Shuttle 62up: JB Sentral to Gemas

Shuttle 62up was created on 15 August 2014 as a new evening Shuttle train from Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) to Gemas Railway Station, although its said to be a truncated Shuttle 92up as per the KTM press release.

The truncation of the super long distance Shuttle 91/92 between Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) and Tumpat Railway Station is due to the partial day closure of the railway between Gemas and Gua Musang – an operation which remains in place today since the published Ekspres Makmur was retracted but still very much alive on the internet today on KTM’s website if you know which link to go to.

On top of the truncation, the new Shuttle 62/61 was operated by a rake of BSCs, formerly operating for the Malayan Tiger Train.

Despite starting its journey from Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ), I opted to start my Shuttle 62up journey from Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral) since it would then cost me RM13 to get to Gemas instead of S$13.

The Shuttle 62up is formed of 3 BSC coaches with a conductor room facing the south.

The Shuttle 62up departs from JB Sentral at 6.50pm. The schedule of the Shuttle 62/61 was set to cater to returning Malaysian (JB) workers from Singapore, and for these student and workers to enter Singapore the next morning. As such, the Shuttle 62/61 is heavily used only between Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) and Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral), and runs almost empty between Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral) and Gemas Railway Station.

The high platform of JB Sentral is flushed with the BSC coaches just like in Japan.

3 types of BSC coaches are attached on the Shuttle 62up. More details in the BSC page.

The BSC coaches each come with a Japanese-style squat toilet.

My ticket for the Shuttle 62up ride, alongside a JR East Hayabusa ticket, and a JR West ticket sleeve. The Hayabusa name of the former Blue Train service is now used on JR East Shinkansen services.

Notice that the name is Shuttle 62up bears the wrong name of service, mislabeled as the Sinaran Timur.

The KTM Shuttle 62up ticket fits well in the JR West sleeve.

Returning to Japan in Malaysia.

Unfortunately, reality hits when you remember that this train is operated by KTM Berhad.

Nope, not going to Shimonoseki today.

24125 Megat Terawih made by Toshiba and Kawasaki leads the Japanese Shuttle 62up.

Crossing with the empty rake of Senandung Timuran 26up at Kempas Baru Railway Station.

After arriving at Kulai Railway Station, the Shuttle 62up gets shunted into the loop line to allow for the Ekspres Rakyat 1dn to cross.

Crossing with the Ekspres Rakyat 1dn.

Arrived at Gemas with 24125 Megat Terawih decoupled from the rake.

Heading up the stairs with the Senadung Sutera 25dn towards Woodlands CIQ waiting to depart on Platform 4.

Here, I headed to the ticket counter to get my ticket back to Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) on the Shuttle 61dn.