PMSM on C151
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2018 12:45 am
Background: In 2013, SMRT announced a deal with Toshiba to acquire new IGBT-VVVF Permenant Magnet Synchronus Motors(PMSMs in short). Toshiba was so proud of it, it became big news when the deal was confirmed. Subsequently, the PMSMs were shipped to Singapore and SMRT was committed to refit all C151s with the PMSMs. In July 2015, Trainsets 055/056 and 131/132 were equipped with the PMSMs and put into service as a trial. As the trial was successful, SMRT began retrofitting more C151s with the PMSMs.
However, that all changed when, in August 2016, LTA acquired all of SMRT's rail assets. After an assessment, it was decided that new trains, under Contract R151, will be brought in to replace all C151s and at the same time, work on upgrading the motors on the C151s was halted. As such, only 6 trains were ever refitted with the PMSM motors: Trainsets 025/026, 055/056, 065/066, 095/096, 109/110, and 131/132
However, that all changed when, in August 2016, LTA acquired all of SMRT's rail assets. After an assessment, it was decided that new trains, under Contract R151, will be brought in to replace all C151s and at the same time, work on upgrading the motors on the C151s was halted. As such, only 6 trains were ever refitted with the PMSM motors: Trainsets 025/026, 055/056, 065/066, 095/096, 109/110, and 131/132