The Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B are third-generation rolling stock procured for the North South Line (NSL) and East West Line (EWL), with 21 six-car trains entering service from April 2000. Decommissioning of these trains began in 2021, with the last day of revenue service on 30 September 2024.

Trains are scrapped locally at Toyotron Pte Ltd, with some train cars preserved for various purposes.

NRFF & Retirement

In April 2016, the New Rail Financing Framework (NRFF) was implemented on the NSEWL, and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) took over decision-making for the procuring, replacing and upgrading of assets. With the oldest trains on the NSEWL trains reaching their design lifespan, LTA announced in September 2016 that it would replace all 66 first-generation C151 trains with new ones. Thus, the C151 trains were replaced by 66 new R151 trains manufactured by Alstom.

Later in September 2020, the LTA announced that it would replace all 2nd generation (Siemens C651; 19 units) and 3rd generation (Kawasaki-Nippon Sharyo C751B; 21 trains) with additional R151 trains of similar specification, for a total of 106 new R151 trains. The move was in line with LTA’s long-term fleet renewal programme for the NSEWL and was expected to reap significant economies of scale through fleet standardization, reducing the types of rolling stock on the NSEWL by 2, and allowing rail engineers to focus their expertise on one train type.

As a result, the retirement of C751B trains commenced just over 20 years into their short service life. Mid-life refurbishment works, which were carried out for the similarly-aged Alstom Metropolis C751A trains, never took place and were eventually precluded following the C751B’s announced retirement.

Scrapping of Trains

Trains are scrapped locally at Toyotron Pte Ltd, which was awarded the disposal contract for C151 trains (Contract R151D – Disposal of Decommissioned Trains). The scrapping of C751B trains would have likely been carried out under similar contract terms.

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. As of May 2023, around five trains are known to have been scrapped.

Preservation @ ITE College West – Car 3320

Following several modifications, train car 3320 was re-purposed for training purposes at ITE College West, while the remaining two cars of the trainset (cars 1320 and 2320) were scrapped on 25 March 2023.

To facilitate transportation and preservation, the modifications involved the removal of all underfloor components, including the bogies, and the train was bisected around the third door. On the night of May 19, 2023, both sections of the train were transported and moved into Block 6 Level 1 of ITE College West. The unloading process involved a lorry crane lowering the train car from a flatbed lorry, while a forklift manoeuvred the train into its final position. Once inside the building, the two sections were rejoined.

ITE College West is home to the Nitec in Rapid Transit Technology course, a two-year vocational program developed jointly by SMRT Institute and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). This course aims to provide training for individuals seeking a career in the rail industry.

The ITE Rail Engineering Hub featuring the preserved train cabin was officially opened in October 2023.

Preservation of C751B Car 3320 at ITE College West – Lifting front half of car

Preservation of C751B Car 3320 at ITE College West – Pushing front half of car into classroom

Preservation of C751B Car 3320 at ITE College West – Back half of car

Preserved C751B Car 3320 at ITE College West Rail Engineering Hub

Preserved C751B Car 3320 at ITE College West Rail Engineering Hub – Interior

Preservation – Cars 3322, 1322, 3321, 3345, 1345

In November 2023, Cars 3321, 3322 & 1322 were transported from Tuas West Depot to Old Choa Chu Kang Road. These train cars are likely destined for SAFTI City, a purpose-built military training facility for urban operations.

According to news reports, SAFTI City will feature an integrated transport hub featuring a bus interchange and an MRT station with decommissioned buses and trains.

Cars 2322, 1321 & 2321 were scrapped.

Also in November 2023, Cars 3345 & 1345 were transported out of Tuas West Depot, likely bound for SAFTI City as well. Cars 2345 & 2346 were scrapped.

Preservation @ Train Hotel – Car 3326

Car 3326 Train Hotel Construction (Jun 2024)

On 5 June 2024, train car 3326 was transported from Tuas West Depot to the site of the upcoming train hotel at one-north, while the remaining two cars of the trainset (cars 1326 and 2326) were scrapped.

Preservation @ City Square Mall – Car 2317

Artist Impression of CDL EcoTrain Exterior (Image: CDL)

Artist Impression of CDL EcoTrain Interior (Image: CDL)

CDL EcoTrain – Arrival at City Square Mall

On 18 September 2024, train car 2317 was transported from Tuas West Depot to City Square Mall for conversion into the CDL EcoTrain, while the remaining two cars of the trainset (cars 3317 and 1317) were scrapped.