In service 28 May 2009– Present Constructed 2006–2008 | Entered service 2009 | |
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The Alstom Metropolis C830 trains are the second generation of communication-based train control (CBTC) rolling stock to be used in Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines. Alstom was contracted in 2000 (as part of turnkey contract Contract C830) by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore to supply the trains for the Circle Line.
Contents
Overview
Despite being similar to the fully underground North East Line, the decision was made to power the three-car trains along the Circle Line by third rail instead of overhead catenary to prevent electrocution when trains breakdown. 40 trainsets of three cars each were purchased for the Circle Line.
These cars, although similar to their counterparts running on the North East Line, do not feature LCD screens in each car, possibly due to lack of demand along North East Line (but LCD was introduced on Downtown Line, Bombardier Movia & CNR Changchun C951). Also, the front of the train features an extra window cut into the emergency exit door, something lacking in the C751A trains. In addition, due to its driverless configuration, there are three windows at the front and back of the train, giving passengers a view of the tunnel as the train speeds through.
Driverless operation
The C830 is fully driverless under normal circumstances, using CBTC which does 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 railway 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.
Train formation
The configuration of a C830 in revenue service is Mc1-Tp-Mc2
The car numbers of the trains range from 801x to 840x, where x depends on the carriage type. Individual cars are assigned a 4 digit serial number by the rail operator SMRT Trains. A complete three-car trainset consists of one trailer(Tp) and two driving motor cars(Mc1 & Mc2) permanently coupled together. For example, set 840 consists of carriages 8401, 8402 and 8403.