KTM Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat to Kluang Sleeper Train Review

Ekspres Rakyat Timuran is a popular overnight service between JB Sentral and Tumpat along the KTM East Coast Line or Jungle Railway, and is Malaysia’s last regular overnight sleeper train. While I would usually take the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn on the full route down to JB Sentral, this time, I decided to stop at Kluang to have a breakfast break before continuing my journey.

Tumpat Railway Station

The façade of the new Tumpat Railway Station at sunset.

Heading into the new Tumpat Railway Station by the new entrance at the car park.

The new Tumpat Railway Station has 2 platforms, though Platform 1 on the road side is mainly used for all train services, and Platform 2 is only activated during days of charter train operations, if needed.

The small and compact concourse of Tumpat Railway Station in front of the ticket counter.

Shunting was done only ay 8.15pm, leaving me with only 15 minutes to take pictures.

KTM Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn

25 Class Locomotive 25109 Pulau Perhentian will be leading my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat. 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. There are 36 seats in total per AFC (Air-conditioned First Class) coach.

ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class)

There are 4 ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class) coaches on my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn. Seats on the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) are laid out in a 2+2 configuration in a fixed forward or reverse direction. There are 60 seats in total per ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class) 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.

ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second)

And finally, my booked class of travel, the ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second). The interior of the ADNS (Air-conditioned Day/Night Second) coach has 20 lower berths and 20 upper berths.

The overall space available in the ADNS lower berth.

The overall space available in the ADNS upper berth.

A night light is provided at each berth, however they were all not working.

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

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

Wakaf Bharu Railway Station

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

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

Pasir Mas Railway Station

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

Arriving at Tanah Merah Railway Station.

Tanah Merah Railway Station

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

I headed over to the ABC after departing from Tanah Merah Railway Station to get some dinner. The only main course available was Mee Goreng (RM9), so I ordered that. I also got an Iced Milo (RM4) for a supper drink, and a Honeydew Pudding (RM3) for dessert.

The Mee Goreng was freshly microwaved, including the fried egg, and it had some sauce coating the noodles. It was, however, quite plain overall. Rather pricey for a plain fried noodle at RM9.

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

The Honeydew Pudding (RM3) was smooth and sweet, and served cold from a small chiller box.

I headed to rest for the night after having my late dinner.

I woke up after sunrise after departing from Bahau on the way to Gemas.

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

Approaching the wye junction at Gemas with the depot on the left and the bypass wye to Batang Melaka and onwards on the right.

Curving left towards Gemas Railway Station.

Meeting the line from the depot and the KTM Central Line.

Gemas Railway Station

My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn arrived at Platform 6 of Gemas Railway Station, offering a cross-platform transfer to the ETS Gold 9420up on the next track on Platform 5.

ETS Gold 9420up was operated by 93 Class ETS 204.

The interior of 93 Class ETS 204 with refurbished seat covers.

Seats on the 93 Class ETS are laid out in a 2+2 configuration in a fixed forward or reverse direction.

Departing from Gemas Railway Station.

The daytime journey now allows me to compare the window views of the ADNS upper berth versus the lower berth.

The ADNS lower berth window is almost the same length as the berth itself, offering a wide view with a clean window, if lucky. This picture was taken nicely because I had a selection of windows to choose from, since many passengers had disembarked at Gemas.

Some windows on the ADNS lower berth have hopper windows for emergency ventilation, and these have a split view out.

The ADNS upper berth window is a lot smaller, and of just a short height, more or less meant just to allow sunlight in to the berth instead of a proper view.

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 Kaya Oblong (RM3) and Iced Teh (RM4) for breakfast.

The RM4 Teh Ais had a nice tea aroma to it, with a taste comparable to good mamaks.

The Kaya Oblong (RM3) was interesting as I had not seen such a dish before. The hotdog buns were fried with egg like a mini plain Roti John, and with kaya spread inside it. It was both sweet and savoury.

Approaching Kluang with the new noise barriers on the viaduct.

Kluang Temporary Railway Station

My Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn arrived at Kluang Temporary Railway Station at 9.46am – 29 minutes early. In the southern sector, the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn has lots of timetable padding.

Many passengers alighted at Kluang Temporary Railway Station, both long-haul and short-haul. There was also a big group of school children which took my Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Segamat to Kluang.

Heading down the temporary steps from the temporary platform.

Heading out under the new viaducts via the temporary linkbridge which connects to the old overhead bridge.

Looking down at the old Kluang Railway Station from the overhead bridge.

The new Kluang Railway Station is just adjacent to the old Kluang Railway Station.

Heading down the old overhead bridge to the old Kluang Railway Station.

Ironically, the old overhead bridge has seen a lot more foot traffic only after trains have stopped using the old Kluang Railway Station.

Kluang RailCoffee is located at the old Kluang Railway Station.

I joined the dine-in queue to wait for an available table.

The dining area of Kluang RailCoffee in the old Kluang Railway Station.

Here, I had a proper sit-down breakfast at the original Kluang RailCoffee in the old Kluang Railway Station before continuing my journey back to Singapore.

Conclusion

The current KTM Intercity schedule is useful for a Kluang stopover with the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn for a nice, sit-down station breakfast, as there is the Ekspres Selatan 43dn following about 2 hours behind, heading to JB Sentral too. This combination allows for a sleeper train experience with the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran, Malaysia’s last overnight sleeper train, and breakfast at the famous original Kluang RailCoffee, all along the way on a single trip without any diversions.