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

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

KTM Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn is the last true KTM Intercity express train operating between Tumpat and JB Sentral. Continuing on back to Singapore from Chiang Mai, I took Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn to JB Sentral by the KTM East Coast Line since I wanted a full diesel-hauled train journey.

Chiang Mai to Singapore by Train

Tumpat Railway Station

My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn rake was already readied in the depot when I arrived by KTM Shuttle Timuran 56up from Pasir Mas. Here’s a night shot just before shunting began.

The future plan of Tumpat Railway Station was displayed on the platform.

My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn rake was shunted in to Tumpat Railway Station Platform 1 at 8.10pm, 20 minutes before scheduled departure.

ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second)

Heading to my booked ADNS coach at T8.

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.

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

24 Class Locomotive 24102 Mat Kilau

24 Class Locomotive 24102 Mat Kilau lead my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat to JB Sentral.

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 4 ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class) coaches on my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn.

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

A 3-pin power socket is available on the bulkhead at the ends of the coach.

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.

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

Crossing the railway crossing after/in Tumpat Railway Station.

Crossing the railway crossing before Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.

Wakaf Bharu Railway Station

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

Departing from Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.

Tickets were checked after departure from Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.

My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn ticket on the KTMB Mobile app. It is good to screenshot the ticket from the KTMB Mobile app before boarding to avoid any mobile connectivity issues as the train travels along in the jungle. The KTMB Mobile app ticket requires an active internet connection to load.

Pasir Mas Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Pasir Mas Railway Station where more passengers boarded, and where I started my KTM East Coast Line journey this day.

The canteen at Pasir Mas Railway Station had already closed by this time.

Passing by the former junction to the defunct Rantau Panjang Line which led to Sungai Golok, Thailand and beyond.

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.

Dabong Railway Station

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

Following departure from Dabong, I went to bed.

I woke up the next morning just before arrival at Gemas.

Crossing the railway crossing at Taman Molek.

Passing by the junction to the wye bypass from the KTM East Coast Line to the KTM Central Line.

Passing by Gemas Depot.

Curving along to Gemas Railway Station.

Heading in the start and end of the very short electrified sector of the KTM East Coast Line.

Taking multiple crossovers to Platform 6.

Disused ex-JR West BSC Blue Second Class coaches can be spotted here.

Entering Gemas Railway Station.

Gemas Railway Station

My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn arrived at Gemas Railway Station Platform 6, allowing for a cross-platform interchange to the connecting ETS Gold 9420up for passengers travelling onwards to KL Sentral and Padang Besar (why would you do that?).

The connecting ETS Gold 9420up was operated by 93 Class ETS204.

Departing from Gemas Railway Station.

Crossing over to the new Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) alignment after Gemas Railway Station.

ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach)

Following departure from Gemas, I headed over to the ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach) to get some breakfast.

Pre-packed meals are displayed on the counter.

It was a crowded morning on board the ABC, but actually not many passengers had ordered food from the ABC. Some were only using it to chill, while others brought their own outside food in to eat.

I ordered a Nasi Goreng and hot Kopi for breakfast this morning.

The Nasi Goreng + Telur Mata was freshly microwaved upon order with a basic taste but enough to fill me up for the morning. The microwaving also made the pre-fried egg taste rather rubbery.

The morning view of Johor from on board the ABC.

Passing by Segamat Central Shopping Mall on the new elevated viaducts.

Passing through the future Segamat Railway Station.

Segamat Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Segamat Temporary Railway Station. My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn ran before time (early) from here on, so there were longer stops at station to wait for the scheduled departure time.

The Segamat Temporary Railway Station cat going to check something outside the ABC.

Departing from Segamat Temporary Railway Station.

It was a wet and cooling morning to be travelling down Johor.

Passing though the future Kluang Railway Station.

Looks like there will be escalators installed which will be convenient.

Kluang Temporary Railway Station

Kluang Temporary Railway Station is just after the future Kluang Railway Station.

Kluang Temporary Railway Station

Making a long stop at Kluang Temporary Railway Station to wait for the timetabled departure.

The old Kluang Railway Station is just below.

Departing from Kluang Temporary Railway Station.

Heading out of Kluang on the new elevated viaducts.

Approaching Mengkibol Railway Station.

The new Mengkibol Railway Station with a short platform as it will be mainly a freight station.

Crossing with the Ekspres Selatan 42up at Mengkibol Railway Station.

Making a very brief stop at Renggam Temporary Railway Station, perhaps for operational purposes. Renggam is not a scheduled stopping station for the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn.

Passing through the future Renggam Railway Station.

A big yard for the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP) works is at Kulai.

Passing through the future Kulai Railway Station.

Looks like Kulai Railway Station may be one of the last stations to be completed on the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Tracking Project (EDTP).

Kulai Bus Terminal will be adjacent to the future Kulai Railway Station.

The old Kulai Railway Station has been completely demolished, with the new station driveway standing on the old station car park.

Passing by Kulai Centre Point.

The new EDTP alignment will also be elevated slightly.

Heading up to the new EDTP alignment.

Approaching Kulai Temporary Railway Station.

Kulai Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kulai Temporary Railway Station.

Arriving at Kempas Baru Railway Station.

Making a brief stop at Kempas Baru Railway Station where most passengers alighted.

Curving along south of Kempas Baru Railway Station.

The junction to the KTM Pasir Gudang Line south of Kempas Baru Railway Station, with the new Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) viaduct running over it leading to the new Kempas Baru Railway Station.

Heading under the new new EDTP viaduct and alignment.

The new EDTP viaduct and alignment provides a straighter route through Kempas Baru via the new Kempas Baru Railway Station, easing the curve radius, providing higher speed limits for ETS trains in future.

Approaching the temporary junction to the EDTP alignment.

Passing by the temporary KM0.00 for the new EDTP alignment.

Heading on the final stretch to JB Sentral.

Entering 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 12.18pm – 12 minutes early.

The old Johor Bahru Railway Station can be seen clearly from Platform 1.

The disused Kiriman Ekspres platform for PV operations is also on the same line, opposite from Platform 1.

Heading up the escalator to exit from the platform.

Heading out of the platform area to the concourse.

The exit for all trains is at Gate B. Here, it was an immediate connection back to Singapore for me with the Shuttle Tebrau 79dn departing at 12.45pm.

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, and catering facilities on board for supper, breakfast, or tea. This is certainly a much more comfortable, not to mention cheaper, way to travel from Thailand to Singapore, and surprisingly it’s the route less travelled for such travellers doing such a route. Between a new 2+2 or Business Class seat on a “fast” daytime train which timetables won’t really work out for connections anyway, to a comfortable bed to sleep in while travelling and saving on hotel costs, the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn certainly trumps ETS trains.

Chiang Mai to Singapore by Train

One comment

  1. Pingback: Train Review: KTM Shuttle Tebrau 79dn from JB Sentral to Woodlands CIQ by Train (Connection from Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat) • RailTravel Station

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