On 18 December 2025, SMRT held a media preview of the C151B Proof-of-Concept (POC) Train (Set 649/650) at Bishan Train Depot. Decorated in a special livery, this POC train is targeted for passenger service on the North-South & East-West Lines in June 2026.
Background
In November 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), supported by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), was signed by SMRT and CRRC Sifang during the LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE) 2024 to trial the latest reliability-centred capabilities on a fifth-generation C151B train (POC Train) operating on the North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL) since 2017.
This POC Train would be upgraded with advanced technologies to enhance safety, as well as improve reliability and commuter comfort. The technologies include:
- Condition Monitoring Systems
to detect early signs of system degradation for predictive maintenance. - Structural Health Monitoring Systems
to monitor the train’s structural integrity.
This initiative is spearheaded by STRIDES Technologies, a subsidiary of SMRT. STRIDES Technologies serves as SMRT’s innovation and engineering hub, developing and delivering holistic solutions and advancements.
Goals of the POC Train
The C151B trains, which have been in service since 2017, are expected to be upgraded by 2032.
By validating these technologies ahead of time, SMRT is taking a proactive approach to improving rail reliability through a better understanding of the latest technologies, testing alternative solutions and enhancing commuter comfort.
The intent is to identify faults before they happen, which is essential for futureproofing as well as meeting growing commuter demands as the rail network expands.
Once the technologies on the POC Train are validated, SMRT will work with LTA to embody these solutions into 91 other fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation trains (C151A, C151B & C151C trains) as part of their mid-life upgrades.
POC Train – Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| Nov 2024 | SMRT and CRRC Sifang signed an MoU at the 5th LTA-UITP Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE) to establish a proof-of-concept contract for trialling the latest reliability-centred capabilities on a C151B train. |
| Jan – Mar 2025 | Intensive engineering discussions between LTA, STRIDES Technologies, SMRT Trains and CRRC Sifang. |
| Jan – Jul 2025 | Modification works on the train commenced in CRRC Sifang’s facility in Qingdao, China. |
| Aug – Sep 2025 | Comprehensive offsite testing was conducted to ensure all upgrades and functions perform as intended. |
| Oct 2025 | The train cars arrived in Singapore; fresh from retrofitting, upgrades and testing in Qingdao, China. SMRT designed and applied a special livery to the POC train to commemorate SG60 and express SMRT’s commitment to our Singapore journey. |
| Nov 2025 – May 2026 | The POC Train will undergo further commissioning and testing to ensure that all systems comply with safety standards and operational requirements. These steps, along with final preparations, will ensure that the train is safe and ready for commuter service. |
| Jun 2026 | Targeted for launch for passenger service on the North-South and East-West Lines on Jun 2026. |
POC Train Livery Design
The special train livery for the POC train was designed by SMRT’s in-house talents, illustrating SMRT’s vision for a smarter, more resilient future—rooted in national pride and powered by technology.
Elements of the design include:
- Distinctive red and white livery on the train cars (colours of Singapore’s national flag)
Marks the significant milestone of SG60 and underscores SMRT’s role in nation-building. - Elegant line art of iconic landmarks adorns the sides of the train
Celebrating SMRT’s achievement in connecting and moving communities since 1987. - Technology-inspired motifs
Highlights SMRT’s mission to leverage technology and innovation to improve train reliability and enhance commuter comfort for better journeys.
POC Train Features
Key features installed on the POC Train are:
Condition Monitoring (CdM) System
The Condition Monitoring System is a smart diagnostic system designed to continuously monitor the health and performance of critical train components and systems.
| Before | After |
| Train Information and Management System (TIMS), an integrated platform that monitors critical subsystems, only generated alarms of component failures. | CdM System provides an additional layer of early detection, identifying potential issues before they trigger TIMS alarms. |
Benefits:
- Proactive approach keeps services running smoothly, ensuring a more reliable journey for commuters.
Improvements:
- Comprehensive Coverage:
Monitors all the critical components of the train, from power systems, air-conditioning systems, door control systems, to brake systems. - Smart Functions:
It performs diagnostics automatically and delivers immediate alerts on anomalies and potential faults. - Predictive Maintenance:
A built-in algorithm examines and diagnoses the train’s health. It also recommends that trains be withdrawn from service before affecting commuters’ journeys. - Improved Connectivity:
Real-time data flow between trains and ground teams via 4G/Wi-Fi; facilitates faster decision-making. - Future-Ready:
Supports condition-based maintenance and life-cycle cost optimisation through predictive analytics.
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is the systematic process of using sensors and data analysis to provide continuous, real-time assessment of the train’s structural performance, such as the main structural components like car-bodies and bogies.
| Before | After |
| Structural integrity was assessed on an ad-hoc basis when required, typically when a train approaches mid-life. | SMRT is introducing a new capability to the train. By monitoring and trending micro-changes in the stresses and strains, SHM can enable timely engineering and maintenance solutions to ensure safety and reliability. |
Benefits:
- Faster intervention before potential faults occur.
Improvements:
- Targeted Monitoring:
Focuses on critical areas identified through finite element modelling. - Smart Sensors:
Uses a suite of sensors to measure stress, strain and vibration, to detect early signs of structural issues. - Predictive Insights:
Advanced algorithms analyse data to detect fatigue before problems occur. - Long-Term Reliability:
Data would be used to develop and refine engineering and maintenance solutions.
Air Conditioning and Ventilation (ACV)
The Air Conditioning and Ventilation (ACV) system is a critical component in ensuring commuter comfort and safety on trains.
| Before | After |
| The existing ACV system is ageing and unable to sustain its intended cooling capability. The refrigerant used also has a higher Global Warming Potential (GWP) than modern refrigerants. | The upgraded ACV system features modern, high-efficiency components designed for durability and reliability. It also uses a lower GWP refrigerant to reduce SMRT’s environmental impact. |
Benefits:
- SMRT will be better able to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons and maintain optimal temperature in the trains.
Improvements:
- Eco-Friendly Refrigerant:
Upgraded to a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant to meet global climate standards (Montreal Protocol). - Enhanced Condition Monitoring:
Embedded sensors detect filter blockages and leaks for proactive maintenance. - Improved ACV Reliability:
Design enhancements reduce compressor failures and refrigerant leakages.
Bogie Monitoring System (BMS)
The Bogie Monitoring System is designed to continuously monitor the condition of critical bogie components. A bogie is the undercarriage of a train, which houses the suspension systems, axles, gearboxes and wheels.
Key parameters tracked by the BMS include:Â wheel wear, axle load, temperature, vibration, alignment & structural integrity.
| Before | After |
| No on-board systems to monitor and provide feedback on the condition of critical bogie components in real time. | The Bogie Monitoring System enables predictive bogie maintenance by leveraging continuous data collection and advanced analytics. BMS detects early signs of degradation to enable timely intervention. |
Benefits:
- This system minimises unexpected downtime, keeps trains operating efficiently, and ensures a stable and comfortable ride for commuters.
Improvements:
- Real-Time Monitoring:
Combined temperature and vibration sensors track bearing health and trigger early warnings when abnormal signals occur. - Smart Algorithms:
Warning thresholds are established through controlled simulated testing, and algorithms are continuously refined using long-term operational data to improve accuracy in detecting potential issues.
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