Alstom Metropolis

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Alstom Metropolis is a metro trainset by Alstom. The trains are in service in 40 major cities around the world, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Paris, London, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Santiago de Chile and Santo Domingo, amongst others. Trains can be run in configurations of 2-9 cars with manned or unmanned operations.

Alstom Metropolis model on São Paulo Subway-Line 5
Alstom Metropolis model on São Paulo Subway-Line 5

Contents

[edit] Design features

Alstom Metropolis trainsets can be custom ordered with closed-circuit television (CCTV), wider seats, additional grabpoles, more space near the doors, wheelchair space and equipped with electronic displays (six in each car), showing station information, safety messages and videos, commercials and movie trailers. Glass used for the windows on the cars are produced by Sekurit Saint-Gobain and is called 'Climavit'. It is claimed to reduce noise level in the cars by 5 decibels[citation needed]. It is also double-glazed to provide comfort for passengers in the cars. Glass used on the doors of the cars are produced by Starglass.

[edit] Singapore (751A) Handicapped/disabled access

Alstom Metropolis C751A Cars
Alstom Metropolis C751A cars waiting at  Hougang MRT Station in Singapore.
Alstom Metropolis C751A cars waiting at Hougang MRT Station in Singapore.

In service 2003 - Current
Manufacturer Alstom
Number built 150 cars (North East Line), 120 cars (Circle Line)
Formation 6 per trainset (North East Line)
3 per trainset (Circle Line)
Capacity 1920 passengers (North East Line); 960 (Circle Line)
Operator SBS Transit (North East Line)
SMRT Corporation (Circle Line)
Lines served North East Line and Circle Line
Specifications
Car length 23 m
Width 3.2 m
Height 3.7 m
Maximum speed 100 km/h
Weight 35 t
Acceleration 1.1 m/s2
Deceleration 1.4 m/s2 (emergency)
Traction system IGBT-VVVF
Gauge 1,435 mm
Voltage 1500 V AC Overhead (North East Line)
750 V DC 3rd rail (Circle Line)
Inside an Alstom Metropolis Car on the North East Line. Trains running on this line are driverless and fully automated.
Inside an Alstom Metropolis Car on the North East Line. Trains running on this line are driverless and fully automated.
Side door of the Alstom Metropolis Car - Notice the system map of the North East MRT Line.
Side door of the Alstom Metropolis Car - Notice the system map of the North East MRT Line.

Alstom Metropolis Cars are the first generation of communication-based train control (CBTC) rolling stock that has been in use in Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines since 2003. Alstom was contracted in 1997 and 1998 (as C751A) by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore to supply for its North East Line in 2003, and subsequently for its Circle MRT Line, to be fully operational in 2010.

The automated system version, previously known as “moving block systems”, CBTC systems do not require traditional "fixed-block track circuits" for determining train position. Instead, they rely on "continuous two-way digital communication" between each controlled train and a wayside control center, which may control an area of a railroad line, a complete line, or a group of lines. Recent studies consistently show that CBTC systems reduce life-cycle costs for the overall rail property and enhance operational flexibility and control.

A development in Singapore's MRT history, the six-car trains on the North East Line are powered by overhead catenary, in contrast to the train cars on all the other operating lines prior to this, which are powered by a third rail. This was partially due to the fact that authorities consider overhead wires to be unsightly and as such do not allow for trains to be powered using this method on elevated lines. Since this line is the first to be fully underground in Singapore, the authorities had a choice between powering the trains on this line by overhead catenary or third rail. An overhead catenary power supply was decided upon. Despite being fully underground also, the decision has also been made to power the three-car trains along the upcoming Circle Line by third rail. This is also the first time in the history of Singapore's MRT history that the seats in every compartment of the train are made up of the same colours. 25 trainsets of six cars each were purchased for the North East Line, while another 40 trainsets of three cars each were purchased for the Circle Line. In addition, due to its driverless configuration, it is a unique type of train where there are windows at the front and back of the train, giving passengers an impressive view as the train speeds through the tunnel.

[edit] Technical specifications

North East Line[1]

  • Length of train: 138.5 m (driving cab: 23.65 m, motorised car: 22.8 m )
  • Width of car: 3.2 m
  • Height of car: 3.7 m
  • Weight of car: 35,000 kg
  • Seating capacity per train: 296 + 2 wheelchair spaces
  • Standing capacity per train: 1,428
  • Maximum capacity per train: 1,920
  • Installed power: 16 x 150 kW
  • Average speed: 45 km/h
  • Maximum speed: 100 km/h
  • Acceleration: 1.1 m/s²
  • Deceleration: 1.4 m/s² (Emergency brake)
  • Track gauge: 1,435 mm
  • Track Voltage: 1,500 volts AC overhead catenary
  • Train formation: Two sets of three-car Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) which are permanently coupled, providing for driving cabs at either end of trains and four motorised cars in the middle.

Circle Line[2][3]

  • Length of train : 70.1 m (driving cab: 23.65 m, motorised car: 22.8 m )
  • Width of car : 3.2 m
  • Height of car : 3.7 m
  • Weight of car : 35,000 kg
  • Seating capacity per train : 146 + 2 wheelchair spaces
  • Standing capacity per train : 714
  • Maximum capacity per train : 931
  • Installed power : 1392 kW
  • Average speed : 45 km/h
  • Maximum speed : 90 km/h
  • Acceleration : 1.1 m/s²
  • Deceleration : 1.3 m/s² (Emergency brake)
  • Track gauge : 1,435 mm
  • Track Voltage : 750 volts DC third rail
  • Train formation : Three-car, with driving cabs at either end of trains.

[edit] Serial number

North East Line Individual cars are given a five-digit serial number by the rail operator, SBS Transit.

  • The first digit of a car's serial number is always a seven.
  • The second digit depends upon whether the car is the first, second or third car from either end of the train, where the first car equals one, the second equals two, and the third equals three.
  • The other three digits is the train identification number. A full length train of six cars have two different identification number, one for the first three cars, and the same number plus one, for the other three. The smaller number is always an odd number.

A typical SBS Transit NEL Train, for example, would consist of serial numbers 71001, 72001, 73001, 73002, 72002, 71002.

Circle Line Individual cars are given a four-digit serial number by the rail operator, SMRT Corporation.

  • The first digit of a car's serial number is always an eight.
  • The other three digits is the train identification number. A full length train of three cars will have three different consecutive serial numbers. The numbering begins from one end of the train to the other end. The largest number is always a multiple of three.

A typical SMRT Circle Line train, for example, would consist of serial numbers 8031, 8032, 8033.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Singapore Northeast Line - The first fully automatic heavy metro system. Alstom. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.
  2. ^ Singapore's Circle Line - The longest automatic metro line in the world. Alstom. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.
  3. ^ Xavier Champaud, CCL Signaling Project Manager, Alstom (2005-10-24). CCL - The longest automatic metro line in the world. IRSE Technical Convention Singapore. Retrieved on 2008-02-25.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links