Consolidated Info on MRT/LRT Maintenance & Breakdown Part II

[Ghgan]

Finally somewhat investigative reporting from SCMP

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/christopher-tan-02a3b043_singapores-mrt-disruption-to-enter-third-activity-7245004108871409664-ZfZn/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

I was asked by South China Morning Post SCMP to comment on yesterday's disastrous breakdown of the East-West MRT line, which had initially been labelled as a power fault.

It was the third major disruption in two weeks (the first two were on the Circle Line). It could also go down as an MRT incident with the biggest adverse impact - with more than one million commutes affected by the time it is completely resolved. Which could take days.

That such a massive breakdown took place so soon after the completion of a decade-long rail renewal programme costing hundreds of million dollars is disturbing, to say the least.

Equally disturbing is the fact that this disruption was caused by a derailment, which happened when a faulty train was being towed back to the depot.

In the process, a crucial undercarriage assembly became dislodged, and part of the train went off the tracks. We have to be thankful this did not happen when the train was plying with a full load of passengers. The consequences would have been unthinkable.

Indeed, the subsequent damages caused by the dislodged assembly resulted in a power fault which rendered the line inoperable. Damages were also sustained by sections of the track and trackside equipment, which in themselves would have rendered the line inoperable. Again, we must be thankful there were no human casualties.

Operator SMRT pointed out that the faulty train was a first-generation machine of at least 35 years of age. If it intended this as some form of mitigation, it's a pretty weak one. It is not uncommon for metros the world over to operate even older trains. Hong Kong's MTR for instance, still has some first-generation trains turning 45 this year in service.

As with all vehicles, maintenance, repair and refurbishment must be the order of the day. More so for older ones. If these are done well, trains will last longer than 35 years. Besides, the fact that an operator puts a train in operation means it is deemed trackworthy, no matter its age. Otherwise, it would be tantamount to playing Russian roulette with its customers.

We have been told SMRT now practises preventive and predictive maintenance. That means, parts and components are replaced well before they become worn. It also has condition monitors, which can detect potential issues before they manifest into actual problems. So, what happened to that fateful train?

Clearly, this was not just another power fault. Hopefully, the authorities will get to the bottom of this, provide a full disclosure, and take appropriate action so as to restore public confidence.

[Unfazed]

On 9/27/2024 at 10:47 AM, Kklee said:

IMHO.
Obvious or not, still need to say.   A lot of things are obvious, but to some or many, may not be.  Is that obvious?

 

Yes fully agree with you as you are referring to yourself as not getting many things right at point obviously as proven.

[BanCoe]

Finally bottom line …. Will Insurance pay for this “ incident” as now they will say COE bogey and up future premiums?? And back we Connedsumers Kenna foot the bill 

[Volvobrick]

On 9/27/2024 at 12:46 PM, Ghgan said:

Finally somewhat investigative reporting from SCMP

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/christopher-tan-02a3b043_singapores-mrt-disruption-to-enter-third-activity-7245004108871409664-ZfZn/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

I was asked by South China Morning Post SCMP to comment on yesterday's disastrous breakdown of the East-West MRT line, which had initially been labelled as a power fault.

It was the third major disruption in two weeks (the first two were on the Circle Line). It could also go down as an MRT incident with the biggest adverse impact - with more than one million commutes affected by the time it is completely resolved. Which could take days.

That such a massive breakdown took place so soon after the completion of a decade-long rail renewal programme costing hundreds of million dollars is disturbing, to say the least.

Equally disturbing is the fact that this disruption was caused by a derailment, which happened when a faulty train was being towed back to the depot.

In the process, a crucial undercarriage assembly became dislodged, and part of the train went off the tracks. We have to be thankful this did not happen when the train was plying with a full load of passengers. The consequences would have been unthinkable.

Indeed, the subsequent damages caused by the dislodged assembly resulted in a power fault which rendered the line inoperable. Damages were also sustained by sections of the track and trackside equipment, which in themselves would have rendered the line inoperable. Again, we must be thankful there were no human casualties.

Operator SMRT pointed out that the faulty train was a first-generation machine of at least 35 years of age. If it intended this as some form of mitigation, it's a pretty weak one. It is not uncommon for metros the world over to operate even older trains. Hong Kong's MTR for instance, still has some first-generation trains turning 45 this year in service.

As with all vehicles, maintenance, repair and refurbishment must be the order of the day. More so for older ones. If these are done well, trains will last longer than 35 years. Besides, the fact that an operator puts a train in operation means it is deemed trackworthy, no matter its age. Otherwise, it would be tantamount to playing Russian roulette with its customers.

We have been told SMRT now practises preventive and predictive maintenance. That means, parts and components are replaced well before they become worn. It also has condition monitors, which can detect potential issues before they manifest into actual problems. So, what happened to that fateful train?

Clearly, this was not just another power fault. Hopefully, the authorities will get to the bottom of this, provide a full disclosure, and take appropriate action so as to restore public confidence.

Maybe axle bought from Taobao.... 

[Strat]

On 9/27/2024 at 1:45 PM, Volvobrick said:

Maybe axle bought from Taobao.... 

and secure by cable ties....

[limpeh6969]

On 9/27/2024 at 12:46 PM, Ghgan said:

Finally somewhat investigative reporting from SCMP

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/christopher-tan-02a3b043_singapores-mrt-disruption-to-enter-third-activity-7245004108871409664-ZfZn/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

I was asked by South China Morning Post SCMP to comment on yesterday's disastrous breakdown of the East-West MRT line, which had initially been labelled as a power fault.

It was the third major disruption in two weeks (the first two were on the Circle Line). It could also go down as an MRT incident with the biggest adverse impact - with more than one million commutes affected by the time it is completely resolved. Which could take days.

That such a massive breakdown took place so soon after the completion of a decade-long rail renewal programme costing hundreds of million dollars is disturbing, to say the least.

Equally disturbing is the fact that this disruption was caused by a derailment, which happened when a faulty train was being towed back to the depot.

In the process, a crucial undercarriage assembly became dislodged, and part of the train went off the tracks. We have to be thankful this did not happen when the train was plying with a full load of passengers. The consequences would have been unthinkable.

Indeed, the subsequent damages caused by the dislodged assembly resulted in a power fault which rendered the line inoperable. Damages were also sustained by sections of the track and trackside equipment, which in themselves would have rendered the line inoperable. Again, we must be thankful there were no human casualties.

Operator SMRT pointed out that the faulty train was a first-generation machine of at least 35 years of age. If it intended this as some form of mitigation, it's a pretty weak one. It is not uncommon for metros the world over to operate even older trains. Hong Kong's MTR for instance, still has some first-generation trains turning 45 this year in service.

As with all vehicles, maintenance, repair and refurbishment must be the order of the day. More so for older ones. If these are done well, trains will last longer than 35 years. Besides, the fact that an operator puts a train in operation means it is deemed trackworthy, no matter its age. Otherwise, it would be tantamount to playing Russian roulette with its customers.

We have been told SMRT now practises preventive and predictive maintenance. That means, parts and components are replaced well before they become worn. It also has condition monitors, which can detect potential issues before they manifest into actual problems. So, what happened to that fateful train?

Clearly, this was not just another power fault. Hopefully, the authorities will get to the bottom of this, provide a full disclosure, and take appropriate action so as to restore public confidence.

limpeh expect no less than 69 MPs to question govt on this!

[Volvobrick]

On 9/27/2024 at 1:47 PM, Strat said:

and secure by cable ties....

Cannot lah! It's an axle!

 

 

 

 

 

Need to use duct tape. 

[Lala81]

On 9/27/2024 at 11:16 AM, Tkseah said:

IMHO, SMRT boss should be fronting most of the technical updates rather than minister.  I do not expect the minister to be the technical expert, but to mobilise and approve resources to tackle the issue asap, and pursue accountability.  Better to have the minister do the general update (timeline etc.) and the pass to SMRT boss to do the technical updates..

Probably got advice to show that you are sibei on the ball. macham like LW everyday answer question during Covid. 

 

[inlinesix]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:13 PM, Lala81 said:

Probably got advice to show that you are sibei on the ball. macham like LW everyday answer question during Covid. 

This is a career ending ministry.

Must be on the ball so that he can be Finance Minister rather than continuing on MoT

[Mkl22]

On 9/27/2024 at 11:16 AM, Tkseah said:

IMHO, SMRT boss should be fronting most of the technical updates rather than minister.  I do not expect the minister to be the technical expert, but to mobilise and approve resources to tackle the issue asap, and pursue accountability.  Better to have the minister do the general update (timeline etc.) and the pass to SMRT boss to do the technical updates..

it is only recently that the SMRT bosses now appear. previously it was always the minister fronting, which i agree is not right.

[Mkl22]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:04 PM, Volvobrick said:

Cannot lah! It's an axle!

 

 

 

 

 

Need to use duct tape. 

got metal cable ties.😁

[Volvobrick]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:18 PM, Mkl22 said:

got metal cable ties.😁

This is suitable for the CV joint boot. 

[Spidey10]

On 9/27/2024 at 10:37 AM, Beehive3783 said:

But if they chose to maximize their revenue by stinging on maintenance, then the top management needs to be sacked. You can never stinge on maintenance, especially on a 35 year old piece of machinery.

if not stinge, then how to pay top management their bonuses...somewhere, somehow, someplace gotta give....so maintenance is one of it. 

I am not sure how they manage the maintenance part...but it should be similar to how a Condo Management fees is managed....i.e a % collections are place into a sinking fund and cannot be used for other purposes except for mainenance work.....if they dun have this concept, and just whack all the funds for every purposes, then good luck singapore, good luck..

also there should be integrity and adherence to the usage of the funds, else also jia lat...

[inlinesix]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:24 PM, Spidey10 said:

if not stinge, then how to pay top management their bonuses...somewhere, somehow, someplace gotta give....so maintenance is one of it. 

I am not sure how they manage the maintenance part...but it should be similar to how a Condo Management fees is managed....i.e a % collections are place into a sinking fund and cannot be used for other purposes except for mainenance work.....if they dun have this concept, and just whack all the funds for every purposes, then good luck singapore, good luck..

also there should be integrity and adherence to the usage of the funds, else also jia lat...

Maintenance is part of Profit & Loss.  It is funded by both fare revenue and Govt Grant.

Condo management is different concept.

Edited September 27, 2024 by inlinesix

[Vid]

Got to salute the train for 35 years of service

 

[Volvobrick]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:58 PM, Vid said:

Got to salute the train for 35 years of service

 

Cannot just salute. Need to paint this on the train:

[Tkseah]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:29 PM, inlinesix said:

Maintenance is part of Profit & Loss.  It is funded by both fare revenue and Govt Grant.

Condo management is different concept.

So the more $ spent on maintenance, the lower the profit and therefore lower the bonus.. of course spend minimum on maintenance lah.. 

[Spidey10]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:29 PM, inlinesix said:

Maintenance is part of Profit & Loss.  It is funded by both fare revenue and Govt Grant.

Condo management is different concept.

it is part of P/L but the usage of it need to be very clear as is for maintenance of future generation of income. Hence, need to conserve in a special account and not lump with the daily operation expenses account. Else...good luck Singapore, Good luck....

i believe the condo sinking fund method of management is appropriate as these sinking funds cannot be used to pay normal operation expenses incurred by the condo, else say 5 yrs down the road, the condo mgt want to do repainting of the whole block, where to get the money?? it ain't going to come from Gov grant for sure...