KTM Shuttle Timuran 56up Train from Kuala Krai to Tumpat

Shuttle Timuran 56up is a daily DMU local train, also known as Shuttle Dabong due to the train set operating the shorter 55/56 route between Tumpat and Dabong only. Shuttle Timuran 56up stops at all stations and halts en route. I had originally wanted to take the Shuttle Timuran 58up for an express DMU ride at Shuttle Timuran prices, but there was nothing to do or even have a meal at the vicinity of Krai Railway Station on Hari Raya Aidiladha. As such, I caught the earlier Shuttle Timuran 56up to start my journey to Tumpat early, and hopefully get some dinner in Tumpat before my trip back to Singapore.

Krai Railway Station

The façade of Krai Railway Station.

I note that signs everywhere in Krai Railway Station state the proper name of Kuala Krai, however, in the KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS), only the word “Krai” is used without the “Kuala”.

Heading in to Krai Railway Station.

As I used the KTMB Mobile app to buy my tickets, there was no need for me to visit the ticket counter.

The schedule board at Krai Railway Station. Looks like a busy crossing point with 3 crossings a day.

The station building is still on the original level, with steps and ramps up to the high platform.

Emrail RE 7003 (formerly 22115 Kuala Lipis) was stabling at Krai Railway Station for the holidays.

The sidings at Krai Railway Station.

The station sign at Krai Railway Station also state its name as “Kuala Krai”. I wonder why the KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS) has differing names for selected stations.

As I had a bit of time before the Shuttle Timuran 56up departure, I headed to the level crossing north of Krai Railway Station to spot the other stabling locomotives.

17 Class Shunter 17113 was also stabling at Krai Railway Station, though I’ve not seen it anywhere else in Emrail colours. There is another 22 Class Locomotive behind it, but I could not get a clean shot behind the fences.

Get ready for the completion of rectification of railway tunnels and associated works between Krai Railway Station and Kuala Lipis Railway Station on… 6 January 2017. Apparently it’s still not 2017 yet.

Heading back to the platform early for my Shuttle Timuran 56up train.

Shuttle Timuran 56up

The Station Master gets ready the token for the Shuttle Timuran 56up.

The porter collects the previous Manek Urai–Krai token from the fireman.

The Station Master gives the next Krai–Temangan token to the fireman.

Shuttle Timuran 56up at Krai Railway Station operated by 61 Class DMU01 61101 Tumpat.

Boarding the Shuttle Timuran 56up.

Shuttle Timuran 56up

I had booked Seat 3D in an empty Coach D, but looks like other passengers were already seated here not according to ticket and had pulled my window shade down, with a child sleeping on my window shade.

Some other passengers were also seated in Coach D, despite KITS showing that the whole coach was empty.

Since everyone was jumbled up, I just took a seat at 3A, the mirror image to my original seat, but that means I can pull up my window shade.

61 Class DMU01 61101 Tumpat is a Version 1 without PV, with transverse seats throughout the train. More luggage racks are available on board the 61 Class DMU Version 1 without PV.

A typical seat on board the 61 Class DMU.

2 3-pin power sockets are available underneath each pair of seats.

A wheelchair-accessible toilet is available at Coach C.

A Surau is located at Coach C.

My Shuttle Timuran 56up departed from Krai Railway Station on time at 4.24pm.

The dynamic route map on the screens fit the onward stations from Krai to Tumpat perfectly.

Another reason why I think the quality of the 61 Class DMU is too good for subsidized Shuttle Timuran services – passengers place their feet on the good seats and walls of the train.

Sungai Nal Railway Halt

Making a brief stop at Sungai Nal Railway Halt.

Crossing over Sungai Nal.

Temangan Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Temangan Railway Station.

I headed over to the Bistro at Coach A, however, unsurprisingly, it was not in service.

Crossing the Guillemard Bridge over the Kelantan River.

Passing by a former halt or station west of Guillemard Bridge at Kampung Kusial Bharu.

Tanah Merah Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Tanah Merah Railway Station to allow alighting passengers to alight first.

My Shuttle Timuran 56up then reversed back to enter the loop line for crossing with the opposing Shuttle Timuran 57dn.

Entering the loop line of Tanah Merah Railway Station.

Crossing with the Shuttle Timuran 57dn at Tanah Merah Railway Station.

The emergency hammers on board 61 Class DMU01 have now been encased in all-rounded hard plastic with 4 screws.

Now all I need is a hammer to break the plastic casing in an emergency to access the emergency hammer.

The emergency brake handles on board 61 Class DMU01 have also been encased in hard plastic, though with sufficient gap to allow it to be cracked opened with force.

After Shuttle Timuran 57dn had departed, my Shuttle Timuran 56up doors were opened to allow remaining late passengers to board by stepping down the platform onto the main line and climbing up on to my Shuttle Timuran 56up.

Perhaps simple thin platforms in between the main line and loop line similar to Indonesia, along with a retracting connecting bridge similar to Ampang LRT Station, can be considered to be installed for easier passenger boarding and less train shunting operations, equating to faster train crossings.

Passing on and under Malaysia Federal Route 4.

Bukit Panau Railway Halt

Making a brief stop at Bukit Panau Railway Halt.

Sungai Keladi Railway Halt

Making a brief stop at Sungai Keladi Railway Halt.

To’ Uban Railway Halt

Making a brief stop at To’ Uban Railway Halt.

Chica Tinggi Railway Halt

Making a brief stop at Chica Tinggi Railway Halt.

Passing by paddy fields along the way.

Meeting the junction to the Rantau Panjang Line south of Pasir Mas Railway Station.

Pasir Mas Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Pasir Mas Railway Station.

The station master exchanged the tokens as my Shuttle Timuran 56up stopped at Pasir Mas Railway Station.

Bunut Susu Railway Halt

Making a brief stop at Bunut Susu Railway Halt.

The new Bunut Susu Railway Halt platform is located opposite the old halt shelter. Doors to the old halt shelter are not opened.

Wakaf Bharu Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.

Crossing over the railway crossing north of Wakaf Bharu Railway Station.

Passing under the new Jalan Baru providing a bypass around Wakaf Bharu for passing through vehicles.

Local kids on bikes under Jalan Baru video my Shuttle Timuran 56up passing by them at a good safe distance away from the track. Perhaps railway fanning won’t be dead any time soon.

Heading along the final rural stretch of the KTM East Coast Line as the sun sets.

Kampung Kok Pasir Railway Halt

Making a brief stop at Kampung Kok Pasir Railway Halt.

My Shuttle Timuran 56up was largely empty by now as most passengers had alighted at Wakaf Bharu Railway Station, allowing me to take better interior photos.

Passing by the new Bandar Bentara Tumpat commercial area.

Passing by the future turntable at Tumpat Depot.

Crossing the railway crossing at Tumpat Railway Station.

Part of the Ekspres Lambaian Aidiladha (ELA2) rake was stabled at the loop line (Platform 2) of Tumpat Railway Station due to lack of space in Tumpat Depot.

Arriving at Platform 1 of Tumpat Railway Station.

My Shuttle Timuran 56up arrived at Tumpat Railway Station at 6.12pm – 10 minutes early.

The name sticker of 61 Class DMU01 61101 Tumpat has faded quite a lot. Perhaps the material of the name sticker was not designed for prolonged external use.

Platform gap fillers extend out from the 61 Class DMU to the high platform of Tumpat Railway Station.

Perhaps the 61 Class DMU would remedy the problem of blur passengers falling into the platform gap at Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) with automated doors and platform gap fillers.

Heading down the new platform at Tumpat Railway Station beside the future station building.

Tumpat Railway Station operations are still out of this temporary cabin.

Heading down the steps out of Tumpat Railway Station.

The façade of the current Tumpat Railway Station.

The façade of the future Tumpat Railway Station.

The empty 61 Class DMU01 61101 Tumpat then shunts itself back to the yard for maintenance and to rest for the day.