KTM Singapore Sector 13 Years On (1 July 2024) Visiting Bukit Timah Railway Station & Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

1 July 2024 marks the 13th anniversary of the closure of the KTM Singapore Sector. The KTM Singapore Sector is a term that I use to refer to the segment of the Malaysian rail network that used to extend into Singapore, formerly operated by KTM Berhad. The KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) railway line, operated by Malaysia’s national railway company, ran from Tanjong Pagar Railway Station in Singapore through various parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

The KTM railway line into Singapore was a vestige of the colonial era, with Tanjong Pagar Railway Station being a significant landmark. The railway line was a crucial connection between Singapore and Malaysia for both passengers and freight. In 2010, the landmark Malaysia–Singapore Points of Agreement Supplement 2010 between Singapore and Malaysia led to the relocation of the KTM terminus from Tanjong Pagar Railway Station to Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) in Singapore, effective from 1 July 2011. This move was part of a broader agreement to settle outstanding issues related to land and transportation between the two countries.

The old railway alignment in Singapore have been converted into the Rail Corridor, a green corridor that serves as a recreational space for walking, cycling, and other activities. It is a popular spot for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ)

Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) continues to operate as the border crossing point for rail services between Singapore and Malaysia, currently served by the Shuttle Tebrau and Eastern & Oriental Express.

I only passed by Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) this year as I was on the SBS Transit Bus Service 170 from JB Larkin Sentral heading directly to Bukit Timah Railway Station, as I was rushing back from KL to catch whatever sunlight I could get, after alighting from the JNK4  Charter Train to Kota Bharu and Dabong.

Bridge 1871

Even until today in 2024, many think that Bridge 1871 was built in 1871. If this logic prevails, then the Prai Swing Bridge in Butterworth was built in the year 7 AD.

Bridge 1871 crosses over Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah Road on approach to Bukit Timah Railway Station from the north.

Alighting from SBS Transit Bus Service 170 at Bus Stop 42059 Opp King Albert Pk Stn, I used Bridge 1871 to cross the roads to Bukit Timah Railway Station.

The original curve portion of the track still remains before the bridge, and is not realigned straight to make it easier for maintenance and aesthetics. Good job.

The repainted bridge number of 1871 is now covered by the overgrowing plants on the bridge.

Crossing Bridge 1871 over Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah Road to Bukit Timah Railway Station from the north.

The original 2006 track ends shortly after Bridge 1871.

The path continues with fake tracks embedded in the path bridging the gap of original track between Bridge 1871 and Bukit Timah Railway Station.

The path then splits from the main line to the siding. There is no fake link to the loop line.

There is now a ramp up to the platform from the track for step-free access.

Bukit Timah Railway Station

The platform of Bukit Timah Railway Station on the northern end.

I was greeted rudely by the hoardings around the Bukit Timah Railway Station building.

I rushed down straight from KL to visit Bukit Timah Railway Station just to be greeted with this.

A notice on a laminated piece of A4 paper on the hoarding states that Bukit Timah Railway Station is closed for maintenance and the expected completion date is 30 September 2024.

The refurbished Bukit Timah Railway Station opened just 2 years ago in 2012. I wonder what maintenance is being done that the whole building is shut.

Since there’s nothing to visit in the closed Bukit Timah Railway Station, it made my visit here shorter, with a chance for a hint of light when I would arrive at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

The visit to Tanjong Pagar Railway Station is simple, as the whole station is still closed since 2016.

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will only reopen in 2026 when the Circle Line 6 (CCL6) extension is completed, with the future Cantonment MRT Station being underneath Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.

There are quite a number of scaffoldings around the station building, probably with maintenance and restoration going on in time for the 2026 reopening.

The future Cantonment MRT Station exit can be seen through the wide fences, popping out on the former Platform 3. The original platforms have also been restored and brought back from storage from the former Eastern & Oriental Express yard at Kampong Bahru.

Bus Stop 14069 Former Railway Stn still stands in front of the, well, former railway station. This bus stop will most likely be renamed in 2026 to reflect the future Cantonment MRT Station.

Hopefully, there will be major updates to the 2026 KTM Singapore Sector article in 2 years time, once the Circle Line 6 (CCL6) Cantonment MRT Station is completed.