J103 - Reception tracks update Q2 2023

28 May 2023 A view of viaduct piers that will support the reception tracks to Tengah Depot.

 Reception tracks are a not-so-talked-about but yet critical part of a rail line. Several years back, when the second generation of trains on the North East Line were undergoing system testing on the main line, one of the train's pantographs (power collecting device that receives power from the supply line) snagged the overhead electrification line while returning to the depot on the reception track. The single train thus managed to cause a service disruption even though the fault occurred off the main line.

What exactly are reception tracks? These are non-revenue tracks that link the main line (revenue service tracks) to the depot where trains go to be cleaned and maintained. If you happen to be travelling along the East-West Line (EWL) between Simei & Tanah Merah, you'll have noticed a lot of viaduct construction taking place. We did a video a few weeks back to explain which are the main line tracks and which are reception tracks. Perhaps you'd like to check that video out if you haven't yet done so? In any case, here's an update on the progress of the reception tracks being built under contract J103.

8 April 2023 - A view of completed pier columns awaiting crosshead construction.

8 April 2023 - An aerial view of the reception track viaduct piers.

8 April 2023

8 April 2023

8 April 2023 - A view of the piers as seen from the Pan Island Expressway (PIE).

8 April 2023 - A different angle of the reception track viaduct piers.

8 April 2023

As of April, several viaduct pier columns were completed with only one beginning construction of the pier crosshead. The remaining pier columns had yet to commence any form of crosshead construction - be it installation of scaffolding, formwork or rebar.

7 May 2023 - A view of viaduct piers from the PIE.

7 May 2023 - An aerial view of the viaduct piers. 2 of the piers are now undergoing crosshead
construction.

7 May 2023 - A view of the piers as they enter into Tengah depot.

7 May 2023 - A close up of 2 piers.

7 May 2023 - A pier with crosshead construction taking place.

7 May 2023

7 May 2023 - A second pier with crosshead construction taking place.

7 May 2023 - The beginnings of a new pier after the pile cap has been completed.

At the start of May, roughly a month after the previous batch of pictures from April, a second pier had joined the first in having the crosshead being constructed. A few newer piers began emerging following the completion of the pile caps within the excavation pits.

15 June 2023 - A view of the viaduct piers from the PIE.

15 June 2023 - Two of the piers with completed crosshead construction.

15 June 2023 - An aerial view of the completed pier columns. Several more are now having their
crossheads constructed as well.

15 June 2023 - A close up view of the first pier to have its crosshead constructed. The mechanism
balanced on top will assist to commence contract J103's viaduct construction.

15 June 2023 - New piers having the crosshead commence construction. Scaffolding is being
put up to support the formwork, rebar and concrete casting.

15 June 2023 - Materials being delivered to the site of the launching of the first segmental box
girder for contract J103.

15 June 2023 - The reception tracks split off to allow trains to be put into or taken out of
service from either Hong Kah or Corporation stations.

15 June 2023 - A completed and under construction pier en route to Hong Kah station.

15 June 2023 - 2 completed piers en route to Hong Kah station.

15 June 2023 - Another new pier emerging.

15 June 2023 - An aerial view showing the series of completed pier columns and upcoming piers.

15 June 2023 - Formerly just rebar, some concrete has been cast around the base of a new pier
column.

15 June 2023 - A segmental box girder being transported within the depot site. It is anticipated
that this segment is able to support multiple trackways on a single girder and may be soon
transported to the first pier with a completed crosshead for launching.

By June, more piers had been completed and were beginning work on the construction of the crossheads. There will be a total of 4 reception tracks - 2 each for launching and withdrawing trains into or out of service from both Hong Kah and Corporation stations. The 4 reception tracks will eventually merge into 3 tracks leading into and out of the depot. These tracks may be supported by a single segmental girder as opposed to the main line where each girder only supports one trackway. This would also allow for the installation of turnouts which will allow trains to cross from one track to another.

With progress apparent over the past quarter, we are anticipating the last contract under phase 1 of the Jurong Region Line (JRL) beginning viaduct construction through the launching of segmental box girders. With the equipment in place and already mounted on the viaduct pier crosshead, it will only be a matter of time till the first segment is hoisted into the air and attached to the pier. Do stay tuned as we bring more coverage on the progress in time to come. 

This post will also be available on Instagram & Facebook on 17 June 2023.