Electric multiple units newly designated as KTX-Eum were previously known as EMU-260. The word ‘Eum’ in Korean means ‘uniting through connection’, thus symbolising the fact that the dense high-speed rail network contributes significantly to integrate the entire South Korean society.
The multiple units are manufactured by Hyundai Rotem in Changwon. The trainset with the total length of 150.5 m and maximum operational speed of 260 km/h is mostly manufactured from aluminium. It is an electric multiple unit powered by 25 kV/60 Hz AC traction voltage. Three-phase AC induction motors are used to drive the train. The design of the multiple unit is derived from HEMU-430X.
The train manufacturer entrusted design of both powered and non-powered wheelsets, as well as manufacture of wheels and axles, to BONATRANS from Bohumín. The powered wheelset is equipped with wheel-mounted brake discs, the non-powered wheelset has three brake discs mounted on the axle. Both powered and non-powered axles are made from the EA4T steel grade. The wheels then from BONASTAR®ER8, the improved steel grade ensuring mileage/lifetime extension, and so wheelset LCC reduction. The same wheelset design was also used for another project of the same manufacturer, EMU-320, which, in addition to higher speed, has two-car longer trainsets (eight versus six).
“Both projects combined have a potential of hundreds of cars in coming years. By our participation we strengthen our position of the first-choice supplier of wheelsets for new passenger rolling stock, and we also specifically increase our market share in South Korea, one of our key markets outside Europe”, says Jakub Weimann, the member of the Board of Directors.
BONATRANS delivers wheelsets and their parts to 80 countries on 5 continents.
