SMRT recently spent some big bucks to acquire 106 new trains for the North-South Line and East-West Line.
The first batch of new trains was rolled out on Sunday (4 June 2023), and it was met with much excitement and hype from locals.
Here is what happened during the revealing of the SMRT 7th gen train over the weekend.
SMRT 7th Gen Train Rolled Into Tuas Link Station Over the Weekend
On Sunday, at around 7.10 am, a momentous event involving the SMRT 7th gen train occurred. The first of a batch of new Alstom Movia R151 trains pulled into the Tuas Link station on the East-West Link.
More than a hundred people gathered at the station, clapping and whooping to welcome the train’s arrival.
It was as if Thomas the Tank Engine had graced Singapore with its presence.
Apart from whoops and claps, the train enthusiasts present also cheered “Open, open, open” as the train rolled into the station.
Upon arriving at Tuas Link station, the new SMRT 7th gen train opened its doors to welcome passengers on board.
The excitement to see new trains was palatable in the air as many of those present had woken up early to catch the train.
In particular, The Straits Times reports that a nine-year-old primary school student Tan Teck Ern had woken up at 4 am to visit the new train.
He made it to Tuas Link station at 6 am in the morning, the usual rising time for the young child if he had to go to school.
Tan was accompanied by his parents and his younger brother.
Another train enthusiast, Jeremy Teng, also managed to beat the clock to arrive at the station on time to witness the new 7th gen train.
He shared with The Straits Times that he had previously overslept and missed the other train launches.
The main draw for Teng in relation to trains is the different motor sounds each train model makes during acceleration and deceleration.
Amidst all these train enthusiasts, we cannot help but wonder if the OG (original) trainspotter Jay Tan made it to take a look at the new trains.
Jay Tan is a self-professed trainspotter and had previously made it to the opening of train lines such as the Circle Line.