Downtown Line was disrupted near Mattar MRT station; maintenance locomotive had caught fire

“Due to a track closure, train services are not available between Fort Canning and Mattar stations.” (Image: Screengrab from SGTrains)

Commuters travelling on the Downtown Line (DTL) during the morning peak hours on Friday (May 24) were affected by a train service disruption, as a section of tracks between Fort Canning and Mattar MRT stations was closed due to a maintenance locomotive catching fire.

SGTrains received the first train disruption alert from a Land Transport Authority (LTA) data feed at 5:24am, which we had displayed on our Train Service Status web page.

Maintenance locomotive catches fire during early hours

Mattar MRT station on the Downtown Line. (Image: SGTrains File)

No DTL train service due to a “track closure”

SBS Transit first issued an alert on social media informing that there is no train service on the DTL between Mattar and Fort Canning MRT stations due to a “track closure”.

From Mondays to Saturdays, the first trains depart at 5:58am from Mattar MRT station and at 6:10am from Fort Canning MRT station, over 30 minutes following the first issue of the train disruption alert on the rail operator’s social media platforms.

SBS Transit deployed free regular and free bridging bus services between Chinatown and Bedok North MRT stations. It also deployed a shuttle train between MacPherson and Bedok North MRT stations.

A shuttle train service involves running a single DTL train back and forth on a single stretch of track between MacPherson and Bedok North stations. The rail operator also advised commuters to use alternative MRT lines to reach their destination stations.

DTL train service resumed at around 7:26am, around two hours after the rail operator first reported it on social media.

Maintenance locomotive catches fire near Mattar MRT station

SBS Transit said a maintenance locomotive near Mattar MRT station caught fire around 1:00am while engineering works were being conducted.

A maintenance locomotive is a type of railway works vehicle used by engineering crews to conduct trackside works.

In response to queries by news agency CNA, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the fire involved the locomotive’s engine component, which was extinguished using a water jet and two compressed air foam trolleys.

Maintenance locomotives are commonly diesel-powered, with some powered electrically through onboard batteries. However, SBS Transit did not mention the locomotive type involved in this incident.

The rail operator added that the locomotive could not be moved off until residual heat from the locomotive’s body was dissipated, resulting in the need to close a section of the track.

“Our engineers were on site to assess the situation and conducted recovery works so that service at the six stations could resume as soon as possible,” SBS Transit added.

SBS Transit staff conveyed to the hospital for smoke inhalation

SCDF said a person was taken to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) for smoke inhalation and that 29 people evacuated from the affected area as a precaution.

The rail operator said a staff member was conveyed to the hospital when he had felt unwell.

“He is under observation for smoke inhalation and is doing well,” said SBS Transit.

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Related Links
Train Service Status – SGTrains
Downtown Line – SGTrains

External Links
“MRT service on the Downtown Line between DT20 Fort Canning Station and DT25 Mattar Station was temporarily unavailable from the start of service until 7.26 am this morning due to track closure.” – SBS Transit/Facebook
Downtown Line service fully resumes after maintenance vehicle fire causes partial track closure – CNA

Images: Screengrab from SGTrains, SGTrains File.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.