Commuters travelling on the Circle Line (CCL) can expect to see more of the new 3rd-gen Alstom Metropolis C851E trains enter passenger service from Apr 13 onwards, boosting the MRT line’s fleet by an additional 23 trains once they are all in service.
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The C851E trains during their initial testing at Alstom’s manufacturing facility in Barcelona, Spain. (Image: LTA)
First delivered in March 2022, these 23 new 3rd-gen CCL trains were procured to supplement the line’s fleet by about 36 per cent, in preparation for the opening of CCL stage 6 (CCL6) in the first half of this year.
The CCL fleet will total 87 trains, up from 64, once all C851E trains enter passenger service. It will comprise 40 1st-gen C830 trains, 24 2nd-gen C830C trains, and 23 3rd-gen C851E trains.
According to crowdsourced trainspotting platform SGTrains Spotters, local trainspotters spotted that the two C851E trains that entered passenger service on the CCL on Apr 13 were PVs (Passenger Vehicles) 77 and 85.
MORE INFO: Running Status of CCL Trains »
The interior of the new 3rd-gen Alstom Metropolis C851E trains for the Circle Line. (Credits: @weijianology)
In a social media post by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Apr 10, it highlighted that the trains come with a new orange exterior, giving the train a brighter and more modern look. “For the record, it’s orange, not yellow,” said LTA in its media post.
It added that the train’s interior, including the seats and handrails, is of different colours as well. The new LED route map would include the three new stations of the CCL6 when “they open mid-year”.
In addition, the train’s overhead LED display has been updated and will now better show the current station you are at by remaining static, unlike previous train models, which had the current station name continuously scrolling. “It is now clearer and easier to spot.” (Credits: @weijianology)
Behind the scenes, the new 3rd-gen C851E trains come with condition monitoring systems that can monitor their own condition and track equipment performance.
Two C851E trains also have the Automatic Track Inspection (ATI) system fitted to monitor the tracks, including the rails and trackside equipment.
Our observations on the two trains that have entered passenger service are that they are not yet using the latest onboard announcements – which could be a minor teething issue – and there is a gap between Botanic Gardens and Caldecott stations on the LED route map.
The noticeable gap on the LED route map between the two stations, Botanic Gardens and Caldecott, would likely represent the yet-to-be-built Bukit Brown station. (Credits: @weijianology)
Stay tuned as the other 21 new C851E trains will progressively be entering passenger service. “We’ll continue working closely with LTA and Alstom to progressively introduce more new CCL trains into service,” said rail operator SMRT in a social media post.
READ MORE: Alstom Metropolis C851E (Circle Line) »
CCL6 – 3 new stations under Circle Line Stage 6 opening in 1H 2026
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CC30 Keppel (opening 1H 2026)
CC31 Cantonment (opening 1H 2026)
CC32 Prince Edward Road (opening 1H 2026)
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Related Links
Alstom Metropolis C851E (Circle Line) – SGTrains
Circle Line – SGTrains
Running Status of CCL Trains – SGTrains Spotters
External Links
“Guess what’s rolling in on 13 April, Monday? 👀 Our new Circle Line train! 🙌” – LTA/Facebook
“Today, Lam Sheau Kai, President of SMRT Trains, joined Assistant Station Manager Shafiq to unlock the doors of the new CCL train, marking its entry into passenger service.🚆 ” – SMRT/Facebook
Images: SMRT, LTA, @weijianology.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.