The train doors were not closing properly and Daniel Fung was determined to find out why. After a meticulous inspection, he discovered the culprit: a piece of hard candy stuck in the doors’ guide rails, obstructing door motion.
“I can still remember smelling the lychee flavour,” says the 28-year-old Singapore Rail (SGRail) Industry scholar. “It is a perfect example of how even the smallest anomalies can affect an entire train service. When the doors malfunction, we have to take the whole train out of service.”
This attention to detail is crucial in Daniel’s role as deputy engineering maintenance manager at SMRT Trains Ltd. Leading nine teams of around six staff each in the Rolling Stock Maintenance department at Bishan Depot, he ensures every train on the North-South Line operates in peak condition through round-the-clock preventive and corrective maintenance.
“The depot is essentially like a clinic for trains. No train leaves until we have certified it is safe and healthy for service,” he says.
Each night offers Daniel a chance to ensure the fleet operates at its best. “Once trains return to the depot after midnight, we have about four to five hours for maintenance work,” he explains.
“It’s not just about the trains. What drew me to this field were the geotechnical engineering, route planning, power systems and countless other elements working in perfect synchronisation.”
– Daniel Fung, recipient of the SGRail Industry Scholarship
While Singapore sleeps, SMRT maintenance staff comb through every train carriage and examine critical systems – from doors and brakes to air-conditioning and lighting. The real test comes when trains arrive with unexpected issues.
“That’s when our problem-solving skills really kick in. We need to quickly diagnose the fault, gather the right expertise and prioritise repairs to ensure enough trains are ready for the morning peak hour,” says Daniel.
Despite the time pressure, safety remains paramount for the over three million daily train passengers.
“That is why we have a ‘second-last man’ policy where there’s always someone to double-check our work and act as a second pair of eyes,” he adds. “This approach helps us adhere to safety protocols while fostering a culture of looking out for one another.”
This policy is reiterated in SMRT’s Safety Culture 3.0 initiative launched in March 2024.
The path to Daniel’s current role began during his third year at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) where he studied mechanical engineering. After securing the SGRail Industry Scholarship, he pursued a master’s degree in railway engineering with project management at the University of Leeds in Britain before joining SMRT in October 2023.
The scholarship has allowed Daniel to realise a lifelong fascination with complex mechanical systems. “I always knew that I wanted a job that was not deskbound. I had considered becoming an aircraft engineer as I had a diploma in aerospace engineering from Temasek Polytechnic. But I also had an interest in trains before discovering the SGRail Industry Scholarship,” he explains.
During his long rides on local MRT trains and overseas on the high-speed railways of Taiwan and Europe, Daniel would marvel at how all the different systems worked together.
While studying engineering at NTU, he was fascinated by how high-speed rail systems integrate multiple engineering disciplines. “It’s not just about the trains. What drew me to this field were the geotechnical engineering, route planning, power systems and countless other elements working in perfect synchronisation,” he says.
The SGRail Industry Scholarship opened doors to a career where Daniel could apply his interests and expertise in meaningful ways.
At SMRT, the learning curve was steep, especially with five generations of trains currently in service (the latest trains are from the seventh generation).
Daniel was grateful to find himself surrounded by a living library of railway engineering knowledge: colleagues who had been maintaining Singapore’s trains since the MRT system was launched in 1987.
“These veterans can troubleshoot complex issues almost instinctively. They either have the answers or know exactly how to guide us in finding solutions. It is an invaluable learning experience,” he says.
This collaborative culture extends beyond his immediate team. Daniel regularly works with specialists in power supply, train tracks, signalling and communications to solve challenging problems, often interviewing train captains and analysing multiple data logs to get to the root of issues.
“The best part about this job is that everyone is willing to share their knowledge,” says Daniel.
In just one year, he reckons he has built strong working relationships with over 100 colleagues across different specialisations. Each day brings new learning opportunities and the satisfaction of knowing that he helps keep Singapore moving.
“By having different buddies to work with, you get to see all the different personalities and it makes the workplace dynamic and interesting,” he says. “Knowing that our work contributes directly to getting people safely from one destination to another gives me a great sense of satisfaction.”
For those considering a similar path, Daniel emphasises that the industry offers more than meets the eye. “Before joining, you might just see trains, tracks and stations,” he says.
“But once you’re in the rail industry, you witness first-hand the dedication and professionalism of everyone working 24/7 – from maintenance to operations – to make this complex system work.”
