Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS)

The Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B trains were the third generation of electric multiple unit (EMU) rolling stock model for the North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL).

Twenty-one trains of six cars were purchased and officially entered passenger service on 8 May 2000. The trains were housed at the Bishan, Ulu Pandan, Changi, and Tuas train depots.

The C751B trains were the first Singapore MRT trains to use the insulated-gate bipolar transistor with variable voltage variable frequency (IGBT-VVVF) traction control system which is highly efficient.

Ahead of their time, they were the first Singapore MRT trains to come pre-equipped with the Train Integrated Management System (TIMS) that enables real-time systems monitoring for train captains.

These trains used radial-arm axles with bolsterless air-spring bogies and come installed with the visual passenger information system (VPIS) for better ride comfort and more informative journeys.

The C751B trains had entered passenger service with the legacy fixed-block signalling system, which was capable of semi-automated operations with operational input from train captains.

Subsequently equipped with the Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, the C751B trains were capable of fully automated operations with a train captain manning on board.

The C751B trains received power through their current collector shoes, electrified by the third-rail electrification system alongside the running rails.

These trains were decommissioned from 2021 to 2024 and replaced by the Alstom Movia R151.

History
Lines
Design
Features
Modifications
Gallery
Technical Specs
Related Links

At a Glance

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B

North-South Line

East-West Line

Built 1999 - 2001
Decommissioned 2021 - 2024

21 trains of 6 cars each, numbered 311/312 to 351/352

History

Contract 751B for the design and building of 21 new trains for the North-South and East-West MRT lines was awarded by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to the consortium of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Nippon Sharyo, Ltd. in January 1998 at a value of S$226 million.

These trains were procured to supplement the then 85-train fleet, consisting of only the Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151 and Siemens C651, on the North-South and East-West MRT lines for increasing train deployment numbers, especially during peak hours, as well as for serving the Changi Airport extension, as announced on 15 November 1996.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Nippon Sharyo manufactured all 126 carriages for 21 C751B trains with little to no visible differences, apart from the builder plate.

It was initially planned that five specific C751B trains were to be permanently deployed for the Changi Airport extension, with the other 16 C751B trains for use on the North-South Line and East-West Line. In 1998, the Land Transport Authority revealed it had conducted a study of the Heathrow Express in London and Airport Express Line in Hong Kong on the possibility of luggage storage spaces on specific C751B trains, with the likely placement being beside the doors, at a cost of reduced passenger seating.

The first of 21 C751B trains arrived in Singapore in September 1999 and underwent testing and commissioning works. The C751B trains officially entered passenger service on 8 May 2000, in time for the opening of the Changi Airport extension, which fully opened on 8 February 2002, and was touted by the media to be state of the art at that time.

Refurbishment and Upgrading

Between 2014 and 2016, all C751B trains were upgraded to be equipped with the Thales SelTrac Communications-Based Train Control moving-block signalling system under the Re-Signalling Project of Contracts 1652A and 1652B, awarded by SMRT Trains and Land Transport Authority on 1 February 2012.

Following the upgrade, two seats at both ends of the C751B train were replaced with a signalling box to house the new signalling equipments – the Vehicle On-Board Controller (VOBC) – configured in hot standby where the front Vehicle On-Board Controller is usually the active one, while the other one in passive, providing redundancy should one end fails by seamlessly switching to the other available Vehicle On-Board Controller.

Replacement and Decommissioning of C751B trains

The Land Transport Authority announced the replacement of the C751B and C651 trains with the Alstom Movia R151 trains on 28 September 2020, on top of the initial announcement to only replace the first generation C151 trains on 25 July 2018.

The first C751B train was decommissioned after approximately 21 years of passenger service in early 2021, and the last train retired on 7 December 2024.

Lines

North-South Line

NS1 Jurong East | NS28 Marina South Pier

East-West Line

EW1 Pasir Ris | EW33 Tuas Link | CG2 Changi Airport

Design

Exterior

The C751B trains carried a dark exterior livery: a dark background, with a red band down the middle, and a grey band at the bottom.

The front of the train was slanted, giving it a more streamlined look.

An orange LED display at the top-right corner of the train's head was used to indicate the train numbers.

Interior

There were three colour schemes in the train cars, with each colour applied to two cars of the train.

From the train ends to the middle cars: maroon, cobalt blue, and turquoise.

There were more grab poles, wider seats, and larger stand-back areas near doors.

Features

Builder Plate

The builder plate lists the companies involved in the manufacture of the train, and also the year it was built.

It was located at both ends of the train.

Door Closing Indicator

Four high-intensity red LED lights that were positioned at both corners of each door would light up when the doors are closing.

Emergency Communication Button

Emergency Communication Buttons were located at the side of the train doors to contact the train staff in an emergency.

Emergency Exits

Emergency exits were located at both ends of the train.

The emergency exit ramp would be deployed in an emergency.

Grab Handles at Doorways

Provided support for passengers boarding or alighting the trains and for passengers standing near the doors.

Overhead Hand Grips

Three rows of hand grips were positioned along the aisles of the train cabins to provide standing passengers with increased support.

STARiS

STARiS was installed in all C751B trains.

It provided commuters with their route information throughout their journey, and indicated which side the doors will open.

Wheelchair Bay

The C751B trains initially came with luggage racks, but were eventually removed and the area served as a de-facto wheelchair bay.

These bays were located in every train car beside the door nearest to the centre of the train.

Modifications

LED Lighting

Energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting were trialled in only train cars 3328 and 1328.

Modification of Handrails

Handrails were modified as a trial by the Land Transport Authority to encourage commuters to move towards the centre of the car.

This was trialled in train car 2335, and was successful and had been implemented to the whole C751B fleet.

STARiS Version 2

Three sets of liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens for STARiS Version 2 had been installed on the overhead panels of train car 3322.

The screens were then removed in 2016.

Gallery

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS) train: Exterior

Exterior of C751B train

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS) train: Interior (Maroon)

Interior of a C751B car (Maroon)

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS) train: Interior (Cobalt Blue)

Interior of a C751B car (Cobalt Blue)

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS) train: Interior (Turquoise)

Interior of a C751B car (Turquoise)

Three rows of overhead hand grips (Maroon)

Three rows of overhead hand grips (Cobalt Blue)

Three rows of overhead hand grips (Turquoise)

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS) train: The Liquid Crystal Displays of the Visual Passenger Information System (VPIS) used to display advertisements, but they have since been turned off.

The Liquid Crystal Displays of the Visual Passenger Information System used to display advertisements, but they have since been turned off.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS) train: The LED Displays of the Visual Passenger Information System (VPIS) provides commuters with their route information. They have been removed in favour of STARiS.

The LED Displays of the Visual Passenger Information System provides commuters with their route information. They have been removed in favour of STARiS.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS) train: Gangway

Gangway of a C751B train

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & Nippon Sharyo C751B (KNS) train: Prior to the re-signalling programme, the ends of the train do not have the signalling box

Prior to the re-signalling programme, the ends of the train do not have the signalling box

Technical Specifications

DT: Driving trailer car; M1/M2: Motor car

Manufacturer: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Nippon Sharyo, Ltd.
Number Built: 126 cars (21 trains)
Train Numbers: 311/312 – 351/352
Car Body Construction: Aluminium-alloy double-skinned construction
Traction Control: IGBT-VVVF (Fuji Electric)
Line Voltage: 750 V DC (nominal) from third rail
Gauge: Standard gauge (1,435 mm)
Maximum Speed: 90 km/h (design)
80 km/h (service)

Train Length: 139 m (6 cars)
Car Length: 23.83 m (DT)
22.8 m (M1/M2)
Width: 3.2 m
Height: 3.7 m
Train Weight: 222.8 t (tare condition/unladen)
320.3 t (fully laden)
Doors: 1.45 m wide, 8 per car
Seating Capacity: 272 seats

The following is a list to other resources with additional information on this topic.

Running Status of NSEWL Trains SGTrains
Changi Airport to get MRT link with new extension The Business Times, 16 November 1996, Page 1
In Short – MRT Contracts The Straits Times, 18 January 1998, Page 39
摆放行李位置尽量靠近车门 (Place your luggage as close to the door as possible) Lianhe Wanbao, 17 March 1998, Page 6
东北地铁列车电脑控制全自动 (Northeast Line to be fully automated with computers) Xin Ming Ri Bao, 11 June 1998, Page 6
More new trains to be added to fleet The Straits Times, 12 June 1998, Page 3
耗资逾2亿购买21辆, 首辆新列车已抵达我国 (Costing over $200 million, the first of 21 new trains has arrived in Singapore) Lianhe Wanbao, 25 September 1999, Page 13
新一代列车, 每列1100万, 引擎轻小省能源 (New trains cost $11 million each; equipped with small, lightweight energy-saving engines) Xin Ming Ri Bao, 25 September 1999, Page 17
Making Tracks The Straits Times, 15 February 2000, Page 42
地铁新列车装电脑监控器能更快觉察与修理好故障 (Computer monitors installed on new trains can detect and repair faults faster) Lianhe Zaobao, 26 February 2000, Page 12
Soon, a shorter wait for MRT trains The Straits Times, 9 May 2000, Page 31
Less waiting The New Paper, 9 May 2000, Page 5
SMRT beli 21 kereta api serba canggih (SMRT bought 21 state-of-the-art trains) Berita Harian, 9 May 2000, Page 3
Subway train for Singapore MRT Nippon Sharyo, Ltd. via Internet Archive
EMU Trains for the Singapore Land Transport Authority Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. via Internet Archive