KTM Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up (ELA1) from KL Sentral to Tumpat by Train

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KTM Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up (ELA1) Train from KL Sentral to Tumpat

The KTM Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri is a seasonal KTM Intercity train operating between KL Sentral and Tumpat for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2023 long weekend. With a seemingly once-a-year rare train, I decided to book my ticket for the first run of Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri even though I wasn’t going back to any kampungs just to ride on a KTM Intercity train from KL Sentral to Tumpat.

KTM Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri Route Map

KTM Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri Running Dates

The first departure rake is abbreviated as ELA1, with the second abbreviated as ELA2.

Kuala Lumpur Sentral Railway Station (KL Sentral)

I headed to Kuala Lumpur Sentral Railway Station (KL Sentral) early in good time for boarding.

The Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up was going to depart from KL Sentral Gate A.

Special banners had been printed advertising the waiting area for Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up around Gate A.

My KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS) mobile ticket for the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up train from KL Sentral to Tumpat.

Scanning my KITS ticket on the Automated Control Gate (ACG).

The Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up train number and departure date and time are displayed on the screen when scanned in.

Heading down the escalator to the platform for some good pictures of the empty train. Thank you to KTMB Marketing, Promotions & Advertising Unit for allowing me to board early.

25 Class Locomotive 25102 Pulau Besar

25 Class Locomotive 25102 Pulau Besar leads the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up even though I wasn’t going back to any kampungs just to ride on a KTM Intercity train from KL Sentral to Tumpat.

Here are the coaches attached on the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up in order from front to back when heading southbound to Gemas.

ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second)

There are 3 ADNS sleeper coaches attached on ELA1 which is the most popular class of booking as there are proper beds here.

For ELA2, there are 2 ADNS coaches.

The interior of the ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second) with 20 lower berths and 20 upper berths. New curtains have been installed on the ADNS coaches.

My lower berth at 24.

Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri Gift Box

A box of goodies commemorating the holidays is placed on the side table in my berth.

The gift box has 2 design on each side, with the KTM Senandung Aidilfitri theme of 2023 on the front and a KTM Intercity coach design with window and Jalur Gemilang livery on the rear.

Inside the gift box is a bottle of Yeo’s drink, a jar of peanuts, a box of cookies, 5 pieces of Senandung Aidilfitri Sampul Raya, and a RM5 voucher for your next ETS trip.

Use promo code RAYALAKITA for RM5 off your next ETS trip. Promotion is for Malaysians only. Other terms and conditions apply as stated on the voucher.

For the upper berths, the box of goodies are placed on the pillow.

Both sitting and squat toilets are available on board the ADNS.

Chillax Coach

The Chillax Coach is attached for passengers to lounge in.

The availability of bean bags is about halved as they are split between ELA1 and ELA2.

ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach)

An ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach) is also attached for food and beverage sales.

The menu on board the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri with simple mains offered. Rezza Brand is the operator for the ABC on board the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri.

Packaged snacks and drinks are also stocked up in the counter.

ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class)

5 ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class) coaches attached.

The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) has 60 seats in a 2+2 configuration in a fixed forward or reverse direction.

Goodie boxes are placed on every seat on board the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia).

AFC (Air-conditioned First Class)

1 AFC (Air-conditioned First Class) coach is attached at the rear of the train.

The newly-refurbished AFC1417 in-house by KTM themselves makes its debut on the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up (ELA1). Fresh exterior stickers have been applied for the stainless steel Jalur Gemilang livery.

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 purple seats have been cleaned up and repainted with all head pillows replaced.

The flooring has also been changed back to carpet from the previous “refurbishment” to vinyl similar to the ASC.

Walls have been repainted to white.

Lighting has been changed to warm light.

Goodie boxes are placed on every seat on board the AFC (Air-Conditioned First Class).

Hooks on the walls have been replaced back.

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

The single seat has a single set of 3-pin and 2 USB power sockets.

The window seat of the pair seats has 1 set of 2 3-pin and 2 USB power sockets.

Toilets have been also repainted to white on most facilities which gives a brighter and cleaner feel. New vinyl flooring have also been installed.

The Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up departed from KL Sentral at 11.02pm – 2 minutes delayed.

Bandar Tasik Selatan Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bandar Tasik Selatan Railway Station.

Kajang Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kajang Railway Station.

Seremban Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Seremban Railway Station.

Pulau Sebang Railway Station (Tampin Railway Station)

Making a brief stop at Pulau Sebang Railway Station (Tampin Railway Station).

Gemas Railway Station

Making a long scheduled stop at Gemas Railway Station as the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up changes direction here.

25102 Pulau Besar decouples from the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up to run around and head to the wye junction to turn the locomotive around to have the cab facing forward to Tumpat Railway Station.

The front is now the rear of the train.

While I was sleeping, the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up stopped at Bahau, Mengkarak (operational stop only), Mentakab, and Jerantut.

I woke up to a wet and gloomy morning on approach to Kuala Lipis.

Kuala Lipis Railway Station

Making a 10-minute stop at Kuala Lipis Railway Station for a crew change.

The platform was ponding due to the rain.

Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up at Kuala Lipis Railway Station.

61 Class DMU11 was stabling on a siding at Kuala Lipis Railway Station.

Gua Musang Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Gua Musang Railway Station platform, but will be staying in the station for a while.

After dropping off passengers at Gua Musang Railway Station platform, Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up reverses from the station to enter the loop line.

Heading into the loop line of Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up.

The Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up stops at the loop line of Gua Musang Railway Station to await crossing with the incoming Shuttle Timuran 51dn.

Crossing with the Shuttle Timuran 51dn operated by 61 Class DMU06 which is making a brief stop at Gua Musang Railway Station.

The Shuttle Timuran 51dn departed from Gua Musang Railway Station on time at 9.55am.

I headed over to the ABC to get breakfast.

I bought a Bee Hoon Goreng which was the only main left on the shelf for RM8. Unfortunately, the microwave was not working, so it’s cold Bee Hoon for me.

Passing through the old Gua Musang Railway Station.

Looks like the old station canteen has been repurposed to a new canteen.

The signal box with levers still remain on the platform.

The old sidings are still in use by maintenance of way vehicles.

Heading back in through the jungle.

Entering Bertam Baru Railway Station loop line for an operational stop.

Bertam Baru Railway Station (Operational Stop)

The Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up makes a scheduled stop at Bertam Baru Railway Station for crossing with Shuttle Timuran 53dn, though tickets are not sold to Bertam Baru Railway Station.

I headed down to the Bertam Baru Railway Station platform to spot the crossing with Shuttle Timuran 53dn.

Bertam Baru Railway Station‘s curve also gives me an excellent angle of Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up to shoot.

Heading back to the Bertam Baru Railway Station building to spot the token passing for Shuttle Timuran 53dn.

The Shuttle Timuran 53dn passing the token of the previous section to the porter.

The Shuttle Timuran 53dn picking up the token of the next section from the Station Master, operated by 61 Class DMU05.

As Bertam Baru Railway Station has low platforms, passengers must climb down the steps to alight from the train.

I was recommended to take photos inside the ticket counter area by a station staff.

The ticket counter room features a newly-painted mural of the 61 Class DMU, 20 Class diesel locomotive, and 25 Class diesel locomotive.

There is another mural of a bridgte on a lake with a motorbike for poses.

The ticket counter window is small leading to the Station Master’s office.

The Shuttle Timuran 53dn departed from Bertam Baru Railway Station on time at 11.32am.

The station building of Bertam Baru Railway Station.

Old track equipment are on display at Bertam Baru Railway Station.

The station master of Bertam Baru Railway Station heads to the front of Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up to hand over the token for the next section.

Departing from Bertam Baru Railway Station at 11.40am.

Heading on to the Clementi Bridge over Sungai Betis.

Dabong Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Dabong Railway Station.

Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up at Dabong Railway Station.

Mains were sold out at lunch time so the only hot food option was Roti Bakar with butter and kaya. I ordered a Kopi Ais (RM3.50) and 1 set of Roti Bakar (RM3) for a simple and light lunch.

Bukit Abu Railway Station (Operational Stop)

The Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri 1028up makes a scheduled stop at Bukit Abu Railway Station for crossing with Shuttle Timuran 55dn, though tickets are not sold to Bukit Abu Railway Station.

Bukit Abu Railway Station is a simple station building which opens out to the platform only.

A new high platform is being built at Bukit Abu Railway Station on top of the existing grass platform.

Shuttle Timuran 55dn entering the loop line of Bukit Abu Railway Station to the platform.

The Shuttle Timuran 55dn passing the token of the previous section to the porter.

The Shuttle Timuran 55dn picking up the token of the next section from the Station Master, operated by 61 Class DMU02.

As Bukit Abu Railway Station has low platforms, passengers must climb down the steps to alight from the train. Passengers in the last door have lucky access to the future high platform, but must descend from it by a makeshift step.

The Shuttle Timuran 55dn departed from Bukit Abu Railway Station on time at 1.10pm.

Departing from Bukit Abu Railway Station at 1.15pm.

Looks like the upcoming high platform is elevated from the existing grass platform, leaving a gap in the middle.

Kuala Krai Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kuala Krai Railway Station where groups of passengers started to alight.

22 Class Locomotive EMRAIL RE 7003 (formerly KTM Berhad 22115 Kuala Lipis) is stabling at Kuala Krai Railway Station.

Kuala Krai Railway Station is used as a work site for rectification of railway tunnels and associated works between Kuala Krai and Kuala Lipis.

Another EMRAIL 22 Class and 17 Class locomotives stabling at Kuala Krai.