The Ekspres Selatan is a series of trains plying the southern sector of KTM’s railway network. There is 1 train serving the line on each period of the day – morning, afternoon and night. For this trip to Kluang, I got on the afternoon Ekspres Selatan 42up from JB Sentral to escape from a hazy day in Singapore and JB, and some say Batam.
My ticket for the Ekspres Selatan 42up train from Johor Bahru Sentral to Kluang. This trip costs RM14 (~S$4.56).
Heading to Gate B for domestic departure.
Heading down to Platform 2.
My ticket is for Coach R2 as only 3 coaches were in the ticketing system.
23111 Maju heads the Ekspres Selatan 42up from Johor Bahru Sentral to Pulau Sebang (Tampin).
I boarded Coach R4 just behind the locomotive instead, as it was totally empty since tickets are not available in the ticketing system. I decided to sit here instead until people started coming into the coach.
The tight legroom on the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches. As the footrest bar is rigid, there’s no way of stretching out under the seat in front.
Seats on the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches are arranged in 2+2 configuration.
Departing from JB Sentral on time.
Passing through the disused Danga City Mall halt.
Well, this looks strangely like Tanjong Pagar Railway Station instead.
Some construction under way for the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP).
Crossing over Jalan Tampoi with a new bridge coming up beside the existing alignment.
Passing by some new viaducts to be lifted.
Approaching the junction to Pasir Gudang.
The Pasir Gudang Line from the junction south of Kempas Baru.
Entering Kempas Baru Railway Station.
4 ASC (INKA) coaches at a siding at Kempas Baru. Hmm, are these repaired coaches?
Oh, nope. Still dented and dirty after the crash with the ETS a
More passengers boarding at Kempas Baru, with none for Coach R4.
Heading on wider areas of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project.
Passing by Skudai Junction.
More works passing Senai.
Entering Kulai Railway Station.
Making a brief stop at Kulai, where passengers just started boarding Coach R4. Looks like tickets are open for sale only after the train departed from Kempas Baru.
The Ekspres Selatan 42up at Kulai Railway Station.
Re-boarding the train, I didn’t have my seat anymore, so I took the half of the seats in reverse which were still empty.
Passing by some old lifted track for the new temporary single track diversion.
Passing by some MOW vehicles on their dedicated track with nowhere to run to yet.
Looks like there’s some line straightening works after Kulai.
The new track bed for the temporary single track diversion.
Making a brief stop at Layang-Layang.
Making a brief stop at Renggam.
Looks like we’re ready to go.
But there are some last-minute passengers who have just bought their tickets and are still boarding.
The loop line of Layang-Layang is gone, with the land being used for the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project.
More construction along the way.
Passing by Mengkibol, still standing.
Some old tracks on concrete sleepers on the new temporary diversion.
Looks like this section has been tamped.
The new temporary diversion branching off from the existing alignment.
Arrived at Kluang about 5 minutes before time.
These viaducts running through Kluang Railway Station are discomforting.
The Ekspres Selatan 42up at Kluang with the future elevated tracks.
This sight won’t last for long.
Crossing the overhead bridge to get a shot of the Ekspres Selatan 42up from Platform 2.
Awkward sight with the viaducts.
The Ekspres Selatan 42up at Kluang Railway Station.
The viaducts passing through Kluang Railway Station on top of the former sidings.
The Ekspres Selatan 42up departing from Kluang on time.
The overview of Platform 1 from Platform 2, a view which is probably soon to be changed too.
Platform 3 onwards is sealed off for the construction of the viaducts through Kluang on the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP).
The classic Rotary Club sign for the welcome to Kluang, though not very visible from the train when at Platform 1.
Back at Platform 1.
Viaducts are now the default view when lookout out from the platform.
Here, I had my coffee break at Kluang RailCoffee.
Overall, a good ride on the Ekspres Selatan 42up, which was very comfortable for the first half of the journey as I had a private coach. Though it is very strange as to why KTM does not sell tickets before the train has departed from the origin. Not good at all for the revenue of the company when profits are already non-existent for operating the KTM Intercity subsidiary at a perpetual loss when tickets are already sold below cost, now what more not selling tickets for a whole empty coach.
Looks like still a lot of work to do til the EDTP is finished. Going to miss that old station. Kluang a very pleasant area for a typical small Malaysian town.