User:Hachijo8/PNR 8800 class

The PNR 8800 class of 2021 is a diesel multiple unit built by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive for the Philippine National Railways. It will be used on the PNR South Long Haul project between Banlic in Calamba, Laguna and Daraga in Albay. It will be the first diesel-powered standard-gauge rolling stock in the country.

Background
Multiple unit trains have been the mainstay of the PNR South Main Line's local services since the line was opened in 1938 by the Manila Railroad Company. The MRR's Rail Motor Coach (RMC) class gasoline multiple units first entered service 10 years prior on its northern counterpart. They were then replaced in 1955 by the Japanese Motor Coach (JMC) class built by Tokyu Car Corporation, now the Japan Transport Engineering Company. These three-car diesel multiple units were used on local trains until the last trainset, JMC-319 Nikkō, was retired in 2004.

After a majority of the South Main Line closed in 2014, regional commuter trains reentered service in Camarines Sur as part of the Bicol Commuter program. These use ex-Japanese National Railways DMUs that were retired by its successors. As of 2022, only a few KiHa 35 DMUs run this service with some hauled by 5000 class locomotives.

Development
The South Long Haul project involves the overhaul of the present South Main Line, particularly widening the present narrow-gauge track to standard gauge. Prior studies in 2014 recommend a single-track railway using diesel trains, also still using the current narrow-gauge track to narrow. This would have allowed a maximum speed of 75 km/h. However, this decision was revised in 2017 so that it can raise maximum speed for its express trains in order to become competitive with airline travel.

Purchase
An initial contract for the supply of three 3-car trainsets was approved in 2019, expandable to 21. However, the contract was terminated in January 2021, citing changes to the specifications. Despite this, the trainsets continued construction throughout 2021 and 2022 and was stored in China. One of the cars, numbered D-8801, was featured at an event hosted by CRRC and the China Association for Science and Technology on June 29, 2022.

The budget to purchase the three trainsets was separate from the South Long Haul contract packages, and was purchased with government funds.

Service
The trains are expected to enter service by late 2023.

Planned expansion
Contract Package 5 of the South Long Haul project calls for the additional purchase of eight 8-car trainsets, with an additional trainset to be ordered before 2030. However, details of this order is yet to be determined.

Features and specifications
The design of the 8800 class is based on the KTM Class 61 which was CRRC Zhuzhou's first diesel multiple unit train. However unlike the Malaysian trains which use meter-gauge track, the 8800 class uses the wider standard-gauge track. The 8800 class trains are also wider than the PNR EM10000 class electric multiple units used on the North–South Commuter Railway. The numbering scheme also follows the number 8 in Chinese numerology which is an important part of both Chinese and Filipino customs.

The livery and interior design used is based on the country's national symbols such as the Philippine eagle, the sampaguita, and the Flag of the Philippines. Philippine media compared the conceptual interior designs of the trainsets to that of an airplane.

Seating
The 8800 class will have a total of 168 seats, all of which use open coach transverse seating. Its accommodations will be divided in accordance to China Railway's three travel classes, with business class ranking higher than first class, making the latter comparable to the premium economy class seating on airlines. Second class serves as economy class, as with some railroads in Europe.

The business class car will have 36 seats in an airline-style arrangement of front-facing seats. It will be divided into twelve rows of 3 seats each in a 1–2 aisle arrangement. The first class car will have 52 seats but it will feature table seating unlike the other two classes. Each table will have four seats, two forward-facing and two rear. Each seat separated by a plastic divider. Lastly, the second class car will have 80 seats, divided into sixteen rows of five seats each with a 2–3 aisle arrangement.

Safety system
The trains will use

Other features
There are two types of train toilets available, an accessible toilet and a narrower standard toilet. Other standard features such as baggage racks, mobile charging and. Future additions include onboard WiFi and stewardess service, the latter having been used on the former Peñafrancia Express services in the 1970s.