RAILWAYS of INDONESIA

For me the best way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (but not the other way around. Why? you'll know when you have finished reading this post) is by rail on the overnight sleeper train “Senandung Malam” (“Song of the Night”). I think that this is the most comfortable and cost effective alternative. In addition, it is much more environmentally friendly than flying. In the days of the North Star Night Express, forerunner of the Senandung Malam (described in Paul Theroux’s “The Great Railway Bazaar ”), such a journey would start at the magnificent Mughal style old Kuala Lumpur Station . The station, as well as the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) headquarters opposite it, was designed by AB Hubback, a colonial Public Works employee who had served earlier in India. Drawing of a steam train at the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. This drawing was made by a Kuala Lumpur street painter based in front of the National Mosque. But today this marvelous building is only used for co...

Three locomotives (two steam and one diesel) are displayed on plinths on the grounds of the Muzium Negara in Kuala Lumpur. L class 4-6-2 Pacific, manufactured by Kitson and Co. , England (1921). I like plants, but in this case think it would be better to remove the potted plants T class 0-6-2 tank, built by Bagnall Ltd. , England (1929). These were the first British engines to have steel fireboxes. Used for dock services in Singapore and Port Kelang till 1964. 22 class Co-Co Diesel electric locomotive “Seri Menanti”, built by English Electric (1971). These engines were part of the “dieselisation” programme to replace steam traction. These engines mainly hauled freight trains.