KTM Ekspres Selatan 42up Train from JB Sentral to Gemas

Ekspres Selatan 42up is the morning train from JB Sentral to Gemas. On a stage bus research trip looping from Gemas, I took Ekspres Selatan 42up to Gemas first before embarking on a road less travelled, literally.

Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral)

The morning sunshine at JB Sentral.

The rake of Ekspres Selatan 42up was already at JB Sentral when I arrived.

I headed up to Gate B early but it was still closed.

I headed back out to spot the locomotive coupling to the Ekspres Selatan 42up rake, and to my pleasant surprise, it was a 24 Class locomotive.

Ticket checking had already started when I returned back to Gate B 10 minutes to departure.

Heading down the stairs as the escalator was not working.

Heading right to Platform 1.

24 Class Locomotive 24126 Sang Sura hauls my Ekspres Selatan 42up from JB Sentral to Gemas.

The cast name plate of 24126 Sang Sura.

ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia)

My Ekspres Selatan 42up was formed of 3 ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches.

The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches.

I picked seat 1D this time for the legroom.

The unlimited legroom available at seat 1D.

A 3-pin power socket is located on the bulkhead in front of Seat 1D.

A sitting and squat toilet are available on board the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches.

ABC • Air-conditioned Buffet Coach

There is also an ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach) attached on the Ekspres Selatan 42up. However, food sales were not in operation on the Wednesday that I took this train.

The interior of the ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach).

Seats are laid out in tables of 4 seats each.

The empty counter on board the ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach) on a Wednesday.

My Ekspres Selatan 42up departed from JB Sentral at 8.33am – 3 minutes delayed. However, with the extra time allowance in the timetable, my Ekspres Selatan 42up was already early by the next station.

Passing by the site of the future Bukit Chagar RTS Link Station.

Some catenary poles have already been set up outside JB Sentral.

Passing by the site of the future Wadi Hana RTS Link Depot.

Passing by the defunct Danga City Mall Railway Halt. The halt has been removed completely and the entrance from Danga City Mall has also been sealed up.

Passing by the junction to the KTM Pasir Gudang Line.

A YTL contractor train was on the new line leading to the new Kempas Baru Railway Station.

Passing under the viaduct leading to the new Kempas Baru Railway Station.

The current flying junction south of Kempas Baru Railway Station.

Kempas Baru Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kempas Baru Railway Station.

Passing by some construction beside the current Kempas Baru Railway Station which I’m not sure what it’s for.

Kulai Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kulai Temporary Railway Station.

Passing through the future Layang-Layang Railway Station.

Layang-Layang Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Layang-Layang Temporary Railway Station.

Renggam Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Renggam Temporary Railway Station.

The old Renggam Railway Station is still used for passenger access.

Mengkibol Railway Station

The driver collects an operational paper for the section ahead from the porter at Mengkibol Railway Station.

Ekspres Selatan 42up makes a stop at for crossing with the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn.

Mengkibol Railway Station currently operates out of a temporary cabin.

The future Mengkibol Railway Station for freight is a proper station building with a short platform for operational purposes only.

25 Class Locomotive 25102 Pulau Besar hauls the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn.

The driver of Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn picks up an operational paper for the section ahead from the porter at Mengkibol Railway Station.

Once the crossing was completed, it was time for my Ekspres Selatan 42up to depart.

Kluang Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kluang Temporary Railway Station.

The old Renggam Railway Station is still used for passenger access.

Paloh Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Paloh Temporary Railway Station.

Paloh Temporary Railway Station is located on the new higher track level, so passengers must access it by a set of stairs from the former Paloh Temporary Railway Station on the previous ground level.

The future Paloh Railway Station is also located on this higher level, so passengers must ascend up to the future platforms after entering the station.

Bekok Operation Station

Heading through Bekok Operation Station.

Crossing with the Ekspres Selatan 43dn through Bekok Operation Station with 25 Class Locomotive 25202 Delima at the helm.

Passing by the temporary Bekok Operation Station operating out of a cabin.

Bekok Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bekok Temporary Railway Station.

Bekok Temporary Railway Station is located just before the future Bekok Railway Station.

Passing through the future Bekok Railway Station.

Labis Temporary Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Labis Temporary Railway Station.

There was some construction of a new ramp at Labis Temporary Railway Station. Not sure if the access will be changed again.

The current Labis Temporary Railway Station platform on the new line is also away from the previous Labis Temporary Railway Station platform.

Segamat Temporary Railway Station

Making a long stop at Segamat Temporary Railway Station as the Ekspres Selatan 42up train was very early.

The façade of Segamat Temporary Railway Station.

The catenary wires on the down line have been pulled in already.

Crossing over Sungai Kenawar on the elevated viaducts.

Entering Segamat town.

Passing by Yow Hoe Bus Company Segamat Depot.

Crossing over Sungai Segamat.

Passing through the former busy railway crossing, but now on the elevated viaduct.

Passing through the future Segamat Railway Station.

Passing by Segamat Central Shopping Centre and Segamat Bus Station.

Crossing over from Johor to Negeri Sembilan.

Entering Gemas Railway Station.

Gemas Railway Station

My Ekspres Selatan 42up arrived at Gemas Railway Station at 1.05pm – 9 minutes early.

Heading up the stairs to exit from the platform.

Crossing the linkbridge over the tracks.

Heading out through the open gate.

Heading down to the exit.

The façade of Gemas Railway Station.

Heading out of Gemas Railway Station.

I had planned to eat KFC for lunch at Gemas since it was Ramadan and I wasn’t expecting any food stalls to be opened, but not before a compulsory detour to step inside the old Gemas Railway Station.

The platform of the old Gemas Railway Station.

Surprisingly, the Gemas Station Kopitiam inside the old Gemas Railway Station was open for lunch, though with a heavily-simplified menu. I decided to eat here since I’ll be eating at the old Gemas Railway Station, and I can get KFC at any other time.

A simple menu of Mee Goreng, Ayam Masak Merah, and eggs were available on the table, with usual drinks available. The staff will portion out the dishes for you. Some snacks can also be fried on order, but requires waiting time. It’s basic, but better than nothing.

Following lunch, I walked over to the Gemas Bus Station for my stage bus exploration, and to see if I can reach Tampin faster than the ETS.