Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CRRC Qingdao Sifang C151B

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CRRC Sifang C151B
In service	Apr 2017 —
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries with CRRC Sifang
Constructed	2014 – 2017
Number built	270 Vehicles (45 trainsets)
Formation	6 cars per trainset DT–M1–M2–M2–M1–DT
Fleet number	601/602 – 689/690
Operators	SMRT Trains
Depot(s)	Bishan Changi Ulu Pandan Tuas
Line(s) served	North South Line East West Line
Technical Data
Car body	Aluminium-alloy
Doors	8 per car
Signalling	Thales SelTrac CBTC
Electrification	750 V DC Third rail
Track gauge	Standard Gauge (1435mm)

The Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CRRC Qingdao Sifang C151B is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train operating on the North South Line (NSL) and East West Line (EWL). These were the fifth generation of rolling stock, purchased ahead of the opening of the EWL’s Tuas West Extension in 2017, and also intended for additional capacity on both lines.

Forty-five trainsets comprising six cars each were procured, manufactured from 2014 to 2017 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and CRRC Sifang in Qingdao, China.

Trainset 601/602 commenced revenue service on Sunday, 16 April 2017, running on the North-South Line.

Background

Contract 151B (C151B) for the supply of 45 trainsets for the North South and East West Lines was initiated to complement the Tuas West Extension of the East West Line, as well as the addition of capacity on both lines.

Awarded to a consortium of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and CSR Qingdao Sifang (now CRRC Qingdao Sifang) at an approximate value of S$281.5 million in August 2012, these trains were built in Qingdao, China. It was the second consecutive contract awarded to the consortium after they were awarded Contract C151A for 210 vehicles (35 trainsets). Each 6-car train is formed of two 3-car trainsets coupled together, each comprising of a Driving Trailer (DT) and two Motor Cars (M1 and M2).

History

The C151B trains are painted in a silver base coat, with a central yellow, red and black and band running the length of the train. Like the C151A, the front of the train was sloped to create a streamlined look.

The first of 45 trains were delivered in May 2015 and underwent rigorous testing prior to the commencement of revenue service. As these trains are only equipped with the Thales SelTrac Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, they were tested on sections of track equipped with the new signalling system, such as the Tuas West Extension of the East West Line. Older NSEWL trains were delivered with the Westinghouse Fixed Block signalling system and received the CBTC signalling system as an upgrade, which occupies two seats at each end of the train.

On Sunday, 16 April 2017, the first C151B trainset 601/602 made its passenger service debut on the North South Line during the first full-day CBTC signalling system trial. C151B trainsets made their passenger service debut on the East West Line on Friday, 16 June 2017, during the Tuas West Extension Open House.

C151B trainsets returned to the Tuas West Extension (TWE) of the East West Line in January 2018, when the TWE (Gul Circle – Tuas Link) was operated as a separate part of the EWL in the aftermath of the Joo Koon Train Collision, which resulted in legacy and CBTC-equipped sections of track separated since November 2017. C151B trains plied the entire EWL starting from 6 May 2018, during full-day trials for of the CBTC signalling system on the EWL.

Current Design

All C151B trains are comprised of six cars with open gangway connections between all cars. Each car has eight doors, four on each side. Priority seats are located in every car, near the doors. Doors are also powered by electric motors, the first for NSEWL train.

The interior features longitudinal seating in three colours: fuchsia, cobalt blue and turquoise from the end cars to the middle cars, with the middle seats in every row of a lighter colour shade. Priority seats are located in every car, near the doors. All trains are equipped with STARiS, SMRT’s active route information system comprising ceiling-mounted Vacuum Fluorescent Displays (VFD) displaying text and LCD Information Panels mounted above every door in each car.

For the interior, the trains have three-branched stanchion poles and three rows of handgrips. The poles were also fashioned in a larger diameter, similar to the C151A trains. Two wheelchair bays are installed on every train, near doors 12 and 13.

Emergency Exits are located at both ends of every train, with a ramp that can be deployed in an emergency. Within the cabin, Emergency Communication Buttons are located at the side of the train doors, enabling passengers to speak with staff in an emergency. Fire extinguishers are also placed in every car.

The LCD information panels display subsequent stations along the train’s route and nearby places of interest. Approaching a station, the panels will display the station layout and a “Mind the Platform gap” reminder. When the doors are closing, prominent displays light up, reminding commuters to stand clear of doors.

Train Formation

A six-car trainset is formed of two three-car sets permanently coupled together. Each set comprises one driving trailer (DT) and two motor cars (M1 and M2). As such, the running configuration of a C151 trainset is DT–M1–M2–M2–M1–DT.

Every car is identified by a four-digit number ranging from x601 to x690, where the first digit x is carriage identifier. The driving cab is 3, followed by the second car using 1 and the third car using 2. The last three digits refer to the 3-car trainset of which the train is comprised of. SMRT’s 45 trains are actually 90 3-car trainsets coupled together in an even-odd arrangement, i.e. Set 601/602, Set 603/604 and on to Set 689/690.

As such, a sample Set 601/602 will contain the carriage numbers 3601-1601-2601-2602-1602-3602. Depending on the direction of travel, the sequence may be reversed.

All sets were co-built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company and CRRC Sifang Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. Kawasaki was responsible for the overall project management, design, manufacturing of bogies and procurement of major components. CRRC Sifang was in charge of manufacturing, final fitting and assembly of complete MRT trains and factory testing. Kawasaki (Singapore) was responsible for the delivery of complete MRT trains to the depot, on-site testing and commissioning.

Accidents & Incidents

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Video:

Gallery: (Exterior)

Gallery: (Platform)

Gallery: (Interior)

External Links & References

• First of 45 new trains for SMRT arrives – Straits Times

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