Rising early from my stay at Hotel Tropicana Gemas, it’s time to continue my journey down south back to Singapore. I opted to get the morning train, Ekspres Selatan 41dn from Gemas to JB Sentral, in order to not cross into Singapore at 3am the night before with the Ekspres Selatan 45dn, and to see the progress of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) in daylight.
This is part of my journey from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by train, taking 18 hours and 50 minutes. Follow this train journey from the links below:
- KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2053dn: Sentral Kuala Lumpur to Pulau Sebang (Tampin) by Train
- Ekspres Selatan 45dn: Pulau Sebang (Tampin) to Gemas by Night Train
- Hotel Tropicana Gemas: Comfortable Hotel For A Short Overnight Transit
- Ekspres Selatan 41dn: Gemas to Johor Bahru Sentral by Morning Train – Goodbye Paloh Railway Station
- Shuttle Tebrau 79dn: Johor Bahru Sentral to Woodlands CIQ by Train
Heading back to Gemas Railway Station after a few hours of rest in Hotel Tropicana Gemas.
The station still seems quiet though. Maybe no one is interested in getting at train at 6.10am early in the morning.
Heading to get the lift up to the concourse.
The waiting area before the ticket counter and gate at Gemas Railway Station.
My ticket for my Ekspres Selatan 41dn ride from Gemas to Johor Bahru Sentral.
About 15 minutes to departure, the gates were opened for passengers on the Ekspres Selatan 41dn.
Heading to Platform 4.
Heading down the stairs to Platform 4.
At 6.10am, the Ekspres Selatan 41dn arrived at Gemas from Pulau Sebang (Tampin).
There is a crew exchange at Gemas for this morning southbound train.
Looks like someone is missing an identity.
Heading to the coaches to board my Ekspres Selatan 41dn.
Boarding my Coach R2.
The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coach.
My booked seat at Seat 15A did not have a personal power socket this time.
*Only newer batches of ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches have a power socket beside Seats 1D and 15A.
The amount of legroom I get at Seat 15A.
The Asian squat toilet of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coach.
The Western sitting toilet of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coach.
Making a brief stop at Segamat.
On the other side of Segamat, viaducts are coming up on the old loop line and reserve railway land.
More viaduct construction through Segamat.
Finally, higher viaducts for the flood prone area of Segamat.
Looks like a wise decision to have a long viaduct through Segamat, even in non-populated areas, to avoid floods.
Some new track bed along the way. Looks like this is immediately for the new alignment already.
Passing through Tenang Railway Station, surprisingly still standing.
Passing through Tenang.
Passing through the wide railway land.
Making a brief stop at Labis with the loop line missing.
Seems like Labis Railway Station is preparing for some changes.
Making a brief stop at Bekok.
Passing by the new track towards Paloh.
Some major diversions coming up at Paloh.
Entering old Paloh Railway Station, in front of the temporary Paloh Railway Station.
The new station sign of temporary Paloh Railway Station.
The station building of temporary Paloh Railway Station.
Making a brief stop at old Paloh Railway Station.
The temporary Paloh Railway Station seems to have a similar layout to the old Paloh Railway Station.
The new ticket counter at temporary Paloh Railway Station.
Looking at the temporary Paloh Railway Station platform from the old Paloh Railway Station.
Passing the baton for the station sign design.
Strolling on the platform of old Paloh Railway Station for the last time.
The ticket counter of old Paloh Railway Station.
The temporary linkway across temporary Paloh Railway Station to the old Paloh Railway Station.
YTL Corporation YDL 05 (formerly KTM Berhad YDM 6543) resting at the temporary Paloh Railway Station.
My Ekspres Selatan 41dn at old Paloh Railway Station.
The cast nameplate of 24126 Sang Sura.
The builder plate of 24126 Sang Sura.
Departing from old Paloh Railway Station for the last time.
Passing by the YTL Corporation ballast train.
The YTL Corporation ballast train and a tamping vehicle at the temporary Paloh Railway Station.
Looks like the new line is running over the old Paloh Railway Station.
Heading on south.
Seems like the new track bed is raised to maintain the track level as compared to the up and down gradients currently.
Making a brief stop at Chamek.
I wonder how will this once-busy now-sleepy station be developed.
Heading past the start of viaduct elevation towards Kluang.
The old quarters is now the entrance to the construction site.
The old Kluang yard is now a yard again for maintenance of way vehicles.
Flattened land for the development of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP).
Approaching Kluang Railway Station.
Making a brief stop at Kluang Railway Station.
Viaducts now stand on the former sidings.
The train made a brief stop here as it was sightly before time.
Departing from Kluang Railway Station with the towering viaducts.
The main reason why elevation at Kluang is a necessity.
In a few years, this jam will be no more.
The Kluang viaducts start descending after the level crossing.
Making a brief stop at Renggam.
The loop line at Renggam is gone too.
Making a brief stop at Layang-Layang.
Seems like the new Layang-Layang station will be moved closer to the town.
Seems like the line would move a lot closer to the residential area too.
Passing by the new straightened alignment towards Kulai.
Passing by maintenance of way vehicles at Kulai.
Some old track ready to form the temporary alignment.
Ballast wagons on standby.
Looks like the new Kulai station will move slightly further out from the town.
Approaching Kulai Railway Station.
The loop line is still in tact.
Making a brief stop at Kulai.
Looks like the houses opposite the station have also been acquired.
Approaching Kempas Baru.
A stabling ASC (INKA) rake for unknown purposes and a ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) rake at Kempas Baru.
After dropping passengers off at the platform loop line, the Ekspres Selatan 41dn reverses to enter the main line.
Some catering service standing by for the incoming Ekspres Selatan 40up.
Back on the track just before the station.
Entering the main line to await crossing with the Ekspres Selatan 40up.
26115 Tanjung Rhu heads the Ekspres Selatan 40up from JB Sentral to Gemas, which is formed of the same rake as my Ekspres Selatan 45dn last night.
Looks like the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) is now a common sight on the KTM Southern Sector.
The Ekspres Selatan 40up departs first.
Departing from Kempas Baru.
Leaving the Kempas Baru vicinity.
The Pasir Gudang branch line splitting off.
Construction under way for the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP).
Making a brief stop at Arulmigu Sri Muniswaran Temple to wait for the JB Sentral signal to change.
Entering JB Sentral.
Arrived at JB Sentral at 11.00am – 3 minutes delayed.
24126 Sang Sura being decoupled at JB Sentral to round around to head the train back to Kempas Baru.
Heading up the escalators out of the platform.
Here, I headed up to grab some lunch before heading back to Singapore on the Shuttle Tebrau.
Overall, a good eye-opening day time trip seeing the progress of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) and an unexpected journey to bid Paloh Railway Station goodbye. However, with the fast pace of the progress of the Gemas-JB EDTP, I guess each station goodbye from here on represents a significant milestone in the progress of the railway upgrading to have fast trains coming to JB soon, providing a direct link to KL once again.
This is part of my journey from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by train, taking 18 hours and 50 minutes. Follow this train journey from the links below:
- KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2053dn: Sentral Kuala Lumpur to Pulau Sebang (Tampin) by Train
- Ekspres Selatan 45dn: Pulau Sebang (Tampin) to Gemas by Night Train
- Hotel Tropicana Gemas: Comfortable Hotel For A Short Overnight Transit
- Ekspres Selatan 41dn: Gemas to Johor Bahru Sentral by Morning Train – Goodbye Paloh Railway Station
- Shuttle Tebrau 79dn: Johor Bahru Sentral to Woodlands CIQ by Train