FH class C03

The FH class C03 is a class of single-deck electric multiple unit currently operating on the Metro Cercadas commuter rail network and most FH Regional services. Based on the trains, the C03 was built at ’s factory in,  in three batches between 2006 and 2013.

The suburban variant of the class C03 mainly run on the Metro’s line S, but are also operated on line R outside of special events. The regional class C03 trainsets ply on a majority of FH Regional services in the East Cercadas Region and the South Turiz Region. The C03 is the last single-deck order for the Metro to be built in three-car consists.

Design
The class C03 trains are formed in single-deck three-car consists with two plug doors on each side. Like the Transperth B-series, the C03 consists are made up of two non-powered driving trailers at each end and a powered motor carriage in the centre with a pantograph. All C03s are powered by the Bombardier MITRAC IGBT-VVVF traction system.

The first and second batch suburban trains are painted in the orange-yellow Metro Cercadas livery and feature 2-2 transverse seating similar to its Australian counterparts. The third batch trains for FH Regional services also has the same seating configuration as the suburban trains, but have less seating and feature the blue FH Regional livery, a luggage rack next to each door and toilets at the driving end of the driving trailers.

The numbering system for the class C03 is as follows:
 * First batch (Metro Cercadas): 03 001 to 03 033
 * Second batch (Metro Cercadas): 03 034 to 03 048
 * Third batch (FH Regional): 03 049 to 03 125

History
Shortly before the transfer of ownership of the Metro Cercadas brand to TPC in 2001, plans were already laid out for two new lines to the Cercadas Ferdinand Magellan Airport and the Carrazeda Racecourse in the late 1990s. As such, the Herendish National Railways began a bidding process for 45 double-deck and 33 single-deck commuter trains. The tender for single-deck trains was delayed by a year and a half due to cost overruns in the construction of the Racecourse Rail Link.

In September 2004, Metro Cercadas awarded the contract for single-deck trains to. The original tenderer was a consortium of Bombardier and, but EDi later withdrew as it was already awarded the class S01 contract. Despite EDi’s withdrawal, the C03 were built in Bombardier’s factory.

The first of the initial batch of 33 C03 trains arrived at the Port of Turiz in October 2006, three months behind schedule. After being tested and approved for service by Transport for Cercadas, the first three C03 sets ([tel:03&#x20;001-03&#x20;003 03 001-03 003]) made their revenue service debut on lines R and S on December 5, 2006.

In February 2007, the TPC and FH in a joint statement announced another order for a total of 92 second and third batch C03 sets, the largest order for rolling stock in Herendoland until being surpassed by the Metro’s order for S16 trains a decade later. The second batch were suburban trains identical to the first batch for use on line M of the Metro, while the third batch were modified regional trains fitted with luggage racks and toilets.

The first of the second batch trains were delivered first in April 2009, entering revenue service on line M on July 7, 2009. The third batch regional sets were subsequently delivered near the end of the delivery of the second batch in November 2010 and was phased into service from February the following year.