40 km/h speed restriction for westbound EWL trains lifted on Oct. 5

The temporary speed restrictions (TSR) for westbound trains travelling on the repaired track sections of the East-West Line (EWL) have been lifted on Oct. 5.

This safety measure was implemented following the completion of track repairs to the damaged East-West Line, when regular train services fully resumed on Oct. 1.

It is part of the standard process following rail replacement and meant that affected trains travelled more slowly at 40 kilometres per hour between Dover and Clementi stations.

According to 8world, trains typically travel at 60 to 80 kilometres per hour along that stretch.

The TSR was initially set to be imposed from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3.

As such, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) advised commuters travelling to the west on the EWL to factor in an additional five minutes of travel time.

Mothership understands that the TSR of 40 kilometres per hour was extended for an additional day on Oct. 4 as a precautionary measure for commuter safety.

It was lifted from the start of passenger service on Oct. 5, Saturday.

Background

Regular train services on the EWL between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations were disrupted for six days, from Sep. 25 to Sep. 30.

The disruption happened when a Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train that had been in service for over 35 years developed a fault.

As it was being withdrawn, it damaged the tracks, including the running rails and a third rail supplying power to the train.

LTA and SMRT said that after their engineers worked through the night, they found "extensive damage" to the track and trackside equipment.

Joint investigations revealed that a defective train axle box was dropped from the KHI train, causing the wheels of a bogie to come off the running rail between Dover and Clementi station.

The dropped axle box led to 34 rail breaks across 1.6km of tracks between the two stations.

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Top image from SMRT/Facebook & LTA/Facebook