Nostalgia on Trains

SBS9889U SG

This is a thread for everyone to add on your knowledge about Singapore trains like interesting stuff and so on. Other countries' trians info are also allowed.

Just to start thre ball rolling, i will share some info.

The current Tanjong Pagar Railway Station was offficially opened in 1932.

iveco SG

Still remember KTM used to have NAC thrid-class carriages in the past.

The_Bus_Guide SG

There were other railway stations in Singapore before 1932. Heading north, after Tank Rd Station there were Newton, Cluny Rd, Bt Timah, Bt Panjang, Kranji and the terminus at Woodlands. Passnegers will then take a ferry across the Johore Straits before continuing their journey northwards on another train. The track also extends south of Tank Road making its way through People's Park, Borneo Wharf and finally the terminal station at Pasir Panjang.

The Singapore Railway was built in 1902 and was transferred by sale to the Federated Malay States Railway (FMSR) in 1918. In 1923, it joined the railway line in Johor Bahru when the Causeway was completed.

The_Bus_Guide SG

The opening of Tanjong Pagar Railway Station in 1932 brought a big change. A new railway line was constructed from Bt Timah to the new station, which is the line we see today. The old line to Tank Rd was removed and so were all the stations. But the "branch" line to Telok Blangah still remains.

A new branch line began construction in 1965. This new line comes off the main line at Bt Timah Station and make its was to Jurong. It was completed in 1967. The Jurong Line is disused today but remnants of the line can still be seen, particularly the iron bridge at Clementi.

Ito_^ SG

I remember I used to have travel sickness while riding the MRT.

SBS9818A SG

Hmm, the branch line is actually new? How long was it in operation and what was it for?

iveco SG

Didn't know Teluk Blangah had a branch line. Haven't seen it before.

The Jurong line was supposed to link up to the port and industries there, if I'm not mistaken. Also, I remember seeing a level crossing near Teban Garden while passing by.

SBS9889U SG

Till now, i still see a signboard on a deserted small route that links to the [email protected] Bt Timah.

The_Bus_Guide SG

The Telok Blangah line was mainly used to transport goods from the port at Keppel Harbour. It was removed in the 1950s or 60s. Before the viaduct over Keppel Rd was built, the yard at Tanjong Pagar was much bigger. There was even a railway network within what is now the container terminal. There used to be a line joining the Tanjong Pagar yard to the port via a level crossing at Keppel Rd. The line was removed to make way for the AYE but the gate used for the level crossing can still be seen today!

Yes, the Jurong line was constructed to transport goods from the Jurong Industrial Estate and the Jurong Port. Considering the lack of proper highways linking the area then, the construction of a railway line provided a quick mode of transportation. There were never any passenger traffic on the Jurong Line.

There was another line which branches off into where IKEA stands today. The line crosses Jalan Bukit Merah near SAFRA.

The_Bus_Guide SG

There is a sign saying KTMB Bukit Timah Railway Station at Bukit Timah Rd, just next to the iron bridge. Bt Timah station comrpises of a station master's office and a small signal box. There is also a passing loop so that 2 trains going in opposite directions could pass each other.

A visit to Bt Timah Station is like stepping back in time. Although just 100 meters from the main road, the noise from the street is drowned by the sounds of birds and insects. There is lush green vegetation all around and you could hardly believe that you're in Singapore.

SGEMP SG

What about the history of individual KTM trains? (i.e. Ekspres Rakyat SG<>KL)

iveco SG

I rememebr Express Rakyat used to go all the way to Penang before upgrading work on the KL-Ipoh section of the KTM railroad commenced. The project was supposed to have been finished some time ago, but was delayed many times.

The_Bus_Guide SG

The KL-Ipoh section will be converted into a double track electrified line where a commuter train service could then be implemented. Traffic heading through this section is minimised so as not to intefere too much with the upgrading works. Currently, there is only 2 daily passenger trains between KL and Butterworth, the Express Langkawi.

Express Rakyat was once the star of KTMB, its route covering over 700 km from Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Butterworth. Hopefully, it will be restored when the double project is completed. Anyway, KTMB is facing fierce competition from express buses for the northern route. Its biggest passenger revenue comes from Singapore due to the exchange rate. However, passenger revenue is little compared to the revenue from hauling freight.

The_Bus_Guide SG

Well, I'm not sure about the history of the routes. But I can tell you the history of the locomotives! The first diesel-electric locomotive of KTMB was introduced in 1957. They were made by English Electric and designated as the 20 Class. The locomotives were named after Malaysian flowers and the fleet started with number 20101 Bunga Raya. The 20 Class were withdrawn in the 1980s. One specimen has been preserved and it is on display at the Shah Alam Museum in Selangor. It was the only 20 Class locomotive I ever saw.

SGEMP SG

If not wromg, the cut was applied from 27/6/01 onwards. Because KTMB had on that day made another batch of its timetables effective.

Then, in Dec that same year, my family, en route back from HK, visited Thailand. rode on its trains, and got a copy of nationwide SRT timetable.

Inside pertaining to KTMB sections reads:

Train ER/1 from Butterworth to KL have been cancelled and no longer available to make way for the Double tracking project and upgrading works along the IPOH-RAWANG.

SBS9828X SG

does trains continue upnorth after KLsentral?

The_Bus_Guide SG

Yes. KL Sentral is a through station; ie. the line doesn't end there. To the north of KL Sentral is the KL Old Station. Only the KTM Komuter stops here and the place is deserted nowadays.

The line continues northwards until Putra Station. Here, the line splits. One goes to Rawang which would then lead to Ipoh and all the way to the Thai border at Padang Besar. The other line goes to the Sentul, where the KTMB Locomotive Maintenence Yard is located. Although the KTM Komuter ends here, the track continues right up to Batu Caves but this section is now unused.

iveco SG

I rememebr reading about plans to extend KTM's Komuter service from Sentul to Selayang. Perhaps the above-mentioned track would be put to good use after all.

SGEMP SG

If not wrong, in the past, before the ER/1 cut, trains b/t SG and PEN would run thru KL, be it KLO or KLS. (My collections of KTM timetables proved this.)