KTM Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up from JB Sentral to Kuala Lipis Sleeper Train Review
KTM Ekspres Rakyat Timuran is the only overnight sleeper train in Malaysia, running between JB Sentral and Tumpat along the KTM East Coast Line or Jungle Railway. For a last-minute joyride, and with coach T9 opening in the morning just before departure, I booked a trip on Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up from JB Sentral to Kuala Lipis for a 24-hour joyride on 3 classes of trains.
Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral)
The façade of Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral).
The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran departs from JB Sentral Gate B. Gate B is also used for arrivals from all trains.
Boarding was called at 8.14pm, 11 minutes before departure. Tickets are checked by the conductor before going down to the platform.
Heading down to the platforms.
My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up will be departing from Platform 2, which is now a siding with no point links on the southern end of the tracks.
25 Class Locomotive 25101 Pulau Angsa is on duty for my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up.
ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second)
My booked ADNS coach at T9 is just behind the locomotive.
The interior of the ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second) coach has 20 lower berths and 20 upper berths.
My lower berth at 22.
Squatting and sitting toilets are available on board the ADNS coach. The flush system on board the ADNS still goes directly down to the tracks, which is better for on-board ventilation as there is no toilet smell.
My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up departed from Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral) on time at 8.25pm.
ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach)
An ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach), also known by most passengers as canteen, is also attached on my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up.
ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class)
The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) has 60 seats in a 2+2 configuration in a fixed forward or reverse direction.
The legroom available on board the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia).
AFC (Air-conditioned First Class)
The interior of the AFC (Air-Conditioned First Class) has 36 seats in a 2+1 configuration which can be rotated towards the direction of travel.
The legroom available on board the AFC (Air-Conditioned First Class).
A tray table is located in the armrest, which has seen much better days.
Kempas Baru Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Kempas Baru Railway Station where more passengers boarded.
Kulai Temporary Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Kulai Temporary Railway Station.
I headed to the ABC after departing from Kulai to get a night snack.
I ordered a Roti Bakar (RM3) and an Iced Milo (RM4).
The Roti Bakar was spread with kaya and butter as usual.
The Iced Milo was hearty and good for a supper drink.
Kluang Temporary Railway Station
Due to the train length, my coach T9 arrived in the future Kluang Railway Station. Do not attempt to alight at the future station as it is a construction site.
Making a longer stop at Kluang Temporary Railway Station as my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up was running early.
The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up spans 2 Kluang Railway Stations during this period.
Segamat Temporary Railway Station
Making a longer stop at Segamat Temporary Railway Station as my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up was running early. A big group boarded at Segamat Temporary Railway Station.
Arriving at Gemas Railway Station.
Gemas Railway Station
Making a slightly longer stop at Gemas Railway Station on schedule for the crew change.
The arriving ETS Gold 9425dn was formed of a 93/2 Class ETS and stopped at Platform 5, so no cross-platform transfer for connecting passengers here, and all the best to whoever booked Coach A in D seats and in rows 13 and above.
My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up at Gemas Railway Station.
I went to sleep after Gemas to clock in as many hours of sleep as I can (only 4) for the short night to prepare for the long day ahead.
Kuala Lipis Railway Station
My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up arrived at Kuala Lipis Railway Station at 6.24am – 23 minutes delayed.
Another crew change is done here at Kuala Lipis Railway Station, with the Kuala Lipis crew taking the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up for the rest of its journey to Tumpat.
The platform went quiet after the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 26up had departed.
The concourse of Kuala Lipis Railway Station.
The façade of Kuala Lipis Railway Station.
I headed out of Kuala Lipis Railway Station by the old way.
The old Kuala Lipis Railway Station has been restored with a new black and white paint coat, and now houses a food outlet.
Heading out of the old Kuala Lipis Railway Station.
There is a locomotive and coach hybrid mock-up thing in front of the old Kuala Lipis Railway Station.
The KTM Kuala Lipis mural painted on a shophouse leading to the road to Kuala Lipis Railway Station.
The square in front of the 0 km Kuala Lipis milestone and Kuala Lipis Post Office is also undergoing rejuvenation with lots of LED 0s coming up.