The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran is the last remaining express KTM Intercity train still running, spanning Peninsular Malaysia but not on the usual main line via bigger cities. The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran runs through the middle of the peninsular through the inland towns not easily accessible by road, from Johor Bahru right up to the coast of the north east of Peninsular Malaysia at Tumpat. I was planning to have an enjoyable ride up to Tumpat to catch the new Scoot flight back to Singapore, but as KTM has it, I expected the unexpected, but not to this extent.
My ticket for the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up from JB Sentral to Tumpat.
Queuing up at Gate B to board the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up. The gate was open just 4 minutes before departure time, at 7.11pm.
All domestic trains depart from Gate B of JB Sentral, while Gate A is for cross-border trains to Singapore.
Getting my ticket checked and clipped at Gate B. However, my seat number was not marked yet, so that will require yet another ticket check later on board the train.
Heading down to the platform.
The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up would be departing from Platform 2.
Heading to the ADNS section of the train.
Unfortuntely, only 3 ADNSes were attached on my train, which is crazy for the sole night KTM Intercity train in KTM’s timetable and most passengers would thus have to spend the night sitting in the ASC.
The locomotive started to approach the rake just past departure time.
Coupling the locomotive to the rake.
25104 “Pulau Indah”, abbreviated as “P. Indah” leads my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up to Tumpat. Or so I thought.
The manufacturing plate of the 25 Class EMD locomotive.
The overall interior of the ADNS Batch 2 coach.
Berths are labelled by signs on the ceiling of the coach.
My lower ADNS berth at Berth 24.
The space I get on the lower berth.
A side table is available at the lower berth to place your belongings.
The upper berth above me.
The space you get if you pick the upper berth.
A rope basket is available at the upper berth to place your belongings.
A ladder is available between berths to climb up to the upper berth.
The squat toilet available in the ADNS.
The sitting toilet available in the ADNS.
Waiting for the signal to be cleared.
Right.
Departing from JB Sentral at 7.29pm – 14 minutes delayed.
Leaving the city of Johor Bahru behind.
Heading up north in the sunset.
Crossing with the Ekspres Selatan 43dn at Kempas Baru, which is delayed thanks to my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up.
This Ekspres Selatan 43dn train is formed of ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches.
A lot more passengers bound for the East Coast boarded the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up at Kempas Baru.
After departure from Kempas Baru, I headed over to the ABC or Air-Conditioned Buffet Coach for dinner.
The overall dining area of the ABC.
The seating area of the ABC.
The operator of the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran ABC works just like a mamak stall, so you can either order at the counter and take your seat, just take a seat first and shout your order, or tell it to one of the ABC staff walking around the coach.
I ordered an Iced Milo for RM3 (~S$0.99) to start my meal.
For my main, I ordered a Mee Goreng for RM5.50 (~S$1.82) with an additional fried egg for RM1 (~S$0.33).
My dinner for this evening on board the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up.
At Kluang, where the train was early, I hopped off to purchase some drinks and snacks from the Kluang Rail Kiosk located by the platform.
The Kluang Rail Kiosk is in a shop lot beside the KTM Distribution office.
The Kluang Rail Kiosk is well stocked with bread, drinks and snacks for the train journey, along with some toiletries or random necessities such as shavers, super glue and medicated oil.
Making a brief stop at Gemas.
The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up train departed from Gemas as per normal, but the locomotive started to get weaker and weaker when ascending an up gradient towards Bahau, up till the point when the locomotive did not have any power to haul the train any more and stopped in the middle of the tracks at about 1.00am.
About 1.5 hours later, a rescue locomotive came to pull the train back to Gemas.
Drifting in and out of sleep, I felt another jerk and I opened the curtains – yup, I’m back in Gemas.
Heading out of the train, I saw my original locomotive 25104 “Pulau Indah” departing for the depot. P.INDAH indeed.
Well, loco-less trains are becoming a common sight for me.
At 3.10am, the Ekspres Selatan 44up departed from Gemas for Pulau Sebang (Tampin), overtaking my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up.
My rescue locomotive, 25102 “Pulau Besar”, rounding around the train.
Coupling 25102 “Pulau Besar” to the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up rake.
25102 “Pulau Besar” now heads my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up train to Tumpat.
The casted name plate of 25102 “Pulau Besar”.
The painted locomotive number of 25102 “Pulau Besar”.
Finally departing from Gemas (again) at 3.30am – 3 hours and 10 minutes delayed from schedule.
Waking up just before Kuala Lipis with most passengers still asleep.
At about 9.00am, the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up was finally arriving at Kuala Lipis.
Entering Kuala Lipis station.
Seems like a station upgrade is soon to be in place.
My coach was stopped between the new and existing station.
The view of the remaining part of the existing Kuala Lipis Railway Station.
Departing from Kuala Lipis through the new station.
Two spare coaches on a siding at Kuala Lipis, probably as a standby for the Shuttle Timur trains.
25107 “Pulau Langkawi” resting at the siding too, probably as a spare loco.
The spare rolling stock at Kuala Lipis.
Passing by the Kuala Lipis Running Bungalow.
Heading through the jungle.
As with most KTM facilities nowadays, things don’t really work the way that they are supposed to. As such, I always bring along some paper clips to fix collapsed curtains at my seat or berth.
My fixed curtains at my berth, to prevent light from entering my berth at night.
It’s not difficult to fix the curtains since the hanging threads are quite basic. I wonder why KTM doesn’t bother fixing their own stuff.
If you do see these paper clips on curtains in KTM coaches on your next trip, congratulations, you have gotten a seat or berth that RailTravel Station had been on and repaired for you.
Heading back to the ABC for breakfast.
I see an empty table ahead.
Taking a seat in the ABC.
The view of the ABC coach from my table.
The refurbished ABCs have foldable seats which makes table access easier now.
Folding down the foldable seat.
Approaching Merapoh.
The FBL03 locomotive of Fajarbaru Builder Group Berhad.
A ballast train hauled by FBL03 at the siding of Merapoh Railway Station.
Making a brief stop at Merapoh Railway Station.
Heading back to my table as my breakfast was served.
I ordered a Fried Bee Hoon (RM5.50/~S$1.82) with an additional fried egg (RM1/~$0.33), along with a hot Kopi (RM2.50/~S$0.83).
The microwaved Fried Bee Hoon was basic but tasted quite alright for an in-train meal.
The hot Kopi was surprisingly quite good though, and even better when served in a glass.
Entering the loop line to cross with the Shuttle Timur 53dn.
The station master prepares to hand over the token to the Shuttle Timur 53dn.
The Shuttle Timur 53dn arriving at Merapoh with the station master and porter standing by for token passing.
24102 “Mat Kilau” heads the Shuttle Timur 53dn.
The fireman of Shuttle Timur 53dn passing the Gua Musang – Merapoh token to the porter.
The fireman of Shuttle Timur 53dn collecting the Merapoh – Chegar Perah token from the station master.
The Shuttle Timur 53dn making a brief stop at Merapoh.
The Shuttle Timur 53dn is formed of a random mix of ASCs and AECs.
An ABC was attached too, though I don’t think there is an official catering service on board the Shuttle Timur. Judging from the open hopper windows, I guess the aircon is down as usual.
The Shuttle Timur 53dn departing from Merapoh.
The station master prepares the next Merapoh – Gua Musang token for my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up.
The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up making a brief stop at Gua Musang Railway Station.
One of many limestone hills around Gua Musang, just beside the railway station.
Approaching the repaired Peel Bridge or Kemubu Bridge which was affected by the disastrous East Coast floods in 2014.
Crossing over Sungai Galas on the Peel Bridge.
Passing over a truss bridge over a road.
Passing through the refurbished Kemubu Railway Station.
Arriving at Dabong Railway Station.
22115 “Kuala Lipis”, now belonging to Emrail, attached to a ballast train on a siding at Dabong.
Making a brief stop at Dabong.
The casted name plate of 22115 “Kuala Lipis” with her new Emrail number of RE 7003.
Passing by SMK Dabong where local kids from villages along the East Coast Line commute on the Shuttle Timur every school day.
Instantly heading back to the jungle after Dabong.
At about lunch time, since the train was delayed, I headed back to the ABC for lunch.
I ordered a Fried Rice (RM5.50/~S$1.82) with an additional fried egg (RM1/~$0.33), along with a hot Teh (RM2.50/~S$0.83).
As lunch time was nearing Tanah Merah where the ABC was closing, my meal was served in a takeaway styrofoam box, probably to save washing time.
The Teh was surprisingly quite good too.
With this Nasi Goreng, I’ve eaten all 3 available main meal options on the ABC on this extended Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up journey.
Taking a walk around the train after lunch, I found that my train does not have an AFC attached as after the ASCs, it leads only to the PGC.
The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches. 4 such coaches are attached on this Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up.
The gangway between coaches.
Since it was noon already, I decided to convert my ADNS berth to seats for this day train ride.
The lower berth converts to two seats.
The upper berth is folded up for better air flow to the seats.
I took the pillows from the berth bedding to decorate the seats a little bit.
The legroom available on the ADNS in day mode.
The side table fits the seating position perfectly.
The full window view from the seat.
As each section is formed in the same area as a berth, each pair of seats will get a full window view.
To keep the bedding, I stuffed them all in the upper berth before folding it up.
Approaching the famous Guillemard Bridge across the Kelantan River.
Entering the 600-meter long Guillemard Bridge, the longest railway bridge in Malaysia.
The Guillemard Bridge first crosses lowlands on the river level.
Crossing over the Kelantan River over the Guillemard Bridge.
Heading on to the western bank of the Kelantan River.
Exiting the Guillemard Bridge.
Some locals having a photography session on the Guillemard Bridge.
Heading on to the main Kelantanese towns from here on.
Making a brief stop at Tanah Merah Railway Station.
A water tower beside Tanah Merah Railway Station.
Passing through an amber signal on the way to Pasir Mas.
Approaching the junction to Sungai Golok.
Remnants of the Rantau Panjang Branch Line towards Rantau Panjang and Sungai Golok, Thailand. Notice that the overgrown line has concrete sleepers.
Looking down the Rantau Panjang Branch Line towards Rantau Panjang and Sungai Golok.
Heading over the junction between the East Coast Line and Rantau Panjang Branch Line.
Entering Pasir Mas Railway Station.
25202 “Delima” heads the Shuttle Timur 57dn bound for Gua Musang and onwards to Kuala Lipis as the Shuttle Timur 59dn. I had originally planned to catch this train from Tumpat to Wakaf Bharu had my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up been on time.
The Shuttle Timur 57dn & 59dn is formed of a random mix of ASCs and AECs.
A refurbished ABC is also attached to the Shuttle Timur 57dn & 59dn. Hmm. I think this would be the most comfortable seat on the Shuttle Timur.
Making a brief stop at Pasir Mas.
Approaching Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.
Handing over the Pasir Mas – Wakaf Bharu token and collecting the final Wakaf Bharu – Tumpat token.
Wakaf Bharu was where most passengers alighted, since it’s the station closest to Kota Bharu, the capital city of Kelantan. I contemplated alighting here as well since there are no more Shuttle Timur trains to bring me back to Wakaf Bharu from Tumpat for the day, but I decided to continue ahead to Tumpat anyway since it’s quite rare that I have time for train rides in Malaysia now, and I’ve already travelled so far.
Making a brief stop at Wakaf Bharu.
Continuing on the empty Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up towards Tumpat on the final leg of the journey.
Paddy fields along the way.
Taking the final right turn into Tumpat Railway Station.
Entering the station and yard vicinity.
Crossing over Jalan Dalam Rhu through the railway crossing through Tumpat Railway Station, which always get jammed up whenever there are train arrivals and shunting activities.
Approaching Tumpat Railway Station.
The upcoming new Platform 2 of Tumpat Railway Station, allowing the station to handle simultaneous arrival and departure of trains once the new 61 Class DMUs are in operation.
Making the final stop at Tumpat Railway Station.
Passing over the Wakaf Bharu – Tumpat token to the porter.
The northern end of the platform is now hoarded up as well.
The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up finally arrived at Tumpat at 3.50pm – 3 hours and 18 minutes delayed from the scheduled arrival time of 12.32pm.
The end of the existing platform is now being extended up to the fouling point of the headshunt.
The true end of the East Coast Line at Tumpat.
25102 “Pulau Besar” decouples from the train and heads to the headshunt.
Changing the point at the headshunt towards the loop line.
The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up rake left at the platform.
25102 “Pulau Besar” heads around the rake via the loop line.
The empty platform of Tumpat Railway Station.
25102 “Pulau Besar” now acts as a shunter to bring the rake back into the yard.
The empty rake of Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up with 25102 “Pulau Besar” preparing to shunt it back into the yard.
The empty rake heading off to the yard.
Reversing into the yard.
The empty rake of takes a siding near the station.
The turntable of Tumpat Yard.
25102 “Pulau Besar” then shunts the PGC to another line for refuelling.
The view of Tumpat Railway Station from the western side of the railway crossing.
Heading back into the station.
The ticket counter and waiting hall of Tumpat Railway Station.
The facade of Tumpat Railway Station.
Taking a walk around the station via the demolished godown area to the true end of the line.
The last buffer stop and true end of the East Coast Line.
From here, I caught a Grab to Kota Bharu to finally end off my long and arduous Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up journey.
Overall, a rather comfortable ride on the ADNS sleeper coach but the delay is annoying considering how much backup time there is in each timetable update, only to get screwed by something major like a locomotive breakdown and having to retrieve a spare locomotive from somewhere far away because there are no spares. I know that the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran is the most regularly delayed train in KTM, but I just didn’t expect that I would be experiencing a more severe version of it. If you are planning to take the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran, always plan extra time in your journey.
KTM Train Ticket Booking Methods
Kaedah Tempahan Tiket Keretapi KTM
- KTM Intercity counters
- Online from 12Go Asia (joint ticketing with connecting trains available)
- Online from Baolau
- Online from BusOnlineTicket
- Online from Easybook
Online from the KTM E-Ticket System (additional RM2 surcharge)UNSTABLE: Proceed at your own risk.
Tickets are open for sale in set periods about 60 days before departure except for the Shuttle Tebrau which opens 30 days before departure.
Tiket akan dibuka untuk dijual dalam jangka masa kira-kira 60 hari sebelum berlepas kecuali Shuttle Tebrau yang dibuka 30 hari sebelum berlepas.
Hotel Booking
Tempahan Hotel
Attractions Booking
Tempahan Tarikan
- Klook (Get FREE S$5/RM15 voucher for your first purchase when you sign up here! *subject to exchange rate)
How do I book tickets online?
Bagaimanakah saya menempah tiket dalam talian?
- Click here for a step-by-step guide for 12Go Asia.
- Click here for a step-by-step guide for Easybook.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to the KTM E-Ticket System.UNSTABLE: Proceed at your own risk.
Links to the KTM E-Ticket System are strikethroughed due to KTM’s own admission of the instability of their system here after former Prime Minister Najib Razak personally posted on Facebook that there is such an issue here. Proceed using the KTM E-Ticket System at your own risk.
thank you very much for the details.. learnt few new words also