This research aims to analyse, evaluate and rank the maintenance strategy practised by the train operating companies, specifically by the rolling stock maintenance team. A quantitative method was adopted for data collection. A total of five train operating companies were chosen to participate in a survey that has been carefully designed. The research first identified the maintenance strategy associated with the rolling stock maintenance through systematic literature reviews. Afterwards, six maintenance strategies adopted by the companies were identified. The type of maintenance strategies identified was used to structure the survey questionnaire. Judgemental sampling was utilised for sampling purposes. Finally, the data collected from the survey were analysed using an importance index to complete the ranking analysis. The research discovered that corrective and preventive maintenance strategies are the most commonly adopted among the five Malaysian train operating companies. This study also highlighted the factors that future studies should consider to establish predictive cost models for rolling stock maintenance.

Mid-Life Refurbishment (MLR) is a process conducted in many industries to improve or extend the life span of assets such as machines, infrastructures and systems. The objective of MLR works execution is to extend the life span, sustain the train performance and achieve system reliability. Typically, the refurbishment scope consists of overhaul, upgrading and rectification works. The biggest challenge is to determine) the scope of refurbishment works and to create equilibrium between the feasibility and viability of the project. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to discuss the current practice of performing MLR maintenance through the utilization of Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and to transform the existing FMEA used by the automotive industry to fulfil the needs of Rolling Stock. The use of FMEA is critical in determining) the scope of train refurbishment work. It was carried out at the initial stages of the process in order to determine Risk Priority Number (RPN) to prioritize the type of refurbishment plans and scope. The design of the FMEA Worksheets, De-sign of FMEA severity Evaluation Criteria, Design of Occurrence Evaluation Criteria and Design of FMEA Prevention/Detection Criteria were adopted and adapted from the generic format so that it is coherent with Railway Industries. The results based on the transformation framework, the plan and scope of overhaul, upgrading and rectification were defined using the FMEA. Out of the 80 elements of MLR works that were analyzed using the FMEA approach, it was found that 46 elements needed overhaul, 23 elements needed upgrading and 11 elements needed rectification works. Finally, the application of the FMEA helped determine the MLR scope of work from 13 systems. The case study was taken from the Malaysia LRT Project, and currently the fleet has been in operation for more than 20 years (operated since year 1998).

The rolling stock might function at an optimum level in reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety with comprehensive maintenance. The past decade has seen rapid development in the management of maintenance costs in many sectors such as the automotive and aviation industry. However, there is a lack in a number of studies focusing on rolling stock maintenance costs. This article provides comprehensive knowledge on the rolling stock maintenance cost. Recently, the research found no specific literature reviews that focus on typical rolling stock maintenance costs. This paper attempts to review, identify and discuss the influential costs involved in rolling stock maintenance. This research systematically reviews and classifies a substantial number of published papers and suggests a classification of specific cost categories according to rolling stock needs. The results revealed that 27 variables have contributed to the rolling stock maintenance costs. The highest among the influential costs are 13.8% spare part cost, 11% life cycle cost, 6.4% preventive maintenance cost, and 4.6% for the workforce, corrective maintenance, and cost of ownership, respectively. The interrelationship between influential costs and their effects on rolling stock costs is further discussed. More importantly, the paper is intended to provide a comprehensive view of influential costs affecting rolling stock maintenance and give useful references for personnel working in the industry as well as researchers. This research has highlighted the possibility of future major studies to minimize the identified maintenance cost and industry to optimize its operational cost.