The North Borneo Railway & a Train Journey of a Bygone Era

Vulcan steam powered locomotive of the NBR (MB 2013)

The railway history in Sabah dates back to 1896, when it was constructed to transport tobacco from the interior. Today the Sabah State Railway (the only rail transport system in Borneo) runs from Tanjung Aru, KK to Tenom (134 km). The trains run daily, but twice weekly on Saturdays and Wednesdays a historic North Borneo Railway vintage (steam engine) train is operational from Tanjung Aru to Papar.

It was a railway journey I wanted to go on to celebrate my 62nd. It was short but most memorable because the North Borneo Railway 'offers passengers an opportunity to experience the bygone era of British North Borneo while transporting passengers along the lifeline of Sabah. Refurbished to recreate the nostalgic romance of people travelling by steam train ... in the 1900s'.

9.30 am    We collect our tickets and 'passports' at the Tanjung Aru Station, then board the train.

10.00 am  The train leaves the station for Papar. (Continental) breakfast is served on board. We pass by Putatan and the train hugs the coast for a view of Lokawi Bay and the South China Sea.

10.40 am  We stop for 20 mins. at Kinarut. Some of us visit the Chinese Temple here, M and I walk  around the little town with its traditional shops and a tamu (market).

11.00 am  The train departs from Kinarut Station. We pass by Kawang, home to Kawang Forest Reserve.

11.45 am  We arrive at Papar Station after crossing the Papar River over a yellow steel trestle bridge. Here at the station we watch the locomotive head do a turnaround for the return journey, before going on a walkabout of Papar town. No, the locomotive head did not go on the walkabout - we did.

12.20 pm  We re-board for the return journey and the train departs 10 mins. later. A very substantial 'Tiffin' lunch is served; quite a generous meal indeed - rice, chicken satay, fried fish, mixed vegetables, fresh fruits and ice cream. (The return journey does no stops).

1.40 pm We arrive at Tanjung Aru Station and disembark.

A carriage of the NBR (MB 2013)

Tiffin lunch on the train (CNB 2013)

In summary, this North Borneo Railway journey enables passengers to experience the sights and sounds of the Sabah landscape. The lush greenery, the quaint rustic little towns, the local children waving, errr ... also including the whistle sound of the locomotive very often along the journey. There is some soot involved - you will notice it in your drink. But its okay, all part of the great experience in the nostalgia of a vintage train travel. The journey was all the more interesting with trainmaster Encik Jual Hussin and the train stewards being ever so friendly, with their colonial style uniforms definitely a hit with the passengers.

Kinarut town view from the railway station (CNB 2013)

M with the trainmaster and stewards of the NBR (CNB 2013)

Note: The North Borneo Railway is a collaboration between the Sabah State Railway Department and Sutera Harbour Resort.

23 March 2013