Northernmost Stretch of the Rail Corridor from Kranji Gate to Bridge 1839 (Mandai River)

Continuing from my KTM Singapore Sector Closure 10th Anniversary Walk on 30 June 2021, the Rail Corridor stretch from Kranji Gate to Bridge 1839 (Mandai River) is the last portion for me to walk in order to complete the entire Rail Corridor, previously disrupted by 5 wild boars. On a free day while I was in the Kranji Countryside, I headed back to Kranji Gate to complete this last stretch.

Bus Stop 49109 Kranji Wtr Reclam Plt

Picking up from where I left off at Bus Stop 49109 Kranji Wtr Reclam Plt on my previous walk from Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, and also from the SMRT Bus Service 925 I took to get here.

Kranji Gate

Quite a significant change since I last left Kranji Gate, the section between Kranji Gate and Kranji MRT Viaducts (KF1 Karting Circuit) Access Point is now closed for maintenance. However, no further details are provided on site.

The access drain cover provision to the railway alignment from Kranji Gate.

The Rail Corridor is blocked off with corrugated hoardings and an access door. The sign provides no details on what this closure for maintenance is about, though I hope the ground will be strengthened if it’s meant to reopen again.

(Of course, my actual hope is to clear this section altogether and build the Agri-Food Innovation Park (AFIP) as a single plot of land, but I guess my opinion differs from the majority of Singapore.)

*Violent flashback of the unforgiving state of the Rail Corridor behind this hoarding*

Looking towards the short stretch I will be completing.

Crossing the pedestrian crossing at Kranji Road to get to the other side.

And now, to complete the short stretch of Rail Corridor I have left.

A quick zoom of my camera to check for any wild boars roaming around before I proceed.

The track (no pun intended) here was a lot more firm as compared to the closed stretch now behind me. This path is also used by residents of Kranji Lodge 1, which probably helps with the walkability here.

There are short and small patches of potential mud when it rains, but this can be easily avoided by walking on the grass around it.

The blocks of dormitories of Kranji Lodge 1 can be seen from this stretch of the Rail Corridor.

This scenery here is obvious that the uncontrolled forestation of Kranji only took place after the railway left. No way wound a train pass here today.

Some ballast remains today, which helps with the walking on it. However, this will prevent plants from growing too, and also the oil from the railway still remains embedded in the track bed till today assuming the ballast is original.

Towards the end, the path becomes very slim through tall grass ahead.

Beware of the mimosa plants hanging by the side which will cut your arm or leg if you swing by too fast.

The Rail Corridor ends unceremoniously here, with a fence towards Bridge 1839 over the Mandai River.

There is a path continuing on to Kranji Loop from here. This is a shortcut linking Kranji Lodge 1 with Kranji Loop

Police signs around clearly tell you not to proceed across the Mandai River. Up ahead would be the crossing point south of Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ), and of course Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) itself.

Bridge 1839 itself has been removed, and Mandai River functions as a moat to further prevent entry.

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge?

The path on the right leads on to Kranji Lodge 1 and the Rainbow Bridge connecting it with Woodlands Road.

There’s a muddy patch here, with 2 planks of wood placed to assist in walking.

Aaaaand… my walk is completed with a blockage again.

The colloquially-named Rainbow Bridge on Google Maps is a shortcut located within Kranji Lodge 1 catering for residents’ access to Woodlands Road. From the Rail Corridor, access to the Rainbow Bridge is via the Kranji Lodge 1, which is open from 5am to 10am, and 5pm to 10pm.

While Google Street View does show people cutting through this premise for Rainbow Bridge access, the sign says no entry for outsiders. On top of that, the area between this access gate and Rainbow Bridge has tents for Kranji Lodge 1 SafeEntry scanning, so I’m not sure if passage for the public will be allowed even during gate opening times.

Rainbow Bridge

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge was not meant to be. However, as it’s not part of the railway alignment, this doesn’t matter much to me other than the fact that I had to backtrack to Kranji Gate.

If I were able to get across to Woodlands Road, this place is served by buses 160, 170, and 178 towards Kranji MRT Station.

Backtracking to Kranji Gate

With no option to continue from around here by public transport, I headed back to Kranji Gate the same way I came from.

Walking through tall grass.

It was quite a hot day, but I will take it over a cool day with sloshy mud and wild boars appearing.

Passing by Kranji Water Reclamation Plant.

Back at Kranji Gate.

With this short walk, I completed my Rail Corridor walk at the same place the previous disruption ended up at – Bus Stop 49109 Kranji Wtr Reclam Plt.

Looking down at the closed section from the MRT, the new overgrown forest looks a little bit more overgrown now.

Conclusion

I’ve said what I wanted to say in the article of my walk from Tanjong Pagar Railway Station to Kranji Gate on the 10th anniversary of the closure of the KTM Singapore Sector on 30 June 2021. This walk only completes the missing sector on the northernmost stretch of the Rail Corridor from Kranji Gate to Bridge 1839 (Mandai River). If you haven’t, remember to read the KTM Singapore Sector 10 Years On article too, for the full thought process of the walk along the Rail Corridor.