Complete pictorial collection
of KTMB passenger trains that are serving Singapore as of 22 June
2006
After the cancellation of Singapore --- Johor Bahru Shuttle Service
on 15 April 2006, there are 7 pairs of passenger trains running
into/out of Singapore, including the prestigious Eastern &
Oriental Express.
Here are the complete pictoral collection of all 7 pairs of KTMB
passenger trains, including the E&OE, as follows:
Ekspres Rakyat (ER 2 Singapore --> Kuala Lumpur; ER 1
Kuala Lumpur --> Singapore)
Introduced in 1970s to replace the 3-car-long rapid railcars (also
between KL and SG), it ran as a through service between Singapore
and Butterworth (Penang) via KL originally.
On 27 June 2001, due to double-tracking and electrification works
between Rawang and Ipoh, the ER was shortened to run between
Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Back then, no official reasons for this
could be found in KTMB timetable dated 27 June 2001. Only in
December 2001 when my family travelled around in Bangkok, Thailand,
did I found out the reason for the truncation of ER train services
from the State Railway of Thailand timetable (the one stated
earlier in this paragraph).
Till now, it is always the first KTMB passenger train to leave
Singapore daily.

Ekspres Sinaran Pagi/Petang (XSP 5 "Pagi" Kuala Lumpur
--> Singapore; XSP 6 "Petang" Singapore --> Kuala
Lumpur)
Introduced in 1980s with the arrival of 23-class locomotives, it
provides a speedy link between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
Originally, its scheduling caused it to run using one trainset on
the Kuala Lumpur-->Singapore-->Kuala Lumpur route, within one
day.
Due to decline of ridership on Ekspres Tebrau (SG---KL weekend day
service; already cancelled) and Ekspres Sinaran trains, both trains
merged in 2003 or 2004 to form Ekspres Sinaran Tebrau. Ekspres
Sinaran Tebrau disintergrated into its original consituents in
2004. Not long after, Ekspres Tebrau was withdrawn, and Ekspres
Sinaran survived.
Last year, the timing for Ekspres Sinaran Petang was adjusted, so
that passengers from Singapore and southern Malaysia could connect
directly to Senandung Langkawi (KL---Hatyai) without the need to
stay in KL for about 1 day. This arrangement has caused the XSP6 to
leave Singapore long before the XSP5 arrives Singapore.

Senandung Malam (SM11 Kuala Lumpur --> Singapore; SM12
Singapore --> Kuala Lumpur)
Existent for very long time (previously as "Night Express" or
"Southern Cross"), this service provides a good option for all kind
of travellers, ranging from Business travellers (maybe for the Koc
Selasa), to economy travellers/backpackers (for Airconditioned
Economy Coach). This service also conveys parcels and mail between
Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (mails and parcels from this train would
be handled in Singapore during late morning of everyday).
This service also takes the longest time to travel between
Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, that is about 8 or 9 hours. Before the
15 April 2006 rescheduling, this train is also prone to delays that
could affect the ER2's punctuality. Also, its consist is very long
(roughly as long as the E&OEs), with the parcel vans jutting
out of Singapore station's platforms!
So far, SM runs on 2 trainsets, while there are 6 Koc Selesa luxury
sleepers over the entire KTMB network (this is only sufficient for
2 trainsets)

Ekonomi Siang (ES61 Gemas --> Singapore; ES64 Singapore
--> Gemas)
This is the KTMB train that is shortest in length, only on a 4 cars
long trainset (1 power generator car + 3 airconditioned second
class coaches)!!!
Its scheduling means that the train would run from Malaysia to
Singapore and back within one day!!!
And if the passengers are "heng suay", they may get Airconditioned
Economy Coach instead!!!
This train is prone to delays, especially for the southbound ES
train. Northbound one is not that prone to delays, though.
Note that although in KTMB timetable it was said as mail train,
this train actually does not carry any mail at all!!!

Mail Train (M57 Gua Musang, Kelantan --> Singapore; M58
Singapore --> Gua Musang, Kelantan)
Going directly into the mountaineous central part of Kelantan, it
provides a cheap option for passengers heading for East Coast of
Malaysia (i.e. the Taman Negara). Occassionally it would carry mail
and parcel (in parcel vans, attached to the rear of the train). It
also allows passengers to see the rural sceneries and rainforests
of East Coast of Malaysia.
So far, this is the only train service in Singapore that has
non-airconditioned coaches attached to its consist. It is the
non-airconditioned buffet coach, attahced to the rear of the train
(if going towards Gua Musang).
Other than the NAC BC and power generator, all other coaches in
this consist would consist of Airconditioned Economy Coach.
Very prone to delays in all directions.
Takes about 10-12 hours to complete its journey. This is applicable
for all directions.

Ekspres Timuran (XST15 Tumpat, Kelantan --> Singapore;
XST14 Singapore --> Tumpat, Kelantan)
Previously known as "Golden Blowpipe", this service provides a
speedy link between East Coast of Malaysia and Johor
Bahru-Singapore regions.
Running at night, this train deprives passengers the opportunity to
see the rainforests in East Coast of Malaysia.

Eastern & Oriental
Express (Bangkok --> Singapore or Singapore -->
Bangkok and many more routing options)
Introduced in 1993, this service provides luxury and direct (but
very expensive) link between Singapore, Malaysia and
Thailand.
Green and milky-white in colour (very much like English luxury
trains), this train runs on 1 trainset of 22 cars long (with 2
restaurant cars, 1 lounge car, and 1 observation car), with a fixed
capacity of 132 passengers.
However, this train is not directly controlled by KTMB (it is owned
by Orient Express). It also departs and runs punctually at proper
speeds.
This train departs from Singapore on selected thursdays at 1100h,
taking 3 days and 2 nights (about 48 hours) to Bangkok (return from
Bangkok is on selected sundays) On the departure day, there are
special E&OE personnels in green (with walkie-talkies) waiting
for passengers at Tanjung Pagar.
For more information and the dates of departure from Singapore,
please refer to http://www.orient-express.com

