Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to Kempas Baru by Train

After a 45 minute transit in Gemas from ETS Platinum Standard 9371dn, it’s time to continue the journey down south by Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to Kempas Baru. The line between Kempas Baru and JB Sentral is currently closed for Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) works, so Kempas Baru is as south as I can get by train without any break in journey.

Gemas Railway Station

25 Class 25204 Mutiara leads my Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to Kempas Baru.

Departing from Gemas on time at 3.20pm.

Overtaking the 163dn which I overtook in tandem on board my previous ride on ETS Platinum Standard 9371dn from Kuala Lumpur to Gemas.

I was looking out for the end of electrification after Gemas, as what I usually do, and to my surprise, it does not exist any more with progress of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) works.

The Ekspres Selatan 45dn is formed of 3 ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches.

Seats in the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coach are laid out in a 2+2 configuration.

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

It’s hard to believe that this double tracked line is between Gemas and Batu Anam. I missed 2 years of watching the line grow that the KTM Southern Line that I’m supposed to be familiar with looks totally foreign to me now.

Batu Anam Temporary Railway Station

Passing by some private locomotives at Batu Anam.

Resold YDM4s now working on the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP).

Passing by Batu Anam Railway Station which is still active as an operation station.

Digging out the old track from the old alignment after Batu Anam.

Future Segamat Railway Station

Passing by the future Segamat Railway Station which I didn’t even realise it was with the smooth track on the viaduct.

Passing on the elevated viaduct over Segamat town.

Crossing over Sungai Kenawar with the road bridge now elevated too.

Segamat Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Segamat Temporary Railway Station, south of the original and future station location.

Segamat Temporary Railway Station is located on a short level set of straight tracks in between two viaducts near Petronas Genuang Segamat.

Petronas Genuang Segamat is just opposite, but access to Segamat Temporary Railway Station is via Jalan Melati.

Passing by Bukit Siput on elevated viaducts.

Genuang Temporary Railway Station

Passing by Genuang Railway Station.

Genuang Railway Station is an operation station which is reduced to these two container-like offices.

The future Genuang Railway Station is coming up around this area.

Tenang Railway Station

Passing by Tenang Railway Station, also an operation station but still using the original station building.

Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) works is in full swing on the new alignment which sits higher beside Tenang Railway Station.

Labis Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Labis Temporary Railway Station before time, so I had a few minutes to take a short walk around the temporary station. Labis Temporary Railway Station is located north of Labis town and the old and future Labis Railway Station.

There is a small sheltered waiting area with louvre vents to shade from the sunlight and provide ventilation.

The waiting area is integrated with the ticket counter area just like old small stations.

The schedule board from the old station sits on the floor with a lack of sheltered places to hang it.

The station sign at Labis Temporary Railway Station is using the modern blue sign.

Departing from Labis Temporary Railway Station with a view of the future Labis Railway Station.

Future Labis Railway Station

Passing under the future road viaduct.

Passing through the future Labis Railway Station.

The new track alignment is elevated from the former alignment.

Looks like the future Labis Railway Station will sit under the road viaduct.

Heading out on the old alignment with a view of the future straighter alignment.

Future Bekok Railway Station

Passing through the future Bekok Railway Station.

The future Bekok Railway Station sits on the site of the old Bekok Railway Station.

Bekok Temporary Railway Station

Arriving at Bekok Temporary Railway Station.

The design of single track temporary stations seem to be a standard template.

Before time again with the new track alignment, so more time for some more external shots of the Ekspres Selatan 45dn.

Taking a scenic curve after Bekok Temporary Railway Station.

Bekok Operation Station

As Bekok Temporary Railway Station only has a single track line, there is no crossing point available as scheduled. However, a new and temporary Bekok Operation Station further down the line provides a loop line for crossing. Bekok Operation Station is located nearer to Paloh than Bekok.

Bekok Operation Station is on the new double track alignment with a facing and trailing crossover. I think this is already the future crossovers as provisions on the northern end of Paloh Railway Station.

According to the published schedule, Ekspres Selatan 45dn and 44up will cross here.

The opposing Ekspres Selatan 44up entered the loop line (or future down track) first.

25 Class 25109 Pulau Perhentian leads the Ekspres Selatan 44up.

Crossing with the Ekspres Selatan 44up at Bekok Operation Station.

Paloh Railway Station

Bypassing through the future Paloh Railway Station. The future Paloh Railway Station will have 4 tracks with 6 platforms.

Looking down at the former lower Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

The station building of the lower Paloh Temporary Railway Station is still in use, with a new linkway built to the new upper Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

Making a brief stop at the new upper Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

My Ekspres Selatan 45dn is currently slightly delayed due to the late arrival of Ekspres Selatan 44up at Bekok Operation Station, so it was a quick stop and go here.

The station sign of the new upper Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

Looking back at both the new upper Paloh Temporary Railway Station and old lower Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

Looking further back at the new upper Paloh Temporary Railway Station, old lower Paloh Temporary Railway Station, and future Paloh Railway Station.

Former Chamek Railway Station

Chamek Railway Station permanently closed on 7 December 2020. There is no trace of the former Chamek Railway Station any more.

The gate crossing south of the former Chamek Railway Station is also no longer in use with the new alignment of Jalan Paloh-Chamek running via a new flyover and cutting through Chamek on Jalan Taman 1.

Passing by the level crossing near the former Niyor Railway Halt.

Approaching Kluang, the track now heads up an elevated viaduct.

Passing over the former temporary railway crossing linking Jalan Omar and Jalan Hospital.

Looking down at Kluang town.

Future Kluang Railway Station

Passing through the future elevated Kluang Railway Station which will have 2 tracks with 2 side platforms.

The former Kluang yard, quarters, and clubhouse are all gone.

Looking down at the old Kluang Railway Station which is still in operation for passengers and visitors.

Kluang Temporary Railway Station

Kluang Temporary Railway Station is a temporary elevated platform south of the future Kluang Railway Station and above the old Kluang Railway Station sidings.

For obvious reasons, do not lean against the temporary fence.

A very strange feeling to see a KTM Intercity train on elevated tracks.

Ekspres Selatan 45dn making a longer stop at Kluang as it was before time.

A new linkbridge links to the old overhead bridge linking Platform 1 and Platforms 2 & 3 for access to the new temporary elevated platforms of Kluang Temporary Railway Station.

New sleepers and rail clips sets laid out on the elevated Kluang Temporary Railway Station viaducts.

Departing from Kluang Temporary Railway Station.

Flying over Jalan Mersing.

Flying over Jalan Besar.

Mengkibol Railway Station

While Mengkibol was a sleepy halt in recent years, the future Mengkibol Railway Station is a full-fledged cargo station with multiple lines.

Space have been cleared with sleepers prepared on the future track bed.

The future operation platform of Mengkibol Railway Station.

Currently, Mengkibol Railway Station operates out of a container, restoring it to station status.

Former KTM YDM4 6699 operates on the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) works at Mengkibol Railway Station.

Renggam Temporary Railway Station

Renggam Temporary Railway Station is an elevated station located above the old Renggam Railway Station.

The old Renggam Railway Station is still in operation for passengers and visitors.

Future Renggam Railway Station

Passing through the future elevated Renggam Railway Station which will have 2 tracks with 2 side platforms.

Layang-Layang Railway Station

Arriving at Layang-Layang Railway Station with a look towards the future.

Layang-Layang Railway Station still uses the existing station, but not for long.

The future Layang-Layang Temporary Railway Station can be seem on the opposite side of the track alignment.

The future Layang-Layang Temporary Railway Station building is in the same design as all other Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) non-viaduct temporary railway stations.

The future Layang-Layang Railway Station is located beside the future Layang-Layang Temporary Railway Station.

Half of the future Layang-Layang Railway Station structure is done up, though without tracks. The old track and station needs to be closed for construction works to progress.

Passing by Mydin Kulai which used to signify arriving at Kulai, but not this time.

Future Kulai Railway Station

The former Kulai Railway Station is totally gone, though the main line alignment is still there.

The construction of the future Kulai Railway Station is ongoing, but not as fast as the other smaller stations that I have already bypassed.

Former Kulai Railway Station

Passing by the former Kulai Railway Station.

The former Kulai Railway Station has been totally demolished without a trace.

Kulai Centre Point still remains standing.

The bus stop for buses heading to JB also remains where it is.

Approaching Kulai Temporary Railway Station.

Kulai Temporary Railway Station

Kulai Temporary Railway Station has a loop line, unlike some other temporary railway stations. This also seems to be on the future electrified double track alignment already.

The point, however, looks temporary as the catenary pole does not seem to match up with a crossover.

Making a brief stop at Kulai Temporary Railway Station.

Kulai does look unfamiliar with the electrified double track coming up.

It got dark after departure so I didn’t take any photos along the way.

Kempas Baru Railway Station

The Ekspres Selatan 45dn terminates at Kempas Baru as the line between Kempas Baru and JB Sentral is currently closed for Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) works. Kempas Baru is as south as I can get by train without any break in journey.

Passengers who are continuing on from Kempas Baru to JB Sentral should arrange for their own transport. No alternative transport is provided by KTM Berhad.

Click here for the JB Sentral & Kempas Baru Public Transport Guide for alternative travel during the temporary suspension of KTM Train Services.

My Ekspres Selatan 45dn arrived at Kempas Baru at 7.26pm on schedule despite the earlier delay when crossing with 44up at Bekok Operation Station.

Here, the Ekspres Selatan 45dn gets shunted to the yard after the empty rake of the departing Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up gets shunted back to the main line south of the station.

Conclusion

Overall, a, enjoyable ride on the Ekspres Selatan 45dn as a joyride, updating myself on the developments of the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) works. It certainly feels like rapid advancement, but then again, the last time I saw it was almost 2 years ago, so a lot of things have definitely changed since then.