KTM Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat to JB Sentral Train Review

Ekspres Rakyat Timuran is Malaysia’s last regular overnight sleeper train, and a popular nightly service between JB Sentral and Tumpat along the KTM East Coast Line or Jungle Railway. I booked a trip on Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn for the Deepavali long weekend as I managed to snag a ticket that someone else had cancelled, and planned my onward journey (here and here) backwards based on my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn ticket.

Tumpat Railway Station

I arrived at Tumpat Railway Station by Grab, just as my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn was being shunted in to the platform.

25 Class Locomotive 25202 Delima will be leading my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat to JB Sentral. As there is currently no turntable at Tumpat, this locomotive will run long hood forward.

AFC (Air-conditioned First Class)

There is 1 AFC (Air-conditioned First Class) coach on my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn.

Seats on the AFC (Air-Conditioned First Class) are laid out in a 2+1 configuration which can be rotated towards the direction of travel.

ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class)

There are 5 ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class) coaches on my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn for this long weekend train to cater for the higher demand.

The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) has 60 seats in a 2+2 configuration in a fixed forward or reverse direction.

The additional 5th ASC coach is labelled as T5X.

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 27dn.

Tables with tip-up seats are provided for dining.

The ABC counter was still being set up at Tumpat. No menus were displayed on this ABC.

ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second)

Heading to my booked ADNS coach at T6.

The interior of the ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second) coach has 20 lower berths and 20 upper berths.

My lower berth at 20.

The overall space I get on the ADNS lower berth.

The night light at my berth was surprisingly working.

The overall space available on the ADNS upper berth.

Squatting and sitting toilets are available on board the ADNS coach.

The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn at the end of the East Coast Line at Tumpat Railway Station.

My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn departed from Tumpat Railway Station on time at 8.30pm.

Not much scenery is available to see at night, but the curtains are useful to prevent light streaks from entering the berth.

Wakaf Bharu Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Wakaf Bharu Railway Station where more passengers boarded.

I headed over to the ABC after departing from Wakaf Bharu to get some dinner.

I ordered a Nasi Goreng (RM9) and Iced Milo (RM4) for dinner.

The Nasi Goreng was freshly microwaved, including the fried egg. It was however quite plain overall. Rather pricey for a plain fried rice at RM9.

The Iced Milo (RM4) was hearty and good for a supper drink.

Pasir Mas Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Pasir Mas Railway Station where more passengers boarded.

Tickets were checked and scanned after departing from Pasir Mas.

Arriving at Tanah Merah, crossing Jalan Sultan Ismail Petra.

Tanah Merah Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Tanah Merah Railway Station where more passengers boarded.

Krai Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Krai Railway Station where more passengers boarded.

There was a burger stand just outside my coach door when stopped at Krai Railway Station, however, the stop here was too short to order anything.

I headed to rest for the night after departing from Krai Railway Station.

The morning sunrise from the jungle on board the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn.

Gemas Railway Station

My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn arrived at Platform 4 of Gemas Railway Station, however, I could see the ETS Gold 9420up on the next track on Platform 5. On this instance, no cross-platform transfer was offered.

Alighting and arriving passengers will both have to use the stairs of lift to head up to the linkbridge to change platforms or exit the station.

Despite the longer stop at Gemas, my did not decouple to change the cab direction. Rotating this single cab locomotive is possible at Gemas’ wye junction.

The long hood forward creates a massive blind spot for the crew to look out the front of the train.

Crossing the border from Negeri Sembilan to Johor.

Segamat Temporary Railway Station

Making a longer stop at Segamat Temporary Railway Station. In the southern sector, the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn has lots of timetable padding.

I headed over to the ABC after departing from Segamat to get some breakfast.

I ordered a Bee Hoon Goreng (RM9) and Iced Kopi (RM4) for breakfast. Bee Hoon Goreng was the only main course choice available.

Notably, the Bee Hoon Goreng was served in a styrofoam box, as compared to a proper plate which I had when I ordered dinner last night. The Bee Hoon Goreng was very plain, and not worth RM9 at all.

The RM4 Kopi Ais, on the other hand, was nicely thick and sweet.

Kluang Temporary Railway Station

Making a long 35 minutes stop at Kluang Temporary Railway Station. In the southern sector, the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn has lots of timetable padding.

With the long Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn and short temporary platform length at Kluang Temporary Railway Station, coaches T1, T2, and T3 do not have direct platform access.

Passing by Kluang town on the new elevated viaduct.

Kulai Temporary Railway Station

Making a longer 20 minutes stop at Kulai Temporary Railway Station. In the southern sector, the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn has lots of timetable padding.

With the long Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn and short temporary platform length at Kulai Temporary Railway Station, coaches T6, T7, T8, and T9 do not have direct platform access.

Passing by the future extended Kempas Baru Depot, most likely for ETS trains.

Kempas Baru Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kempas Baru Railway Station. The timetable padding ends here.

Passing by Danga City Mall.

The signals at JB Sentral are still not working.

Passing by the future RTS Link Wadi Hana Depot.

Arriving at Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral).

Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral)

My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn arrived at Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral) at 12.24pm – 6 minutes early.

Arriving at Platform 2 on this long train also allowed me a view of Old Johor Bahru Railway Station from the track side.

Heading up to the concourse from the platform.

Taking the escalator up to the exit.

The exit from all platforms for all trains is at Gate B.

Heading down to the linkbridge to Johor Bahru City Square and KOMTAR JBCC.

The façade of Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral).

Conclusion

The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn is a comfortable way to travel the span of Peninsular Malaysia from Kelantan to Johor with a proper bed to sleep for the night. Food and drinks may be a bit on the pricey side in Ringgit on board especially for the quality, but it’s better than nothing.