Ekspres Selatan 45dn Train from Gemas to JB Sentral (Connection from Kuala Lipis DMU)

Arriving from Shuttle Timuran 35dn from Kuala Lipis, my connecting Ekspres Selatan 45dn onwards to JB Sentral was already waiting at Platform 5. As such, it was a seamless transfer for me at Gemas Railway Station from Shuttle Timuran 35dn from Kuala Lipis to Ekspres Selatan 45dn to JB Sentral.

Gemas Railway Station

Train information for Platforms 5 and 6 is displayed on the linkbridge.

Heading down to Platform 5.

The incoming ETS Gold 9321dn had also just arrived at Platform 6.

Cross-platform transfer is provided between the ETS Gold and Ekspres Selatan at Gemas Railway Station.

25 Class Locomotive 25101 Pulau Angsa

25 Class 25101 Pulau Angsa was operating on my Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to JB Sentral.

The cast nameplate of 25101 Pulau Angsa.

ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia)

My booked coach on the Ekspres Selatan 45dn at Coach C.

The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) attached on the Ekspres Selatan 45dn.

My booked window seat at 9D.

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

A tray table is provided behind almost all seats, except for the front and back rows.

ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach)

An ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach) is also attached on the Ekspres Selatan 45dn providing catering services.

The interior of the ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach).

The food options on board the Ekspres Selatan 45dn is simple mostly consisting of packaged snacks and hot drinks.

My Ekspres Selatan 45dn departed from on time at Gemas Railway Station at 3.20pm.

Crossing Sungai Gemas, the border between Negeri Sembilan and Johor.

Electrification works are ongoing at Gemas Baru.

The new double track south of Gemas.

Both squat and sitting toilets are available on board the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia).

Passing by Batu Anam Railway Station which is now used to stable working trains involved in the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project works.

Rising up on new viaducts near Segamat.

Passing by Segamat Central Shopping Mall.

Passing through the future elevated Segamat Railway Station with side platforms.

Crossing over the Segamat River which is prone to flooding. Floods wouldn’t be disrupting train services at Segamat now that the track is on a high viaduct.

Passing through Segamat.

Approaching Segamat Temporary Railway Station.

Segamat Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Segamat Temporary Railway Station.

I headed to the ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach) after departing from Segamat Temporary Railway Station for afternoon tea.

The only hot (microwaved) meal available was Mee Goreng.

Hmm, I wonder if catering is indeed by Meals Station.

I ordered a Mee Goreng (RM8) and Iced Milo (RM3.50) for my afternoon meal on board Ekspres Selatan 45dn.

The Mee Goreng was very plain. Previously, pre-packed meals in boxes were supplemented with a fried egg, but not any more. This is probably worth RM2 if purchased from a food truck in the morning.

I ordered a hot Teh O (RM2) following my meal.

Labis Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Labis Temporary Railway Station.

Labis Temporary Railway Station‘s platform and line is now on the new track, extending out from the first Labis Temporary Railway Station.

The old temporary line alignment (now removed) in comparison with the new line on the double-track alignment.

Standing over the former temporary line.

The current Labis Temporary Railway Station line is on the down loop. The down main line is just beside, still untamped, and the up main and up loop tracks are not laid yet.

Departing from Labis Temporary Railway Station.

Passing through the future Labis Railway Station.

Passing through the future Bekok Railway Station.

Bekok Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bekok Temporary Railway Station.

The future Bekok Railway Station is just behind the current Bekok Temporary Railway Station.

Heading through palm plantations.

The signal is given to enter the loop line of Bekok Operational Station.

Bekok Operational Station

Bekok Operational Station is built near Paloh for crossing purposes along the currently single track line.

The station building of Bekok Operational Station.

The station master’s office is in a container cabin.

As the name suggests, Bekok Operational Station does not serve passengers. It’s located in the middle of almost nowhere anyway.

Waiting for the incoming Ekspres Selatan 44up to cross at Bekok Operational Station.

The signal is given for Ekspres Selatan 44up to pass through Bekok Operational Station.

25109 Pulau Perhentian with Ekspres Selatan 44up passing through Bekok Operational Station.

Once the crossing was completed, my Ekspres Selatan 45dn departed after the signal was given.

Approaching the future Paloh Railway Station with 4 lines.

The future Paloh Railway Station looks more completed than all other stations on the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project. Perhaps rightfully so to quickly move temporary but essential operations at Bekok Operational Station to a proper station, and to provide signalling and crossing points nearer to Kluang.

Looking down at Paloh from the new track.

Merging back onto the future down main line.

Approaching Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

Paloh Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

Cables for the catenary poles cut through the temporary platform at Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

Departing from Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

The former lower track alignment on the old Paloh Railway Station and previous Approaching Paloh Temporary Railway Station in comparison with the new alignment on a higher level.

Passing by more palm plantations.

Approaching Kluang.

Jalan Rambutan previously ran above the old railway tracks, but now the new alignment runs over it on elevated viaducts.

Passing through the future Kluang Railway Station.

Kluang Temporary Railway Station

A lot more passengers were waiting to board at Kluang Temporary Railway Station.

The Ekspres Selatan 45dn is probably the only crowded Ekspres Selatan train, and for this short sector from Kluang to JB Sentral only.