Alstom Metropolis C851E
| Industry | Rail transport equipment manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Electric multiple unit trains (Metropolis C851E) |
The Alstom Metropolis C851E represents the third iteration of electric multiple unit trains deployed on Singapore's North East and Circle lines. These units, produced by Alstom under Contract 851E, include six trains for the North East line and 23 for the Circle line. Manufacturing and assembly take place at Alstom's Barcelona plant, with deliveries to Singapore commencing in 2021 for the North East line and in 2022 for the Circle line. The contract, valued at S$249.85 million, was awarded by the Land Transport Authority during a ceremony at Sengkang Depot, with Alstom being the sole bidder. An additional order of 12 three-car trains for the Circle line is planned to begin procurement in 2024.
Tender
The bidding process for Contract C851E concluded on 2 October 2017, with Alstom as the only participant. The LTA announced the contract award to Alstom on 30 April 2018, valued at approximately S$250 million.
| S/N | Tenderer | Amount (S$) Offer 1 | Amount (S$) Offer 2 | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alstom Transport S.A. / Alstom Transport (S) Pte Ltd Consortium | 279,782,872.00 | 293,489,289.00 | Offer 1 quoted in mixed currencies; Alternative offer totals S$410,100,934.00 (mixed currencies) |
North East Line
The six new trainsets enhance the existing fleet of C751A and C751C models operating on the North East Line extension between Punggol and Punggol Coast. This extension spans 1.7 km and was inaugurated on 10 December 2024. The initial train arrived in Singapore on 4 April 2021. Testing activities commenced at Potong Pasir MRT station in June 2023. Passenger service began with the first train on 28 July 2023, and all six units were fully operational by 28 August 2023, increasing the total fleet size from 43 to 49 within a month.
These fully automated six-car trains operate at GoA level 4 (ATO) and are powered through overhead catenary systems, eliminating the need for onboard personnel. Each trainset consists of two Driving Trailer (DT) cars positioned at both ends and four Motor Cars (Mp and Mi), with pantographs installed on the second and fifth cars (Mp).
Train formation
The C851E units for the North East Line follow a DT–Mp–Mi+Mi–Mp–DT formation.
| Car Type | Driver Cab | Motor | Pantograph | Car Length | Wheelchair Bay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| m | ft in | |||||
| DM | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | 23.65 | 77 ft 7.1 in | ✗ |
| Mp | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | 22.8 | 74 ft 9.6 in | ✗ |
| Mi | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 22.8 | 74 ft 9.6 in | ✓ |
Car numbers assigned by operator SBS Transit range from 7x087 to 7x098. Each six-car trainset is composed of two identical sets each containing one driving trailer (DT) and two motor cars (Mi & Mp). For example, set number 7087/7088 consists of cars numbered 71087, 72087, 73087, followed by 73088, 72088, and 71088.
- The first digit is always '7'
- The second digit indicates car position (1 for leading car, 2 for middle car, and 3 for trailing car)
- The third digit remains '0'
- The fourth and fifth digits represent the train identification numbers; a complete six-car set has two IDs such as 7087/7088 or alternatively 7087/7098
- Alstom manufactured trainsets numbered from 7087/7088 through to 7097/7098
Circle Line
The addition of 23 new trains will expand the current Alstom Metropolis C830 and C830C fleets servicing the Circle MRT line when the 4.3km extension from HarbourFront MRT station to Marina Bay MRT station becomes operational in 2026. The initial train set was delivered to Singapore on 11 March 2022.
Powered by 750 V DC through a bottom-contact third rail, these trains operate with full automation (ATO GoA 4) and do not require any onboard staff. Each unit consists of three cars arranged as Mc1–Tc–Mc2, featuring two Motor Cars at both ends and a non-powered Trailer Car positioned centrally.
Train formation
The revenue service configuration for a C851E (CCL) trainset is Mc1–T–Mc2.
| Car Type | Quantity | Driver Cab | Motor | Collector Shoe | Car Length | Wheelchair Bay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| m | ft in | ||||||
| Mc | 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 23.65 | 77 ft 7.1 in | ✗ |
| T | 1 | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | 22.8 | 74 ft 9.6 in | ✓ |
Train identification numbers fall between 8065x and 8087x, with each car assigned a unique five-digit code by operator SMRT Trains. Every three-car set includes one Trailer (T) and two Driving Motor Cars (Mc) permanently connected; for example, set 8065 consists of cars numbered 80651, 80652, and 80653.
- First digit: 8
- Second digit: 0
- Third and fourth digits: set number
- Fifth digit: car number (1, 2, or 3)
- Manufactured by Alstom, sets numbered 8065–8087
Features
Equipped with condition monitoring systems, these trains continuously collect equipment performance data to facilitate predictive maintenance, thereby minimizing service interruptions. Sensors on the contact shoes promptly detect any displacement, enabling quick corrective action by operators.
Furthermore, two Circle Line trainsets are fitted with an Automatic Track Inspection (ATI) System that assesses rails, track components, and sleepers during normal operations. This innovation improves maintenance processes by complementing standard inspections with real-time detection of areas requiring attention.