A Return Journey by Train

In mid June recently I made a return journey by the KTMB (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd) train to Tanjung Pagar/Singapura just before the closure of the station at the end of the month. This is the log for that journey, made in memory of my father Ba who was working at the Singapore Botanical Gardens before accepting the offer to work with KTM, which he served till compulsory retirement.

9.00 am:  The Express Sinaran Selatan leaves KL Sentral at the precise time.

All Aboard! (2011)

9.30 am: We reach Kajang station. My friends and I have breakfast at the buffet car. It is a bit disappointing really. No more freshly cooked fare on board but nasi lemak, bihun, sandwiches and breads offered in plastic containers.
10.15 am: A five-minute stop at Seremban, Negri Sembilan.
11.10 am: Tampin/Pulau Sebang
11.45 am: Batang Melaka
12.01 pm: We reach Gemas; the railway junction of the KTM train network. I had lived here in the early 60's but the station now is pretty unrecognizable. Anyway I get down to take some photos to remind me of  one of my late father's 'work place'.

Pity there was no time to sit on the lonely bench beside the Gemas station signage.
Maybe next time! In the background they are building the 'double track' (CNB 2011)

Gemas railway station (CNB 2011)

12.43 pm: Segamat, Johor
12.54 pm: At Genuang we stop for another passing train.
1.05 pm: We reach Tenang. Along the railway tracks after this station I notice many tempua (weaver bird) nests on the trees.
1.19 pm: At Labis and after, coffee trees seem to be in abundance.
1.40 pm: Bekok
2.20 pm: Kluang

A KTM railway guard along the Kluang station platform (CNB 2011)

3.05 pm: Kulai
3.30 pm: Kempas Baru
3.40 pm: At JB Sentral, the Malaysian immigration check our travel documents.
4.10 pm: We cross the causeway into Singapore. At Woodlands, we leave the train (with all our luggage, sheesh!) for the Singapore Immigration and Customs check. This took 40 minutes before we boarded the train again (with our luggage in tow) to our final destination across the island.
5.30 pm: We arrive at Tanjong Pagar/Singapura station, passing by the closed Bukit Timah station on the way.

Tanjong Pagar/Singapura Railway Station (CNB 2011)

We were in Singapore for 4 days and then returned to KL Sentral riding the night train, Senandung Sutera at 10.30 pm. We 'forgot' to get down at Woodlands for the immigration check until a knock on the door by a young police/immigration (?) officer reminded us to do so. The sleeping berths were okay; we were also provided towels and toiletries for the shower. I think I slept like a log that night, rocked by the moving train. We reached KL Sentral the next day before 7.00 am.

Arriving in the eerie dawn at KL Sentral (CNB 2011)