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Siemens C651

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Siemens AG (SIE) C651
A Siemens C651 train.
Interior of a Siemens C651 train
Stock typeElectric multiple unit
In service2 May 1995 – 30 September 2024 (29 years, 151 days)
ManufacturerSiemens Mobility, SGP Verkehrstechnik[1]
AssemblyVienna, Austria[1]
Constructed1993 – 1994
Entered service2 May 1995; 29 years ago (1995-05-02)
Refurbished2016 – 2018
Singapore Rail Engineering (SRE) (cancelled)
Retired30 September 2024; 26 days ago (2024-09-30)
ScrappedSeptember 2020 – December 2024
Number built114 Vehicles (19 Sets)
Number preserved4 Vehicles
Number scrapped110 Vehicles
SuccessorAlstom Movia R151
Formation6 per trainset
DT–M1–M2+M2–M1–DT
Fleet numbers201/202 – 237/238
Capacity1920 passengers (372/336 seats)
OperatorsSMRT Trains (SMRT Corporation)
Depots
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium-alloy double-skinned construction
Train length138.5 m (454 ft 4+3⁄4 in)
Car length
  • 23.65 m (77 ft 7 in) (DT)
  • 22.8 m (74 ft 10 in) (M)
Width3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
Height3.7 m (12 ft 1+5⁄8 in)
Doors1,450 mm (57+1⁄8 in), 8 per car, 4 per side
Wheel diameter850–775 mm (33.5–30.5 in) (new–worn)[2]
Wheelbase2,500 mm (98 in)[2]
Maximum speed
  • 90 km/h (56 mph) (design)
  • 80 km/h (50 mph) (service)
Weight
  • 35 t (34 long tons; 39 short tons) (unladen)
  • 53.8 t (53.0 long tons; 59.3 short tons) (laden)
Axle load16 t (16 long tons; 18 short tons)[2]
Traction systemSiemens PWM GTO–VVVF
Traction motors16 × Siemens 140 kW (190 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor w/ enclosed-ventilated lateral drive
Power output2.24 MW (3,000 hp)
Transmission5.94 : 1 (107 / 18) gear ratio
Acceleration1 m/s2 (3.3 ft/s2)
Auxiliaries110 V DC
Electric system(s)750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)Collector shoe
UIC classification2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′
BogiesDuewag SF 2100[2]
Braking system(s)
  • 1st service brake: Self-excited, mixed service and resistor brake
  • 2nd service brake: Pneumatic compressed air wheel tyre block brake
  • Parking brake: Compressed air pressure spring-loaded brake
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemScharfenberg coupler
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Siemens C651 was the second generation electric multiple unit rolling stock that operated on the North–South and East–West lines of Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, manufactured by Siemens Mobility (SIE) and SGP Verkehrstechnik in Vienna, Austria under Contract 651. A total of 114 cars consisting of 19 trainsets were purchased in 1992 and were in service from 1995 to 2024.

Design

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Initial design

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The trains had a full white body and a thick red stripe in the middle. Similar to the Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151 trains, the Siemens C651 trains had no visual passenger information systems but had a built-in audio announcement system until STARiS was installed and activated around 2010.

Unlike the 66 first generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151 trainsets, the C651s were delivered with a scratch-resistant acrylic finish. This alleviated the difficulty of removing dirt trapped on the exterior surface, as opposed to the aluminium finish of the C151 trains that were delivered unpainted. The train run number at the front and rear of the train was delivered by a low-power consumption electronic green flip-dot display.

The C651 trains were originally delivered with a GTO-VVVF propulsion system that was supplied by Siemens.

Other original features included specifically designed air-conditioning vents that eliminate dripping from the cooling system to the train compartments, as well as an event recorder, which records important train functions, such as braking and emergency operations to assist troubleshooting in an event of a failure.

The C651 was also the basis for the Taipei Metro C321 and Taipei Metro C341 built from 1998 to 1999 and 2003 respectively for the Taipei Metro Bannan Line, as well as those used on Kaohsiung Metro.

Operational history

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Tendering process

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The design and supply of the C651 trains were tendered in December 1992 to complement the 66 first generation C151 trains with the opening of the Woodlands extension, at a cost of $259 million. These trains began revenue service from 2 May 1995, with the first train set delivered to the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) of Singapore on 20 September 1994.

Experimental programmes

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A number of experimental programmes had been run on the C651 cars.

In the 2000s, the third and fourth cars, coloured in green had all but eight seats, four at each end of the car, removed completely. In its place was standing room with upholstered cushion, in an attempt to provide a degree of comfort to passengers standing in that space. This design proved to be unpopular with the commuters, and it was eventually dropped. The original seats between the 1st and 2nd door and the 3rd and 4th door on these cars have been replaced. The remaining upholstered seats were reverted to original seats in May 2006. All C651 trains have had their seats on the middle part of carriage removed.

Some trainsets were reconfigured to have more standing space in the late 1990s as part of an experimental programme. In particular, the second and fifth cars (the blue cars) were reconfigured to have more standing room on both sides of a seat row, as 3 seats from some later cars.

More grab poles were also added to some cars. Regular grab poles in the centre of each car were replaced by grab poles that branch out into three in the centre, first in 2007, followed by triplicated hand grips and grab poles in 2014. Special non-slip floorings were also tested.

  • Upholstered cushions, part of an experimental program. They have since been replaced by original seats.
    Upholstered cushions, part of an experimental program. They have since been replaced by original seats.
  • Modified flooring of some cars of C651 Set 237/238
    Modified flooring of some cars of C651 Set 237/238
  • The interior of a Siemens C651 car. Modified grab poles and standing spaces, part of an experimental program, can be seen.
    The interior of a Siemens C651 car. Modified grab poles and standing spaces, part of an experimental program, can be seen.

Refurbishment and retirement

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In 2015, refurbishment contracts for all 19 C651 train sets were awarded to Singapore Rail Engineering (SRE).[6] When completed, these upgrades would have addressed components such as doors and brakes that have been the primary cause of delays owing to train faults. The changes planned included re-signalling, refurbishing the propulsion system, air-conditioning system, auxiliary power system, interior saloon with modifying handrails, replacement of the gangway connections and improving the exterior of the trains. Upgraded trains would also have had sensors that carry vital information on the train's state of health for improved operation and maintenance of the train set.[7][8]

Refurbishment works began in January 2016, starting with EMU 217/218. The refurbished trains would also have included STARIS version 2.0, which consists of dynamic route map displays.[9][10][11][12] However, in September 2018, SMRT announced that refurbishment works were abruptly terminated for the C651 mid-life upgrading project. At the time of project termination, refurbishment works were conducted on three prototype trainsets and testing works had not been fully completed.[13]

In December 2019, Toyotron Pte Ltd was awarded the contract for disposal of old SMRT trains. On 6 September 2020, the first C651 train (set 203/204) was sent for scrap. Later that month, on 28 September, the LTA announced that all C651s would be replaced by new Alstom Movia R151 trains, along with the 21 C751B trainsets and the 66 C151 trainsets from 2025 onwards.[14] By May 2021, all refurbished C651 trains were scrapped without re-entering revenue service. In July 2024, it was revealed that parts from a decommissioned C651 trainset (set 215/216) such as train doors, seats and map displays are being preserved at the National Museum.[15] On 30 September 2024, the final two C651 trains (sets 201/202 and 207/208) were retired from service; they were sent to Tuas Depot for decommissioning on 4 October 2024.

These are the trains that are preserved:

Trainset Car number(s) Notes
229/230 3229, 1229, 1230, 3230 Donated to Singapore Police Force for training purposes in August 2021[citation needed]. Cars 2229 and 2230 were sent for scrap in August 2021.

Incidents

C651 Door Dislodged

15 December 1997 (4:15pm) - A C651 trainset was undergoing modifications at Bishan Depot by Siemens before being deployed for the evening peak period. One of the doors was not properly reinstalled during the modification works, which resulted in the door getting dislodged while the train was approaching City Hall Station and at the same time smashing one of the platform screen doors. Siemens was held liable in this incident.[16]

Ang Mo Kio Siding Derailment

13 April 1999 (10:00 am) – An off-service C651 trainset (EMU 227/228) was on its way back to Bishan Depot after running during the morning peak period. It derailed between Yio Chu Kang and Ang Mo Kio stations. The derailment occurred because the station master had failed to reset the track alignment properly. Disruption to train services lasted about 7 hours.[17]

Train formation

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The configuration of a C651 in revenue service is DT–M1–M2+M2–M1–DT.

Cars of C651
Car Type Driver Cab Motor Collector Shoe Car Length Wheelchair Space
mm ft in
DT ✓ ✗ ✓ 23,650 77 ft 7.1 in ✗
M1 ✗ ✓ ✓ 22,800 74 ft 9.6 in ✗
M2 ✗ ✓ ✓ 22,800 74 ft 9.6 in ✓

The car numbers of the trains range from x201 to x238, where x depends on the carriage type. Individual cars are assigned a 4 digit serial number. A complete six-car trainset consists of an identical twin set of one driving trailer (DT) and two motor (M) cars permanently coupled together. For example, set 201/202 consists of carriages 3201, 1201, 2201, 2202, 1202 and 3202.

  • The first digit identifies the car number, where the first car has a 3, the second has a 1 & the third has a 2.
  • The second digit is always a 2, part of the identification numbers
  • The third digit and fourth digit are the train identification numbers. A full-length train of 6 cars has 2 different identification numbers. For example 201/202 (normal coupling) or 201/203 (cross-coupling).

References

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  1. ^ a b "New MRT Train Rolls Out in Vienna". Trackview. Singapore: MRTC. 1994. On 19 July 1994...the first MRT train rolled out of the SGP plant in Vienna
  2. ^ a b c d "First Class Bogies" (PDF). Siemens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019.
  3. ^ Woodland, Daniel (August 2004). "Optimisation of Automatic Train Protection Systemstion Systems" (PDF). p. Appendix C Page 32 to Page 33. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  4. ^ "THALES Urban Rail Signalling Singapore – North-South / East-West Lines" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  5. ^ Fang, Joy (2 February 2012). "Coming: $600m upgrade for MRT system/New train measures a 'catch-up'". My Paper. pp. A2, A6. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  6. ^ "SMRT Upgrades Older Trains on the North-South and East-West Lines – SMRT Blog". blog.smrt.com.sg. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Older SMRT trains to get makeover for better ride". The Straits Times. 15 May 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  8. ^ "Local Projects". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014. Siemens Trains Mid-Life Upgrading Project
  9. ^ "SMRT engineering subsidiary eyes international expansion" (PDF). smrt.com.sg. SMRT Co. Ltd. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Your Journey Matters - Edition 2 (August 2016)" (PDF). Your Journey Matters_SMRT. SMRT Corp Ltd. 26 August 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  11. ^ "Image of Siemens C651 227/228 refurbished in Bishan Depot". Imgur. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Trains Operations Review 2018" (PDF). smrt.com.sg. 2 July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  13. ^ "SMRT决定停止第二代地铁列车中期翻新工程" [SMRT terminates mid-life refurbishment of 2nd-generation MRT trains]. 早报 (in Chinese). 16 September 2018. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  14. ^ "LTA Buys 40 New Trains for the North-South and East-West Lines". lta.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Doors, seats and map displays from 1990s MRT train to be preserved by National Museum". CNA. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  16. ^ https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19971218-1.2.62.6?qt=smrt,%20door&q=SMRT%20Door%20 [bare URL]
  17. ^ https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19990414-1.2.13.2?qt=smrt,%20derail&q=SMRT%20Derail [bare URL]
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