MTR Corp has chosen the Tung Chung line to trial its new China-made train carriages, starting tonight.

The new trains, with a striking iridescent purple colour scheme, will be tested after regular services close this evening.

But MTR customers won’t see the new carriages until after the trials are complete some time later this year, according to MTR Corp.

Tung Chung Line passengers will have to wait even longer, HK01 reports.

At this stage the MTR just plans to introduce the new carriages to the Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong Island and Tseung Kwan O lines.

The first stock arrived in January, replacing the British-made M-Train that has been operating since the 1980s.

The rest will arrive gradually over the next five years.

MTR Corp awarded a HK$6 billion contract in 2015 for 93 new carriages from China train manufacturer CRRC – the largest purchase of rolling stock the company has made.

Photos: CRRC/HK01