stock transferred to the line for initial service, and a second order for another 60 sets was placed in June 2016 to expand service to accommodate increased demand. Service speeds were limited to 350 km/h (220 mph) until August 2016 when the last CRT.A350 trainsets were replaced and returned to service on the West Coast Trunk Line.

Formation

The standard formation of the CRT.A380A series is as follows:

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Description	First Class	First Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class / Dining	Standard Class / Dining	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	First Class	First Class
Seating capacity	44	68	85	90	100	90	85	85	40	40	100	85	90	100	90	85	68	44
Facilities	Toilets		Toilets (D)	Toilets	Telephone	Toilets	Toilets (D)	Conductor's compartment / AED	Cafe Toilets	Cafe Toilets	Telephone	Toilets (D)	Toilets	Telephone	Toilets	Toilets (D)		Toilets

Cars 6 and 13 each have one single-arm pantograph.

Exterior

WRC trains are painted in a predominantly indigo color with a gray underbody and red bodyside stripe separating the two. The forward and rear driving cars are painted gray with a transition to the indigo that covers most of the train body.

Interior

The interior of the trains operated by the Western Railway Company were designed by Ojukwu, Shonekan, & Obasanjo of Abuja with blue and white interiors in standard class and subdued grays in first class.

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  Interior of a standard class car.

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  Interior of a first class car.

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  The vestibule and restroom area of a first class car.

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  An accessible restroom in a standard class car.

18-car CRT.A380AT

• 24 × 18-car sets, B3000–B3023

The CRT.A380AT is equipped with a tilting mechanism for use at high speeds on legacy lines such as the West Coast Trunk Line. Aside from the addition of the tilting mechanism, the CRT.A380AT is mechanically and internally identical to the standard CRT.A380A.

40 sets were ordered for service on the West Coast Trunk Line, partially replacing older CRT.A300 and CRT.B300 series sets. These sets are currently limited to a maximum speed of 300 km/h (190 mph) until the retirement of the CRT.A300 and CRT.B300 sets, at which point maximum operational speeds are expected to reach 320 km/h (200 mph). An additional 60 sets were ordered in 2017 to full replace the CRT.A300 and CRT.B300 series and begin replacement of the CRT.A320 and CRT.B320 series trainsets.

The Western Railway Company plans to fully replace legacy trainsets with CRT.A380 variants on the West Coast Trunk Line by FY2025, which is expected to coincide with the introduction of CTC-MBS signaling along the full length of the line to reduce headways and increase operational speeds to 350 km/h (220 mph).

Formation

The standard formation of the CRT.A380AT matches the arrangement of the CRT.A380A:

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Description	First Class	First Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class / Dining	Standard Class / Dining	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	First Class	First Class
Seating capacity	44	68	85	90	100	90	85	85	40	40	100	85	90	100	90	85	68	44
Facilities	Toilets		Toilets (D)	Toilets	Telephone	Toilets	Toilets (D)	Conductor's compartment / AED	Cafe Toilets	Cafe Toilets	Telephone	Toilets (D)	Toilets	Telephone	Toilets	Toilets (D)		Toilets

Cars 6 and 13 each have one single-arm pantograph.

9-car CRT.A380B

• 36 × 9-car sets, M3000–M2031
• 4 × 9-car sets, S3000-S3003

The 9-car CRT.A380B was developed for the Mediterranean Railway Company for use on the Mediterranean Trunk Line. All CRT.A380B variants are equipped with a tilting function for use on the Mediterranean Trunk Line and no separate non-tilting variant was developed, although tests were conducted on 9-car non-tilting trainsets during development. While capable of running at the full certified speed of 380 km/h (240 mph), the sets currently operate at a maximum speed of 320 km/h (200 mph) due to the use of older trainsets along the line.

50 sets were ordered in 2012 and 36 have been developed so far. CRT.A380B sets have been used to replace older CRT.M300 and CRT.R300 variants and have improved maximum speeds on the Mediterranean Trunk Line to 320 km/h (200 mph). Additional orders are expected to replace other rolling stock in line with plans to improve MTL speeds to 350 km/h (220 mph) by 2025.

Four 9-car CRT.A380B sets were purchased by the Western Railway Company for use on Inland Trunk Line sleeper services, providing two Sunrise Dakar and Sunrise Lagos departures six nights a week. These trains are mechanically identical to the CRT.A380B but feature private bedrooms and folding bunks for overnight sleeper service.

Formation

The standard formation of the CRT.A380B series is as follows:

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Description	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Standard Class	Business Class	First Class
Seating capacity	70	85	90	100	100	90	90	68	32
Facilities	Toilets	Toilets (D)	Toilets		Telephone	Toilets	Conductor's compartment / AED	Toilets (D)	Toilets

Cars 2 and 8 each have one single-arm pantograph.

Interior

Unlike the two-class WRC trainsets, Mediterranean Railway Company sets have a three-class arrangement of standard class, business class, and first class. The interior design of the MRC CRT.A380B sets was developed in-house and uses a gray, red, and white palette in standard class, a blue and white palette in business class, and a subdued maroon and tan palette in first class.

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  Interior of a standard class car.

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  Interior of a business class car.

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  Interior of a first class car.

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  An AC power outlet in a standard class car.

Export

The CRT.A380 series was developed with the export market in mind. Standard gauge variants were tested using Inuk testing facilities while the primary Carthaginian gauge designs were certified and the modular arrangement was intended to allow for trains of nearly any length to be easily assembled. Two different cabin widths were also developed for compatibility with the narrower loading gauges found on some other rail networks. The traction system is capable of accepting power at multiple voltages and frequencies for compatibility with various traction power systems and the signaling electronics can be replaced for compatibility with local control systems.

Standard gauge trainsets have currently been exported to JVP and Barnopea and the Bodastart Rail & Power Company is actively seeking additional export opportunities.