SMRT Launches Singapore Rail Discovery Centre at Mandai Depot

SMRT Launches Singapore Rail Discovery Centre at Mandai Depot. (Photo: MOT/Facebook)

In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of Singapore’s rail network, the country’s pioneer rail operator SMRT Trains, with the support of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), have launched the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre (SRDC) on Monday (Nov 21).

The Singapore Rail Discovery Centre is the first-of-its-kind permanent exhibition dedicated to the local MRT network and is located at the Mandai Depot, which houses the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) trains.

Opening of Singapore’s First Rail Discovery Centre

Recognises stakeholders and showcases Singapore’s rail network history

Transport Minister S Iswaran at the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre. (Photo: SMRT/Facebook)

Transport Minister S Iswaran, who was guest of honour at the launch, said the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre recognises the efforts of all stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Transport (MOT), LTA and rail operators.

Mr Iswaran added that the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre also “tells the Singapore rail story from its humble beginnings 35 years ago, through its technological advancements, to its current state and beyond”.

Group Chief Executive Officer of SMRT Corporation Ngien Hoon Ping said the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre is a “tribute to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues to maintain our rail reliability as best-in-class through the years”.

“We aim to do more than just evoke a sense of nostalgia in visitors – we want to build the public’s affinity with the rail network

“As well as inspire and galvanise the next generation of rail engineers to enhance Singapore’s public transport system and maintain its world-class status,” said Mr Ngien.

Singapore Rail Discovery Centre has three zones for visitors to experience

A visitor trying out the Virtual Reality (VR) experience of shunting an engineering train at a rail depot. (Photo: SMRT)

There are three zones for visitors to experience, explore and learn at the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre.

“The Journey Begins” introduces visitors to the history of Singapore’s rail system through a series of interactive touchpoints.

“This Is Rail Life” showcases how SMRT staff work towards safe and smooth train journeys around the clock, through robust operations knowledge, grounded standard operating procedures and deep engineering.

“The Future Of Rail” outlines the exciting future of the local rail industry and the investment into new technologies which SMRT has done.

Organising visits to the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre

Entrance of the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre. (Photo: MOT/Facebook)

The opening of the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre is the culmination of a series of events hosted by SMRT to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the start of the MRT service in Singapore.

Located within the Mandai Depot, a highly-restricted area, where the TEL trains are housed, the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre is open only to visits by organised groups.

Organisations and schools who are interested in visiting may write to outreach@smrt.com.sg for further enquiries.

In an article by The Straits Times on Monday, it said “plans are in place for visitors to take a chartered train from Woodlands North MRT station to Mandai Depot” as well as “observe the train being washed”.

It added that the plan is “still under development with no time frame set”.

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Related Links
History of the MRT System – SGTrains
Thomson-East Coast Line – SGTrains

External Links
Pioneer rail operator SMRT launches Singapore Rail Discovery Centre to inspire and galvanise next generation of rail engineers – SMRT [Accessed 21 Nov 2022]
“Singapore’s first Rail Discovery Centre is now open! 🥳” – MOT/Facebook [Accessed 21 Nov 2022]
“SMRT Trains is excited to launch the Singapore Rail Discovery Centre (SRDC) today (21 Nov) at Mandai Depot, with the support of Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving! 🙌🎉” – SMRT/Facebook [Accessed 21 Nov 2022]
Centre showcasing history and development of Singapore’s rail networks opens – ST [Accessed 22 Nov 2022]

Images: SMRT/Facebook, MOT/Facebook and SMRT.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.
Last updated on 22 Nov 2022.