New S'pore Rail Test Centre in Tuas can do train testing without disrupting passenger service

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the completion and operational launch of the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC) in Tuas on Mar. 28.

It occupies approximately 78 football fields worth of space, and the state-of-the-art facility is designed to conduct rigorous testing for both new and existing rail lines, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of Singapore’s expanding rail network.

Construction of the SRTC began in 2021 and was completed in two phases.

The first phase, finished in November 2023, introduced a 2.8km high-speed test track where new Circle Line (CCL) trains have been undergoing testing since late last year.

According to LTA's website, the high-speed test track is capable of testing trains with speeds of up to 100km/h.

With the recent completion of the second phase, the SRTC now boasts two additional test tracks:

1. A 2.8km performance and integration test track with an S-track for system integration testing.
2. A 3km endurance looped test track with uphill gradients to assess train durability over extended mileage.

The facility also features a three-storey building housing an Operations Control Centre, maintenance workshops, and administration offices.

Previously, train testing had to be conducted overseas or during limited engineering hours on operational MRT lines.

The SRTC eliminates these constraints by allowing for 24/7 testing in a controlled environment, thus reducing the need for train services to be closed earlier and opened later whenever train testing has to be done.

Trains and key railway systems — including signalling, communications, and power — can now be rigorously assessed before deployment, minimising disruptions to passenger services.

Top photo: LTA