North-South Line was disrupted due to a lightning strike causing power trip and small fire

“Due to a traction power fault, there is no train service from Choa Chu Kang to Woodlands South Bound.” (Image: Screengrab from SGTrains)

Train services from Choa Chu Kang to Woodlands MRT stations on the North-South Line (NSL) are disrupted during the evening peak hours on Monday (Jun 3) due to a traction power fault.

SGTrains received the first train disruption alert from a Land Transport Authority (LTA) data feed at 6:08pm, which we had displayed on our Train Service Status web page.

Power fault disrupts NSL commute during evening peak

Heavy rain and lightning were detected between Choa Chu Kang and Woodlands stations at 6:00pm, around the time SMRT issued the train disruption alert on its social media platforms. (Image: Screengrab from MSS)

Lightning strike caused traction power supply to trip, small fire was found at power control box near Kranji MRT station

Following preliminary investigations, SMRT said in a statement at 8:50pm that a lightning strike caused traction power supply to trip, causing disruptions to NSL train service.

It added that a “small fire” was found at the power control box located around 20 metres from the platform at Kranji MRT station. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

In response to queries by news agency ST, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the fire at the control box had burned itself out before its officers arrived.

“We will investigate the root cause of this traction power fault. We apologise for affecting your commuting experience today,” said SMRT.

Additionally, national grid operator SP Group said in an advisory at 8:43pm that it was aware of the train service disruption caused by a traction power failure and has checked that “SP’s network is in order”.

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

No NSL service from Choa Chu Kang to Woodlands stations due to “traction power fault”

Southbound train services on the NSL from Choa Chu Kang to Woodlands stations have resumed at 8:10pm, SMRT said in an update. Free regular buses and bridging bus services between Choa Chu Kang and Woodlands stations ceased at 8:32pm.

SMRT said in an update at 7:17pm that there are no Southbound train services on the NSL from Choa Chu Kang to Woodlands stations; an update by SMRT at 7:53pm clarified that Northbound train services from Woodlands to Choa Chu Kang stations are “in service”.

The rail operator initially issued an alert on its social media platforms at 6:08 pm informing that there was no train service on the NSL between Yew Tee and Woodlands stations due to a “traction power fault” at around 5:50pm.

A traction power fault indicates an interruption in the traction power or supply of electricity to power the MRT trains.

It said a traction power fault occurred between Kranji and Marsiling stations, disrupting services between Yew Tee and Woodlands stations.

“To assist commuters, free regular bus and bridging bus services are operating between Choa Chu Kang and Woodlands in both directions,” SMRT added.

SMRT also advised commuters to consider using the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) at Woodlands station as an alternative transport option.

“Announcements are being made in trains and stations to keep commuters informed about the situation.”

Pictures emerged on social media showing the presence of at least two SCDF fire engines at Kranji MRT station, with firefighters and SMRT staff observing the rail tracks.

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Related Links
Train Service Status – SGTrains
North-South Line – SGTrains

External Links
“[UPDATE on the power traction fault on the North-South Line (NSL), 3 June, at 8.50pm]” – SMRT/Facebook
“On 3 June at about 5.50pm, a power traction fault occurred on the North-South Line between Kranji and Marsiling stations.” – SMRT/Facebook
“#ADVISORY: We understand that train services, earlier disrupted on the North-South line from Choa Chu Kang to Woodlands, have been resumed. We have checked and SP’s network is in order.” – SP Group/Facebook
Lightning strike sparks power trip that disrupted MRT services on NSL for over 2 hours – ST

Images: Screengrab from SGTrains, Screengrab from MSS.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.
Last updated on 04 Jun 2024, 12:57am.