SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

The Last Days of Tanjung Pagar Railway Station

 

We check out from the hotel around 11.00am and drive to JB City Square, where we park our car and have heavy brunch at the cafeteria in level 5 before proceeding to the Sultan Iskandar CIQ (the Sultan Iskandar CIQ is linked with JB Sentral and JB City Square via the sky bridge at level 3).

 

JB Sentral from the sky bridge.

 

After getting the immigration clearance, we walk to the bus terminal (at CIQ ground floor) to catch the bus to Singapore. We are taking the yellow Causeway bus to Kranji MRT. The fare is RM0.90 per pax one way.

The bus crosses over the Tebrau Straits via Malaysia-Singapore Causeway Link and stop over at the Woodlands CIQ. We alight the bus, fill up the immigration form, get our passport checked and get back into any yellow Causeway bus going to Singapore (keep the previous tickets and show it to the bus attendant). The bus drops us off at Kranji MRT, where we take the North South line to Tanjung Pagar station (Tanjung Pagar station is not in the same route but you could buy the ticket straight away at the machine as the train system is integrated. Once you reach the destination you could return back the ticket into the machine for refund of SGD1. Detail map of the commuters is HERE).

We disembark at Jurong East station and change train (East West Line) to Tanjong Pagar. Exit the Tanjung Pagar MRT station, we continue walking to the bus stop in front of Amara Hotel and take bus no. 80 or 145 (fare SGD1) to get to the Tanjung Pagar Railway station.  Disembark after 2 stops; the railway station is just across the street. It is possible to walk from the MRT, but since we are with kids and racing with time, I dismiss the idea.

 

The railway station located along Keppel Road, which also its other namesake.

 

Tanjung Pagar Railway Station, at last.

 

Why we would want to visit a railway station, you may ask. Because this is not any other railway station, this is a marker in history that indicates that Singapore was once part of Malaysia (or Malaya at that point of time) as well as a symbol of relationships of the two countries; of which history intertwines. Moreover, this is the last railway terminal that crosses SEA. After years of deliberation on its status, Malaysia at last accede to release its hold of the railway land to Singapore. The operations of the railway station will permanently cease from 1st July 2011, and relocated to Woodlands Train Checkpoints.

The station was very dear and close to our heart, Malaysians. The first time I entered Singapore 25 years ago was by train via this station. A bit ironic though, that today,  for the second time that I am here is to say goodbye and send it off. Eventhough it is no longer functional, I really hope that Singapore government will preseve this place considering its historical values as well as the feelings and memories it still carry.

 

Press getting public commentars.

 

Inside, we made acquitance with this lovely and friendly couple whose here to pay the last tribute to the station. To uncle if you read this : Thanks for the photo and also the pep talk. Nice talking with you two

 

The following are reminiscences of the place, from my perspective:

Tanjung Pagar Railway Station in memory : 1932 – 2011

 

 One of the relief in front the station. There are four altogether; indicated as FMSR (Federated Malay States Railways) and each reliefs representing the four pillars of Malayan & Singapore economy – Agriculture, Commerce, Transport and Industry.

 

The arc.

 

The arc, taken from another angle.

 

Sketching the terminal last moments.

 

Inside the main hall, the walls are decorated with panels of rural malayan scenes.

 

The ticket counter. Tickets for the last train on 1st July 2011 are already sold out. No doubt everyone wants to ride its last journey home.

 

A sad reminder.

 

Abandoned.

 

 This used to be my playground…

 

Counting down the days until I leave… forever.

 

 

The price of modernisation.

 

One last gastronomical adventure.

 

Everywhere, but no where. Not anymore.

 

Silence.

 

Lonely, is my middle name.

 

 Closed.

 

Empty is the feeling.

 

Runaway train, never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I’m neither here nor there

Promised myself I wouldn’t weep
One more promise I couldn’t keep