KTM Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) Train from KL Sentral to Tumpat

KTM Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha is a seasonal train linking Kuala Lumpur to Kelantan during the Hari Raya Aidiladha festive long weekend. With a new timetable departing from KL Sentral in the afternoon, I hopped on to Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) for a joyride on on a now time-effective way to arrive in Kelantan while enjoying the daytime scenery of the electrified double-track on a locomotive-hauled train om departure day.

Kuala Lumpur Sentral Railway Station (KL Sentral)

I arrived at KL Sentral about 1 hour early for my train.

Gate A was still quite empty with no particular signs mentioning the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha.

The KITS Automatic Control Gate (ACG) at Gate A also has a sticker placed over the QR code scanner.

At, signs were finally put up at Gate A for the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha.

At 2.50pm, 30 minutes before departure, boarding commenced for the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) at Gate A on the former SkyPark Link side.

Tickets are scanned by the ticket checkers by the KITS Mobile Validator.

My ticket for the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) on the KTMB Mobile app.

The TC scanning my KTMB Mobile app ticket with his Mobile Validator.

Heading down the escalator to the platform.

KTM Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1)

Feels refreshing to see a KTM Intercity train at KL Sentral again.

25 Class Locomotive 25101 Pulau Angsa leads my Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) from  KL Sentral to Tumpat.

ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second)

There are 3 ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second) coaches attached on Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1). The interior of the ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second) coach has 20 lower berths and 20 upper berths.

KTM does not convert the ADNS berths into seats during the day, and the night configuration is fixed throughout.

My lower berth at 28. This faces the right direction when heading south, but becomes reverse from Gemas. However, since this is a bed, I simply flipped the pillow to the other end of the bed.

The upper berth above me. From this angle, it’s easy to identify that this is an ADNS Batch 2 coach with the extended ladder and full-length safety bar.

Bed numbers are also indicated on the ladder.

A better pillow case is provided on the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1).

The space I get on the lower berth.

The space available on the upper berth.

Squatting and sitting toilets are available on board the ADNS, without waste tanks.

Chillax Coach

The Chillax Coach is available for passengers to lounge in on board the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1). Seats have been removed from the Chillax Coach with artificial grass carpets replacing 2 sides of the coach for passengers to lounge in. Beanbags are provided for a more comfortable seating position near the floor. The Chillax Coach also doubles up as a Surau if needed.

ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach)

An ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach), also known by most passengers as canteen, is also attached on the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1).

The menu and price list of the food and drinks available on board Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1).

Packaged snacks are displayed on the counter.

ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class)

There are 5 ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class) coaches on Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1). The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) has 60 seats in a 2+2 configuration in a fixed forward or reverse direction.

The legroom available on board the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia).

AFC (Air-conditioned First Class)

There is 1 AFC (Air-conditioned First Class) coach on Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1).

Seats on the AFC (Air-Conditioned First Class) are laid out in a 2+1 configuration which can be rotated towards the direction of travel.

The legroom available on board the AFC (Air-Conditioned First Class).

Power sockets are available on the wall with 1 set of a 3-pin and 2 USB power sockets catering for each seat.

My Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) departed from KL Sentral at 3.02pm – 2 minutes delayed.

Heading out of KL Sentral in the day time.

I started my Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) journey with a cup of Teh O Ais (RM2.50) from the ABC.

Bandar Tasik Selatan Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bandar Tasik Selatan Railway Station where more passengers boarded.

Departing from Bandar Tasik Selatan Railway Station.

Kajang Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kajang Railway Station where more passengers boarded.

I headed to the Chillax Coach to relax on the beanbags on the way to Seremban and to spot the crossings along the way.

Extra legroom seat anybody?

Passing through Bangi Railway Station.

Heading on the single-track sector like an actual KTM Intercity train.

Approaching Batang Benar Railway Station.

The lines at Batang Benar Railway Station are now relegated to sidings with the demise of the main down line.

Crossing with KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2044up at Batang Benar Railway Station. This KTM Komuter Klang Valley Sector 2044up has been delayed by at least 7 minutes here due to the late arrival of my Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) at 4.30pm.

My Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) was further delayed due to a stop order issued at Batang Benar Railway Station.

The stop order was issued to pick up the crew of the failed Light Engine 25104.

Departing from Batang Benar Railway Station after picking up the crew of the failed Light Engine 25104, which will be stabled at Batang Benar Railway Station.

Crossing with the ETS Gold 9322up at Labu Railway Station.

It started to rain after passing through Labu.

Seremban Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Seremban Railway Station where more passengers boarded.

Passing by Seremban EMU Depot.

Pulau Sebang Railway Station (Tampin Railway Station)

Making a brief stop at Pulau Sebang Railway Station (Tampin Railway Station) where more passengers boarded.

Heading back to the Chillax Coach for a while as the coaches were getting crowded with Pulau Sebang passengers settling in with their bags.

Passing by the bypass wye from the KTM Central Line to the KTM East Coast Line north of Gemas Railway Station.

Passing by Gemas Depot.

Passing over the junction of the KTM Central Line and KTM East Coast Line north of Gemas Railway Station.

Approaching Gemas Railway Station.

Gemas Railway Station

Surprisingly, more passengers boarded at Gemas Railway Station. I wonder if the bookings were knowingly for the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1), or just out of convenience when searching on the KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS).

There is a 30-minute stop here at Gemas Railway Station for the locomotive to change ends and cab position.

The front of the train is now the rear.

At this time, the seats of the AFC (Air-Conditioned First Class) are also rotated to face the direction of travel.

Rounding the locomotive at Gemas took a while as it went over to the wye junction to do a 3-point turn so as to have the short hood of the 25 Class Locomotive facing forward.

The token issued for the Gemas–Bahau sector.

My Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) departed from Gemas on time at 7.04pm.

Passing by the Ekspres Selatan 44up which had arrived before time.

Splitting away from the KTM Central Line on to the KTM East Coast Line.

Taking the right curve on to the KTM East Coast Line.

Passing by Gemas Depot.

Crossing the railway crossing at Taman Molek Gemas.

The sunset on the KTM East Coast Line as seen from on board the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1).

For dinner, I got a Nasi Goreng Telur Mata (RM9) and Sirap Bandung (RM3) from the ABC. As the ABC was full, I went over to an empty seat in the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) for a tray table to eat from comfortably.

Both the Nasi Goreng and Telur Mata were served hot, with the egg still crispy. And I’m pleased that it was not a salted mush like the Nasi Goreng I had on the recent Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up from JB Sentral to Kuala Lipis.

Seems like this may have been cooked on board, though I couldn’t 100% verify it as boxes of food simply came out of the galley to serve orders in the crowded ABC. It did not come out of the microwave behind the counter though, so that’s a good thing.

Bahau Railway Station

Making a longer stop at Bahau Railway Station, split into 2 parts.

After picking up the first batch of Bahau passengers who were at the station early, the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) reverses to enter the loop line for scheduled crossing with the Shuttle Timuran 37dn.

Stopping at the loop line of Bahau Railway Station.

Crossing with the Shuttle Timuran 37dn on schedule at Bahau Railway Station.

After the Shuttle Timuran 37dn had departed, the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) returns to the main line to pick up the remaining passengers who had arrived just in time.

As it was getting dark, and I had an early start to the day, I rested for the day after Bahau.

While I was sleeping along the way, the also stops at Mentakab, Jerantut, Kuala Lipis, Gua Musang, Dabong, and Krai.

Tanah Merah Railway Station

I woke up at Tanah Merah Railway Station at around 6.30am with the shuffling of passengers starting to alight from the train. The Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) was running about 12 minutes late.

The fresh morning air from the KTM East Coast Line.

Passing by the junction south of Pasir Mas Railway Station towards Rantau Panjang.

Pasir Mas Railway Station

Making a brief stop at where Pasir Mas Railway Station more passengers alighted.

The jungle scenery gives way to town buildings from here.

The morning sun from the KTM East Coast Line.

Wakaf Bharu Railway Station

Approaching Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.

Crossing with the Shuttle Timuran 53dn at Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.

Most remaining passengers alighted at Wakaf Bharu Railway Station, the gateway to Kota Bharu.

Departing from Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.

Crossing the railway crossing north of Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.

I bade goodbye to my ADNS berth for the night as I made my way to the front of the train to catch the locomotive decoupling in time. The platform may not be long enough to fit all the ADNSes anyway.

The rural scenery on the final stretch to Tumpat.

The came to a stop before a failed signal before entering Tumpat Railway Station.

Even the animals were staring at the stopped train.

Some restarting of the signal was tried out, to no avail. However, a signalling staff had arrived to escort the train past the signal, most likely also carrying a Tiket Jalan Bebas (TJB) for the driver to sign off.

Passing by the railway crossing at Kampung Kelong Tumpat.

Passing by the new Bandar Bentara Tumpat commercial area.

Passing by the new turntable at Tumpat Depot.

Crossing the last railway crossing of the KTM East Coast Line at Tumpat Railway Station.

Tumpat Railway Station

My Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) arrived at Tumpat Railway Station at 8.06am – 24 minutes delayed.

The locomotive decouples from the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) and heads to the headshunt at the end of the KTM East Coast Line to round back to the other end of the rake.

The true end of the KTM East Coast Line at the headshunt.

The new station sign of Tumpat Railway Station features Jawi below the Malay text.

The new Tumpat Railway Station building taking shape.

The temporary cabin on the platform that the ticket counter and office is operating out from.

Heading out of Tumpat Railway Station.

The façade of the current Tumpat Railway Station.

The future Tumpat Railway Station building.

Heading to the railway crossing to spot the shunting of the rake of Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1).

The empty rake of Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) in Tumpat Depot.

From Tumpat Railway Station, I caught a Grab to Pengkalan Kubor to start my 1-night trip in Kelantan.

Conclusion

The new timetable of Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha 1026up (ELA1) departing from KL Sentral in the afternoon is a good timing to enjoy the train ride on boarding day, and to retire to bed for the night, before arriving in Kelantan the next morning. This is a time-effective way for enjoying the train ride in the day and to wake up at my destination in the morning. Time-effective in this case means for joyriding, and not to get to your destination in the fastest time. Hopefully, more trains for this timing will run for future charter train trips.