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The PNR 9000 class are a class of 3 diesel-hydraulic locomotives for the Philippine National Railways. Its design is based on the INKA CC300 locomotives in service with Kereta Api Indonesia. According to PNR General Manager Jun Magno, the class will be the first batch of locomotives ordered by the agency in over 40 years. It will also replace the preceding PNR 900 class as the primary locomotive on the PNR Metro Commuter Line.

Design
The CC300 class was designed by PT Industri Kereta Api (Persero), also known as INKA. These locomotives first entered service in 2013 and serving passenger trains in Java and Sumatra. PNR on the other hand designed its livery. It was originally meant to have a black and white livery on the front page of the agency's website. However, the livery was revised to orange in late 2019 to match the line color of the existing commuter service. This color scheme led to some Indonesian railfans to nickname the class the "Orange Loco" (Indonesian: Loko Orange).

The train is fitted with a higher pitched horn similar to the PNR 8100 class and contrasting to its predecessors.

Technical
The locomotive's basic dimensions are 14.13 m long, 2.46 m wide, and 3.58 m tall. It has an overall weight of 84 t distributed evenly through its six axles with a C-C (AAR) or Co'Co (UIC) arrangement. It will also run on tracks of the PNR Metro Commuter Line, carrying five K3-class passenger cars capable of seating up to 1,330 passengers.

Its most notable feature is the double-ended cab design which allows the train to run in both directions without the need of a railway turntable. While it is also possible for the preceding 900 class to do the same with its long-hood and short-hood forward modes, the double-ended design allows the train driver to see the front of the locomotive easier from both ends. A similar engine was the 1500 class that served PNR from 1966 to 1976. The 1500s were based on French Danseuses family of boxcab electric locomotives built by Alstom. The 9000 class in comparison has a hexagonal cowl cab shape similar to modern European diesel locomotives. Another notable feature of the class is the cockpit-style windows which separates it from the Indonesian models. The locomotives are also capable of wading flooded tracks as most of the Metro Commuter Line is prone to flooding during the country's rainy season.

The engines are also the most powerful in PNR's fleet with a power output of 2200 hp, 41 percent more powerful than the preceding 900 class.

Operations
The locomotives were originally meant to enter service on the PNR Metro Commuter Line by 2019 but was later delayed to late 2020. According to PNR General Jun Magno, the newer trainsets from Indonesia and South Korea will join the new fleet of 14 trainsets. Together, the fleet shall be capable of accommodating 150,000 passengers per day. The 9000 class and K3 cars will replace the aging PNR 900 class locomotives and second-hand 203 series coaches on locomotive-hauled services. The latter class will be transferred to the newly-reformed Bicol Commuter service which will commence after 2020.

The old Metro Commuter Line will continue operations as a single-track like while the North–South Commuter Railway is being built. Therefore, the 9000 class will see mixed freight and passenger service, carrying both passenger coaches and maintenance equipment. Upon completion of the NSCR in 2025, the locomotives have the option to haul freight trains, hinting the return of the Manila–Calamba freight service for the repurposed old line. It will also continue hauling passenger trains as the old line will continue to operate as an alternative transport mode to the NSCR Commuter service.

Testing
The trains were originally expected to start testing and operations by 2019. The first tests were delayed to June 2020, and locomotive 20 01 has finished its test in early July. It is expected that unit 20 01 will be shipped to the Philippines before the end of the year, and the other two locomotives shall follow suit.