Melted wires caused Oct. 26 train disruptions: SBS, LTA

Overlapping wires caused arcing that led to melting and halted services on the North-East Line last month for two hours, according to a joint statement from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SBS Transit (SBST).

Sparks erupted as a manually-driven train on the mainline was headed back to the depot, causing the driver to stop, according to the statement. The point at which the train stopped led to arcing between wires and caused the melting.

SBS and LTA said remedial actions have identified the issue and it is not expected to recur.

"As an interim precautionary measure, SBST has marked all overlap zones on the reception tracks to indicate these as non-stopping zones,"" the staement said. "LTA and SBST are working together to enhance the design of the catenary system to minimise the likelihood of a recurrence."