SG: EWL to receive upgraded components next month

SMRT will replace the East-West Line’s third rail starting from next month. The project, which has been contracted to local firm Gates PCM, cost the company $13 million. The third rail, which supplies power to the train, have been blamed for causing massive breakdowns on the North-South Line in 2011. The initial plan was to rid the network of the aged rail last year. However, as there were more pressing issues to resolve, the plan was shelved. Instead, as a precaution, the firm bought sophisticated equipment that could 'detect third-rail failure on a real-time basis', which gave them reason to defer the replacement of the rail. With the sleepers and rails replaced, next on the list for SMRT is to revamp the network’s 3 decade old signalling system. The current system, which allows a train to arrive every 120 seconds, will be ditched for a more modern system which will allow trains to arrive once every 100 seconds. All these, and new trains, should mean a faster and more pleasant journey during peak hours for the commuters. Pictures used for illustration purposes only.