The pioneer batch of MRT trains has been retired from passenger service on 26 September 2025.
The first trains that began Singapore’s MRT journey in November 1987—the Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151 (abbreviated as KHI or C151)—will be taken out of passenger service at the end of the month (September 2025). These trains used to be the mainstays of the North South and East West Lines, easily distinguished by their boxy headlights and black livery.
The First MRT Train
Photo credits: Ministry of Information and The Arts Collection, and National Archives of Singapore
66 trainsets were manufactured between 1986 and 1989 by a Japanese consortium led by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, joined by Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corp (now J-TREC) and Kinki Sharyo. These trains entered revenue service on 7 November 1987 with the opening of the North South Line between Yio Chu Kang and Toa Payoh.
The C151 trains were originally clad in shot-peened aluminium alloy, appearing as silver with a central red stripe running the length of the train. They were later repainted to black with stripes of red and grey as part of mid-life refurbishment works between 2006 and 2008.
End of the Line
While there were plans to further upgrade the trains through an End-of-Life Upgrading and PMSM retractioning project, the fate was sealed in October 2016 when LTA announced its intention to procure new trains (Contract R151 trains) as their replacements under the New Rail Financing Framework.
Decommissioning of the first-generation trains began in June 2020. The trains were transported from Tuas Depot to the scrapyard facility in Gul. Over time, the transportation and scrapping process gathered the attention of earnest train-spotters (us included!) who would travel down to document the heartfelt event.
LTA originally aimed to replace all C151 trains by end-2026 before they reach their 38-year service mark. However, disaster struck in September 2024 as a dislodged axle box from a C151 train wrecked havoc on the East West Line, disrupting train services for 6 days. The retirement timeline was brought forward, made possible by accelerated deliveries of the replacement R151 trains, allowing the C151 trains to be taken out of passenger service by September 2025.
Final Days of Operations
On 26 September 2025, the C151 trains operated on the North-South and East-West Lines for the very last time. They were taken out of service after the evening peak hours.
In the morning of 28 September 2025, KHI C151 Commemorative Ride was held at Ang Mo Kio station. Trainset 089/090 travelled on the first sector of the MRT opened in 1987 between Yio Chu Kang and Toa Payoh stations, marking the end of a chapter for Singapore’s very first MRT trains.
Afterlife
As a significant icon of the development of Singapore’s public transport scene, it would be a pity if all the trains were sent directly to oblivion.
Train cars 3095 & 1095 were transported to Changi Exhibition Centre for the filming of local TV Drama ThirdRail, which was released in October 2022.
4 carriages have been preserved at SAFTI City Phase 1 for military training purposes. These 4 carriages are located at a mock-up MRT Station within the compound.
Car 3032 is preserved at the upcoming St. Andrew’s Community Hospital (Bedok), along with a retired SBS Transit Scania K230UB SBS8445Z.
And if the above locations are inaccessible, chances are there would be a key part of the train near you – numerous train seats from the retired trains have been repurposed as community seats in HDB estates and neighbourhoods.
Goodbye……
Sayonara to the first gen trains that played such a big role in Singapore’s MRT story.🥹
Goodbye. They were good workhorses at first, but it was clear their age and wear were getting to them, most of them were in very poor shape. Moreover they were victims of SMRT’s worst failed experiment to yank out a good proportion of seats in each car – I would hate getting the C151 train because of how few seats there were.