Alstom Metropolis C751A

Alstom Metropolis C751A

Front of an Alstom Metropolis C751A at Sengkang Depot.

Inside an Alstom Metropolis Car on the North East Line. Trains running on this line are driverless and fully automated.
In service 20 June 2003–
Manufacturer Alstom
Built at Valenciennes, France
Family name Metropolis
Constructed 2000–2003
Number built 150
Formation 6 per trainset
Tc–M–M – M–M–Tc
Capacity 1920 passengers
298 seats
Operator SBS Transit (ComfortDelGro Corporation)
Depot(s) Sengkang
Line(s) served North East Line
Specifications
Car body construction Welded aluminium
Car length 23.65 m (Tc)
22.8 (M)
Width 3.2 m
Height 3.7 m
Floor height 1,100 mm
Doors 1,400 mm, 8 per car
Maximum speed 100 km/h
Weight 337 tonnes (6 passengers/m2)
Traction system IGBT-VVVF
(Alstom ONIX 1500)
Traction motors 16x150KW ( Alstom ONIX )
Power output Total: 2400KW
Acceleration 1.1m/s2
Deceleration 1.4m/s2 (Emergency)
Electric system(s) 1500 V DC Overhead catenary
Bogies 16 t per axle
Safety system(s) Alstom solution–URBALIS control system (ATC/CBTC, ATO, UTO)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge

The Alstom Metropolis C751A trains 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 Contract C751A) by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore to supply for its North East Line in 2003.[1]

Overview

Door of the Alstom Metropolis C751A.

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 because authorities consider overhead wires to be unsightly and it does 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.[2] An overhead catenary power supply was decided upon. This is also the first time in 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. 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.

Information system

Safety systems

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.[4]

Serial numbers

Individual cars are given a five-digit serial number by the rail operator, SBS Transit. The car numbers of the trains range from 7x001 to 7x050, where x depends on the carriage type. To avoid confusion with the serial numbers of Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151 trains, which this number scheme follows, a 7 will be placed together with the other 4 digits.

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)#Trains.