Decommissioning of the first-generation North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL) trains, the Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151, began in June 2020. These trains are the oldest generation of rolling stock in Singapore, and their retirement marked the first time that local transport authorities had to dispose of old rolling stock.
Trains are scrapped locally at Toyotron Pte Ltd, which was awarded the disposal contract.
The transporting of decommissioned trains takes place at night, from Tuas Depot to Toyotron’s premises at Gul Drive. Auxiliary police escorts are required for the transport of oversized loads by road.
Background
Main Article: Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151 & SMRT C151 End-of-Life upgrade / PMSM retractioning project
66 C151 trains were manufactured by a Japanese consortium project led by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (along with Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corp and Kinki Sharyo). These trains entered service from 1987 onwards, with an unpainted aluminium body. These trains assumed their current interior and exterior appearance after the first round of refurbishment carried out between 2004 and 2008, where trains received a new black and red external livery, and refitting of the interior with new fixtures.
In 2015, a second round of refurbishment was announced by SMRT, focusing on key engineering components on C151 trains that were not upgraded in the first round of refurbishments. Most significantly, the propulsion system was to be upgraded to an IGBT-VVVF inverter, coupled with PMSM traction motors. These upgrades were planned for the 19 second-generation Siemens C651 rolling stock by 2016, followed by the 66 C151 trains by 2019.
However, leading up to the New Rail Financing Framework (NRFF) transition in August 2016, the LTA took over the role of asset procurement replacement and upgrading. Coupled with changes in SMRT Corporation’s management structure, the mid-life upgrading of C651 trains was abruptly discontinued, and the planned C151 refurbishments were thus precluded. Only six C151 trains received the upgraded IGBT-VVVF inverters and PMSM traction motors.
In September 2016, the LTA announced its intention to replace all 66 first-generation C151 trains with brand-new ones, favouring the procurement of new trains over continuing to refurbish old trains.
The tender was subsequently awarded to Bombardier in July 2018 (which was then acquired by Alstom in January 2021), and Alstom Movia R151 trains progressively entered service from June 2023.
Disposal & Re-purposing of Trains
In May 2019, LTA called a tender for the disposal of 66 C151 trains under Contract R151D – Disposal of Decommissioned Trains. This tender was awarded to Toyotron Pte Ltd at a price of S$828,000.00 (Payable to LTA) on 16 December 2019.
Several train cars could be preserved by several public and private organisations, such as schools for educational and training purposes. In addition, some train cars may also be converted into recreational spaces. Interested parties could email LTA at lta-train-repurpose@lta.gov.sg for more information.
LTA will progressively hand over the remaining C151 trains to Toyotron Pte Ltd for dismantling, scrapping and disposal as part of Contract R151D. The gradual phase-out will be in tandem with the introduction of replacement CR151 trains.
Media event
A media event was held on Tuesday, 22 June 2020 at Bishan Train Depot attended by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan. A C151 train was symbolically powered down, marking the official start of the withdrawal of all C151 trains from service.
On Tuesday, 22 June 2020, decommissioning began for the first-generation North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL) trains, the Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151.
In an event held at Bishan Train Depot attended by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan, a C151 train was symbolically powered down, marking the official start to the withdrawal of all C151 trains from service. These trains were the first trains of Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit system, launched in 1987 on the North South Line, and have been operating ever since.
Filming use
On 5 March 2022, train cars 3095 & 1095 (i.e. one head car and one intermediate car) were transported to Changi Exhibition Centre for the filming of local TV Drama ThirdRail, which was released on 25 October 2022.
View this post on Instagram
Up-cycling of Seats
In March 2022, 10 sets of two-seater train seats were placed around the Yishun neighbourhood.
| Location | Seat Colour | System Map |
| Block 108 Yishun Ring Road | Blue | Yes |
| Block 122 Yishun Street 11 | Red | Yes |
| Block 204 Yishun Street 21 | Green | No |
| Block 290 Yishun Street 22 | Blue | Yes |
| Block 450 Yishun Ring Road | Blue | Yes |
| Block 462C Yishun Avenue 6 | Red | Yes |
| Block 606 Yishun Street 61 | Green | No |
| Block 626 Yishun Street 61 | Green | No |
| Block 627 Yishun Street 61 | Green | Yes |
| Block 641 Yishun Street 61 | Blue | Yes |
In addition, 6 sets of refurbished two-seater train seats was taken in by charity Rainbow Centre.
Preservation – SAFTI City
A few C151 cars are preserved at SAFTI City Phase 1 for military training purposes.
Gallery (Set 052)
Gallery (Set 096)
Media event
The media event involved a C151 train bearing 045/046 decals.
See Also:
References
- Old MRT train seats get new lease of life in Yishun void decks – The Straits Times
- Factsheet: LTA to Decommission First-Generation NSEWL Trains from June 2020 – LTA
- Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving Facebook Post
- Decommissioning of the First-generation NSEWL Trains – Khaw Boon Wan Facebook Post
- 今年第二季起陆续“退役” 第一代旧列车近83万元售废铁公司 – Lianhe Zaobao
- テレンス@Essential Worker™ @Tx_2171F – Twitter
Kawasaki C151 EMU 097/098 Car 3097 was repurposed for training purposes in a different camp.
C151 EMU 097/098 Car 3097 Repurposed for training different in a camp.
Where did 001/002 go? It has been MIA since 2021 and is still not scrapped?
scrapped trains as of September 2023:
1. 033/034
2. 043/044
3. 045/046
4. 051/052
5. 069/070
6. 095/096
7. 099/100
8. 101/102
9. 103/104
Suspected decommissioned either February or April 2023, as it was still in TWD in January 2023, but no longer there when enthusiasts were tasked to remove seats from 221/222 when it got decommissioned. RSD staff also confirmed that 001/002 specifically has been scrapped.
One trainset gets scrapped per month generally until late-May 2023 (scrappings took place on Saturday nights only with 7 or 14 day gap between EMUs)
I think the C151 seats can be used for void decks at Toa Payoh or Toa Payoh HDB hub for historical moments.
Reason. Toa Payoh is one of Singapore’s first MRT stations opened in Nov 1987 🚇🇸🇬
I hope Northeast line will start using Train captain rather than standby..Create more jobs too
same with buses