Over 20 SBS Transit engineers & contractors work overnight to replace rail segment at Buangkok station

SBS Transit engineers and contractors work through the night to replace NEL rail segment in Buangkok

In a display of dedication, more than 20 SBS Transit rail engineers and contractors worked tirelessly through the night on 16 Nov, replacing a critical rail segment embedded in concrete at Buangkok Station.

Behind-the-scenes look at late-night rail replacement

In a Facebook update on Monday (17 Nov), SBS Transit shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the late-night operation.

Images showed the team in action, cutting through concrete and replacing the old rail with a new pre-fabricated segment.

The operation was a spectacle, with sparks flying as the team sliced through the concrete to remove the old rail segment.

The crew then lifted it out, replaced it with a new rail assembly, and secured it using fast-curing concrete.

Finally, the ends of the rails were welded together by engineers in a tightly coordinated effort.

Management on-site to observe and encourage team

Despite the late hour, the operation received support from senior leadership.

CEO Rail Mr Lee Yam Lim and Head of Rail Engineering and Support Mr Pang Yeow Wei were both on-site, rallying the team.

According to SBS Transit, the replacement is part of its ongoing North-East Line (NEL) rail renewal programme.

The effort focuses on pre-emptively replacing embedded rails based on wear conditions, ensuring they are replaced before reaching end-of-life.

The train operator has also rolled out a new pre-fabricated embedded rail system to speed things up.

What used to take four engineering nights can now be done in just two, freeing up valuable track hours for other critical maintenance.

The new design also uses elastic, resin-bonded rubber profiles that help absorb shocks better, reducing vibration and wear.

This not only extends rail lifespan but also promises smoother and more dependable rides for commuters.

Netizens appreciate rail replacement efforts

The operation has received an outpouring of support from netizens, who took to Facebook to thank the SBS Transit team for their dedication.

Another commenter said it was no wonder that recent train rides felt “really strange” between the Hougang and Buangkok stations on NEL.

Also read: SBS Transit replaces 14,000kg rectifier transformer at Potong Pasir MRT station to keep NEL running smoothly

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Featured image adapted from SBS Transit on Facebook.