Shuttle Timuran 53dn from Gua Musang to Kuala Lipis by DMU 61 Class

The Shuttle Timuran 53dn is a morning train from Gua Musang to Kuala Lipis operated by the new DMU 61 Class. From the Shuttle Timuran 57dn the night before, I stayed over in Gua Musang in order to have a day time train journey continuing south to Kuala Lipis.

Catching the new DMU 61 Class is one of the goals of Revenge Travel Semenanjung, and after 8 months of waiting, I’m finally here to experience the new train.

From Rihla Hotel Dataran Tengah Gua Musang, I walked 10 minutes to Gua Musang Railway Station. on a cool, nice, lightly drizzling morning.

Little did I know then that this would be the start of the December 2021 Central Malaysia floods, and I’m thankful I left Gua Musang just in time.

Gua Musang Railway Station

A refreshing arrival at Gua Musang Railway Station with the morning mist and majestic limestone hill in the background.

Scan the MySejahtera QR code and take your temperature before entering Gua Musang Railway Station.

With an early arrival at Gua Musang Railway Station, I had my breakfast at the station canteen.

A selection of pre-packed rice, bread, kueh, and Mee Siam are available on the self-service table.

Being in Gua Musang, I started my day with Nasi Daging.

Probably nowhere else other than Kelantan can you get a good serving of beef with rice for RM3.50 (~S$1.13). There was a mix of meat and tendon in the curry, so some parts were chewy, but great value nonetheless.

Majestic views of Gua Musang limestone hills from the platform.

At 9.50am, 15 minutes before time, the Shuttle Timuran 51dn from Tumpat arrived at Gua Musang Railway Station, operated by 61 Class DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu. This train will continue on to Kuala Lipis Railway Station as Shuttle Timuran 53dn.

The fireman hands the last Bertam Baru-Gua Musang token for Shuttle Timuran 51dn to the porter.

The onward token to Merapoh is also issued by the station master for the Shuttle Timuran 53dn before time.

61 Class DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu

With the early arrival of Shuttle Timuran 51dn, DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu rests at the platform for 20 minutes before continuing on to Kuala Lipis Railway Station as Shuttle Timuran 53dn.

The number and name sticker of DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu.

My train service was listed as ES 51 Kuala Lipis. Hmm…

Couple of discrepancies there. ES most likely stands for Ekspres Selatan rather than Shuttle Timuran. Also, 51dn ended at Gua Musang, with this sector from Gua Musang to Kuala Lipis taken by train number 53dn, while using the same train set.

DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu is a DMU 61 Class Version 1 without PV, consisting of 218 seats. DMU 61 Class Version 1 fully comprises of transverse seats suitable for long-haul travel.

Coach A

Coach A comprises of a small section of 3 rows near the cab, and transverse seats throughout the coach. No longitudinal seats are found on the DMU 61 Class Version 1 without PV.

The DMU Bistro is located in Coach A. However, the DMU Bistro was not in operation on this train.

The Bistro seating area is taken up by the on-board cleaner.

Coach B

Coach B is largely identical to the DMU 61 Class Version 2 with PV’s Coach B which I have written about more here.

Coach B caters for long-distance travel with transverse seats in a 2+2 configuration. Vestibule doors are also provided to split the seating area from the doors and vestibule.

A luggage rack is provided near the door.

Coach C

Coach C has wheelchair-friendly facilities, while offering transverse seats in a 2+2 configuration. Vestibule doors are also provided to split the seating area from the doors and vestibule.

A surau or prayer room is also available in Coach C.

The door opens with a space to perform the wudu first.

Hooks are available to hang your garments.

Coach D

Similar to Coach A, Coach D comprises of a small section of 3 rows near the cab, and transverse seats throughout the coach. No longitudinal seats are found on the DMU 61 Class Version 1 without PV.

DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu is a “Spend for Malaysia” concept train with both exterior and interior advertisements.

There are a total of 6 festivals to be found on tray tables when opening them.

DMU 61 Class seats are quite upright and do not recline.

Seats have a head rest cover with the KTM Intercity logo embossed.

Seats by the emergency windows offer a better view, with the windows less blur.

My Shuttle Timuran 53dn train departed 1 minute before time at 10.09am.

The information screen on board lists the Shuttle Timuran 53dn route as running from Gua Musang to Kuala Lipis, without the long list of stations from Tumpat.

The Shuttle Timuran 53dn ran mostly empty, giving me a private DMU experience.

Passing by the disused Chin Teck Railway Halt, surprisingly still standing with a relatively new shelter. The track has been fenced up though.

The railway crossing south of Chin Teck Railway Halt is still in operation.

Mentara Baru Railway Halt

Making a brief stop at Mentara Baru Railway Halt with no passengers. Mentara Baru Railway Halt has not been upgraded with high platforms.

Merapoh Railway Station

A pleasant surprise at Merapoh Railway Station.

Doors opened on both sides, probably for station signalling purposes, revealing 25 Class 25101 Pulau Angsa hauling an empty rake of 1 ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia), 1 ABC and 2 ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia), crossing with my Shuttle Timuran 53dn.

I wonder where they are heading to.

Making a brief regulating stop at Merapoh Railway Station as the Shuttle Timuran 53dn was running before time.

The view of 25101 Pulau Angsa from on board the DMU 61 Class.

Ready to depart from Merapoh Railway Station.

Goodbye, unknown empty rake.

Telok Gunong Railway Halt

Making a brief stop at Telok Gunong Railway Halt. Telok Gunong Railway Halt has not been upgraded with high platforms. Passengers use the track bed to ascend up the train steps.

Quite a number of shelters here at Telok Gunong Railway Halt.

The planation view out of the Shuttle Timuran 53dn.

Sungai Temau Railway Station

Sungai Temau Railway Station has been upgraded with high platforms.

Chegar Perah Railway Station

Another before time arrival at Chegar Perah Railway Station at 11.08am, which means more regulating.

The porter removes the token key from the pouch as he heads back to the station master’s office.

With about 20 minutes of waiting, I headed down to Chegar Perah Railway Station for photos.

The station sign of Chegar Perah Railway Station which may not last for long.

DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu at Chegar Perah Railway Station.

Boarding at Chegar Perah Railway Station is still mostly by grass and track bed.

There is a short low platform in front of the current Chegar Perah Railway Station building.

The new Chegar Perah Railway Station is coming up just north of the existing station with high platforms.

The ticket counter and waiting area of the current Chegar Perah Railway Station.

Modernity meets tradition at Chegar Perah Railway Station.

Found the fuel tank of the DMU 61 Class at Coach D.

Reboarding DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu before the scheduled departure time of 11.29pm.

Aur Gading Railway Halt

Aur Gading Railway Halt has not been upgraded with high platforms.

Kampung Berkam Railway Halt

Kampung Berkam Railway Halt has not been upgraded with high platforms.

Bukit Betong Railway Halt

Bukit Betong Railway Halt has a big station building, possibly operating as a station before. Bukit Betong Railway Halt has not been upgraded with new high platforms, located on a curve.

The station sign of Bukit Betong Railway Halt.

Passing by stabled Fajarbaru Builder Group rolling stock at Padang Tengku.

The upcoming DMU depot at Padang Tengku is taking shape.

Padang Tengku Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Padang Tengku Railway Station even when running before time. Padang Tengku Railway Station has been upgraded with high platforms.

It was a very quick ride on Shuttle Timuran 53dn. Look at the time.

Entering Kuala Lipis Railway Station with DMU 61 Class train sets stabling around.

Kuala Lipis Railway Station

My Shuttle Timuran 53dn arrived at Kuala Lipis Railway Station at 11.59pm – 41 minutes before time, even with regulating the timetable at Merapoh and Chegar Perah.

Kuala Lipis Railway Station has been upgraded with high platforms and a new station building.

DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu beside DMU12 / 61112, which brought me from Tumpat to Gua Musang the day before.

A newly refurbished ASC (ICF-Padu Sedia) coach which operated for a month or two on Shuttle Timuran train services before the DMU 61 Class took over all of it.

The old Kuala Lipis Railway Station building is no longer in use, including the sign which still points to Singapore.

The welcome arch to Kuala Lipis, however, is still standing.

The empty DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu shunts over to the loop line for refuelling after dropping off all passengers and crew at the platform.

The loop line and sidings of Kuala Lipis Railway Station.

The old station sign from the old Kuala Lipis Railway Station still stands.

The new high platform is shorter than the old low platform.

The old low platform from the old Kuala Lipis Railway Station still stands.

Once done with refuelling, DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu moves forward to stable at the loop line.

Coach letters are displayed at the platform for the convenience of passengers.

A push trolley is preserved on the platform.

Information on the push trolley is available in both Bahasa Malaysia and English.

The new ticket counter of Kuala Lipis Railway Station.

The façade of the new Kuala Lipis Railway Station looks quite mundane, but it is what it is with improved facilities for the convenience of passengers.

Part of the old Kuala Lipis Railway Station still stands.

The signature façade of the old Kuala Lipis Railway Station with the number 1926 on it, commemorating the launching year.

The classic ticket counter to chill in, quite literally, is now closed.

The welcome arch still stands, and I made sure to walk through it as a self-welcome to Kuala Lipis.

Unfortunately no Selamat Jalan for me by train on this trip.

The old Kuala Lipis Railway Station exit leads out to the Kuala Lipis murals.

Conclusion

Overall, a very speedy journey on board the Shuttle Timuran 53dn operated by DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu from Gua Musang to Kuala Lipis. I’m happy to see a faster running time for all Shuttle Timuran trains in the new timetable from 15 January 2022, unleashing their potential on the newly upgraded line.

This journey on Shuttle Timuran 53dn marks the end of a short but fruitful KTM Intercity trip to the southern and eastern regions of Peninsular Malaysia.

Next, I’ll be catching the shortcut Pahang Lin Siong bus back to Kuala Lumpur.