2nd-gen Siemens C651 train parts to be preserved by National Museum; first time in national collection

A second-generation Siemens C651 train on the North-South, East-West MRT lines (NSEWL). (Image: SGTrains File)

For the first time in Singapore’s history, train parts from a decommissioned MRT train that was launched in the 1990s will be preserved to enter a national collection by the National Museum of Singapore (NMS).

A retired 2nd-gen Siemens C651 train will have its parts preserved in light of its “historical value and national significance.”

National Museum of Singapore to preserve parts from decommissioned 2nd-gen Siemens C651 train

According to the CNA article on Friday (Jul 26), the NMS has acquired two sets of train doors, a pair of seats and two MRT train system map displays in collaboration with rail operator SMRT Trains and Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The preservation of these train parts is part of the “Collecting Contemporary Singapore” initiative by the NMS and National Heritage Board (NHB) in 2020, marking the first time that train parts are entering a national collection.

Samuel Lee, assistant curator for design at NMS, told CNA that the initiative seeks to identify important parts of Singapore’s contemporary social history.

“We do see the MRT as something quite important in terms of historical and emotional significance in Singapore because it represents the development of Singapore’s nation-building progress and rapid modernisation in the 80s and 90s,” Mr Lee added.

SEE ALSO: History of the MRT System »

News outlet CNA said the train parts were from the 2nd-gen Siemens C651 train that was “decommissioned around February this year.”

At the time of writing, there are only four C651 trains still running on passenger service, according to crowdsourced trainspotting platform SGTrains Spotters.

MORE INFO: Running Status of NSEWL Trains »

The C651 trains first entered passenger service in May 1995 on the North-South and East-West MRT lines (NSEWL) and were touted by the media at that time to be an improved train compared to the 1st-gen Kawasaki Heavy Industries C151 trains.

It had features such as scratch- and stain-resistant exterior paint, an energy-saving propulsion system, an improved air-conditioning system, shock-absorbent wheels, and couplers that can better withstand impacts.

The C651 trains are being decommissioned since 2020 to be replaced by the new 7th-gen Alstom Movia R151 trains that entered passenger service in June 2023.

MORE INFO: Delivery of Alstom Movia R151 »
LEARN MORE: Alstom Movia R151: SMRT’s Newest 7th-Gen MRT Train Begins Passenger Service on Jun 4, 2023 »

Mr Lee told CNA that the Siemens C651 trains were the last of their kind to feature the iconic white and red livery, as the 1st-gen C151 trains have been refurbished and re-liveried.

The train parts will undergo a fumigation process to eradicate potential pests that could still be present before being assessed for “its display potential.”

Responding to CNA’s queries on when the public can expect to see the items, Mr Lee said this is still being assessed.

“The intent is that everything we collect will eventually be displayed or shown at some point, maybe not in the immediate future, but for a potential exhibition,” Mr Lee added.

Mr Lee said, in response to CNA’s queries on why several train parts rather than the whole train carriage were preserved, that it boils down to the “display potential” of the items.

“We want to ensure that when we collect something, we can sensibly display it in the future, so there is a higher likelihood of bringing it into an exhibition if it’s these components,” he highlighted.

In addition, Mr Lee told CNA that the components being preserved “also happen to be ‘things people most strongly identify with when they think of the train’.”

“This is as opposed to other parts of the train such as its motor components that are out of commuters’ sight.”

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Related Links
Siemens C651 – SGTrains
History of the MRT System – SGTrains

External Links
Doors, seats and map displays from 1990s MRT train to be preserved by National Museum – CNA

Images: SGTrains File.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.