Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CRRC Qingdao Sifang T251

The Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CRRC Qingdao Sifang T251 trains are the first generation of electric multiple unit (EMU) rolling stock model for the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL).

Ninety-one trains of four cars each were purchased and have been in passenger service since 31 January 2020. The trains will be housed at the Mandai and East Coast Integrated train depots.

Designed to facilitate quick and smooth flow of commuters, the T251 trains are the first in Singapore's MRT network to have five doors per side per car, instead of the conventional four doors.

The T251 trains receive power through its current collector shoes, electrified by the third-rail electrification system alongside the running rails.

Two trains are fitted with an Automatic Track Inspection (ATI) system, allowing concurrent monitoring of the running rails, trackside equipment and sleepers during operations.

Utilising the Alstom Urbalis 400 Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, the T251 trains are capable of fully automated operations and can run without any onboard attendant.

History
Lines
Design
Features
Gallery
Technical Specs
Related Links

At a Glance

Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CRRC Qingdao Sifang T251

Thomson-East Coast Line

Built 2017 - 2022

91 trains of 4 cars each, numbered 2001 to 2091

History

Contract T251 for the design and building of 91 new trains for the Thomson-East Coast Line was awarded by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to the consortium comprising Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd. (formerly CSR Qingdao Sifang) on 28 May 2014.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries is responsible for the overall train design, whilst CRRC Qingdao Sifang is responsible for producing the train body shell and the final assembly.

Bearing similarities to the Bombardier MOVIA C951 and the Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CSR Qingdao Sifang C151A trains, the T251 trains will cover the 31-station MRT line spanning 43 kilometres, to progressively be opened in five stages between 2020 and 2025.

The consortium brought a mock-up of the train in 2015 for the LTA and stakeholders to provide feedback and evaluate the design, features and technical specifications.

The first T251 train, 2005, arrived in Singapore on 25 May 2018, with subsequent trains progressively delivered.

An increased number of T251 trains were deployed to support the testing of integrated systems and trains in the weeks leading up to the opening of TEL2 in 2021, with newer batches featuring tip-up seats of a similar spec as seen on the Kawasaki Heavy Industries & CRRC Qingdao Sifang C151C trains.

Lines

Thomson-East Coast Line

TE1 Woodlands North | TE31 Sungei Bedok

Design

Exterior

The T251 trains sport a black-and-white livery base, with the line colour of the TEL emphasised in the middle, coupled with a slight accent of yellow beneath.

The head of the train is designed such that they are aerodynamic.

Interior

There are four colour schemes in the train cars, with each colour applied to one car of the train.

The colour of the seats are dark blue, yellow, red and grey in the four different cars and are designed with ergonomic curves.

These trains have blue-coloured flooring, compared to the mostly grey colour schemes on other trains.

The reserved seats, catered for commuters with special needs, are differentiated with a different shade.

These trains also feature five doors per side per car, allowing a faster alighting and boarding process.

Features

Builder Plate

The builder plate lists the companies involved in the manufacture and the built-year of the train.

Door Closing Indicator

Yellow warning lights that are positioned above each door will light up when the doors are closing.

Dynamic Route Map Display

The Dynamic Route Map Display, powered by Mitsubishi Electric's Train Vision, is installed above every train door.

It provides commuters with useful and relevant route information throughout their journey.

Gangway Lights

Spotlights are installed to illuminate the gangway area of the train cars, and increases visibility during emergencies.

Grab-Handles at Doorways

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

Overhead Hand Grips

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

Passenger Communication Unit

The Passenger Communication Unit is located at the side of each train door for passengers to contact the train staff in an emergency.

Perch Seats

Perch seats are located at the ends of each train car, creating a wide standing space for commuters.

Reserved Seats

The reserved seats which are catered for commuters with special needs are differentiated with different colours.

Tip-up Seats

The second batch of these trains features tip-up seats that can be lifted up to create more standing space for commuters, increasing the capacity during peak periods.

Train Traveller Information System

The LED display panels of the Train Traveller Information System display useful travel information to passengers, such as current and upcoming train stations the train will call and other relevant travel messages.