DOST Starts Testing Hybrid Trains

The Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) has started testing its hybrid electric trains (HET) at the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

Pablo Acuin, DOST-MIRDC's engineer and HET development project leader told Philippine Star that the test went smoothly as expected.

"We're confident that it can complete the 150-hour requirement for validation," Acuin told The STAR.

Testing Period

The HET spans 28 kilometers and eight stations. It would run three loops each day, with a total of 16 stations in one loop.

"There are two loops in the morning and one in the afternoon," Acuin said.

The MIRDC had already completed assembly of the HET in 2016, and has already started the required tests to get it accepted for public transport use by the PNR.

Robert Dizon, MIRDC Director Engineer said that they've prepared the PNR personnel for the 150-hour validation by training them on operating and maintaining the HET since late April.

"Very Old Trains"

The PNR has been using very old trains, many of which are 30-year-old trains that were donated by the Japanese government 10 years ago, and have been used for 20 years already when they were donated to the PNR.

The total cost incurred for HET's research and development was around PHP120 million. According to Philippine Star, the miscellaneous cost for tests, including testing the train's reliability, safety, availability, and maintainability reached PHP 20 million for three years.