Mitsubishi Crystal Mover (Changi Airport Skytrain)

Mitsubishi Crystal Mover (Changi Airport Skytrain)
In service	March 2006 – Present
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Number built	Initial Order: 16 Vehicles (16 trainsets) 2016 Upgrade Order: 6 Vehicles (6 trainsets) Upcoming Procurement: 7 Vehicles (7 trainsets) Total: 22 Vehicles (22 trainsets) + 7 vehicles upcoming
Formation	1 motor car per trainset
Operators	Changi Airport Group
Line(s) served	Changi Airport Skytrain
Technical Data
Car body	Aluminum-alloy
Doors	4 per car
Electrification	750 V DC third rail
Track gauge	Side-mounted guideway with rubber tyres

The Mitsubishi Crystal Mover (Changi Airport Skytrain) is a rubber-tyred automated people mover (APM) train operating on the Changi Airport Skytrain. Entering service in March 2006, these were the Changi Airport Skytrain’s second generation of rolling stock.

The Crystal Mover system was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for light rail applications, and has seen popularity in airports and light rail lines across the world. Sixteen train sets were procured, manufactured in Mihara, Japan. An additional six train sets were also procured as part of a system upgrade contract in March 2016.

An additional 7 trains will be added by 2029, as part of additional investments by Changi Airport Group announced in November 2024.

The trains are capable of operating in single, double car or triple car formations.

Background

The Mitsubishi Crystal Mover was adopted by Changi Airport for the renewal and expansion of the Changi Airport Skytrain prior to the opening of Terminal 3. These trains replaced the older, first-generation AdTranz C-100 trains that served on the line from 1990 to 2006. Existing guideways between Terminals 1 and 2 were modified to accommodate the new trains, which relied on a new guideway design and power supply system.

The driverless Changi Airport Skytrain is an integral part of Airport operations, offering inter-terminal transfers for both the public and airside areas. Trains operate on dedicated grade-separated guideways and are rubber-tyred for minimized operating noise.

The trains were built as part of Mitsubishi’s Crystal Mover family of APM trains. They are guided by two side-mounted guide rails and draw power from a 750V DC third rail. These trains are also fully automated (ATO GoA 4) and do not require an attendant on board.

History

The first trains entered service in March 2006 between Terminal 1 and 2 following the completion of guideway and signalling upgrading works initiated in 2002. In November 2007, the trains began operating on new lines connecting to Changi Airport Terminal 3, as well as a new South section which serves airside passengers.

In March 2016, a contract to upgrade the Changi Airport Skytrain system was awarded to Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. which also involves the procurement of an additional 6 Vehicles, scheduled for completion in 2019.

Part of the upgrade also comprises of an additional cabin to the following Skytrain Services:

• The public & transit two-cabin train service between Terminals 3 and 2 (Stations B & E)
• The transit one-cabin train service between Terminal 3 and Terminal 3 Gates A15 – A21 (Stations A & A South)

In November 2024, Changi Airport Group announced plans to procure another 7 vehicles to be operational by 2029, as part of an investment to expand Changi Airport’s capacity, efficiency and resilience, improve the passenger experience and make the airport a more attractive place to work.

Current Design

The exterior of Changi Airport Skytrains are painted in a base livery of silver and grey, blending in with the color scheme of the airport terminal buildings. However, many units are decorated with colorful promotional liveries. Trains come in two interior color schemes: Blue for Public area trains, and Orange for Transit area trains.

All Skytrains have four wide-opening doors, two on each side. The interior features longitudinal seating at both ends of the car for a total of 8 seats, with a spacious standing area in the middle of the car for baggage and trolleys. At the ends of every car, an equipment housing offers a flat platform for additional seating. Trains were also fitted with two LED text displays located near the ceiling which display travel information, and two media screens displaying Airport promotional material.

Emergency Exits are located at both ends of every train, with a ramp that can be deployed in an emergency. Within the cabin, Intercom Units enable passengers to speak with staff in an emergency.

Train Formation

Trains can be formed of either one car, two cars or three cars coupled together. The three car formation is only used after the Skytrain system upgrade which was completed in 2019.

Gallery:

External Links & References

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Mover C810 – Wikipedia
• Mitsubishi Crystal Mover (C810) – SGTrains
• Hairline cracks found on 11 Sengkang-Punggol LRT trains – Straits Times
• Skytrain at Changi Airport to get systems upgrade, more cabins – Straits Times
• More Skytrain cars, Terminal 3 upgrade part of Changi Airport’s S$3 billion enhancement plan – cna

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