MRT disruption: All damaged rail segments on East-West Line replaced; endurance tests ongoing

SINGAPORE – All affected rail segments between Clementi and Ulu Pandan Depot had been replaced as work to resume service along a four-station stretch of the East-West MRT Line continued, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said.

In a Facebook post on the morning of Sept 30, the authority added that the third rail, which supplies power to trains, had also been reinstated.

A series of tests had also been completed. These included a load test using a locomotive that ensures that all affected rails are sturdy and welded well, before an endurance test began on Sept 30. The endurance test involved running a train fully loaded with sandbags across the tracks to simulate a packed train.

An “electric meggering” test had also been completed. This test confirmed that the third rail, as well as the rail on which trains run, was electrically insulated to allow engineers to switch on the traction power supply safely.

Train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista

have been disrupted since Sept 25,

with about 2.1 million passengers affected so far.

Rail operator SMRT and LTA said later on Sept 30 that services between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations would resume fully on Oct 1, but westbound trains would be travelling at slower speeds of 40kmh.

SMRT had earlier aimed to restart services on Sept 30, but tests on Sept 28 found 12 cracks that were previously not visible on unreplaced segments of rail. This meant that engineers had to replace another 10 segments of rail along the westbound track from Clementi to Ulu Pandan Depot.

The disruption to train services was due to severe damage inflicted on the tracks and trackside equipment by a faulty train that was being withdrawn from service to the Ulu Pandan Depot on Sept 25.

It caused 46 rail fractures – such as cracks or chips – across 2.55km of tracks.

In a separate Facebook post on the morning of Sept 30, SMRT said that train endurance tests were under way.

Since 5pm on Sept 25, shuttle trains have been operating every 10 minutes between Boon Lay and Jurong East stations, and between Queenstown and Buona Vista stations.

When The Straits Times visited Jurong East and Boon Lay stations at about 8am on Sept 30, large crowds had formed on the station platforms.

At Jurong East station, there was some confusion among passengers waiting for the shuttle train services, as they did not know which platform to board the train from, resulting in many waiting for close to 20 minutes to board a train headed towards Boon Lay.

At bus stops near the stations, the queues for the bus bridging services moved relatively quickly.

While many have learnt about the alternative transport services at the stations, some were still frustrated by the delays to their commutes.

Mr Prem Shekar, 24, had to leave for work from his home in Punggol earlier than usual, as the disruption meant that his journey to his workplace in Buona Vista could take him up to three hours, instead of the usual 1½ hours.

Mr Shekar, who works in cyber security, said he would be “stressed” if the disruption was further prolonged, as he needs to travel to the office every day.

At around 10.20am, Temasek Foundation and supermarket chain FairPrice delivered some food items to SMRT staff. Each pack contained three coffee sachets, an isotonic drink, biscuits and chocolate.

SMRT service ambassador Roslina Abdul Manap, 49, received the food pack with a smile on her face, saying she appreciated the gesture of goodwill and felt energised by the snacks and drinks.

She added that the isotonic drink was a “good choice”, as it could quench her thirst and give her a sugary boost in energy.

“Next time, can get bigger ones? (So) I can work from day to night,” quipped Madam Roslina.

The faulty first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries train, which had been in service for more than 35 years, was travelling towards the east when it encountered a fault near Clementi station at about 9am on Sept 25.

It was later turned around near Queenstown station onto the westbound track to Ulu Pandan Depot.

As it was being withdrawn, a defective component on the train’s undercarriage – known as an axle box – fell on the tracks near Dover station, and this caused the wheels of the undercarriage to run off the rail.

This wrought extensive damage to the tracks and trackside equipment as the train was being taken to the depot.

The damage triggered a power trip that stalled other trains and crippled services. The train also damaged three point machines, stretches of the third rail, as well as power cables and rail fasteners.