Jurong Bird Park Panorail
The Jurong Bird Park Panorail was a sightseeing loop monorail line which operated from 1992 till 2012, offering both a sightseeing and transport option within the Jurong Bird Park.
With the Jurong Bird Park First Price Promotion happening in January 2021, I decided to buy a cheap S$2.50 Jurong Bird Park admission ticket to see what the park is like as compared to the last time I entered about 17 years ago I think, and of course to retrace what was a memorable monorail ride around the Jurong Bird Park.
Heading through the SafeEntry check-in to enter the main park gates.
Entering Jurong Bird Park after almost 2 decades. The entry barcode on my mobile ticket was scanned by the staff at the gates.
Main Station
Once through the main park gates, Main Station is just up ahead. I can see the shelter of it already.
Heading under Main Station with the platform still visible.
The queue for the Panorail has been turned into a queue line to take photos with a parrot, and platform access is closed.
The scenic Panorail has been replaced with a mundane tram.
Looking up at the former arrival platform.
The JBP50 Past-Present-Future Photopoint at Main Station unfortunately does not reflect the Panorail, but instead has Queen Elizabeth riding a tram in 1972.
The stairs down from the arrival platform of Main Station.
The track portal out of Main Station has been sealed off.
A Jurong Bird Park Tram passing through the “level crossing” at Main Station.
Continuing along the Jurong Bird Park Tram line towards Lory Station. The Jurong Bird Park Tram largely covers the same route as the Panorail except on the ground.
Well the signs around Jurong Bird Park hasn’t changed much since 17 years ago.
Lory Station
Lory Station was a new addition to the Panorail, one which I did not get to see or use before because Jurong Bird Park is not cheap to enter frequently.
As compared with the two original stations, Lory Station operated with a single side platform rather than the Spanish Solution.
Lory Station still operates as Lory Station but as a Jurong Bird Park Tram stop instead.
The queue for the Jurong Bird Park Tram at Lory Station.
The Jurong Bird Park Tram at Lory Station.
Looks awkward to see a monorail station being operated as a Jurong Bird Park Tram stop.
A Jurong Bird Park Tram departing Lory Station.
The staircase up to the platform is now a path leading to Hornbill Chit-chat.
The remainder of the flight of stairs to the platform, however, is closed off for staff only.
The former Panorail platform of Lory Station.
Another view of Lory Station from Window of Paradise.
Continuing along the path to Waterfall Station.
Hmm… I suppose this could be remnants of the Panorail track pier base?
Passing by the Dino Descendants exhibits.
Looks like Jurong Bird Park has some EMUs.
The EMU depot.
What strange looking electric multiple units (EMUs). These two aren’t even coupled to each other.
Passing by Tram Station 3 or Waterfall Aviary Station.
Heading into Waterfall Aviary where Waterfall Station was.
Waterfall Station
As part of the Jurong Bird Park First Price Promotion, Waterfall Aviary is a gated area, and costs an additional S$2.50 to enter.
The recess for the Panorail tracks through the former Waterfall Station are visible before paying for entry into the Waterfall Aviary.
And hello there, Panorail tracks.
The staircase up to the Panorail departure platform.
With the one-way route around Waterfall Aviary as part of Safe Management Measures and being a gated area, I can’t head up to the platform directly. Instead, I have to walk to the waterfall first.
I guess I’m the only visitor who’s not really interested to see the Waterfall Aviary when paying the entrance fee for the Waterfall Aviary.
Taking a photo of people taking a photo like fellow railway fan Lee Hsien Loong.
Crossing a “suspension bridge”.
The 30m tall Jurong Falls is probably the main attraction in the Waterfall Aviary.
Heading into the former Waterfall Station. I think this was the exit bridge out of the arrival platform to Waterfall Aviary, but I might be wrong since the last Panorail ride I took in primary school did not let me off here before I began my educational journey starting back from Main Station again.
Oh hello again Waterfall Station, this looks rather well-preserved.
Th exit portal of Waterfall Station.
The monorail tracks leading out of Waterfall Station.
There used to be doors for the Panorail entering in and exiting out of Waterfall Station to prevent birds from flying out of the Waterfall Aviary.
The view of the Panorail tracks from the departure platform.
The Waterfall Station now functions as a sheltered viewing terrace out to Waterfall Aviary.
Standing on the former Panorail track alignment. With the remnants of the monorail track at the ends of this station, I think the tracks might also be supporting these wooden flooring laid over the track gap.
The debossed words of “PLEASE STAND BEHIND LINE” at the former departure platform.
The door numbers are still marked on the platform. Each door can fit 6 passengers on board the Panorail.
While most of the doors feature forward and backward seating in groups of 6, Car 1, which only has 1 door, seats passengers longitudinally as it also provides access for the Panorail driver.
The rest of the cars have 2 doors, each seating groups of 6, so that’s 12 people per train car.
The view of Waterfall Station from the arrival platform.
With the Spanish Solution in place, the debossed safety message on the yellow line reads “NO ENTRY”.
The entrance portal to Waterfall Station.
The monorail tracks leading in to Waterfall Station.
There used to be doors for the Panorail entering in and exiting out of Waterfall Station to prevent birds from flying out of the Waterfall Aviary.
Heading back out of Waterfall Station.
Looking back at Waterfall Station.
Heading out of Waterfall Aviary from my S$2.50 visit.
The Panorail tracks are still present outside Waterfall Aviary.
However, these aren’t lasting very long and are cut just ahead.
The road replacement for the Panorail.
Hmm, another remnant of Panorail tracks?
Parrot Paradise is a new Jurong Bird Park Tram stop which was previously not served by the Panorail.
The Panorail used to cruise over the water here.
Another paid show with the First Price Promotion going on.
Hmm, a bit out of place, but I’m guessing it might be part of the branch to the Panorail Depot rather than on the main line (main loop?).
Panorail Depot
Still rather in tact is the Panorail Depot at the corner of Jurong Bird Park facing Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim. Not sure of its function now though, since the Jurong Bird Park Tram uses a new depot off Station 4.
Back to Main Station
A right turn from the side road to the Panorail Depot and it’s back to Main Station.
Here, I continued on my next leg of the journey on the Jurong Bird Park Tram. Can’t forget to give a mode of transportation a try since I’m here right?
Conclusion
Overall, a memorable walking trip around Jurong Bird Park retracing the Jurong Bird Park Panorail in 2021, walking around a park that is not where I’d usually go, which feels familiar but yet changes are rather obvious. The Jurong Bird Park and Panorail felt a lot smaller than what I remembered it as though. I guess back then when I last rode it, I was a small kid, so everything was big relatively.
Very disappointingly though, Jurong Bird Park makes no mention of the Panorail anywhere in the park, even on the JBP50 website and park displays. Instead, the JBP50 Past-Present-Future Photopoint at Main Station does not reflect the Panorail, but instead has Queen Elizabeth riding a tram in 1972.
I wonder if the Panorail was such a burden to Jurong Bird Park that it was closed quietly in 2012 without fanfare and is not a wanted part of Jurong Bird Park history any more.
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