MALAYSIA | Railways [Archive] - Page 3

nazrey

January 14th, 2010, 01:38 PM

@ Old Kuala Lumpur railway station

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx262/eby5arz/DSC00443.jpg?t=1260892868

Photos by TWK90

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3338/51897751.jpg

ETS Engines To Undergo First Phase Of Testing - Ong
January 14, 2010 16:45 PM

SUNGAI SIPUT, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The first unit of the Electric Train Set (ETS) which arrived from South Korea last month will undergo its first phase of tests to ensure its performance.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the ETS would undergo a 'static test', and if satisfactory, the engine that would be used by KTM Berhad to serve the Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh double-tracking route, would be put through a 'dynamic test' to study its cost efficiency and consistency.

"Upon completion of the two tests by KTM Berhad, the engines will be tested to determine its speed and time taken for the journey from Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh. The two tests are expected to be carried out before the Chinese New Year next month," he told reporters after handing out RM8,200 each as compensation to squatters affected by the double-tracking project, here Thursday.

Forty-three families were affected by the 329km Ipoh-Padang Besar double-tracking project which was being build at a cost of RM12.485 billion while the Rawang-Ipoh sector was completed on Dec 31, 2007.

Ong said Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur-Seremban electric train service was expected to start in March as scheduled.

He said the engines supplied by CMK Konsortium through cooperation from Hyundai Rotem from South Korea and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Melco), Japan, would become the fastest trains owned by KTM Berhad.

The engines that can reach speeds of 140kmph, would reduce travel time from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur from two hours 50 minutes to one hour 55 minutes.

He said the trains' coaches would be equipped with closed circuit TV (CCTV) to ensure safety of passengers, LCD screens, mobile food services, electric power points and toilets.

Once in service, the train comprising six coaches would be able to accommodate 350 passengers, he said.

He added that the fate of about 200 to 300 squatters living on land owned by KTM Berhad in Simpang Halt and Kuala Sepetang, Taiping would be tabled in the cabinet to find an amicable solution.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

January 14th, 2010, 02:01 PM

nazrey

January 15th, 2010, 09:15 AM

Tanjong Malim KTMB Station (NEW)
Along Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh Electrified Double Track
From flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3359396328_f45404347a_b.jpg

nazrey

January 18th, 2010, 03:45 PM

Now, it's a bunches of DMUs.... :cheers:

Nazrey, do you have a news or any articels about the costing of this Sabah Railway project, especially the price tag of evey DMU and Locomotive? Thanks my friend for the wonderful updates.....

Sabah Railways also told to hurry up
Published on: Saturday, January 16, 2010

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/upload/train%20baru2.jpg

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Railways Department and contractors of the over RM300 million railway upgrading project from Tanjung Aru to Tenom have been urged to expedite its completion.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, who made the call, said the long overdue project needs to be completed immediately due to many complaints from the public who depend on the railway for transport.

He said the 134km project consists of two sectors, the first involving tracks from Tanjung Aru to Kimanis by Suria Capital Holding Berhad and that the progress of physical work now stood at 93 per cent.

The second sector involved upgrading work on the tracks from Kimanis to Tenom by Hikmat Asia Sdn Bhd and that the physical progress stood at 88 per cent.

"Basically, we want this project to be completed as soon as possible although there are several technical problems because it has been delayed since Nov 2005.

"In other words, the project has been delayed for about four years and there are many issues involved in the implementation of the project.

"Extension of time (EOT) had been given on Oct 2009 and now the EOT has already lapsed. Another EOT is yet to be given and it is already late," he said.

Abdul Rahim told a press conference after he was briefing by the project manager and consultants of the project at the operation room of the State Railways Department here, Friday.

Also present were Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Infrastructure Development Ministry Ahmad Hashim and State Railways Department General Manager Mohd Arshad Abdul Razak.

Abdul Rahim said the Ministry expects the upgrading work from Tanjung Aru to Beaufort to be at least completed within this year to facilitate the need for alternative public transportation.

He said rural villagers in Pangi, Rayoh and Tenom are the most affected as their villages have no access road.

nazrey

January 22nd, 2010, 05:47 AM

Malaysia to get electric train sets by March
By LESTER KONG Updated: Friday January 22, 2010 MYT 11:28:56 AM

CHANGWON (South Korea): KTMB expects the final three electric train sets (ETS) to reach Malaysian shores by late March.

The ETS costing RM48mil each will be transferred by Malaysian multi-transport operator Subali Pack Sdn Bhd from the Hyundai-Rotem factory here in South Korea.

KTMB electric train services chief operating officer Azizullah Kinayatullah said delivery of the ETS will be followed by two months of static and dynamic tests to prepare it for commercial use.

“If everything goes well, the sea journey should take about two weeks,” he added.

He stressed that time was critical to get the trains ready for operations in June.

“We are doing everything possible to have all the tests and commissioning completed as soon as possible for commercial run.

In doing so, we will not compromise on any safety concern,” the former KTMB legal adviser said.

Azizullah explained that static involved ensuring all on board electronics and other systems worked well while dynamic tests ensured for braking, acceleration and deceleration effectiveness.

He added that the ETS will be transported via Masan Port located 7km from the factory to Port Klang.

Upon reaching Port Klang the trains will be brought to Batu Gajah in Perak for tests.

Hyundai-Rotem (formerly Rotem) is the manufacturer of the ETS and was also involved in making trains for use in the US, Ireland, and Turkey.

KTMB had taken delivery of the first ETS on Dec 9 and the second on Jan 16.

One set would be completely tested by Feb 20 while the second test would likely be done by early March, Azizullah said.

FazilLanka

January 22nd, 2010, 06:49 AM

Malaysia is coming pretty good in railway transportation.

v_florin

January 22nd, 2010, 11:34 AM

Malaysia is coming pretty good in railway transportation.

Indeed they are...and they already had by far the best rail transport in SE Asia.

nazrey

January 26th, 2010, 05:50 AM

Seremban-Gemas Electrified Double Track (EDT) project
(94.14 km)

Seremban-Gemas Electrified Double Track (EDT) project
(94.14 km)
Source: http://info.sgedt.com.my/

KTM Komuter Extension

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2a/Klktm.gif

NEW station:
- Senawang Halt
- Sg Gadut Station
- Rembau Station
- Tampin Station
- Batang Melaka Station
- Gemas Station

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2100/82353295.jpg

SENAWANG HALT

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9459/13818702.jpg

SUNGAI GADUT STATION

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/391/60514243.jpg

REMBAU STATION
TAMPIN / PULAU SEBANG STATION
BATANG MELAKA STATION
GEMAS STATION

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1296/36886940.jpg

RM3.45b Seremban-Gemas electrified line is 33% completed
Story and photo by JASON LIOH Tuesday January 26, 2010

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/1/26/southneast/se_03ktm.jpg

New vehicle: Mohd Ali and Dr Aminuddin Adnan (second from left) inspecting
a train before inspecting the project site in Pulau Sebang, Tampin, recently.

ALOR GAJAH: Work on the RM3.45bil Seremban-Gemas Electrified Double Track Project is on schedule and set for completion in two years.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the work on the dual-track railway was 32.81% completed and it was expected to be operational by Aug 2012.

“Once completed, the travel time between Malacca and Negri Sembilan will be shortened and new six-coach trains capable of carrying 350 passengers at 140km per hour will be used,” Mohd Ali said after visiting a section of the track in Pulau Sebang, Tampin, recently.

Work on the 98.2km railway by Ircon International Ltd, a subsidiary of Indian Railway, began in January 2008.

The stations in Pulau Sebang and Batang Melaka will be upgraded as part of the project.

Mohd Ali said the state had suggested that the Federal Government extend the railway track to Malacca city in the 10th Malaysia Plan.

“This service could be an important mode of transport for locals and tourists and reduce traffic jams in the city,” he said.

He also suggested that the Government build a new track along the west coast linking Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Selangor.

KTM Berhad (KTMB) president Dr Aminuddin Adnan said the upgrade was in line with a rise in demand for intercity and interstate train services over recent years.

He noted that KTMB’s revenue from the intercity line increased from RM83mil in 2008 to RM86mil last year.

lohxy

January 29th, 2010, 03:09 PM

Indeed they are...and they already had by far the best rail transport in SE Asia.

But still worse compare to other country outside SEA

sc4

January 30th, 2010, 01:36 PM

We still need to do much much more.....

hetfield85

January 31st, 2010, 06:49 AM

the government should consider to link all state capital with electrified double track rail project. Then we can travel seamlessly in Malaysia by trains.

nazrey

January 31st, 2010, 09:29 AM

the government should consider to link all state capital with electrified double track rail project. Then we can travel seamlessly in Malaysia by trains.

Existing Malaysian state capital with electrified double track rail:
KL - Seremban (Negeri Sembilan)
KL - Shah Alam (Selangor)
KL - Ipoh (Perak) - COMPLETED 2010 (179 km)

Malaysia Peninsular map
North-South Expressway

http://www.malaysia-maps.com/images/map-malaysia-main-states.gif

EDT PROJECT:
KL - Buttorworth (Penang mainland city) - 2014 (U/C)
KL - Alor Setar (Kedah) - 2014 (U/C)
KL - Padang Besar (Perlis border city) - 2014 (U/C)
KL - Johor Bahru (Johor) - Approved

nazrey

February 11th, 2010, 07:33 PM

Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project
(329 km)
http://www.2t.com.my/

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/6179/47874202.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/3416/82202518.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9730/89113017.jpg

nazrey

February 18th, 2010, 05:46 PM

EDT betwenn KL - Rawang - Ipoh
@ Kampar

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3874002602_a48b1ee60d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/3873215221_cd1f6b073d.jpg

nazrey

February 19th, 2010, 05:47 AM

Work on Gemas-Johor Baru tracks to start soon
By DESIREE TRESA GASPER Friday February 19, 2010

SEGAMAT: Work on the Gemas-Johor Baru dual tracking rail project awarded to a company from China will begin soon, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

“This project is a major step forward in developing the state further,” said Ong during his visit to the Segamat Inland Port here.

He said in order to upgrade the current railway services, the country should consider having wider tracks that would be able to accommodate high speed trains.

He explained that many people did not understand why the Government was still focusing on trains that were only travelling at 140kph when countries like China and Japan already had high-speed trains.

“The problem lies in the tracks. The current ones will not be able to handle high-speed trains as they are too narrow,” he said.

A narrow track could result in a high-speed train being derailed.

“A standard gauge track is wider and it would be more stable. And it is time for us to set our sights on building these tracks alongside the old ones,” he said.

As for the Padang Besar-Johor Baru tracking project, Ong said compensation to squatters and land owners including the state governments was settled before Chinese New Year.

“The question of compensation does not arise anymore,” he said after visiting the Kereta Api Tanah Melayu Berhad railway station here.

On the Segamat Inland Port, Ong said the ministry was looking into reviving it.

“We found that one of the major reasons for the closure of the port in 2006 was the management,” he said.

He also added that he would be talking to businessmen in the area to gain feedback and gauge the viability of reopening the port.

The cost of building the Segamat Inland Port is estimated at about RM21mil.

nazrey

March 1st, 2010, 09:39 AM

Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project
(329 km)

http://portal.2t.com.my/publicdisplay/Alignment%20map/Alignment%20Map.jpg

Source: http://www.2t.com.my

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_200912/bg/slide0017_image068.jpg

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_200912/bg/slide0011_image037.jpg

nazrey

March 11th, 2010, 02:24 PM

Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project
(329 km)

Source: http://www.2t.com.my

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_200912/bg/slide0014_image051.jpg

nazrey

March 27th, 2010, 03:18 PM

Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)
Source: http://www.2t.com.my
TEMPORARY TRACK WORKS

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0019_image064.jpg

LAY SLEEPERS FOR TEMPORARY TRACK

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0004_image004.jpg

ERECT REBAR FOR BOX CULVERT

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0012_image035.jpg

nazrey

March 27th, 2010, 03:20 PM

oh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)
Source: http://www.2t.com.my
BRIDGE COLUMN

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0007_image018.jpg

R&R WORKS (IN PROGRESS)

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0007_image016.jpg

nazrey

March 27th, 2010, 03:21 PM

Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)
Source: http://www.2t.com.my
LAY SLEEPERS FOR TEMPORARY TRACK

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0004_image006.jpg

nazrey

March 27th, 2010, 03:25 PM

Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)
Source: http://www.2t.com.my
POST TENSIONED BEAM

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0005_image011.jpg

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0010_image030.jpg

INSTALLATION OF PARAPET WALL

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0012_image037.jpg

LAND VIADUCT CROSSHEAD

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0015_image049.jpg

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0017_image054.jpg

SUBGRADE

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0017_image057.jpg

GROUND TREATMENT WORKS

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0021_image073.jpg

SUB BALLAST PREPARATION COMPLETED

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_201003/bg/slide0017_image056.jpg

hetfield85

May 6th, 2010, 07:30 AM

Thursday May 6, 2010

The RM12.5bil double-track rail project on time

PETALING JAYA: The RM12.5bil project to replace Peninsular Malaysia’s northern railway is progressing on schedule and on budget after an earlier delay in acquiring land, a director said.

Construction companies Gamuda Bhd and MMC Corp Bhd are laying electrified double-tracks along the 329km route connecting Ipoh in with Padang Besar on Malaysia’s northern border with Thailand. This will replace an existing single-track line.

“We are on schedule,” project executive director Azmi Mat Nor told reporters yesterday. “I’m confident this project will be completed according to schedule in December 2013.”

The Government awarded the contract in 2007 and extended its original 2012 deadline after difficulties in acquiring land had caused some initial delays to the five-year project.

Work commenced in early 2008 and 540 work packages, or 90% of the total, had been awarded to 310 contractors and suppliers for various stages of construction.

There had been no cost overruns and if any arose they would be borne by MMC and Gamuda as the contract was awarded by the Gvernment as a fixed lump sum, Azmi said. “That’s the risk we have to take,” he said.

Their partnership, MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd, had so far received 43% of the RM12.5bil from the Government, which was in line with project’s progress, he said. — Bloomberg

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/6/business/6199465&sec=business

nazrey

May 6th, 2010, 06:54 PM

Double-track project moving as planned
By Adeline Paul RajPublished: 2010/05/06

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/mmcga-2/pix_topright

The Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double-track railway project is expected to be completed as planned in December 2013 without any cost overrun, its main contractor said.

The project, which costs RM12.48 billion and stretches 329km, is a government initiative to improve inter-city rail transport.

It involves replacing an existing single-track line linking Ipoh in Perak to Padang Besar in Perlis. The new tracks are designed to cater for electric train sets with speeds of up to 160 km/hour.

"Progress is good, with 43 per cent of the overall physical work done. We are on schedule to completing it in December 2013 without any cost overrun and with no delays," said Azmi Mat Nor, a director of MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd, the main contractor.

One of the reasons he is confident there will be no cost-overrun is that the company has already forward-bought three-quarters of the construction materials needed. This leaves it less vulnerable to future price swings.
"We've already locked in three-quarters of the materials. The rest, we can mitigate it," he told reporters at a briefing on the project in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Cost overrun, if any, will be borne by the company as the contract was awarded by the government on a fixed-sum basis, Azmi added.

The company, a partnership between MMC Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd, has so far received over RM5 billion from the government. It started work on the project in early 2008.

Azmi said the project's impact is far-reaching, with the multiplier effect from work packages and jobs awarded expected to generate an estimated RM25 billion worth of downstream economic activities.

It is expected to be one of the biggest money-spinners for the four states which the railway track cuts across, namely Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

It is seen creating 90,000 job opportunities, with MMC-Gamuda alone providing 50,000 of these, he said.

According to Azmi, 540 work packages, or 90 per cent of the total, have already been awarded to 310 subcontractors and suppliers for various stages of construction.

nazrey

June 1st, 2010, 06:58 AM

NEW
Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM)
NEW KTM Intercity
ETS (Electric Train Set): New rapid intercity trains
Capable of speeds up to 140 km/h

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx262/eby5arz/DSC00443.jpg?t=1260892868

It now reaches 160 km/h!

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8hFwed1Y8yM

-CUzQS97eTM

SofnI39ibls

ETS undergoing test run

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homunwai

June 1st, 2010, 05:08 PM

This is really good news.
Is this a new world record for metre gauge trains?
I thought it is.
The other narrow gauge speed records achieved in South Africa and Queensland were cape gauge.
So, good news not only for Malaysia, but also for the whole 95000km of metre gauge world in various countries.

My hope:
With this success, more countries will only only keep to metre guage, but also use metre gauge to expand their railways.

This may provide impetus for KTM or Malaysian companies like Scomi to spawn a railway R&d manufacturing industry to serve this largely ignored but significant market.

Scomi is already doing turnkey for monorails.

Further R&D may include:
Improving the stability and safety for lower the height and CG of the trains.
Consider using or collaborating to use the Talgo technology.
Hopefully with these R&D, the metre gauge trains can increase their commercial speed beyond 140km/h to say 160km/h.

wheel of steel

June 3rd, 2010, 12:46 PM

World 2 World

June 17th, 2010, 09:01 AM

New Rapid Intercity Trains

zMDfN1t8gfw

o4PVsZPaxOM

Neb81

June 20th, 2010, 02:35 AM

This is interesting to see. I was aware the northern double tracking project was going ahead, but wasn't aware it was essentially a full scale rebuilding of line with new alignments and everything. It's a very promising development.

For KTM the jump in speed is extremely dramatic (old KTM InterCity was sooooo slow), and should lead to a significant increase in intercity travel on KTM. So where now? Talk has been made of further increasing the speed on the route, but I don't think this is a good investment strategy. The speed increase has been dramatic, essentially halving travel times. Squeezing out a few more increases will consume a lot of resources but shave on a fraction more time off the journey, which is poor value for money. Furthermore, I think there are several projects which would brin much grater benefits and make a much bigger impact on travel patterns away from the car-culture.

1. First of all, push forward the Seremban to JB double tracking and electrification as top priority. This is the busiest passenger route and could really benefit from increased capacity. Furthermore, it is essential to the development of other projects.

2. Reinstate the Port Dickson branch as an electrified route. The current (very infreuqent) Komuter Express (KL-Kajang-Seremban)would be upgraded to an hourly service continuing from Seremban to Port Dickson, giving the town an hourly link direct to KL, and provide Seremban and Kajang (busy Komuter stations) with increased frequency and shorter journey times.

3. Reinstate the Malacca branch as an electrified route. One the main line is upgraded, regular intercity trains could run both north to KL and south to JB (ultimately, Singapore) stopping at smaller stops en route. An ideal service pattern would be 1 fast train per hour to KL stopping only at main stations, and one slow train stopping at every station en-route, and the same for southbound services (to JB/SG). This would eliminate the need for a long slow (mel) train route from KL to JB/SG, which would be more prone to delays.

4. Work to compromise with Singaporean authorities on development of the KTM system in Singapore on following issues. This could bring a huge amount of traffic onto the KTM network, benefit the PSA, and alleviate traffic congestion on the causeway. This should ideally be couched as a joint venture between KTM and a Singaporean operator (SMRT or SBST)

4a - Double track and electrify the main JB-Tj. Pagar line, including the causeway. The causeway will have to be widened for this. Singapore would need to permit use of overhead electrification, currently banned on surface tracks.

4b - Jointly run commuter service, Tj. Pagar-Tanglin-Bkt. Timah-Woodlands-JB-Senai-Kulai.

4c - Reinstatement and upgrading of the Jurong docks line for freight traffic, and integrate it into the ASEAN railway scheme for movement of goods.

4d - Redevelop Tj. Pagar station, and return all unused land after these developments to Singapore.

5 - Construction of the proposed new line from Kuantan to Mentakab, but extend this on to Batu Caves (KL). Built to 160kmh electric double track specification for a modern rail link straight to Kuantan. This would instantly reduce travel times on the East Coast Line to KL drastically (hours!), even before anything is done to the ECL itself, and at the same time give direct modern service direct to the main east coast city. This line should link into the Kerteh-Kuantan freight line, with a view to introducing a passenger service further north (perhaps a basic DMU local/stopping service from Kuantan) as well as a through service for freight. Another benefit is that Komuter service could also be brought to the Gombak area, including IIU Gombak, and it would even be possible to extend the Kelana Jaya line slightly to provide a new interchange station in that area.

6 - Improve station facilities at rural halts. With improved frequencies this would be essential in any case but would also serve to heighten awareness of KTM services and offer improved passenger comfort, attracting increased rider ship and improve the overall image of KTM as a modern, sophisticated transport system. A standardised, simple but modern design for a station could be replicated at each halt, keeping cost down and providing a strong KTM "brand". This applies particularly to the ECL, where infrastructure is poor.

7 - Targeted improvements to ECL. Cascade and refurbish WCL intercity stock (displaced by improvements) to ECL services. Targeted improvements to track (replace wooden sleepers and lighter/older rail, new passing places etc.) to bring up speeds to at least 80kmh, and where needed realign track to avoid excessively tight curves.

8 - Extend ECL to Kota Bahru proper with a proper terminus station, with designed track/platform layout to allow for southward extension to Terengganu and Kerteh at a future date.

TWK90

June 23rd, 2010, 07:09 PM

^^

The southern stretch of the electrified double tracking project consists of Seremban-Gemas stretch and Gemas-Johor Bahru stretch.

Seremban-Gemas stretch is already under construction, while Gemas-Johor Bahru will come later.

About the Singapore stretch, latest news suggest that KTMB will shift to Woodlands from Tg Pagar by next year and if the future JB-Singapore rapid transit materialises, KTM may opt to move away from Singapore to Johor.

On the east coast line, i just hope improvements can be made to increase the speed and frequency of the line, for example, building passing loops and rebuilding some curves to be less tight...

KL-Kuantan rail line certainly a great idea if ever proposed, as Kuantan is one of the biggest towns on east coast and linking KL-Kuantan will help strengthen rail coverage on east coast, the only thing is that there is Titiwangsa range, that means they need to build long tunnel, if they want to build KL-Kuantan link.

Rebuilding line to Malacca will be good for the future of rail in Malaysia, because Malacca is one of main cities in Malaysia, with sizable population and decent industrial activity, apart from tourism.

TWK90

June 24th, 2010, 09:07 AM

125 years of railways in Malaysia

The first railway line in Malaysia, 12.5 km Taiping-Port Weld line commenced operation in 1st of June, 1885.

Here are some trains on display at the KTM 125 years anniversary celebration.

Class 56 steam locomotive, the last steam locomotive used in Malaysia, made in Great Britain, this is the only surviving unit and made in 1946. The top speed is 80 km/h. At its heyday, 40 class 56 locomotives were in service.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM%20125%20anniversary/DSC03308.jpg

Class 25 diesel locomotive, made in Canada in 1990. Top speed is 107 km/h. The output is 1500 HP.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM%20125%20anniversary/DSC03334.jpg

Class 26 (Blue Tiger) diesel locomotive, made in Germany in 2003. Top speed is 120 km/h. It is used for passenger as well as cargo services. The locomotive churns out 3300 HP.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM%20125%20anniversary/DSC03331.jpg

Class 29 diesel locomotive, made in China and delivered in 2005. This locomotive churns out 3300 HP, with top speed of 120 km/h.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM%20125%20anniversary/DSC03329.jpg

This is the ETS (Electric Train Set) capable of running up to 160 km/h, the fastest on metre gauge. On commercial service, it will run at 140 km/h. This train is made in South Korea by Hyundai Rotem and will be used for KL-Ipoh and Ipoh-Seremban routes.

(Note : This is not the first electric train for KTM, because the first electric train for KTM was introduced back in 1995 to serve as commuter train around Klang Valley)

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM%20125%20anniversary/DSC03328.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM%20125%20anniversary/DSC03320.jpg

pTaMo

June 24th, 2010, 10:10 AM

^^ Wow can this Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project be used for HSR?

This is 30 years better than what we have in the Philippines :lol:

Neb81

June 27th, 2010, 01:02 AM

The southern stretch of the electrified double tracking project consists of Seremban-Gemas stretch and Gemas-Johor Bahru stretch.

Seremban-Gemas stretch is already under construction, while Gemas-Johor Bahru will come later.

Good to hear, I knew the project was on the the cards, but didn't know the work was already in progress. 140kmh EMU service to JB every hour, perhaps? Now that would be sweet!

About the Singapore stretch, latest news suggest that KTMB will shift to Woodlands from Tg Pagar by next year and if the future JB-Singapore rapid transit materialises, KTM may opt to move away from Singapore to Johor.

Yeah my post was semi-fantsy. I've followed the arguments over moving to Woodlands for years. I think it was always inevitable due to the politics, but is ultimately a mistake, largely of Singaporean making that I think the SG gov't will come to regret in the future. The potential of the KTM network in Singapore was totally overlooked in SG government rush to cash in on "railway land". Should have been more constructive in their diplomacy.

On the east coast line, i just hope improvements can be made to increase the speed and frequency of the line, for example, building passing loops and rebuilding some curves to be less tight...

KL-Kuantan rail line certainly a great idea if ever proposed, as Kuantan is one of the biggest towns on east coast and linking KL-Kuantan will help strengthen rail coverage on east coast, the only thing is that there is Titiwangsa range, that means they need to build long tunnel, if they want to build KL-Kuantan link.

There would be a lot of tunnelling, but it would kill four birds with one stone, putting Kuanatan on the rail map, and delivering the biggest single reduction in both journey times and actual route distance on the ECL for journeys to KL and the north that any one project would make. And iwith a link to the Kerteh line, Petronas goods by rail straight to the west coast. Plus you instantly get the first 70km of a "real" East Coast Line, Kuantan to K.Terengganu ;)

Rebuilding line to Malacca will be good for the future of rail in Malaysia, because Malacca is one of main cities in Malaysia, with sizeable population and decent industrial activity, apart from tourism.

Government spend fortune on upgrading Malacca airport, but leave the old rail alignment abandoned, whilst upgrading the WCL... :ohno: With the train, easy to get to KL and KLIA - no need for Malacca airport then.

pTaMo

June 29th, 2010, 09:08 AM

Heritage Tourism: Chugging into oblivion

Our railway legacy may end up in history books, not tour brochures
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

SINCE its early days, the consolidation of various State railways and subsequent privatisation of Malayan Railways, the nation has yet to see a dedicated and complete railway museum.

This would include its steam and diesel locomotives which are rusting away in many places without roof and weather protection. There is also no known railway-turntable existing when it was once an engineering marvel.

Tourists, especially rail enthusiasts from overseas, have often lamented both on the Internet and when visiting Malaysia, that there is nothing to see of the old railway. For instance, no steam locomotive tours are available in Peninsular Malaysia.

Instead, they are encouraged to go to Canada, the Americas, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, continental Europe, India and Sri Lanka for such experiences, such as the steam-run Hill Railways in India which is among Unesco's World Heritage Sites.

The most sought-after rides include the Indian cross-continent route on the ‘Viceroy of India’; the China to Tibet railway ‘Journey to the Roof of the World’ right up to Lhasa; the Great Canadian railroad experience in the Canadian Rockies; and ‘The Orient Express’ train from Singapore to Bangkok.

There are no such touristic rides Malaysia despite the general rail infrastructure being widely available.

There was once such a heritage steam locomotive rail tour service in Malaysia using refurbished steam locomotive No. 564.36 named ‘Temerloh’, but this ride operated by the Peninsular Line service has since been discontinued.

In Sabah, there is the North Borneo Railway by Sutera Harbour Resort and Sabah State Railway Department which operates steam locomotive tours but it has been suspended for upgrading works.

Malaysia has no dedicated heritage lines as even the Port Weld-Taiping line — the nation's first railway — and the Seremban-Port Dickson stretch have not been declared as such.

In other developed countries, rail heritage tours are packaged and sold globally to tourists interested in seeing a nation's interior for scenic views that even off-road travel and jungle-trekking would not afford them.

With the double-tracking system being installed, I wonder how many historic stations and bridges across rivers and hillside tracks would be bypassed, abandoned or scrapped. Even the historic Bukit Berapit tunnel may not be preserved.

The nation was recently shocked to read about the 'missing' colonial-era iron bridge over Sungai Kerian without any plan to restore or rebuild it. It should have been classified a historical site under the Heritage Act 2005 of the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

Other railway bridges requiring heritage classification and protection are the Victoria Bridge in Karai, Perak, built in 1897, and Guillemard Bridge in Kelantan opened for use in 1925.

In fact, the Railway Administration headquarters building itself is also under threat of being sold to the private sector.

Another heritage pearl set to be lost for good is the Penang Hill Funicular Railway system in operation since 1923 which has been mentioned as one of the world's existing historic hill railway systems.

Almost every nation in the world has a funicular hill railway system and Malaysia has lost its own and probably for good, all because of a worn-out cable that needed replacing.

It has not even been considered under the Heritage Act 2005 list.

Perhaps the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd, Tourism Ministry, Transport Ministry, Muzium Negara, Badan Warisan Malaysia, and local universities' history, social science and engineering schools can do something about this, and plan and coordinate coherently to preserve our rail history and assets as well as to begin operating a steam-train service to the interior, modelled on Sabah’s North Borneo Railway, before it is too late.

It has been reported that Malaysia will host the Railway Tourism 2010 Conference in December and that studies have shown that the nation’s tourism revenue may increase by RM100 million annually if this sector is fully tapped.

As a supporter of heritage rail tourism, I look forward to the gathering and that all matters highlighted in this letter be looked into, including commencing the operation of steam and diesel locomotives on scenic railway routes in the country and the Heritage Act 2005 being invoked to protect heritage railway lines.

The heritage railway tours can be easily integrated with connecting coach travel to our local world-class tourist resort destinations to ensure the rail services' economic viability and increase tourist arrivals.

To achieve this, it is vital that there are active governmental measures in place. It is also necessary that the chronicling and recording of the way of life and daily experiences of our railwaymen, including pioneering railway-building workers and their families, by our local universities social science and history faculties be undertaken.

Conservation efforts must be taken by both the public and private sectors before it is too late for the nation to act.

Heritage Rail Tourism Supporter
Petaling Jaya, Selangor

nazrey

June 29th, 2010, 11:56 AM

ETS Technical Specifications
Source: http://www.ksdr.org.my/2009/12/ktmb-new-ets.html

Maximum operation speed : 140 km/h
Maximum design speed : 160 km/h
Passenger capacity : 350
Length : 138 m (6 car train)
Weight : 231.8 tons
Carriage dimensions
Length : 22.95 m
Width : 2.75 m
Height : 4 m

Ipoh Railway Station
Perak State

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3812/pc160072.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8801/pc160061.jpg

Billyking

June 30th, 2010, 07:14 AM

Understand this train was manufacturered by Rotem.

Before deciding on this, were there other models from other manufacturers considered?

Moving forward, are there other models from other manufacturers considered?

This design with a height of 4 metres seem rather tall. Considering that it is a metre gauge. I wonder what is the impact on stability. Some Jap trains are about 3.5m. How are about Talgo?

nazrey

July 5th, 2010, 05:37 AM

csd

July 5th, 2010, 10:46 AM

Interesting, the bodies are almost identical to the Irish Rail Class 22000 diesel multiple unit, also built by Rotem. The Irish railway system runs on a 1,600 mm guage, so quite a difference from metre guage!

The 22000s run at speeds of up to 160 km/h, and are used on inter-city and long-distance commuter services. They sets come in three varieties: 3-car, 6-car Intercity, and 6-car high-density (for commuter services), and have almost completely replaced traditional locomotive-hauled trains in the Republic of Ireland.

See here (http://thewanderersirishrailphotos.fotopic.net/p65251060.html)for a pic.

/csd

Billyking

July 6th, 2010, 05:07 PM

nazrey

July 7th, 2010, 06:21 AM

Source: http://www.ksdr.org.my/2009/12/ktmb-new-ets.html
@ Ipoh Railway staion

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/35/20271448.jpg

@ KL Railway Station

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/2231/33482136.jpg

KL-Ipoh rail trip in 2 hours
2010/07/06

KUALA LUMPUR: The Electric Train Service (ETS) which will reduce travel time between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur to just two hours from three hours previously, is expected to be fully operational by mid-month.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) president Dr Aminuddin Adnan however, did not reveal the exact date of the launch of ETS.

"We are targeting professional groups and businessmen, besides the regular users of public transport, to use the service. With a speed of 140kph, ETS will definitely reduce travel time, and the service of stewards and stewardesses will also provide comfort to passengers.

"In the future, we will also provide wi-fi facilities in the train and we are in the midst of getting the right service provider."

Eventually, he said, the ETS would also be expanded to Seremban.

Aminuddin said there were five ETS trains which would provide eight return trips for the Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh route daily, with the first train leaving at 5am and the last, 11pm.

On the fare, he said, KTMB was still waiting for approval from the Transport Ministry, adding that it was expected to be between RM30 and RM35 per trip.

Aminuddin said KTMB had prepared an organised maintenance system for the ETS to ensure that it would not face similar problems as its existing train services.

"It is easier to maintain the electrical system with an organised maintenance plan.

"We hope to be able to provide an efficient and hassle-free train service, as compared with the commuter and inter-city train services."

He said each ETS train was also equipped with closed-circuit television cameras to monitor the safety of the passengers, besides having the capacity of 350 passengers per trip. -- Bernama

TWK90

July 7th, 2010, 07:29 AM

That what I thought, that the ETS may not be optimised for metre gauge.

If in spite of this it can still do 160km/h (or 140km/hr at operational max), then I'd hope that at some point in time, an optimised metre gauge train can either achieve speed higher than 160km/hr, or the same speed at greater comfort and safety.

During some tests, the train is capable of reaching 160 km/h.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM160.png

Even the infrastructure is built for 160 km/h operation.

Some Japanese trains (1067 mm gauge) are closer to 4 m in height too.

E655 series for example, with 3.94 m in height (top speed is 130 km/h)

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/JR%E6%9D%B1%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%ACE655%E7%B3%BB%E9%9B%BB%E8%BB%8A

At the moment, the top speed on KTM is 120 km/h, on KL-Ipoh run hauled by diesel locomotives.

Neb81

July 10th, 2010, 08:43 PM

TWK90

July 13th, 2010, 03:28 PM

I remember reading on the old KTM website (can't find the projects section on the current one) that the original plan was for 16, and ultimately 32 trips per day. Does anyone know if that is still on the cards, or if KTM is simply waiting for another batch of ETS sets? The NST article makes no mention of a future frequency increase.

I am not sure.

The ETS service might be extended to Butterworth (Penang) when the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double tracking project completes.

In that sense, they have to order more ETS sets for that purpose, but no news about that at the moment.

The KL-Ipoh diesel train service will remain in service even when the ETS service commences.

This is the new schedule for KTM in August 2010 (excluding ETS).

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC03797.jpg

nazrey

July 21st, 2010, 08:50 AM

KL-Ipoh electric train to run soon
By JAGDEV SINGH SIDHU Wednesday July 21, 2010

PETALING JAYA: The RM6bil Ipoh-Rawang rail track, which was completed in 2007, is set to see its maiden electric train service to Kuala Lumpur soon.

However, critics have warned against any delay in kicking off operations along the rest of the electrified rail artery in Peninsular Malaysia once construction is completed by the end of 2013.

They said electric train sets (ETS) should be ready for deployment once the Ipoh-Padang Besar stretch is completed by 2013 and the link between Gemas and Johor Baru expected to be ready around the same time, so that billions of ringgit of infrastructure funded by taxpayers did not lay idle and under-utilised.

The embarrassing delay in the start of the new train services along the upgraded Ipoh-Seremban stretch was the result of improper planning but this should not occur again once the remaining double-tracking project in the peninsula is completed.

A source said money for new ETS had been allocated under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) and their construction would take about two years.

“The lesson from that mistake has been learnt,” he said, referring to the late utilisation of the completed Ipoh-Seremban track.

Given that it takes 24 months for the ETS to be built, orders would theoretically go out by the end of next year for the trains to be used on the electrified double tracks once built in three years.

Currently, the MMC Corp Bhd-Gamuda Bhd consortium is upgrading the 329km Ipoh-Padang Besar stretch for RM12.5bil.

The RM3.45bil Seremban-Gemas electrified double-tracking project was awarded to Ircon International Ltd and is scheduled for completion in 2012. The RM8bil Gemas-Johor Baru electrified double-tracking project has been slotted for award under the 10MP.

The understanding is that the project for the Gemas-Johor Baru route, which could be awarded soon, would be completed by 2013.

The value of the ETS order should be large, considering that many train sets would be needed to ply along the spine of the peninsula once all three components of the electrified double-tracking project are completed.

Reports indicated that KTM Bhd (KTMB) is set to launch a rail service using ETS soon which would cut the current travel time from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur to two hours.

That service, which is now due to start 2½ years after the electrified tracks were completed, would be extended to Seremban.

KTMB was reported to have ordered five six-car ETS for RM250mil in 2007 to service the 300km route between Ipoh and Seremban.

The travel time would be reduced by an hour and the ETS can carry 350 passengers, which is 100 more than the current trains do.

KTMB could not be reached for comment.

TWK90

July 31st, 2010, 03:33 AM

Sentul - Batu Caves electrified double tracking project has been completed.

It serves as an extension for the commuter train service from Port Klang to Batu Caves.

The line was opened for free ride from Thursday. The free ride will last until 4th August 2010.

These are my photos.

Date : 30/7/2010

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04202.jpg

Sentul, the new station building.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04208.jpg

Batu Caves station
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04226.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04225.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04227.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04229.jpg

Onboard the train (Batu Caves to Taman Wahyu)
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04262.jpg

Taman Wahyu station

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04297.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04298.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04282.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04289.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04270.jpg

burunghantu

August 1st, 2010, 08:20 AM

Source: http://www.ksdr.org.my/2009/12/ktmb-new-ets.html
@ Ipoh Railway staion

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/35/20271448.jpg

@ KL Railway Station

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/2231/33482136.jpg

i couldn't recall correctly, but it seems that 2nd picture were used in this forum without any proper credit given. it was taken in my gallery as below;
http://mytraingallery.fotopic.net/p62550557.html

appreciate if you can clarify on this matter. do contact me (eddy_2502@hotmail.com) for futher info on the usage of the image. i would appreciate a proper credit to be given, at least a link to my gallery

prophecus1

August 3rd, 2010, 11:40 AM

^^

This is skyscrapercity Forum and this thread is about showing the development of Malaysian railways to the world. If you're a Malaysian, you should be proud of our country and her innovation. Although so I realised that your picture really should be properly linked by the http://www.ksdr.org.my/2009/12/ktmb-new-ets.html. You should ask them where they got the pic.

nazrey

August 10th, 2010, 05:49 AM

Three-hour train rides from Ipoh to Seremban start Wednesday
Tuesday August 10, 2010

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/8/10/nation/n_pg01electrain.jpg

Electrifying experience: An attendant welcoming newsmen on the brand new
electric train at the KTM station in Kuala Lumpur during a familiarisation tour
Monday. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Starting Wednesday, the public will be able to travel by train from Ipoh to Seremban in just three hours.

The Electric Train Services (ETS) will begin its commercial run with 10 trips between Ipoh and Seremban with a six-month promotion rate of RM30 one way.

A 40% discount would be given to children under 12, the physically-challenged and senior citizens.

KTM Bhd president Dr Aminuddin Adnan said it would take only two hours from Ipoh to KL at an average speed of 110kph and up to a maximum of 160 kph.

“We hope that the public will find this service safer, faster and more comfortable than driving,” he said during a familiarisation trip for 200 business and professional individuals yesterday.

Dr Aminuddin said each 350-passenger coach would have disabled-friendly features, closed-circuit television cameras for passenger safety, overhead compartments, a food and beverage section and WiFi connections coming soon.

The ETS will stop in Batu Gajah, Kampar, Tanjung Malim, Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral. Bandar Tasik Selatan and Nilai on its Ipoh-Seremban route. The journey will begin at 4am from Ipoh and 9.59am from Seremban.

Five trains will depart from Ipoh and Seremban daily. This will be increased to eight runs each in November.

Dr Aminuddin added that plans included extending the service to Padang Besar and Johor Baru by 2013 and setting up a business class section for each coach soon.

Former Universiti Malaya staff Kamsiah Ali lauded the disabled-friendly features.

“Not only are the washrooms disabled-friendly, but the floor is level and it’s safe for people like me who use walking canes,” Kamsiah said.

Malay College Old Boys Asso*ciation executive secretary Mohamed Ghazali Kamal Baharein hoped that the service would be kept punctual for business people, who had tight schedules.

nazrey

August 13th, 2010, 06:32 AM

Double-track project to be completed by December 2013
By SHAUN HO Friday August 13, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/13/nation/6846988&sec=nation

PETALING JAYA: Half of the structural works between Ipoh and Padang Besar has been completed.

Work on the Electrical Double Track Project – including earthwork, soil treatment and construction of elevated viaducts – is currently at 52% and is expected to be completed by December 2013.

Also in an advanced stage of completion are four of the project’s main features – the 3.3km long Berapit twin tunnels, the 300m Larut twin track tunnel, the 27km land viaduct in Perak and the 3.3km marine viaduct over the Bukit Merah lake.

These Malaysian engineering feats will replace many railway structures built during British colonial times.

The 3.3km Berapit twin tunnels, which is 59% ready, is said to be the longest of its kind in South-East Asia. A 2.2km section will run through Bukit Berapit, and a 90m section under the North-South Expressway.

The tunnel will be built using the cut-and-fill technique, where sections of earth are excavated and the tunnels built in the pits before the ground is filled in.

The 10m-high, 13m-wide Larut twin track tunnel has been fully excavated and is awaiting surfacing and systems works.

A new 90m swing bridge over the Prai river in Penang is in the early stages of construction and is expected to be completed next year.

Work on loop tracks around the main train stations to merge with the existing single track line has begun, but track laying work will only be in full swing early next year.The specially laid rails will enable the electric high-speed trains to travel up to 160km an hour.

Undertaken by MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd, the RM12.5bil project began in January 2008 and was slightly delayed last year by land acquisition problems.

nazrey

August 13th, 2010, 06:35 AM

ETS concession fare until next year
By LESTER KONG Friday August 13, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: The Electric Train Services (ETS) RM30 concession fare has been extended to Feb 28, to ensure cheap rides throughout the festive season from Hari Raya to Chinese New Year next year.

“ETS is a much awaited service by the rakyat and they have responded well since Monday,” Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said when launching ETS’ commercial operations yesterday.

With the ETS, passengers can get from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh in just two hours.

The full journey, from Seremban to Ipoh, takes three hours.

Kong said the ministry had also set a maximum limit of 20sen per km to be implemented after the end of the concession period.

“The rates will be raised after the concession period. But maybe not to 20sen per km, maybe only 18sen,” he said.

A one-way trip at 18sen per km from here would cost RM45.40 to Ipoh and RM21.10 to Seremban, Kong estimated.

However, these fares would not take into account a RM4 fee for reservation and air-conditioning.

“There are some additional char*ges but we are studying it. We have not confirmed anything yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kong said the proposal to put a co-driver or a chaperone on school buses to prevent children from being victimised had to be studied.

“We can suggest a lot of things but we have to consider the cost and practicality,” he said.

He was commenting on a suggestion by Women, Family and Com*munity Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil last week to have chaperones as a safety measure.

Kong said that a better way was to teach children about the risks to their safety, including sexual harassment.

TWK90

August 14th, 2010, 08:18 AM

First day of ETS commercial run. KL-Ipoh.

Date : 12th August 2010

ETS ticket office at KL Sentral (Kuala Lumpur)
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04450.jpg

Platform 2 of KL Sentral
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04458.jpg

The journey

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04463.jpg

Top speed, 140 km/h on metre gauge.
GmJ_oaxb2eU

Arrive at Ipoh station (Perak state)
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04483.jpg

ETS ticket office at Ipoh station (Perak state)
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC04490.jpg

nazrey

August 14th, 2010, 08:24 AM

KTM banks on double tracking
By JAGDEV SINGH SIDHU Saturday August 14, 2010

THE next phase of the public transportation upgrade in Malaysia has kicked off with KTM Bhd launching its electric train service between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. But the biggest challenge for the railway operator is to prove that the electrified double tracking project will not be a white elephant.

KTM, which will undertake a restructuring to return to profitability, is counting on the double tracking project to deliver earnings, and to do so, it is making sure the tracks are well utilised. “This is a good investment by the Government,’’ says KTM president Dr Aminuddin Adnan.

He dispels concerns that the hugely costly project will be a waste, as he says demand for rail services in the country currently exceeds supply. To match the demand, KTM will be ordering 40 more locomotives, both electric and diesel, to meet the increased capacity brought on by the double tracking project from the start of 2014.

The company will be looking at utilising solely electric trains along the electrified tracks, given the lower cost of operations. The diesel locomotives being ordered will be used for the non-electrified portions of the peninsula’s rail network.

The northern section of the double tracking project will be completed by end-2013 and the line to Johor Baru by 2016.

The MMC Corp Bhd-Gamuda Bhd consortium is working on the double tracking and electrification of the 329km Ipoh-Padang Besar stretch for RM12.5bil.

In terms of significant structures along that stretch, the consortium, as of July, has completed 43% of the tunnelling works (the 3.3km Berapit tunnel and 300m Larut tunnel) in Perak, 36% of structural works for new Swing Bridge in Prai, Penang, and 73% of the Bukit Merah viaduct in Perak.

Ircon International Ltd has bagged the RM3.45bil Seremban-Gemas electrified double-tracking project, which is scheduled for completion in 2012.

The final link for electrification and upgrade is the Gemas-Johor Baru stretch. The cost of that package is reported to be RM8bil and it is slated for completion under the 10th Malaysia Plan. The contract will be awarded soon, reports say.

The double tracking project is expected to ferry more passengers along the railway lines of the country, and is off to a good start with the rail service between KL and Ipoh fully booked during the intital stage.

However, industry experts say most of the demand will be concentrated in selected areas closer to the urban centres. “The Ipoh to KL route and the outlying suburban areas should see healthy passenger travel,’’ said a source.

KTM is hoping that with the faster travel offered by the electric train sets (ETS), people will switch from cars, buses and aeroplanes to rail.

One other benefit KTM has in that regard is that train stations in the major stops along the route are located in the centre of town, which makes travelling and access much easier for train passengers.

KTM, which Aminuddin says is seeing an annual traffic growth of 10%, is expecting that rate to increase once it allows other operators to ply its routes. “We are looking to do that so KTM can get more than the 10% growth,’’ he explains.

Currently The Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O) operates an independent train service between Singapore and Bangkok, carrying passengers in luxury on a scenic ride through Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. KTM gets a fee for allowing the train to use its tracks.

Another reason why he feels people will make the switch is because of the increasing cost of fuel. With fuel prices expected to increase in the future domestically, Aminuddin hopes people will instead rely on trains for their current transportation needs.

While getting more people on trains would be important, it is essential for KTM to get more freight onto the rail tracks as freight services account for the bulk of the company’s revenue. Revenue from intercity travel and the commuter service, if added together, is however higher.

But industry officials say there is an ready market for freight to be carted along the tracks once the double tracking project is completed. “There is good freight forecast from Port Klang and the inland port at Nilai,’’ says a source.

Its been pointed out that the adoption of “metre gauge” tracks allows for freight trains to continue operating on the new double tracks alongside the passenger-use ETS.

KTMB is said to currently run 37 freight services daily, of which about 70% are concentrated in the northern sector. “There is a ready freight market that will utilise the double track in the northern region as Penang Port is the only available port to Thailand that’s located on the west of the peninsula,’’ says a source.

Upgrades at Penang Port, along with its supporting infrastructure, is being undertaken to add capacity for handling an expected boost in freight once the double tracking project for the northern stretch is completed.

Aminuddin adds that the electrified double tracking project can also draw more cargo into Malaysia from southern Thailand.

The improvements the double tracking project will bring offers KTM an opportunity to return to profitability. That task, however, will be tough to accomplish. But Aminuddin, who says a restructuring exercise is in the pipeline to make the company more efficient and profitable after 2013, believes the lower cost of operating electric trains will help.

nazrey

August 21st, 2010, 10:54 AM

Thumbs-up for new Seremban-Ipoh train service
Story and photos by CHARLES FERNANDEZ Saturday August 21, 2010

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/8/21/central/atrain.jpg

PASSENGERS were pleased when they boarded the train from Seremban to Ipoh in the newly launched Electric Train Service (ETS).

Beginning from the Seremban station, there were only fewer than 10 passengers, but when the train — looking like an upgraded version of the present KTM Komuter trains — approached the Nilai and Bandar Tasik Selatan stations, there were many waiting on the platform to board the ETS.

This ETS was much awaited by the people. The response, especially from KL Sentral onwards, was encouraging as it took passengers to Ipoh in just two hours.

The inaugural train service from Seremban at 5.55pm on Aug 12, took just 45 minutes to KL Sentral and the full journey to Ipoh was less than three hours.

Previously, it took passengers who travelled on the shuttle service, about three hours from just Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh.

Passengers who were on the inaugural Seremban-Ipoh route when interviewed said the service was excellent. They hope the ticket price would be capped at RM38 to encourage more people to use the service.

Currently, there’s only one service — at 5.55pm but travellers can look forward to a 10.55am service which is scheduled to be launched soon.

More importantly, the passengers were relieved that the ETS has finally taken off. It was supposed to have started in December last year. Then it was postponed to April, July and finally the first week of August.

Passengers were on a promotional rate of RM30 for the KL-Ipoh route and RM38 for the Seremban-Ipoh route.

The promised wifi connectivity was not available and the food bar in the middle coach was not operational yet.

Once these are in place, passengers who decide on this mode of transport fear that it would not be at the promotional price any more. They fear that there could be an increase in the fare when the promotion ends in February next year.

The ETS RM30 concession fare from KL-Ipoh has been extended to Feb 28 to ensure cheap rides throughout the festive season from this Hari Raya right up to Chinese New Year next year.

Normdas Khairul, 29, a lecturer in Alor Gajah, was the first to buy an ETS ticket at the Seremban counter. He said the service was a blessing as he was a frequent traveller to Batu Gajah.

“Prevously, it would take me more than six hours, now it is all done in less than four hours, It is cheaper, faster and a convenient mode of travel. I hope they will keep the ticket price low to encourage more users,’’ said Normdas.

As for Hizam Harun, 52, and his wife Khalidah Hasiah, 49, from Butterworth, the ETS has reduced their travelling time.

“We used to drive twice a month to visit my son who is studying in a college in Malacca. Now I just have to drive until Ipoh and hop onto the ETS. It is so convenient. At least I can relax for three hours before getting to Malacca,’’ said Hizam.

The couple took the ETS from Ipoh in the morning and were back in Ipoh on the same day.

University Islam Antarabangsa student Muhd Hazziq, 19, was on the ETS for the fun of it.

“I love to try anything that is new. My college is in Nilai and I stay in Kuala Lumpur. I went to Seremban just to try the ETS and did not mind paying the RM16 fare. Usually my fare is RM4.70 from Nilai to Kuala Lumpur on the komuter,’’ said Muhd Hazziq.

He said he would keep the ETS ticket as part of his collection.

Like Muhd Hazziq, Normaliana Roslan, 20, from Uniten in Bandar Muadzam Shah in Pahang and who was travelling to Ipoh, said the ETS was more comfortable than the bus.

Australian Tom Ord, 59, and Briton Tom Harvey, 49, said although they found the service convenient, they were, however, disappointed because there was no wi-fi service.

“Due to the nature of my job, I use the laptop most of the time. I travel often and hope the next time around, there is wi-fi connection,’’ said Harvey.

Ord was, however, disappointed because there was a lack of signages and information at KL Sentral to inform passengers the time the train was arriving.

“The area was also dark and I had to move through several barricades to get to the platform. The lack of information on the new services was rather disheartening,’’ added Ord.

Another passenger S. Kanapathy, 36, loves the comfort and the fact that he can keep his schedules.

“The fare at RM30 is reasonable. Hopefully, they would cap it at that. I am home every weekend. Usually I take the shuttle service and now the ETS saves me time. I hope the ETS keeps to its schedule,’’ said Kanapathy.

As for Yvonne Blake, 50, she was just checking out the ETS.

“I drive to Ipoh during weekends to vist my parents. If the train can reduce my travelling time, then I would just forget about driving,’’ said Blake.

Other passengers said they opted for the train because of the availability of toilets compared with express buses on long journeys where they had to stop at rest areas along the highways.

The ETS is equipped with two unisex and two disabled toilets, a buffet carriage, two closed-circuit television cameras per coach and two liquid crystal displays per coach, for advertising and information purposes.

There are five sets of six-car trains and it stops at Nilai, Bandar Tasik Selatan, KL Sentral, Tg Malim, Tapah, Kampar and Batu Gajah stations.

For more information, visit, http://www.ets-train.com.my/

nazrey

September 8th, 2010, 10:43 PM

Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project
(329 km)

http://portal.2t.com.my/publicdisplay/Alignment%20map/Alignment%20Map.jpg
Ipoh-Padang Besar project 52pc complete
Published: 2010/09/09

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/pmcg/pix_topright

The electrified double-tracking project (EDTP) between Ipoh and Padang Besar is 52 per cent complete.

The RM12.5 billion project kicked off on January 8 2008 and is slated for completion in December 2013.

The EDTP, which covers 329km of double tracks, is the largest ongoing infrastructure project to date.

The railway lines run across the four northern states of Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

It is designed to cater to electric trains capable of speeds up to 160km an hour, which will boost inter-city rail transportation.

Works on a 27km land viaduct, 3.5km Bukit Merah marine viaduct, Larut tunnel and Berapit twin-bore tunnels of 3.3km in Perak, and the new Prai Swing Bridge in Penang are in various stages of completion.

Various soil treatment methods are being carried out at all open locations, depending on the soil condition.

Utility and drainage works are also being done.

The main contractor is MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd.

burunghantu

September 15th, 2010, 08:16 AM

nazrey

September 21st, 2010, 03:11 PM

An iconic train station for Sentul
Monday May 10, 2010
By PRIYA MENON Photos by ONG SOON HIN

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/5/10/central/m_pg07sentul.jpg

Futuristic: A view of the aerodynamic roof
of the newlyrefurbished Sentul KTM station.

THE Sentul Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) station will be sporting a chic new look next month.

YTL Corporation Berhad deputy managing director Datuk Yeoh Seok Kian unveiled the station’s new amenities in an exclusive interview with StarMetro recently.

The most impressive feature of the Sentul KTM station is its futuristic aerodynamic roof.

“The first thing you will see when you head into Sentul is the station so we wanted to make it iconic. It is one of the first transformations in the area,” said Yeoh.

The refurbishment also spells good news for the disabled community as it will cater to their needs.

The station not only sports disabled-friendly ramps, escalators and lifts but also tact tiles for the blind. All these will ease their worries about getting lost or needing assistance.

The original Sentul train station, built in the 1900s, was used as a central workshop and depot for the (Federated Malay States).

It was upgraded under the 6th Malaysia Plan (1990-1995) to accommodate the KTM Komuter services and a link with the newly-built KL Sentral station.

Despite the improved train services provided by the double tracks, it sorely lacked features associated with a modern train station.

However, since Sentul Raya Berhad (a collaboration between KTMB and YTL) stepped in to build the new station, all these problems have been addressed.

It is now an integral link to the new Sentul-Batu Caves Electrified Double Tracking project.

Work on the station began in February 2009 at a cost of RM21mil while the entire line from Sentul to Batu Caves cost RM551mil.

Situated in the heart of Sentul, the station which sits on 6.6 acres of land will soon sport bridges connecting Sentul East and Sentul West.

“This will allow residents to use the link bridges to cross over from both Sentul East and West at their convenience,” said Yeoh.

The link bridges located on the upper concourse shares a space with the ticketing kiosks previously located on the ground floor.

There will also be retail kiosks, a cafeteria, a VIP room, crew rooms on the ground floor as well as public washrooms for commuters.

“We have also ensured designated drop off areas for buses and taxis along the station.

“This will ensure there is no traffic congestion along Jalan Perhentian and the Jalan Haji Salleh loop road,” he added.

The architects and engineers have made the station sustainable in the long run, incorporating environmental concepts like skylight and cross ventilation.

“The new station and project was designed to celebrate rail travel. It was built for the people of Sentul, the less affluent and the more affluent,” he added.

For Yeoh, however, the most important feature is the hassle-free journey to Jalan Ipoh and Batu Caves.

He said the ridership would increase from 700 to 800 passengers per day to an estimated 3,400 per day.

“There are 620,970 residents in a 5km radius and they will all benefit from the new train line.

“We have built four pedestrian bridges along the new 7.5km double- tracking project to Batu Caves and five elevated roads over rail bridges,” he said.

Yeoh said once the station and the Sentul-Batu Caves line were completed it would be a hub for the future Sentul.

Sentul Station
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4989775047_e0657a3c14_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ittuk/4989775047/in/set-72157624830680151/
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4989777779_d81aa5d77d_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ittuk/4989777779/in/set-72157624830680151/

nazrey

September 21st, 2010, 04:04 PM

nazrey

September 21st, 2010, 08:36 PM

KTM Electric Train Services (ETS)
Taken from http://mytraingallery.fotopic.net/
Ipoh (Perak) - KL - Seremban (Negeri Sembilan)
@ KL station

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/4530/86185516.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/462/63878531.jpg

nazrey

September 21st, 2010, 09:03 PM

Taken from http://mytraingallery.fotopic.net/

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/5986/22497528.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1449/48771917.jpg

hakz2007

September 27th, 2010, 10:52 AM

MALAYSIA STUDYING PROPOSAL FOR RAILWAY LINE IN NORTHERN PERAK STATE
LUMUT, MALAYSIA, Sept 27 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- The Transport Ministry has begun a preliminary study on a proposed railway link between Ipoh, the capital of the northern Malaysian state of perak, and Lumut, a port town in the state.

Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha said here Sunday that the study would identify the route
for the rail service between Ipoh, Batu Gajah and Lumut. A team of officers from his ministry would be asked to look at the area to be traversed by the proposed railway line, covering various aspects including the areas's geography.

"The study will also determine the potential of this rail service in terms of passenger and cargo market demand," he told Bernama.

Kong said the ministry would have to carefully study the proposal and hence this would
take a bit of time to ensure no problems would arise during the project's implementation.

"The cost involved and completion time of the project, if approved, are also being studied," he said, adding that the study would also involve the number of stations to be built.

The proposed Ipoh-Lumut railway link was proposed recently by Perak Chief Minister Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, who feels that the rail service should be an alternative public and cargo transportation service to spur development in the Manjung district.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=134469

World 2 World

October 9th, 2010, 10:48 AM

Batu Caves Station

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4310452781_fc355da4a8_z.jpg?zz=1
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22810362@N06/4310452781/

Taman Wahyu Station
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/298/95182851.jpg

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/2171/66852448.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1717/66761272.jpg

nazrey

October 11th, 2010, 12:15 AM

nazrey

October 17th, 2010, 07:33 AM

nazrey

October 18th, 2010, 02:53 AM

nazrey

October 29th, 2010, 03:01 PM

SUNGAI GADUT STATION

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/391/60514243.jpg

ETS to reach Sg Gadut by Christmas
Friday October 29, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/29/nation/7319754&sec=nation

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/10/29/nation/n_pg16gadut.jpg

On track: Kong (left) being briefed on work along the Seremban-Gemas
double-tracking and electrification project at the Sg Gadut station near
Seremban yesterday.

SEREMBAN: The south-bound Komuter and Electric Train Service (ETS) will be extended to the new Sg Gadut station near here on Christmas Day.

The move is to reduce congestion at the Seremban train station and minimise traffic entering the town.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said work on the new station was in progress to ensure it would be opened by Dec 25.

“The new Senawang station will also be opened on the same day,” he said after visiting the station here.

The ETS service currently ends in Seremban.

Passengers travelling on board the ETS can get to Ipoh from here in three hours.

The ETS now provides eight return trips from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh and two from Seremban to Ipoh.

Kong said work on the RM3.4bil Seremban-Gemas double-tracking and electrification project was also on schedule and was expected to be ready by August 2012.

“We have one or two land acquisition problems but we are confident of sorting this out soon,” he said.

He said the authorities also ran into problems when trying to acquire a parcel of land which was previously a cemetery.

“We are grateful to the Negri Sembilan government for assisting us in this matter. Otherwise, this project would have been delayed,” he said.

Indian company IRCON International Limited was awarded the project to build and upgrade the 98km stretch between Seremban and Gemas.

The project, he said, had been divided into two phases – Seremban–Sg Gadut (11.3km) and Sg Gadut–Gemas (86.8km).

He said once completed, travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Gemas would be reduced from the current three hours to two.

nazrey

November 2nd, 2010, 07:43 AM

Railway project on right track with tunnel breakthrough
Tuesday November 2, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/11/2/north/7343021&sec=North

TAIPING: A milestone in local railway engineering has been achieved with the 3.3km tunnel through a solid 300m granite hill in Bukit Berapit under the Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP).

The engineering and construction team of MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture successfully punched through the final rock segment of the twin-bore Berapit tunnel here yesterday.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, who officiated at the live breakthrough carried out by explosive experts of MMC-Gamuda, said he was happy with the progress on the 329km of the Ipoh-Padang Besar EDTP.

Kong noted that the Berapit blast-and-bore tunnel was the longest twin tunnel railway in Southeast Asia.

“We are on the right track towards improving public transportation and the government is finalising the last phase of the EDTP on the Gemas-Johor route,” he added.

MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture exe-cutive director Datuk Azmi Mat Nor said the Berapit tunnel was 70% completed.

He noted that other significant engineering features of the Ipoh-Batang Padang EDTP included a 3.5km marine viaduct across the Bukit Merah lake in Perak and a swing bridge in Prai, Penang.

The marine viaduct over a lake which is also the longest in Southeast Asia will replace the old KTM embankment bridge.

He said the RM12.5bil project which involved the construction of two new electrified railway tracks across Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis was now 57% complete.

“We still need to complete the infrastructure and its tunnel system,” he said, adding that the tunnel was scheduled to be ready at the end of next year.

Azmi said the EDTP, the biggest infrastructure project in the country’s history, employed 3,000 local engineers and other professionals with only about 10 per cent foreign expertise.

“And nearly 95% of the materials used in this project was sourced locally.

“The rest, comprising mostly rail beams and track materials, were imported,” he added.

9.5km Realignment Tunnel

http://portal.2t.com.my/publicdisplay/Alignment%20map/Alignment%20Map.jpg

FACT FIND:
- Rail is much safer compared to other modes of transportation, and can save the country millions annually in road accident costs.
- The Electrified Double Track project from Ipoh to Padang Besar requires 1,500,000 tonnes of cement costing RM400 million.
- The requirement of steel bars exceed 400,000 tonnes at the estimated value of RM1 billion.
- Freight is currently Keretapi Tanah Melayu’s biggest money earner with the northern section contributing over 70% of the revenue.
- Over RM2 million pieces of precast costing RM800 million is required for the Ipoh to Padang Besar Electrified Double Track project.
- Over 1,200 trailers and tipper trucks will be needed to transport these materials to work sites.
- Once complete, the project will multiply the existing capacity of the current railway network.
- A total of 12 quarries near the project will be expanded/upgraded to supply over 20 million tonnes of aggregates.
- The Berapit tunnel will be the longest railway twin single-track tunnels in South East Asia with a distance of 3.3km in length.

stingstingsting

November 10th, 2010, 08:05 AM

SINGAPORE: A KTM train bound for Kuala Lumpur derailed near the Bukit Timah station just after 8am, and as a result train services have been rescheduled.

KTM said eight out of 10 services tomorrow will start or end at JB Sentral Station, bypassing the JB to Singapore stretch.

At least one service, Singapore-Gemas-Singapore, has been cancelled and another will start from KL to Butterworth.

No one was injured in this morning's incident where the locomotive and two passenger coaches derailed.

As of Monday, there were services per day to KL each day - 8am, 1pm and 10pm and 1 each to Kelantan and Gemas.

All KTM train services for Tuesday have been cancelled.

Briton Mr John Round and his wife had come to Singapore to visit their son and were planning a short trip to KL when their plans were derailed.

The British travellers were among the 60 passengers on board.

"The train at the front had ploughed into the earth. So the front had plunged in and the train was leaning over at an angle of about 45 degrees, tilted over. And a lot of fuel was spilling out from the side, diesel I think," said Mr Round, a retired headmaster.

His wife, Mrs Angela Round, a retiree, described her experience as well.

"The engine came off the track and fell over and the first and second carriages also came off the track. And we just stopped you know. It shuddered to a halt."

They said it was lucky the train was travelling very slowly or things could have been worse.

Eyewitness Lee Stringer told Channel NewsAsia the KL-bound train had left the station for about five minutes when the incident happened.

He said the train was travelling at about five to 10 kilometres per hour, and then stopped suddenly.

"... Nobody fell over; nobody screamed and as far as I could tell, nobody was injured," Mr Stringer said.

He then got out of the train and saw the train's engine in front tilting at about 40 degrees to the track.

The first two carriages were derailed but were still standing upright.

Mr Stringer said the track was damaged and passengers had to get off the train and abort their trips.

Affected passengers have also been ferried back to Tanjong Pagar. KTM said all passengers were offered refunds on their tickets.

But some, like Mr Koo CY, were unhappy that KTM did not provide them with an alternative arrangement.

"Today, the worst part is, delay the time and we have already booked the hotel in KL and they give no compensation and no explanation and leave it to us to find our own way to go to our destination. No compensation and no substitute, buses to take us to at least JB or to our nearest destination," said Mr Koo.

The station master at Tanjong Pagar said repairs on the damaged track have started.

-CNA/wk/ac

For pictures and video:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1092276/1/.html

musclenatural

November 10th, 2010, 10:21 AM

well its new for me thanks
_______________________

nazrey

November 11th, 2010, 01:04 PM

From http://www.2t.com.my/
MINING STARTS FROM LARUT SOUTH PORTAL

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_200903/bg/slide0015_image053.jpg

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_200903/bg/slide0015_image051.jpg
http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_200908/bg/slide0012_image049.jpg

Electrified railway line from Ipoh to Padang Besar 57% complete
Stories by KHARLEEZ ZUBIN Thursday November 11, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/11/11/central/7395586&sec=central

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/11/11/central/p2tunnel.jpg

In progress: The 300m-long Larut Tunnel near Taiping was
penetrated in March and is near ready for commissioning.

WORK on the Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) from Ipoh to Padang Besar, which started in 2008, is now 57% complete.

The RM12.285bil EDTP project by MCC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd, the largest infrastructure undertaking to-date in the country, involves bridges, tunnels and new double track railway lines traversing over 300km across four states, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

In the three years, with a total 19 million man hours clocked without any casualty, MMC-Gamuda have chalked up some engineering feats along the way.

Just last week, engineers successfully broke through the final segment of the 3.3km-long Berapit Tunnel in Padang Rengas, Taiping.

The event was witnessed by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha who signed a plaque to mark the breakthrough.

Once fully completed, it will be the longest railway tunnel in South-East Asia with 16 passages between the two tunnels created for security and emergency purposes.

Drill and blast work on the 9m-high and 9m-wide horseshoe-shaped twin tunnels started in July 2009 and the breakthrough was completed last week, ahead of schedule.

Major challenges faced by the 240 employees, including engineers, technicians and explosive experts were compounded by extremely hard granite rock and the constant active loads on the North-South Expressway.

With the final breakthrough, the tunnelling team has already started work on the remaining 25% or the final phase of lining the tunnels with concrete followed by mechanical and electrical works.

Another engineering milestone in sight for MGJV is the near completion of the longest marine viaduct in South-East Asia, over the Bukit Merah Lake, which is the most famous breeding ground for Arowanas in the country.

The marine viaduct over a lake which is also the longest in South-East Asia will replace the old KTM embankment bridge.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/11/11/central/p1view.jpg

A media tour of construction work in Berapit, Lumut and Bukit Merah found MGJV work in full swing and progress is ahead of schedule.

Though the media tour did not extend to Prai, MGJV executive director Datuk Azmi Mat said a swing bridge would be another feather in the cap of engineering feat for MGJV.

The swing bridge will be the only railway bridge to be constructed over Sungai Prai that has a central span that swings to allow river navigation.

The Ipoh-Padang Besar Double Track project is expected to be completed at the end of 2011, ahead of schedule.

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_200908/bg/slide0011_image042.jpg

nazrey

November 11th, 2010, 01:06 PM

About RM10bil in contracts given out
Thursday November 11, 2010

THE impact of the Electrified Double Track Project has brought much- needed impetus to the construction industry with some RM10bil worth of contracts given out by the main contractors MMC and Gamuda.

Local contractors from Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis were given priority for the various sub-contracting jobs of earthworks, dredging, structural works, systems communications, electrification and supplying of construction materials.

The multiplier effect from work packages and jobs awarded under the EDTP had and would further generate an estimated RM25bil world of downstream economic activities.

According to executive director of MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd Datuk Azmi Mat Nor, a total of 600 or 95% of work packages have been awarded for various stages of construction which comprises earthworks piling, structural works, systems and electrification and bridge works to date.

“Out of the 600 work packages, 380 or 63% were awarded to bumiputra contractors. On top of that, of the total of 353 suppliers, 190 or 53% were bumiputra companies and individuals,” Azmi told The Star.

For consultancy work, a total of 44 packages ranging from civil, track, systems structural and rail were awarded with a total value of RM110mil.

Of the total RM3.6bil worth of materials and equipment required for the EDTP, a total of RM3.2bil or 90% of the total project material cost were used.

“Almost 90% of the materials were sourced locally except for rails and equipment systems which are not available,” said Azmi.

nazrey

December 5th, 2010, 07:44 AM

Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)

http://portal.2t.com.my/publicdisplay/Alignment%20map/Alignment%20Map.jpg

Source: http://www.2t.com.my/

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_200903/bg/slide0015_image051.jpg

UPDATE: Larut Tunnel

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1624/61201.jpg

http://www.2t.com.my/images/progress_200908/bg/slide0011_image042.jpg

UPDATE:

http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/382/611x.jpg

nazrey

December 7th, 2010, 11:19 PM

COMPLETED: Rawang-Ipoh Electrified Double Track (179 km)

http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/8/6/23/f_67m_12d838f.jpg

Tanjung Malim Station
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1435/5168391796_e571207d78_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/harirockford/5168391796/

nazrey

December 8th, 2010, 03:57 PM

The Old Prai River Swing Bridge

http://www.mattestlab.com.my/images/sgprairailwat.jpg
http://www.mattestlab.com.my/

Prai swing bridge making good progress
Bernard Cheah Updated: 06:46PM Wed, 08 Dec 2010
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=54887

http://www.sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/54887/bridge.jpg

A model of the swing bridge.
The bridge is expected to be ready December 2012.

SEBERANG PERAI (Dec 8, 2010): The new Prai swing bridge, which is part of MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd's electrified double-track project, is about 40% completed and scheduled to be ready by December 2012.

Describing the project as an iconic and unique structure, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said work on the 282m bridge, with a 90m mid-span which is able to rotate and swing, is ahead of schedule.

"According to the schedule, the project is supposed to be 30% done. We are about 10% ahead of the schedule," he said during a visit to the project site today, accompanied by MMC-Gamuda JV senior management.

"We are confident we can complete the bridge on schedule."

Kong said the bridge costs more than RM100 million, and is part of the project's reported cost of RM12.49 billion.

The bridge is designed to allow unrestricted movement of ships and other marine vessels along the Prai River.

When completed, it will replace the existing 40-year-old single-track railway bridge which was built by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) in the 1960s.

Other significant engineering features of the double-track project include the 3.5km Bukit Merak marine viaduct and the twin-bore Berapit Tunnel in Perak, which is expected to be the longest railway twin tunnel in Southeast Asia when completed.

Kong also gave his assurance that the double-track project could be completed on time. "We are slightly behind time due to the land acquisition process, but the project will still finish on time."

He said work on the project is almost 60% done, and is expected to be completed by December 2013.

"We are doing our best as the ministry and the contractor are working closely to schedule," he said

On another matter, Kong, who had earlier visited the SJK (C) Kim Sen in Bukit Mertajam, said the ministry has approved the acquisition of about 3,000 sq ft of land to be turned into an entrance to the primary vernacular school, which had been affected by the widening of Jalan Harapan.

He said the ministry had submitted the acquisition to the state Land and Mines Department in November.

"We are waiting for department to gazette the acquisition and the valuation for compensation to the land owner. When gazetted, the state exco would have to approve it," he said.

He hoped the matter would be resolved by the end of the year before the school term begins next month.

nazrey

December 9th, 2010, 09:15 PM

UPDATE: Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)
Prai River Swing Bridge, Penang - U/C

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/PixFront/pix_top_12087

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/09/05/12/27/4963596_333x500.jpg

nazrey

December 9th, 2010, 09:19 PM

Ipoh-Pdg Besar project 60 percent done
2010/12/08
http://nst.com.my/nst/articles/Ipoh-PdgBesardouble-trackingproject60pcdone/Article/

BUTTERWORTH: The progress of the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified railway double-tracking project (PLBE), which stretches 329 kilometres, is now 60 per cent complete, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said today.

He said although work on the project, running 329 kilometres and crossing Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis, was delayed, it was expected to be completed as scheduled in Dec 2013.

"The delay was due to land acquisition problems. However, the matter is now 99 per cent solved," he told reporters after a visit to the swing bridge of the PLBE project here.

Kong said the construction of the PLBE project involved building of, among others, 23 stations, 75 river bridges, 66 road over bridge, eight road under bridge, 45 bridges for pedestrians and motorcyclists and two tunnels, at Larut and Berapit.

A unique structure for the PLBE project was the construction of a 90 metre swing bridge at Sungai Prai for ships to pass through, he added.

He said work on the swing bridge, which used Austrian technology, was scheduled for completion in Dec 2012.

"It is now 40 per cent completed, which is 10 per cent ahead of schedule,'' he added. -- BERNAMA

nazrey

December 9th, 2010, 09:21 PM

Double-track railway job 'will meet deadline'
2010/12/09
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/10dub/Article/

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Work on the electrified double-track railway line from Ipoh to Padang Besar has fallen behind, but the Transport Ministry is confident that the project will be completed on schedule.

Sixty-four per cent of the project has been completed as at the end of last month.

Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the delay was because of problems related to land acquisition. However, he said, the ministry would resolve them before the end of the year.

"We are doing our best to get it (land acquisition) done. The contractors are working closely to meet the deadline.

"If all goes well, the project will be completed as planned, in December 2013," he said during a visit to the project site in Prai and here, on mainland Penang.

Kong also said the government had agreed to a request by the management of SJK (C) Kim Sen to acquire a piece of land for the school's entrance since the existing entrance was affected by the project.

In Prai, Kong and the MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture senior management team made a joint site inspection of the new swing bridge, which is 40 per cent completed. It stretches 120m across Sungai Prai.

With a total length of 282m, the RM100 million swing bridge will allow unrestricted movement of ships along Sungai Prai.

"With the help of Austrian experts, we hope to complete it by 2012," said Kong.

Work on the 329km railway line, encompassing Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis, began in January.

The project, costing RM12.48 billion, is a government initiative to improve inter-city rail transport. It involves replacing a single-track line linking Ipoh in Perak to Padang Besar in Perlis.

The new tracks will cater for electric train sets with speeds of up to 160kph.

TWK90

December 13th, 2010, 01:44 PM

My videos.

ETS passing Batang Kali station (around 50 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur).

The train normally travels between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh (about 200 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur), at top speed of 160 km/h.

o3wqJslmv3w

Normally, the train (ETS or Electric Train Set) passes Batang Kali station at around 120 or 130 km/h.

Aside from the ETS, there is diesel train service between KL and Ipoh as well. The top speed is 120 km/h. The ticket price is cheaper than the ETS ticket.

Here is the video of the diesel train service between KL and Ipoh, passing at the same station (Batang Kali).

wz5jOBAkAv0

sc4

December 14th, 2010, 11:29 AM

^^ Nice one TWK90, good to see the comparison...

nazrey

December 17th, 2010, 01:50 PM

KTM Electric Train Services (ETS)
Taken from http://mytraingallery.fotopic.net/
Ipoh (Perak) - KL - Seremban (Negeri Sembilan)
@ KL station

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7001/47829555.jpg

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/307/40451415.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3139/90381430.jpg

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4411/91864997.jpg

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/1584/27936843.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4949/14912745.jpg

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/2632/53857827.jpg

@ Ipoh station

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/9797/44484422.jpg

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/7665/91739285.jpg
From Ipoh straight to KLIA
Friday December 17, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/17/nation/7641255&sec=nation

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/12/17/nation/n_16ipoh.jpg

Rail convenience: A KTM train at the Ipoh Railway Station Thursday
where ERL tickets to KLIA are now available for purchase.

IPOH: Air travellers can now buy tickets for the express rail link (ERL) service to the KL International Airport and low-cost carrier terminal at the Ipoh railway station.

This would spare them from having to queue up at the KL Sentral commuter terminal to buy the tickets.

This follows an agreement reached here yesterday between KTM Bhd and ERL Sdn Bhd to make the Ipoh railway station a one-stop ticketing point for the ERL service for air travellers here.

Travellers taking the ETS will travel on the electric train service from Ipoh to KL Sentral, after which they will switch to the ERL directly to KLIA.

Those travelling to the LCCT will also take the ETS to KL Sentral but will board the ERL to the Salak Tinggi station for a connecting bus to the airport.

KTMB president Dr Aminuddin Adnan said: “It will save air travellers a lot of time and hassle, which is crucial when they are catching their flights.”

“As travelling time between Ipoh and KLIA or LCCT is now less than three hours, this mode of travel offers the fastest option for discerning air travellers,” he added.

ERL chief executive officer Noormah Mohd Noor assured travellers that there would not be a long waiting time for buses at the Salak Tinggi station.

“Our train and bus services on the KLIA Transit line are synchronised.

“The bus will be waiting for passengers at the station,” she said.

The ticket to KLIA is being offered at a promotional price of RM65 per adult and RM34 per child while the service to LCCT is being offered at RM42.50 (adult) and RM25 (child) until Feb 28 next year.

The service was launched by Land Public Transport Commission chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.

nazrey

December 25th, 2010, 04:15 PM

SUNGAI GADUT STATION

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/391/60514243.jpg

Sungai Gadut commuter station
Source: http://www.maarofkassim.com/2010/11/stesen-keretapi-sungai-gadut.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUTiMuiW6I/AAAAAAAAFI4/P3JNYpcV6BU/s1600/View+from+the+school+field.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUTtG8anuI/AAAAAAAAFI8/apRaPw_y61Q/s1600/View+from+old+track.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUT6-fbL9I/AAAAAAAAFJA/XEPdGEaB7Mo/s1600/View+from+south.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUUR8Jpa7I/AAAAAAAAFJE/kiErUSEakY0/s1600/On+the+station.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUZtS_hhKI/AAAAAAAAFJg/mmjCx555aHw/s1600/The+car+park.jpg

nideru_90

December 25th, 2010, 04:42 PM

wow..
really fast progress.. :)

nideru_90

December 25th, 2010, 04:43 PM

wow..
really fast progress.. :)

hafidz jon

December 25th, 2010, 11:13 PM

narrow platform.....

khoojyh

December 31st, 2010, 08:26 PM

Dont understand why Prai needs a swing bridge... why?

nazrey

January 23rd, 2011, 04:45 AM

Sungai Gadut commuter station
Source: http://www.maarofkassim.com/2010/11/stesen-keretapi-sungai-gadut.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUTiMuiW6I/AAAAAAAAFI4/P3JNYpcV6BU/s1600/View+from+the+school+field.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUTtG8anuI/AAAAAAAAFI8/apRaPw_y61Q/s1600/View+from+old+track.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUT6-fbL9I/AAAAAAAAFJA/XEPdGEaB7Mo/s1600/View+from+south.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUUR8Jpa7I/AAAAAAAAFJE/kiErUSEakY0/s1600/On+the+station.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUUihgV5qI/AAAAAAAAFJI/e1Xyadfx4Bc/s1600/Working+hard.jpg

SDBryan

January 23rd, 2011, 10:23 AM

Dont understand why Prai needs a swing bridge... why?

I know. To allow ships to pass by without breaking the railway bridge.

Simon91

January 23rd, 2011, 10:28 AM

The roof design doesn't seem too rainproof so far..

idiamindada

January 23rd, 2011, 10:33 AM

The roof design doesn't seem too rainproof so far..

it has been debated in malaysia forum….

SDBryan

January 25th, 2011, 05:35 PM

it has been debated in malaysia forum….

I think people should wear raincoats and trenchcoats, bringing in umbrellas when waiting at Sg. Gadut station during rainy days.

nazrey

February 2nd, 2011, 12:01 PM

Sungai Gadut commuter station

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TOUSq657lLI/AAAAAAAAFIs/wWCTv4NVxO4/s1600/Beside+FT1+again.jpg

SDBryan

February 4th, 2011, 06:58 PM

There are no updates on the Ipoh-Padang Besar EDTP front, I assume that there is a stop work order issued by the Penang government effective immediately.

nazrey

February 5th, 2011, 05:29 AM

On the right track
By CHRISTINA LOW

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/7/17/central/m_14viaduct.jpg

Work in progress: The 3.3km Bukit Merah Marine viaduct will replace
the existing bund and allow free flow of water at the lake.

THE electrified double track project (EDTP) that is taking shape from Ipoh, Perak to Padang Besar, Perlis.

It has been two years since work on the project, jointly undertaken by MMC and Gamuda began.

MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture EDTP project director Yeoh Hin Kok said the project started in January 2008.

However, Yeoh said like any other mammoth projects, there were bound to be challenges and uncertainties to be faced till the project is completed.

In an interview with StarMetro recently, Yeoh shared how the contruction of the Bukit Merah Marine viaduct and the Berapit Tunnel, both in Perak, had given him sleepless nights.

The 3.3km viaduct, which crosses the northern tip of the Bukit Merah Lake, is a low-lying single-function bridge made up of 23m x 15m spans designed solely for high speed trains.

During construction of the viaduct, Yeoh said the engineering team encountered unfavourable water levels which made it difficult for marine vessels and barges to access.

“We needed to have good planning before mobilising it when the tide was right,” said Yeoh, explaining that the team had to start working on the viaduct at different points of the bridge.

Once completed by the year-end, the new marine viaduct will replace the existing bund. It will also enable the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to raise the current maximum water level at the lake by 3.5ft — an advantage in terms of storing water for farming and irrigation.

Another challenge was the twin bore rail tunnels at Bukit Berapit which is another key feature of the EDTP project.

The two 3.3km tunnels measuring nine metres in diametre runs parallel to each other and is only 20 metres apart.

A 2.3km stretch from the beginning of the tunnels are fully lined with concrete.

Yeoh said they first had to put piped arches around the horseshoe-shaped tunnel to identify the fork zones before blasting the bench formation of the rock and finally the drilling and blasting, before getting the job done.

This section is then followed by a 1km cut-cover section and ending with an additional 90m area.

Yeoh and his team of 70 local workers had to deal with ‘live traffic’ as they worked beneath the North-South Expressway and an existing trunk road which connects Kuala Kangsar to Taiping.

For the additional 90m section of the tunnel, the team had to use a tunnel boring machine for its micro tunnelling works under the busy expressway.

However, Yeoh said there was nothing to worry about as the team constantly monitored the condition of the soil with inclinometers to indicate the condition of the slope. Settlement markers have also been placed to measure the settlement of the ground at all times around the site.

Other infrastructure works that are ongoing include earthworks and soil improvement, pond reclamation, drainage works, bridge works, tracks, building of depots, yards, and stations.

“At present, there are about 7,000 people working on site, 80% of whom are Malaysians.

“It was not easy at the beginning, even for our workers as we had to ensure their safety especially when working near tracks with ‘live traffic’,” said Yeoh.

He also made sure the workers took note of the residents and children who lived near the railway tracks as they often used the site as as a playground.

Once completed in December 2013, the EDP would be able to cater for trains capable of travelling at 160km per hour. The trains will pass through four states — Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

“When it is ready, a trip from KL to Penang is expected to take only three hours,” said Yeoh.

nazrey

February 12th, 2011, 06:00 AM

Seremban-Gemas Electrified Double Track (EDT) project (94.14 km)
SENAWANG HALT

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9459/13818702.jpg

From N9 MB Blog here (http://mbn9.com/stesen-keretapi-baru-di-senawang-dan-sungai-gadut/)

http://www.ktmrailwayfan.com/pics/data/media/549/DSC01538.JPG

nazrey

February 20th, 2011, 07:00 AM

Senawang and Sg Gadut stations to start operating in May
By SARBAN SINGH Saturday February 12, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/2/12/central/8049082&sec=central

THE Electric Train Service (ETS) and Komuter service, which was supposed to have started at the Senawang and Sg Gadut train stations in December last year, will now start in May.

Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the commissioning of the rail services was delayed due to bad weather and land acquisition problems.

“The stations are as good as ready and track testing is already under way. The engineers are confident the services will be able to start as planned in May,” he said during a visit to both stations.

The south-bound ETS and Komuter service now ends in Seremban.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/2/12/central/m_3senawang.jpg

Modern: The ultra modern Senawang train station will be operational in May.

Passengers travelling on board the ETS — which now provides eight return trips from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh and two from Seremban to Ipoh — can get to Ipoh from Seremban in three hours. Both the Senawang and Sg Gadut stations are located along the 98km Seremban-Gemas rail route.

The project is part of the RM3.45bil Seremban-Gemas double tracking and electrification project which is due for completion in December 2012.

Mohamad said once the stations were commissioned, it would help reduce traffic flow and congestion in Seremban.

“There are many residential areas in and around Senawang and many travel to Kuala Lumpur to work. They would not have to drive into Seremban to catch the morning train once the stations start operations,” he said.

Among the bigger residential areas in Senawang are Bandar Seremban Selatan, Taman Tuanku Ja’afar, Taman Tuanku Najihah, Seremban Jaya, Senawang Jaya, Forest Heights and Seremban Garden.

Mohamad said once completed, both the stations would be a catalyst for development in the area.

“We will be able to open up more residential areas here. It will be part of our park-and-ride concept where people can live here and work in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Mohamad also expressed his gratitude to the Transport Ministry for agreeing to upgrade the Senawang stop into a full-fledged station.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/2/12/central/m_3gadut.jpg

High up: The elevated Sg Gadut station is one of the biggest in Negri
Sembilan and would serve the people living in housing estates nearby.

“It was initially planned to be a halt only. We are thankful for the upgrade as we need a proper station due to the high number of residential areas,” he said.

Mohamad said once Keretapi Tanah Melayu received its six-coach trains in December, more people would be able to travel by rail.

“At present, the trains have three coaches and travelling, particularly during peak hours, can be a little uncomfortable,” he said, adding that the state government would also ask the ministry to increase express services between Sg Gadut and Kuala Lumpur.

Express Komuter services between Seremban and Kuala Lumpur is provided now during peak hours but is often cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Asked if the state government would request the Transport Ministry to upgrade the Tiroi/Labu halt located after the Seremban station due to the planned development there, Mohamad said this was being considered.

“I hope this will not be a problem for them as all we need is a proper station.

“The double-tracking and electrification work has been long completed,” he said.

Mohamad said KTM also provided ample parking for those who wished to park their vehicles and board trains at these stations.

“KTM will be able to increase the number of bays as there is sufficient land around both the stations,” he said.

Indian company Ircon Inter-national Limited was awarded the project to build and upgrade the Seremban-Gemas rail stretch which runs through three states — Negri Sembilan (65km), Malacca (32km) and Johor (1.45km).

Once completed, travel time between Kuala Lumpur and Gemas would be reduced from the current three hours to two.

sathya_226

February 20th, 2011, 08:28 AM

^^ nice to see Ircon Inter-national Limited is doing this project....

nazrey

March 8th, 2011, 09:44 AM

Jumbos drive Malaysia's rail connector
http://tunneltalk.com/Malaysia-railway-Jan11-Sandvik-on-Berapit-rail-connection.php

http://tunneltalk.com/images/Sandvik/One-of-two-Sandvik-DT820-SC.jpg

One of two Sandvik DT820-SC jumbos ready to attack

http://tunneltalk.com/images/Sandvik/The-jumbos-worked-full-face-8m.jpg

The jumbos worked full-face 8m high x 7m wide faces

http://tunneltalk.com/images/Sandvik/View-of-a-completed.jpg

View of a completed 2.2km long railway connector

Two Sandvik jumbos were at the front end of drill+blast excavation of the longest rail tunnel in South East Asia. Main contractor MMC-Gamuda used two of Sandvik's top of the range drilling rigs, two DT820-SC jumbos, for rock drilling on the 2.2km long twin tube Berapit rail tunnel in Malaysia.

The twin tube tunnel is part of Malaysia's project to double-track and electrify the 329km long Ipoh to Padang Besar line, which is due to be completed by end-2011. The project also involves construction of 65 overhead roads, eight road bridges, 75 river bridges and 43 bridges for motorcycles and pedestrians.

http://2t.com.my/

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1624/61201.jpg

nazrey

March 8th, 2011, 09:45 AM

http://opusouth.wordpress.com/articles/technical-visit-double-track/

http://opusouth.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/dsc001271.jpg

nazrey

March 9th, 2011, 03:14 PM

SE Asia’s Longest Railway Tunnel
http://ipohecho.com.my/v2/2010/12/16/se-asias-longest-railway-tunnel/

http://ipohecho.com.my/v2/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/SE_asia_longest_tunnel.jpg

The newly rebuilt Bukit Berapit railway tunnel, at 3.3 km, is being dubbed the longest in South East Asia. The tunnel is part of the RM12.5 billion double-tracking project connecting Ipoh to Padang Besar. It is 70 per cent completed. Monday, November 1 witnessed a landmark breakthrough when the final stretch of the tunnel was blasted. The occasion was officiated by Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. The tracks within the tunnel are specially designed to accommodate accidents should they happen and are configured in a shape of a horse shoe with nine side tracks each way.

The tunnel is 9 metres high and 9 metres wide. Local expertise is being maximised by the project developer, MMC-GAMUDA JV. The difficult part said, Datuk Azmi Mat Nor, Director of MMC-GAMUDA JV, was working underneath the Plus Expressway. “It involves blasting and excavation which are controlled to avoid structural damage.” The geo-technical makeover of the area was taken into consideration since the tunnel supports an expressway and the KK-Taiping trunk road. “Safety of motorists is our primary concern,” he added.

“The remaining 30 per cent of the tunnel will be completed by 2011,” said Yeoh Hin Kok, the project director. “We’ve achieved 19-million work hours without any stop-work time. That’s a record of sorts,” he told reporters at the site.

Other landmarks of significance along the rail route are the 3.5-km marine bridge across Bukit Merah Lake, the 342-metre Larut tunnel and the 282-metre Prai swing bridge. The three structures, according to Yeoh, are over 85 per cent completed.

http://ipohecho.com.my/v2/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/terowong-2-1.jpg

wirajack

March 21st, 2011, 05:18 AM

Dont understand why Prai needs a swing bridge... why?

That river is a navigable river with lots of traffic upstream and downstream. The bridge was kind of low. To allow ships/boats to pass thru sfaely, the bridge will swing perpendicular to the river to allow vessels to sail upstream or down stream. Another option is by using drawbridge like London Tower Bridge.

sapphire blue

April 15th, 2011, 07:59 PM

ETS (Electric Train Set) - KTM

Ticket Counter at KL SENTRAL

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/664/image0402v.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/image0402v.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

The train

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/1301/ets2.jpg (http://img849.imageshack.us/i/ets2.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/1386/etsn.jpg (http://img685.imageshack.us/i/etsn.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

@ Ipoh station (LEFT)

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/8124/image0407.jpg (http://img641.imageshack.us/i/image0407.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

psychology

April 16th, 2011, 08:23 PM

ETS so nice train .

nazrey

April 17th, 2011, 01:24 AM

Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)

FACT FIND:
- Rail is much safer compared to other modes of transportation, and can save the country millions annually in road accident costs.
- The Electrified Double Track project from Ipoh to Padang Besar requires 1,500,000 tonnes of cement costing RM400 million.
- The requirement of steel bars exceed 400,000 tonnes at the estimated value of RM1 billion.
- Freight is currently Keretapi Tanah Melayu’s biggest money earner with the northern section contributing over 70% of the revenue.
- Over RM2 million pieces of precast costing RM800 million is required for the Ipoh to Padang Besar Electrified Double Track project.
- Over 1,200 trailers and tipper trucks will be needed to transport these materials to work sites.
- Once complete, the project will multiply the existing capacity of the current railway network.
- A total of 12 quarries near the project will be expanded/upgraded to supply over 20 million tonnes of aggregates.
- The Berapit tunnel will be the longest railway twin single-track tunnels in South East Asia with a distance of 3.3km in length.

http://www.sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/54887/bridge.jpg http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/progressphoto/swingbridge.jpg

Prai swing bridge, Penang

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/11/11/central/p1view.jpg http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/progressphoto/bktmerahviaduct.jpg

Bukit Merah Marine Viaduct, Perak

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/11/11/central/p2tunnel.jpg http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/progressphoto/bberapittunnel.jpg

Larut tunnel / Berapit twin-tunnels, Perak
The Larut tunnel (390m long) and the Berapit twin-tunnels of 3.3km long each are 10km apart and sit respectively at the north and south gateways into this hilly region of Perak.

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/progressphoto/laycable.jpg http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/progressphoto/postwiring.jpg

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/progressphoto/ballas.jpg http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/progressphoto/salakutara.jpg

Source: http://www.ktmb.com.my/

nazrey

April 21st, 2011, 06:28 PM

Key Projects
http://www.ecerdc.com/ecerdc/trans-d5.htm

http://www.ecerdc.com/ecerdc/images/key-map/transport/Railway.gif

Key Project / Initiative Description
Feasibility study To conduct a feasibility study for upgrading of
the ECER railway system, focusing on :

Phase 1 – To connect railway line from Mentakab – Kuantan –
Kuala Terengganu – Tanah Merah/Pasir Mas

Phase 2 – To connect railway line from Tanah Merah/
Pasir Mas – Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur – Mentakab

Final Report On East Coast Railway Project To Be Completed Soon
April 14, 2011 16:44 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=579077&cat=et

KUANTAN, April 14 (Bernama) -- The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) is in the process of completing its final report on the possible east coast railway project linking Kuala Lumpur-Kuantan-Tumpat, which covers a distance of 550km.

State Housing, Basic Infrastructure and Transportation Committee Chairman Datuk Mohd Soffi Abdul Razak said that the Kuala Lumpur-Kuantan route would involve five districts -- Bentong, Bera, Temerloh, Maran and Kuantan.

"This project will make an impact on Pahang's social and economic sectors, especially in the districts affected," he said in response to a question from Datuk Chuan Boon Seong (BN-Mentakab) at the state assembly sitting here on Thursday.

He said the project would create more employment for people through the development of projects, such as the Kuantan Port City project, Oil Palm Industrial Cluster, Wood Industrial Park in Temerloh, Pahang Technology Park and the Bentong Mixed Industrial Park, along the route.

Besides that, he said the districts involved would progress and develop with a more modern and efficient transportation network connecting them to the Klang Valley.

Meanwhile, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said that the state government would take action under the National Land Code 1965 against Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) operators who flouted approval requirements by planting on a permanent basis for cash-crop projects.

He said that they had carried out some enforcement measures, such as patrols on rule violations.

"The Land Administrator can cancel the TOL. Continuous monitoring will also be carried out to ensure the problem does not recur," he said in response to a question from Syed Hamid Syed Mohamed (PAS-Kuala Semantan).

Adnan said 114.118 hectares of land in Temerloh, Jerantut, Lipis and Raub had been identified as flouting TOL approval requirements by growing permanent crops.

He added that action had been taken on 42.09 hectares of land, while action needed to be taken on another 73.03 hectares.

-- BERNAMA

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2007/11/5/business/p17-railnetworkch.JPG

sapphire blue

April 23rd, 2011, 06:51 AM

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/904/image0833.jpg (http://img713.imageshack.us/i/image0833.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

allurban

April 26th, 2011, 06:51 AM

The Penang Hill Railway is back!

2,000 take upgraded Penang Hill train (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/4/26/nation/8548965&sec=nation) (The Star, 26 April 2011)

GEORGE TOWN: A honeymooning couple from Saudi Arabia was among some 2,000 tourists and locals who boarded the Penang Hill funicular train, which resumed operations after a lapse of 14 months.

Alaa Abduallae, 30, and Wafaa Ali, 23, were thrilled to take the 10-minute ride up the hill.

“However, the train was going too fast for us to snap any good photographs,” Alaa said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/4/26/nation/n_06train.jpg
Image courtesy of The Star.

The train will run for charity till April 30. The return fare for the charity ride is RM10 for adults. It is free for children aged 12 and below.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2011/4/26/nation/n_06visitors.jpg

Panoramic view: Alaa and Wafaa enjoying the sights after taking the Penang Hill funicular train. Image courtesy of The Star.

From May 1, the return fare for Malaysians will be RM8 for adults (below 55 years) and RM4 for children (aged three to 12).

Senior citizens (aged 55 and above) and Malaysian students will enjoy a reduced rate of RM4.

For foreigners, the return fare is RM30 (for adults) and RM15 (for children aged three to 12).

The revamped train service runs from 6.30am to 9.30pm daily.

The service was suspended since Feb 22 last year for the RM73mil upgrading project by the Tourism Ministry.

Penang Hill Corporation marketing and promotion division senior assistant manager Anne Goh said 1,500 people rode on the train from 6.30am till 4pm.

But not everyone is happy:

Quadruple ticket price for foreigners just too much (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/4/26/focus/8541235&sec=focus)

Cheers, m

stingstingsting

April 26th, 2011, 12:52 PM

Wow the Penang Funicular looks so different now! I wonder, did they also upgrade the route, or just get new rolling stock?

v_florin

April 26th, 2011, 02:43 PM

As much as I love traveling to Malaysia, this move seems misguided...besides the ridiculous pricing, I wonder why they picked this kind of nondescript modern rolling stock?? Hong Kong has a modern funicular which looks reasonably historic, why couldn't they do something similar here? Also, why does it go fast? This is a leisure tourist funicular train, not an actual mode of transport from point A to point B! Taking pictures from it should be made easy, not discouraged!

railzilla

April 26th, 2011, 05:18 PM

Well the funicular management just learned from the taxi drivers :ohno:.
Thats truly Asia :nuts:
At least the new cars are Swiss made like the old ones. The old funicular had not enough capacity. So with the new vehiclesand a faster speed there is much more capacity. :okay:

v_florin

April 28th, 2011, 09:04 AM

Well the funicular management just learned from the taxi drivers :ohno:.
Thats truly Asia :nuts:
At least the new cars

Oh come on, it's not that bad...in several years of living in Thailand and traveling to Malaysia I only got ripped off by a taxi one time in Bangkok, otherwise they really are quite efficient - even if they would refuse to use the meter and want to haggle, they never quoted more than a 50-75% addon, whereas this state enterprise imposes a 400% addon!

I agree that queueing for the old funicular because of the limited capacity was bothersome, but not being able to take pics as it climbs up the hill is much worse by my reckoning...

railzilla

April 28th, 2011, 11:33 AM

I agree that queueing for the old funicular because of the limited capacity was bothersome, but not being able to take pics as it climbs up the hill is much worse by my reckoning...

Any funicular is quite slow. The old one was very slow and the new one just slow:lol:. It is still slow enough to take pictures, even if one tourist complains. Besides if its crowded taking pictures is also not easy regardless of the speed.

nazrey

April 30th, 2011, 11:53 PM

Seremban-Gemas Electrified Double Track (EDT) project
(94.14 km)
NEW station:
- Senawang Halt
- Sg Gadut Station
- Rembau Station
- Tampin Station
- Batang Melaka Station
- Gemas Station

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2100/82353295.jpg

SENAWANG HALT

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9459/13818702.jpg

SUNGAI GADUT STATION

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/391/60514243.jpg

REMBAU STATION
TAMPIN / PULAU SEBANG STATION
BATANG MELAKA STATION
GEMAS STATION

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1296/36886940.jpg

Seremban-Gemas EDT Project Ready In August Next Year
April 30, 2011 20:01 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=583160&cat=st

ALOR GAJAH, April 30 (Bernama) -- Work on the RM3.45 million electrified double track project between Seremban and Gemas, stretching 98 kilometres, is expected to be ready as scheduled in August next year.

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) president, Dr Aminuddin Adnan said physical work on the project, connecting six railway stations, Seremban-Sungai Gadut-Rembau-Pulau Sebang (Tampin), Batang Melaka and Gemas, had achieved 69 per cent progress.

"The first phase of the electrified double track, from Seremban to Sungai Gadut, is completed and now KTMB is doing energization test using a commuter train, " he told reporters at the Pulau Sebang station here Saturday.

Earlier, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam were at the station to view the progress of the project.

--BERNAMA

klbloke

May 13th, 2011, 03:34 AM

KTM Berhad
A new destination 4 U : Seremban - Sg. Gadut Line will be officially open for public on 14th May 2011. Public may enjoy free rides in between Seremban - Sg. Gadut between 14th May 2011 - 20th May 2011.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KTM-Berhad/142724092456860

nazrey

May 23rd, 2011, 07:52 AM

Seremban-Gemas Electrified Double Track (EDT) project (94.14 km)
Tampin station 63% completion- credit to sinchew.com.my http://mykampung.sinchew.com.my/node/139972?tid=8

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9522/292x30020110501m430j06.jpg (http://img220.imageshack.us/i/292x30020110501m430j06.jpg/)

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1296/36886940.jpg

nazrey

June 2nd, 2011, 10:38 AM

Sungai Gadut KTM Station, Negeri Sembilan - Malaysia

Date : 14th May 2011
Sungai Gadut
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM/DSC09933.jpg

VrpN0z28_3E

nazrey

June 5th, 2011, 05:04 PM

NKRA : Six Car Set KTM Komuter
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.155356337860302.35473.142724092456860

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217067_155356374526965_142724092456860_358177_4042760_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224151_160693927326543_142724092456860_394100_7051159_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/227383_160694180659851_142724092456860_394107_5085439_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217067_155356377860298_142724092456860_358178_169285_n.jpg

Good progress from KTMB SCS
http://www.ktmb.com.my/

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/nkra/nkrajunepic10.jpg

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/nkra/nkrajunepic12.jpg

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/nkra/nkrajunepic16.jpg

nazrey

June 14th, 2011, 04:32 AM

All pictures are taken by him (In Malay) (http://www.maarofkassim.com/2010/10/stesen-kretapi-baru-di-seremban.html)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sAhD-uZ3El4/TK0-yWlPRzI/AAAAAAAAFCU/QlgtFb-VdUc/s1600/_MG_6439.JPG

http://www.maarofkassim.com/

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fletfuVe7go/TdZnf2AgfnI/AAAAAAAAF3E/BePwVRRMatU/s1600/_MG_7706.JPG

nazrey

June 30th, 2011, 06:09 PM

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/nkra/nkrajunepic17.jpg
www.ktmb.com.my

nazrey

July 7th, 2011, 04:04 PM

UPDATE:

http://i2.sinaimg.cn/dy/o/2011-07-07/1309998321_nOAa1K.jpg

http://photocdn.sohu.com/20110706/Img312642550.jpg

heikal

July 9th, 2011, 04:38 PM

UPDATE:

Our 6-car is China made right?

TsLeng

July 11th, 2011, 02:30 PM

Our 6-car is China made right?

Yes

nazrey

July 24th, 2011, 05:22 PM

Senawang station
http://www.maarofkassim.com/

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fletfuVe7go/TdZnf2AgfnI/AAAAAAAAF3E/BePwVRRMatU/s1600/_MG_7706.JPG

KTM Komuter Route Map

http://www.upislam.com/images/72233952762082446313.jpg

KTM Komuter train arriving at Senawang station

jHTDwy53qBw

7y_TsTtl1ns

nazrey

July 27th, 2011, 04:40 PM

Gemas-Johor Baharu electrified double tracking project to be tendered out by year-end, says Transport Minister
Posted on July 27, 2011, Wednesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/07/27/gemas-johor-baharu-electrified-double-tracking-project-to-be-tendered-out-by-year-end-says-transport-minister/

KUALA LUMPUR: The tender for the 197-kilometre Gemas-Johor Baharu electrified double tracking project (EDTP) would be done before year-end,Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said yesterday.

The stretch was already in the final stage of design, he said, but declined to state if the tender would be open to foreign parties.

“The Ipoh-Padang Besar and Seremban-Gemas lines are 70 and 90 per cent complete respectively,” he added, after officiating a forum on ‘Powering the Rails in Malaysia’ here.

The Gemas-Johor Baharu sector would be the final package for the EDTP.

It was previously stated that the Gemas-Johor Baharu line was worth RM7 billion because it did not only comprise the building of a double-tracking system but also a transport hub with a capacity to rival the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in Singapore.

Kong said the rail sector was poised to emerge as a catalyst in the rapidly changing landscape of Malaysia’s public transportation system once all the projects would come to a conclusion.

He said the EDTP in the northern section was slated for completion by end-2013 and the line to Johor by 2016.

Asked if the Komuter Service would be extended from Batu Caves to Selayang, he said the government would be considering the possibility.

“There has been a request from the public for the extension.

“At the moment we are still looking at the possibility.

“There will be a long term need for it and the extension is seen as the most viable,” he added. — Bernama

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/mapgmsjb.jpg
http://www.ktmb.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68:electrified-double-track-project-gemas-johor-bahru&catid=37:project-progress

nazrey

August 4th, 2011, 01:16 PM

5 grand old stations to live on
2011/07/28 By G. Surach andAdie Suri Zulkefli
http://www.nst.com.my/articles/28raill/Article/

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/28raill/pixgal1
The Padang Besar station in Perlis is set to be retained.

SHAH ALAM: They stand testament to a part of the nation's history, tangible proof of the romanticism of a bygone era, have stood the test of time and are still used today.

And, chances are they will still be standing -- and used -- in decades to come, thanks to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB).

The national railway service intends to preserve five old stations -- at Batu Gajah, Bukit Berapit, Taiping, Alor Star and Padang Besar -- for their historical significance and sentimental value, as well as to promote certain destinations to tourists.

Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, for whom the Batu Gajah station particularly holds a personal nostalgic value, was said to have come to the station's rescue when almost 14 stations between the Ipoh and Padang Besar line were initially slated to be destroyed to make way for KTMB's electrified double-tracking project (EDTP).

He, however, consented to the building of a new station at the royal town of Kuala Kangsar replacing the old, nostalgic station instead.

Meanwhile, the Taiping and Alor Star stations were designated by the National Heritage Department as national heritage sites.

Now, the old stations can be appreciated by future generations.

KTMB president Dr Aminuddin Adnan told the New Straits Times that the Batu Gajah station under the Ipoh-Rawang line would also be preserved as a possible site for a train museum.

He said the oldest and longest rail tunnel in the country, the Bukit Berapit rail tunnel would also be preserved even though new twin-bore tunnels were being built alongside the old tunnel under the new railway project.

Currently the EDTP, which is contracted to MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd has destroyed several old stations to make way for newly designed and more efficient stations to cater to commuters within the region.

The fates of the 10 remaining old stations such as Sungai Petani and the rest had already been sealed despite protests from residents and local authorities.

In the case of the Sungai Petani station, it is understood that the Sungai Petani Municipal Council (MPSPK) had appealed to KTMB officials and the Ministry of Transport to spare the station prior to the commencement of the double-railway track project.

However the plea was turned down as the station, located at the Sungai Petani town did not fall under the National Heritage Department's heritage buildings category.

The station nevertheless is being spared due to a commendable effort by its local council's move that struck a smart partnership with a private company to shift the structure to Taman Jubli, a public park less than a kilometre from its original site.

The issue behind the preservation of the old railway stations is that it constraints government agencies to preserve them with the hefty cost involved and maintenance as well.

When asked about the fate of the antiques within the stations that were destroyed, Aminuddin said that currently all antiques and significant artifacts had been moved to the railway museum in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru respectively by KTMB's Heritage Unit.

"We are now looking at our Batu Gajah International Complex and the old Johor Baru station as possible locations for a train museum to commemorate these items as well.

Currently, the EDTP between Ipoh and Padang Besar is 52 per cent complete.

The RM12.5 billion project kicked off on Jan 8, 2008 and is slated for completion in December 2013.

The EDTP, which covers 329km of double tracks, is the largest ongoing infrastructure project to date.

The railway lines run across the northern states of Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis. It is designed to cater to electric trains capable of speeds of up to 160kph, which will boost inter-city rail transportation.

Works on a 27km land viaduct, 3.5km Bukit Merah marine viaduct, Larut tunnel and Berapit twin-bore tunnels in Perak, and the new Prai Swing Bridge in Penang are in various stages of completion.

Various soil treatment methods are being carried out at all open locations, depending on the soil conditions while utility and drainage works are also being done.

The project will consist of two sections, a 171km stretch from Ipoh to Butterworth and another 158km stretch from Bukit Mertajam to Padang Besar.

It is expected that the Ipoh-Butterworth section will be given a higher priority as it is a continuation from the Rawang stretch, and will eventually shorten the travel time between Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth to three hours instead of the normal seven hours.

The project will also feature a 3.3km tunnel in Bukit Berapit, Perak, which will become the longest rail tunnel in Southeast Asia once completed.
Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)

FACT FIND:
- Rail is much safer compared to other modes of transportation, and can save the country millions annually in road accident costs.
- The Electrified Double Track project from Ipoh to Padang Besar requires 1,500,000 tonnes of cement costing RM400 million.
- The requirement of steel bars exceed 400,000 tonnes at the estimated value of RM1 billion.
- Freight is currently Keretapi Tanah Melayu’s biggest money earner with the northern section contributing over 70% of the revenue.
- Over RM2 million pieces of precast costing RM800 million is required for the Ipoh to Padang Besar Electrified Double Track project.
- Over 1,200 trailers and tipper trucks will be needed to transport these materials to work sites.
- Once complete, the project will multiply the existing capacity of the current railway network.
- A total of 12 quarries near the project will be expanded/upgraded to supply over 20 million tonnes of aggregates.
- The Berapit tunnel will be the longest railway twin single-track tunnels in South East Asia with a distance of 3.3km in length and hosts the world’s largest pipe arch

http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2010/1114/Kosmo/Rencana_Utama/ru_01.3.jpg
http://destiniey.blogspot.com/2010/11/terowong-di-bawah-sungai.html

nazrey

August 24th, 2011, 06:30 PM

Butterworth Railway Station to make way for new multi-million-ringgit facility
Tuesday August 23, 2011
http://www.starproperty.my/PropertyScene/TheStarOnlineHighlightBox/14340/0/0

BUTTERWORTH: The 44-year-old Butterworth Railway Station will soon be pulled down to make way for a multi-million-ringgit state-of-the-art replacement.

The old station was officially closed on Aug 5 and is now replaced with a temporary station located about 30m away, next to the KTM Bhd (KTMB) parcel office.

When contacted in Kuala Lumpur, KTMB corporate communications senior manager Mohd Fazil Ismail said the new building was expected to be completed by first quarter of next year.

“The new station will be equipped with CCTV cameras for better security as well as facilities for the disabled.

“Construction work on the new station will go in tandem with the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double track project, which is expected to be ready by 2014,” he said yesterday.

The old station, which was opened by the country’s fourth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the late Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Zainal Abidin, in 1967, is also the only station in Malaysia with a 0km distance meter.

The 0km distance meter indicates that this is the beginning of the rail distance calculation for trains that head north for Padang Besar and south for Singapore.

An employee at the station said two cranes were used to shift a 1936 steam engine locomotive and a shunting locomotive head from the station’s old entrance to the opposite of the temporary station.

The fully air-conditioned temporary station has a ticketing counter, two VIP rooms, a room for the stationmaster, police beat, surau and toilets.

Commuter Teoh Teik Wah, 60, said he was surprised to find the old station closed, noting that there was no prior notice about it in the media.

His wife Lee Kan Sean, 67, said she had been taking the train to visit her family in Kuala Lumpur for the past 50 years, noting that the old station evoked a nostalgic feeling in her.

Factory supervisor L. Munusamy, 48, said he waited outside the old station for almost an hour on Sunday night to fetch his relatives, only to find out later that they had arrived at the temporary station.

“The new platform at the temporary station is barely 4m-wide which is almost half the size of the old platform.

“Although it has a high aluminium roofing, part of platform is wet whenever there is a heavy downpour,” he said.

Money changer-cum-book stall operator Mohamed Sirajuddin Abu Mohd, 38, said many passengers complained of having to walk in the rain and sun for nearly 30m between the sheltered overhead pedestrian bridge outside the old station and the temporary station.

“Car parking facilities are also inadequate as the parking area outside the station has become smaller following land acquisition for the new station project.

“I spent about RM40,000 to construct a temporary shop outside the station, which was completed in June,” he said, adding that he still had to pay rental to KTMB for the temporary trading site.

nazrey

September 7th, 2011, 03:16 PM

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/28raill/pixgal1

The Padang Besar station in Perlis is set to be retained.

Padang Besar Station (Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/5815112237_f1e0cfb3d1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fedorovo/5815112237/)
Thailand-Malaysia border (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fedorovo/5815112237/) by fmt871 (http://www.flickr.com/people/fedorovo/), on Flickr

nazrey

September 19th, 2011, 09:59 AM

Double track project ahead of schedule: DPM
Published: Saturday September 17, 2011 MYT 12:37:00 PM
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/9/17/nation/20110917124650&sec=nation

BUTTERWORTH: The 329km Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) is expected to be completed ahead of the scheduled date in 2014, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, on a working visit to Penang, said construction under MMC-Gamuda Joint Venture Sdn Bhd was progressing smoothly.

"I understand that the project will be completed ahead of the scheduled date in 2014," he said after visiting the project site after meeting traders and shoppers at the Tasek Gelugor market and then walked about 200 metres to the double-track construction site.

The EDTP is a RM12.5bil infrastructure project that involves the construction of the double-track railway across Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis. Construction of the project began in early 2008. BERNAMA

nazrey

September 24th, 2011, 12:09 PM

Picture sourced from:http://www.gofront.com/Zoe/ddcz/2011-2-27/MaLaiXiEChengJiGuiDaoLiChe.htm

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/2187/copyofimg90191.jpg

nazrey

October 17th, 2011, 09:57 AM

Electrified Double Track Between Seremban-Gemas

REMBAU STATION
TAMPIN / PULAU SEBANG STATION
BATANG MELAKA STATION
GEMAS STATION

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1296/36886940.jpg
tampin station @ sebang sentral . thanks to stanley tan say tong

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4451/tampin.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/714/tampin.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

nazrey

October 19th, 2011, 06:59 PM

Gemas-Johor Baru double-tracking and electrification project to be completed in 2016
Published: Wednesday October 19, 2011 MYT 1:17:00 PM
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/19/business/20111019132848&sec=business#13190386032941&if_height=635

KUALA LUMPUR: The final package of the Gemas-Johor Baharu double-tracking and electrification project is expected to be completed in 2016, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

He said the double-tracking and electrification project between Ipoh-Padang Besar will be completed by the end of 2013 and the Seremban-Gemas line by next year.

"We have finished the double-tracking and electrification project from Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh and also from Kuala Lumpur-Seremban. At the moment, the Seremban- Gemas route is almost 80 per cent complete.

"For the Ipoh-Padang Besar project, I think it is about 70 per cent complete.

"The completion of the final package will also complete the link with Thailand in the north and Singapore in the south," he told reporters after the launch of the 33rd Asean Railway Chief Executive Officers' (CEOs) Conference 2011 here today.

Meanwhile, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) president Dr Aminuddin Adnan said the company had purchased 38 train sets from China.

"The first six-car train sets arrived last month and another eight sets will be delivered by year-end. All 38 sets will be in Malaysia by May next year," he said.

He said the government has allocated RM1.895 billion to purchase the train sets.

Aminuddin said KTMB also had sent its staff to serve the Mecca Metro from last year and aims to venture into more business opportunities by collaborating with other countries.

He also said through this initiative, the staff would gain more knowledge and experience. - BERNAMA

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/mapgmsjb.jpg
http://www.ktmb.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68:electrified-double-track-project-gemas-johor-bahru&catid=37:project-progress

XAN_

October 19th, 2011, 07:32 PM

And what about Singapore? Any plans on freight/pass. operations?

stingstingsting

October 20th, 2011, 03:31 AM

And what about Singapore? Any plans on freight/pass. operations?

Haha sorry but I think freight operations in Singapore are highly unlikely considering the removal of tracks and yards. :(

Simon91

October 20th, 2011, 04:08 AM

And what about Singapore? Any plans on freight/pass. operations?

Future of railways into Singapore is very bleak. Not only the KTM tracks were ripped out along with the ballast this year, but there seems to be zero govt support for any alternative inter-city line other than the extension of MRT to JB. I don't think we will ever see a heavy rail on our shores again, unless China has its way with the Pan-Asian HSR project.

nazrey

November 4th, 2011, 12:20 PM

KTM's Train
Two 90 Class will fight each other, one Korean with Japanese Technology, one China made with German Technology....my opinion, ETS is more sophisticated and new Komuter SCS was more beauty just like ERL...:cheers:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387618_10150366339493337_706798336_8242589_2037704146_n.jpg

nazrey

November 5th, 2011, 09:16 AM

Ipoh Railway Station
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/5839664742_91e01c363c_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63142467@N03/5839664742/
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5512278458_2d32845832_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sano-foto-jalanan/5512278458/
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5338295642_7803b636bd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51143328@N04/5338295642/)
2 ETS @ Ipoh station (1) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51143328@N04/5338295642/) by JakTransport (Bangkrut!) (http://www.flickr.com/people/51143328@N04/), on Flickr

nazrey

November 12th, 2011, 10:59 AM

Double-track rail project on schedule
By NURADZIMMAH DAIM 11 November 2011
http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/double-track-rail-project-on-schedule-1.4192

http://www.nst.com.my/polopoly_fs/1.4194.1320950376!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_454/image.jpg

The 3,450m marine viaduct crossing Bukit Merah.

CONNECTIVITY The electrified double-track project will meet the rising volume of commuters and cargo shipments

The Ipoh-Padang Besar portion of the electrified double-track project is now more than 75 per cent complete. Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said the project included the construction of a 3.3km tunnel in Bukit Berapit, a marine viaduct in Bukit Merah (both in Perak) and a swing bridge in Perai, Penang, which he recently visited.

"These projects are vital in ensuring an improved rail system as they allow faster journey time. The new rail tracks in certain places in Perak are being constructed away from flood-prone areas.

"Apart from replacing the old tracks, the project also includes the building of railroad crossings for motorists and pedestrians.

"And as we provide better services through upgraded tracks and facilities, it is also important to educate the public on proper usage.

"For instance, the bridges that are built for crossing the tracks. We need to educate the children to use them instead of risking their lives crossing the rail tracks, which is currently a problem for KTMB," he explained.

Syed Hamid said over and above catering for the rising number of commuters, the project would also improve the potential of cargo shipments from southern Thailand to Port Klang and at the same time, enhance the competitiveness of the country's main ports.

"With the completion of the tracks, the frequency of trips and the number of trains will need to be increased to accommodate the rise in commuters."

KTMB president Dr Aminuddin Adnan said two sets of six-car trains were currently being commissioned, or tested, before they were open to the users.

"We expect to carry out the final stage of commissioning next month, and introduce them to commuters."

He said KTMB had ordered eight more six-car trains that would take 12 to 18 months to arrive.

"With the completion of the double-track project and the arrival of new trains, frequency will definitely be improved, thus cutting travelling time," he said.

Also present were SPAD chief operating officer Azhar Ahmad, MMC Gamuda JV general manager Szeto Wai Loong and project director Datuk Mohd Nor Idrus director.

Szeto, who conducted the briefing at the Penang site, said the new swing bridge replacing the old one would allow boats in Sungai Prai to pass by more quickly as the bridge only took five minutes to lift, compared with the 20 minutes required by the old one.

Another iconic structure is the 3.3km tunnel cutting through Bukit Berapit, between Taiping and Padang Rengas.

It is said to be the longest main line tunnel in Southeast Asia.

The tunnel, which also runs under the North-South Highway, is 86.5 per cent completed.

The group also visited the 3,450m marine viaduct crossing Bukit Merah lake.

It is built 100 metres away from the existing track, away from flood-prone areas.

It is learnt that there are proposals to remove the nearby Bukit Merah train station to upgrade irrigation.

To curb illegal crossings, 200 crossings for motorists and pedestrians are being built along the train alignment.

Level crossings for vehicles at rail tracks will be replaced by road overhead bridges.

Double tracks ensure smoother rides as trains for both directions can use separate rail tracks. This eliminates delays brought on by trains waiting for others to pass first. The double-track railway system will cut travelling time from KL to Butterworth from the current nine hours to only three or four hours.

The project includes the construction of 23 stations along the northern alignment (Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Pulau Pinang) including three Royal stations Anak Bukit, Arau and Kuala Kangsar.

Each is built in a different design and with a different facade.

Tracks from Ipoh to Padang Besar (329km) are expected to complete in 2014; Seremban to Gemas (102km) to be completed next year, and a Gemas-JB track is in the pipeline.

The completed tracks are Rawang-Seremban (105km); Sentul-Pelabuhan Klang (45km); and Rawang-Ipoh (180km); Sentul-Batu Caves (7.5km).

nazrey

November 23rd, 2011, 08:16 AM

EDT Ipoh-Padang Besar @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6096/6384476567_fc682011fb.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21318339@N08/6384476567/)
IMG_0100 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21318339@N08/6384476567/) by zaharin8250 (http://www.flickr.com/people/21318339@N08/), on Flickr
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6094/6384476409_751c9bdfc5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21318339@N08/6384476409/)
IMG_0104 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21318339@N08/6384476409/) by zaharin8250 (http://www.flickr.com/people/21318339@N08/), on Flickr
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6211/6384484341_1da842e5bb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21318339@N08/6384484341/)
IMG_0101 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21318339@N08/6384484341/) by zaharin8250 (http://www.flickr.com/people/21318339@N08/), on Flickr

nazrey

November 28th, 2011, 06:10 AM

CMC Engineering in talks with Thales
Published: 2011/11/28
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/CMC23-2/Article/index_html#ixzz1eyQWRAzX

KUALA LUMPUR: CMC Engineering Sdn Bhd, an engineering, procurement and construction contractor, is in talks with France-based Thales Group and other foreign railway experts to jointly bid for railway jobs in Malaysia.

CMC is eyeing contracts for system works and the supply of trains for the mass rapid system (MRT) project, said its chairman and chief executive officer, Datuk Abdul Rahman Yusof.

Abdul Rahman said the company will focus on the system work packages involving power supply, communication, supervisory control and data acquisition, as well as signalling and ticketing systems.

"The prequalification process for the contracts are ongoing and we hope to qualify. We will be signing a joint venture agreement with Thales within the next two months to bid for the jobs," he told Business Times in an interview.

CMC Engineering, a low-profile company founded by Abdul Rahman, formerly general manager of Sapura's Uniphone business, is not new to the railway business in Malaysia.

In 2000, it won a RM130 million contract for the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double tracking project in a consortium with Japan's Tomen.

In June this year, CMC and its French partner Colas Rail won a RM674 million contract for electro-mechanical (E&M) system for the Kelana Jaya light rail transit (LRT) extension line.

The pact has also bid for E&M works for the Ampang LRT extensi-on line. The government is expected to award the contract in early 2012. There are eight bidders for the job.

Abdul Rahman said CMC is also eyeing several contracts for the Gemas-Johor Baru electrified double-tracking project and is in the midst of finding a foreign partner to bid for several packages.

On the E&M contract for the Kelana Jaya line, Abdul Rahman said CMC-Colas expects to start construction by the middle of next year and complete it in 2014.

"We will invest in fresh talent as we need some 150 professionals for the job. We are hiring from Malaysia, France, Australia and the UK," he said. By Sharen Kaur

PedroSox23

December 16th, 2011, 04:06 PM

Hi,
Last month I went to Kelantan and visit my father in law kampung in Tumpat. He show me the Tumpat Train station which the main transport to KL he used last 20 years ago.

Then I notice that there are two set of train which I never seen before at the train depot. I asked one of the KTM officer and they said the train were arrived from Japan. They were undergoing refurbish by the KTM maintenance there.

Later on I found one web regarding of that train.
http://www.japanprobe.com/2010/12/04/old-japanese-trains-find-new-life-in-other-countries/

Hopefully the KTMB can provide some information.
Cheers

nazrey

December 19th, 2011, 06:17 AM

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5305/5596661483_93093154dc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanim/5596661483/)
ETS @ iPoh Station (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanim/5596661483/) by shanim (http://www.flickr.com/people/shanim/), on Flickr

KTMB plans to invest RM1bil in 20 more electric coaches
By SHARIDAN M. ALI Monday December 19, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/19/business/10120354&sec=business

‘Electric trains have lower operational cost and faster turnaround time, the usage of the ETS should be able to generate some profits.’

KUALA LUMPUR: KTM Bhd (KTMB) plans to acquire 20 sets of electric coaches at an estimated cost of RM1bil to support its electric train services (ETS) connecting Padang Besar and Johor Baru.

President Dr Aminuddin Adnan said the move would change intercity travelling in the country as well as turn around the loss-making national railway company.

Since the introduction of the ETS about 1 years ago, KTMB has been able to provide premium standard of commuting that was reliable, comfortable and fast.

“The Government has allowed KTMB to charge a higher fare for the ETS service. I think the people are willing to pay more as long as the service is good and the ETS has received overwhelming response from the public,” he told StarBiz.

Currently, the ETS only operates the Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur-Seremban route.

Once the entire double track project is completed in 2016, KTMB would be to offer more destinations.

Aminuddin said intercity travel between Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth could be shortened to 3 hours from the current six to seven hours, once the ETS is ready for that route.

“I think it is reasonable to have fully-electrified train services from Padang Besar to Johor Baru and the Government is supportive of this. The Government has agreed, in principle, for the purchase of additional electric coaches.

“Electric trains have lower operational cost and faster turnaround time, the usage of the ETS should be able generate some profits.

“We will convert the intercity services to ETS in stages. Now we are still using diesel-powered locomotives,” he said.

“We have been able to generate RM24mil in revenue using the ETS compared with the shuttle service which only generated RM8mil a year. We have plans to increase the frequency of the ETS which may generate RM20mil more in revenue. The ETS is currently operating on only five sets of electric coaches,” he said.

On rail cargo services, Aminuddin said the demand had always been there, but KTMB faced some constraint on capacity due to the construction of the double-tracking projects.

“Once the double-tracking is completed, the demand for rail cargo services would also go up as there is a lot of advantages comapred with road haulage.

“It would reduce road congestions, accidents and lower the Government's diesel subsidy. I hope the Government would support this move via incentives to encourage the use of rail cargo transportation,” he said.

The Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur-Seremban electric double-tracking projects have been completed while the Seremban-Gemas and Ipoh-Padang Besar are 80% and 70% completed respectively.

The Seremban-Gemas stretch is expected to be finished next year while the Ipoh-Padang Besar stretch by the end of 2013.

On other measures to turn the company around, Aminuddin said KTMB should operate like an aviation company where the assets were not purchase but leased out and the airport was managed by another company.

“If the maintenance of our tracks is managed by another entity, KTMB could fully focus on operational excellence and efficiency. It could also be an avenue to create extra income for the Government if the tracks are used by a second or third operator,” he said.

Aminuddin was the long process of acquiring spare parts was also affecting KTMB operational efficiency and revenue

“If a train breaks down you will need the spare parts by tomorrow, but because of the purchasing bureaucracy it would take three months before we get the parts. KTMB will lose three months of revenue. Each locomotive on average can generate about RM100,000 per day,” he said.

Aminuddin said KTMB's fares (besides the ETS) have not been revised for the last 10 years.

“We also cannot push for an increase the fares unless the services are improved. If we increased them now, it would create a public outcry,” he said. KTMB is undergoing a two-year corporate restructuring programme.

“We have recommended the names of the consultants to the Government and we are now waiting for approval,” he said.

The cost-saving measures as well as the restructure of KTMB loan would also include the restructure plan.

“Our loan currently stands at about RM1bil,” he said.

nazrey

December 28th, 2011, 04:39 PM

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6056/6366690427_b131361345_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewallpart5/6366690427/)
Cornfield, oil palms, rubber trees (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewallpart5/6366690427/) by A satan incarnate (http://www.flickr.com/people/thewallpart5/), on Flickr

nazrey

December 29th, 2011, 06:12 PM

KTM Intercity Train - KTM ETS
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6594593375_f9f1df1f27_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lam_wenjie/6594593375/

nazrey

January 4th, 2012, 11:39 AM

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8966/ktmwh.jpg

Gemas-JB rail job winner to emerge in March
Sharen KaurPublished: 2012/01/04
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120103232153/Article/index_html#ixzz1iU6QR6mk

The winner for the contract to build the Gemas-Johor Baru electrified double-track railway line will only be known in March, government sources said.

Three Chinese companies were earlier shortlisted for the RM8 billion project known as the Gemas-Johor Baru Electrified Double Tracking Project (EDTP).

They are China Railway Engineering Co (CREC), China Railway Construction Co (CRCC) and China Communication Construction Co (CCCC). The three are subsidiaries of China’s Ministry of Railway.

The Ministry of Transport said recently the rail link was still in the design process and its minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said he was not aware of any contract being awarded yet despite unconfirmed news saying the government has decided winner of the tender.

The Gemas-Johor Baru project includes the building of 197km of parallel railway tracks, stations, depots, halts, yards and bridges and covers systems such as electrification, signalling and communications.

The rail project would be the final link in the EDTP with the other links being the Ipoh-Padang Besar and Seremban-Gemas railway line.

Beijing-based CREC was given a letter of intent (LOI) for the southern sector by the Malaysian government on a G-to-G deal in 2004, in exchange of palm oil and offshore financing by the Chinese government.

India’s Indian Railway (Ircon) was given the LOI for the northern sector from Ipoh to Padang Besar.

However, because of the economic crisis in 2007, the Malaysian government withdrew both the LOIs.

The government later awarded the Ipoh to Padang Besar contract to Gamuda-MMC JV at RM12.45 billion through a direct negotiation basis.

In 2008, Ircon was given the southern sector from Seremban to Gemas for RM3.45 billion.

During several recent visits by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to China, he had declared that the sector between Gemas and Johor Baru will be given to a Chinese company.

As Malaysia was no longer entitled to Chinese government soft loan financing, the Malaysian government decided to award the contract based on restricted closed invited tender.

According to a source, CREC, CRCC and CCCC were recommended to be given approval to participate in the invited tender, which is expected to be called in this month.

It was also suggested that based on bilateral relations with China, one of the Chinese companies will be selected for direct negotiation based on its local company participation.

"CREC would be the favourite to win as it is the initial party appointed by China and has spent some RM10 million during 2004 before the project was cancelled.

"The key local company involved will be the main selection criterion by the government," the source said.

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/mapgmsjb.jpg
http://www.ktmb.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68:electrified-double-track-project-gemas-johor-bahru&catid=37:project-progress

nazrey

January 9th, 2012, 05:21 PM

Gemas-JB rail project: Malaysian govt in final talks with firm
By Balan Moses Published: 2012/01/06
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/5CHAIXI/Article/index_html

The Malaysian government is in the final stages of discussions with a Chinese company that is going to be awarded the RM8 billion Gemas-Johor Baru Electrified Double Tracking Project (EDTP).

Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, Chai Xi, said he had "personally heard" that this was the latest development on the matter.

"The Chinese side (Chinese government) has not yet been informed of the choice of company that will undertake the project," he said when commenting on whether a decision had been made in the choice of company to undertake the mega project.

"The embassy here has also not received any news saying that the Malaysian government has made a decision on which company will be awarded the project."

The two front-runners are the China Railway Engineering Co (CREC) and the China Railway Construction Co (CRCC), both having proven track records in the field in China.

A third company - China Communication Construction Co (CCCC) had also been shortlisted for the project while a fourth company, China Road and Bridges Corp (CRBC), was reported to be in the running for the job.

Business Times had reported on Wednesday that the winner for the project will be known in March and that CREC was the favourite to land the contract.

Chai said both companies were eminently qualified to undertake the project as they had the experience after carrying out many large railway projects in China.

"It is high time that Chinese companies come to Malaysia to carry out major infrastructure projects, given their strength in the field,' he said, adding that the Chinese government had impressed on the Malaysian government the need to keep in mind the track record of the company that would be given the project.

"We have told the Malaysian side that they should keep in mind the qualifications and reputation of the company concerned when making the final decision in the matter."

Chai said a working group was set up after Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao's visit here in April last year to look into identifying major infrastructural projects in Malaysia to be carried out by Chinese companies.

"During Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's visit to Nanning, China, last October, prime minister Wen said that China would, if necessary, support the funding of infrastructure projects in Malaysia including the construction of roads and railway lines."

He said this indicated the keen interest that China and companies there had in undertaking projects in Malaysia which they saw as a viable place to do business.

The project which includes the building of 197km of parallel railway tracks, stations, depots, halts, yards and bridges also covers systems such as electrification, signalling and communications.

nazrey

January 26th, 2012, 11:01 AM

KTM - Electrified Double Track Between Seremban-Gemas
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8966/ktmwh.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2100/82353295.jpg

Rambau Station

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1296/36886940.jpg

Rembau

http://i.imgur.com/5x89Z.jpg

https://img-s.foursquare.com/pix/LCLQUSSTIEEARNWLD0450N4JQOYN3WOUXLTYKYV4PFCSDUKP.jpg
https://th.foursquare.com/v/stesen-keretapi-rembau/4bffba6537850f47120e973f

sc4

February 4th, 2012, 02:49 PM

Newly-refurbished Blue coaches for KTM Intercity services:
Source: http://ktmintercity.com.my/default.asp?id=49&mnu=6

http://ktmintercity.com.my/media/usermedia/main/image/spesifikasi%20koc/poster-koc-adnfb.jpg

http://ktmintercity.com.my/media/usermedia/main/image/spesifikasi%20koc/poster-koc-andfd.jpg

http://ktmintercity.com.my/media/usermedia/main/image/spesifikasi%20koc/poster-koc-adns.jpg

http://ktmintercity.com.my/media/usermedia/main/image/spesifikasi%20koc/poster-koc-afc.jpg

http://ktmintercity.com.my/media/usermedia/main/image/spesifikasi%20koc/poster-koc-selun-khas.jpg

sc4

February 4th, 2012, 02:51 PM

KTM Blue Coaches Tiger Train launching

Malayan Tiger Train -keretapi jepun

http://www.mstar.com.my/archives/2012/1/18/mstar_mingguan/ktmb2.jpg

v/xz2Su_jmE48?version=3&feature=player_detailpage

Train launching @Wakaf Bharu

nazrey

February 13th, 2012, 09:06 AM

MALAYSIAN RAILWAY PROJECTS:
KLANG VALLEY MRT1

http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u509/dinomice31/typical.jpg
http://kvmrt.com.my/

LRT EXTENSION

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/nazrey/1-0708380a9a.jpg
http://www.lrtextension.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=186&Itemid=127&lang=en

KTM EDT PROJECT

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1744/10909258.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1774/13147404.jpg

nazrey

February 21st, 2012, 06:59 AM

The Govt should consider a PDP for the Gemas-JB double track job
Raison D'etre - Risen Jayaseelan Tuesday February 21, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/21/business/10775011&sec=business

NOT only has the award of the Electrified Double Tracking Project (EDTP) for the Gemas to Johor Baru link been delayed, it has unintentionally drawn controversy.

One recent foreign press report alluded that there has been a bit of chopping and changing by the authorities here on which party is to be awarded the main job for building the double track.

True or not, the fact remains that the 200km or so double-tracking project from Gemas to Johor Baru, costing about RM8bil, is the only portion of the North-South double-track railway project that is still unawarded.

To recall, it has already been agreed on a government-to-government basis that the main contractor for the project will be one of three shortlisted Chinese companies. These are namely, China Railyway Engineering Co, China Railway Construction Co and China Communication Construction Co. All three are subsidiaries of China's Ministry of Railway

Not taking anything away from that agreement, perhaps the Malaysian government ought to consider having a strong local party to become the project delivery partner (PDP) for the Gemas-Johor Baru double track project.

Here's why: Firstly, the role of the PDP has its clear advantages, although admittedly, many including this writer have been critics of it.

But you can't take away the merits of the PDP, which has become clearer over time, especially in light of its first major application in Malaysia the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) project.

The most significant aspect of the PDP is that the party playing that role assumes the risks of delays and cost overruns. The PDP is not the main contractor and so having the PDP in the Gemas-JB double track can still fulfill the government-to-government agreement of having a Chinese party as the main contractor.

For its role of assuming the project and financial risk, the PDP is to be paid a fee for this. But that fee would certainly be worth it (from the standpoint of the project owner) as the presence of the PDP reduces the ugly prospects of cost overruns and delays.

Far too often, in past government-initiated infrastructure projects in Malaysia, delays and cost overruns had become the norm.

An often, the Government had to dig deep into its coffers to bail out such projects.

So what the presence of the PDP brings to the table is that the Government is shielded from the financial risks of these projects.

Secondly, the PDP would remove much of the jockeying and bad press in relation to the Gemas-JB double track project.

The appointed PDP would largely determine who the main contractedparty should be because it is in the PDP's interest that the project gets delivered on time and within budget. Hence the most attractive party would be picked as the main contractor and so on.

This way, no one can fault the Government for say, siding one Chinese company over another. And the Government itself is removed from the entire process of having to make this selection.

What the Government has to do though is to pick the right PDP partner for the project.

It has to be one with the right expertise and track record in this area plus the balance sheet strength to assume the risks it would take on as the PDP.

By having a local party as the PDP, it is assumed that there would be less problems in areas such as integration with existing systems.

Also (and drawing a leaf from the KVMRT again) the Gemas-JB EDTP project should include the presence of the independent checking engineers (ICE) and value management consultants (VMC) to act as checks and balances.

The ICE monitors the progress of the project and its input is needed before contractors are paid. It is also tasked with safety aspects of the project.

The VMC is an independent party that would scrutinise the project plans and ensure that the optimum value is derived.

No doubt all these consultants, including the PDP would be paid a fee for their work.

But that's a fee that would surely be worth every sen if the PDP and the other consultants, can clear up the problems of the Gemas-JB double track and get this project going at last.

News editor Risen Jayaseelan still hopes that once the double track is fully in place,
it will be used at its optimum level before any decision is made on the other mega
infrastructure project, the high speed rail link.

http://www.ktmb.com.my/images/stories/project2011/mapgmsjb.jpg
http://www.ktmb.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68:electrified-double-track-project-gemas-johor-bahru&catid=37:project-progress

nazrey

February 23rd, 2012, 09:07 AM

EDT Penang Section
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6773966836_81506d5bff_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stardex/6773966836/

[QUOTE=nazrey;88165025]Electrified Double Track Project between Ipoh - Padang Besar (329km)
A unique RM100mil movable swing bridge over the Prai River in Butterworth.

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/6706/49779805.jpg

nazrey

February 23rd, 2012, 09:23 AM

SPAD takes lead to draft railway standards
23 February 2012 | last updated at 04:09pm
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/spad-takes-lead-to-draft-railway-standards-1.50883#ixzz1nBv1Ofdc

KUALA LUMPUR: The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has taken the lead to draft the railway standards guideline in Malaysia covering many components and in the process standardizing safety standards for the railway industry.

Its Chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said these components are rolling stock, signalling, traction power system, and communications.

He said setting the standards for such an important industry was part of the benchmarking process which is very important as Malaysia aspires to become a developed nation.

"Our nation requires the expertise of qualified and experienced rail operators, manufacturers, suppliers and local agents, all of which are critical components that binds together to create the backbone of a successful railway system.

"I believe that we have the rail experts with us today to ensure that appropriate standards are applied in further improving the efficiency of Malaysia's rail network," he said when opening a Seminar on International Railway Standards here, today.

Also present were the President of KTMB Dr Aminuddin Adnan and Director of Railway International Standards Center of Japan, Hiroshi Tanaka.

He said the International Standardization would allow for greater collaboration and engagement between various parties where the contractors, service providers, operators, government and regulators look at the standards, so that they can learn from the knowledge and experience of each other.

Meanwhile, Tanaka in his speech said the international standards are important not only for the purpose of development but also for further enhancing and improving services for the travellers as well as for exchange of ideas to collaborate new technology advancement in the industry.

"By international standards, items from around the world can be used in one's home country. On the other hand, items from one's home country can be put into marketplaces around the world," he said. - Bernama

nazrey

February 27th, 2012, 05:35 PM

KTM - Electrified Double Track Between Seremban-Gemas

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2100/82353295.jpg

Tampin Station

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1296/36886940.jpg

Tampin

http://i.imgur.com/m3yVw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tr5Az.jpg

nazrey

February 28th, 2012, 05:56 PM

KTM - Electrified Double Track Between Ipoh-Padang Besar
Alor Setar station

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1774/13147404.jpg

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/75/30380424.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/63644692.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/63644719.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/63644717.jpg

stingstingsting

February 29th, 2012, 04:27 PM

nazrey

March 2nd, 2012, 10:29 AM

MALAYSIAN KTM ELECTRIFIED DOUBLE TRACK (EDT)
as of March 2012
CURRENT LENGHT
TOTAL: 292.5km
- Ipoh-Rawang - 179 km
- Rawang-Seremban - 105km
- Seremban-Sungai Gadut - 8.5 km

UNDER CONSTRUCTIONS
TOTAL: 415.8km
- Sungai Gadut-Gemas - 86.8km
- Ipoh-Padang Besar - 329km

COMING SOON
- Gemas-Johor Bahru - 197km

KTM ELECTRIC TRAIN SERVICE (KTM ETS)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4866401243_5ffe26c043.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5214/5430364121_ee2aee7e3a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanim/5596661483/)
The Twin Brother :d (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kamandanu/5430364121/) by Toraja Bali ~ only hope (http://www.flickr.com/people/kamandanu/), on Flickr
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5305/5596661483_93093154dc.jpg
ETS @ iPoh Station (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shanim/5596661483/) by shanim (http://www.flickr.com/people/shanim/), on Flickr
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5085/5338247168_db873aaff0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51143328@N04/5338247168/)
ETS @ KL Sentral station (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51143328@N04/5338247168/) by JakTransport (Bangkrut!) (http://www.flickr.com/people/51143328@N04/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2450/5767424142_22673b3bbb.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3601/3359396328_f45404347a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lekir/3359396328/)
Tanjong Malim KTMB Station (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lekir/3359396328/) by lekir (http://www.flickr.com/people/lekir/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5430006370_1417c8536b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22513810@N05/5430006370/
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4441461911_f40f949761.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48294947@N03/4441461911/
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6244818541_cb7b0263e3.jpg
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6125/6199952609_1ae15aebf0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/h136y/6199952609/)
DSC6981 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/h136y/6199952609/) by huzaifayamin (http://www.flickr.com/people/h136y/), on Flickr
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3874002602_a48b1ee60d.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3874002602_a48b1ee60d.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/3873215221_cd1f6b073d.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/3873215221_cd1f6b073d.jpg
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6056/6366690427_b131361345.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewallpart5/6366690427/)
Cornfield, oil palms, rubber trees (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thewallpart5/6366690427/) by A satan incarnate (http://www.flickr.com/people/thewallpart5/), on Flickr

FazilLanka

March 3rd, 2012, 05:41 AM

It will be a great rail transportation in Malaysia.

TWK90

March 7th, 2012, 02:10 PM

A preview of the new six carriage long KTM Komuter train from China (by me)

Location : KL Sentral - Kajang

Boarding the train

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6152/dsc05858da.jpg

This is the face of the new train

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/8972/dsc05864n.jpg

Cockpit

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/1303/dsc05868d.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uH6Ih.jpg

Dynamic route map, based on GPS

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5794/dsc05869w.jpg

Space for wheelchair-bound passengers and power plugs for laptops
http://i.imgur.com/S6u2K.jpg

Train driver

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/9083/dsc05884vf.jpg

Destination sign on the side of the train

http://i.imgur.com/K24YB.jpg

Seating
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/7718/dsc05894g.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sGWVA.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IzrZK.jpg

Top speed

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7638/dsc05918m.jpg

The train is built in China, by CSR Zhuzhou. The electrical components and train management system supplied by Siemens. It will serve as commuter trains around Greater Kuala Lumpur area (Klang Valley).

TsLeng

March 8th, 2012, 11:49 AM

Nice pics of the SCS. Hope they get into service fully soon and stay reliable!

TWK90

March 8th, 2012, 11:19 PM

Nice pics of the SCS. Hope they get into service fully soon and stay reliable!

It went into revenue service yesterday (8/3). Four sets entered revenue service. 16 sets are now in Malaysia. 22 sets to be delivered in stages.

Neb81

March 10th, 2012, 03:47 AM

Any idea if the Batu Caves extension might be the start of a further extension to Mentakab and (by extension again) to Kuantan? It seems likely on the map and sounds like a good idea but somehow I don't think that was the plan for extending to Batu Caves.

I've long held that using Batu Caves as the starting point for a East/West line from KL to Kuanatan and linking into the ECL and Kerteh freight line is a solid long term plan (see here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=58938191&postcount=528)) but as far as I know there is no plan for this - though there has been on again off again plans for a branch from the Mentakab (ECL) to Kuantan. However, given the limitations of the ECL, I don't see this being anything more than a freight link-up for the Kerteh line.

As was mentioned, the Titiwangsa mountains are an issue, though if you closely at the topography, there are some useful natural valleys which would reduce the mount of tunnelling required somewhat. From Mentakab to Kuantan, the terrain is mostly gentle again.

Neb81

March 10th, 2012, 03:50 AM

Has any provision been made on the upgrade of the Seremban-Gemas stretch to allow for future reinstatement of the Malacca branch line?

nazrey

March 10th, 2012, 11:59 AM

KTM - Electrified Double Track Between Seremban-Gemas

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2100/82353295.jpg

Gemas Station

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1296/36886940.jpg

Gemas

http://i.imgur.com/AGvIS.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CZDIz.jpg

Track and building of overhead wires

http://i.imgur.com/gbyx7.jpg

nazrey

March 15th, 2012, 10:05 AM

Padang Besar Station (Ipoh-Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (329 km)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/5815112237_f1e0cfb3d1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fedorovo/5815112237/)
Thailand-Malaysia border (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fedorovo/5815112237/) by fmt871 (http://www.flickr.com/people/fedorovo/), on Flickr

New platform @ Padang Besar, Perlis

ZKDrV1Vm_gc

nazrey

March 23rd, 2012, 03:42 PM

Rail project ahead of time
Thursday March 22, 2012
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/22/nation/10961098&sec=nation

TAIPING: The Perak stretch of the 329km Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double-tracking project is expected to be completed six months ahead of schedule.

"To date, the Perak stretch is 89.7% complete," said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

Kong said this at the ceremonial handing- over of six flyovers to the state Public Works Department in Kamunting, near here, yesterday.

They are part of 20 flyovers costing RM251mil planned for Perak.

Kong said for the whole project, there would be 65 flyovers spanning over Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis, costing a total of more than RM1bil.

At a press confernce later, he said with flyovers to replace level crossings, motorists would be saved from the hassle of waiting for trains to pass.

In KOTA KINABALU, Kong said in a statement that the cabotage policy requiring Malaysian ships to transport domestic cargo was not the reason for higher cost of goods in Sabah.

He said there were other factors that raised the cost of goods here, naming among them cost of storage and port services fees.

He dismissed claims that foreign ships were not allowed to sail into Sabah ports to unload containers after they had unloaded cargo at peninsula ports.

“This claim is wrong. The cabotage policy does not stop foreign ships from docking at any port in Malaysia,” he said, explaining that after a foreign cargo ship docks at Port Klang, it is allowed to go to any Sabah port to unload cargo.

“Such ships can also load cargo and leave for any foreign destination,” he added.

nazrey

March 31st, 2012, 11:36 AM

KTM Electric Intercity Train @ Old KL station
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7031241429_75765f2600_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/journeyca/7031241429/

nazrey

April 1st, 2012, 04:42 AM

Kuala Kangsar station, Perak

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1744/10909258.jpg

Kuala Kangsar station
https://th.foursquare.com/v/kuala-kangsar-train-station/4c18b63f838020a1877fe461
https://is0.4sqi.net/pix/JTR0GCQZIIHDVILTPRSRUODLWRS1E5KYHXN41XEB3JRKRP3H.jpg https://is0.4sqi.net/pix/MYJ3Y0YMP4SJU4VL0ATT5DSODTNHCKP21F3JWXNK324Q02MT.jpg

nazrey

April 6th, 2012, 12:15 PM

Electrified Double Track Projects
As of April 2012
[2008] Rawang - Ipoh (179km)
[2011] Seremban - Sungai Gadut ( 11.3km)
[2012] Sungai Gadut – Gemas (86.8km)
[2013] Ipoh - Padang Besar Station (329 km)
[2016] Gemas - Johor Baru (197km)

Other Rail-based Projects
- A new integrated station named Penang Sentral will be built which will connect KTM Railway, monorail, bus and ferry service in one building at Butterworth.
- Tampin/Pulau Sebang - Melaka double-tracking project in the 10th Malaysia Plan.
- Expansion of the ETS fleet with the purchase of an additional 5 EMU Trainsets to arrive by 2013
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4866401243_5ffe26c043_z.jpg
- Extension of the ETS service to Butterworth (Penang Sentral) by 2014
- Komuter Utara service from Nibong Tebal to Butterworth and Sg. Petaniby 2014 or 2015
- Komuter Selatan service in the Iskandar Development Region and Johor Baru by 2015 or 2016

nazrey

April 10th, 2012, 03:42 PM

KTM ETS @ Batu Caves station
Photos by TWK90

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM%20Thaipusam%202011/DSC08641.jpg

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t224/Nissan_FUGA/KTM%20Thaipusam%202011/DSC08671.jpg

bagus70

April 23rd, 2012, 03:26 PM

Any images of Larut railway tunnel at Taiping?

sc4

April 24th, 2012, 06:29 PM

^^ You have to scroll quite a number of pages back...or just google it

nazrey

April 24th, 2012, 10:17 PM

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1774/13147404.jpg

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/75/30380424.jpg

Parit Buntar Station
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6855461617_026a848d02_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59613544@N08/6855461617/

nazrey

April 25th, 2012, 09:27 AM

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8333/4656v.jpg
Rail work for east coast
By SARBAN SINGH Wednesday April 25, 2012
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/25/nation/11171401&sec=nation#13353379473171565&if_height=412

BAHAU: The Transport Ministry will undertake a study to expand the rail double-tracking and electrification project from Gemas to Tumpat after the completion and commissioning of the Padang Rengas-Johor Baru project.

Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said expansion work would be a reality if the study indicated sufficient passenger traffic on the 530km east coast route.

“Although we have not made a decision, I am certain that it is a matter of time before we look at the east coast line. I am also certain that if we improve the rail service, more people will travel by train,” he said after visiting the site for the new Bahau train station near here.

Kong said the priority was to complete the west coast railway double-tracking and electrification project, with the Ipoh-Seremban stretch already completed while the Seremban-Gemas and Ipoh-Padang Besar stretches are due for completion by year-end and the middle of next year respectively.

He said the ministry was now fine-tuning the design for the 200km Gemas-Johor Baru stretch costing between RM7bil to RM8bil, with tenders to be called soon.

He said at present KTM provided six train services along the Singapore-Gemas-Tumpat routes.

“We are also upgrading the Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah stations to keep up with the times,” he said, adding that the Jerantut station was upgraded in 2006.

Kong said his ministry had decided to build a new station in Bahau as the existing one built 70 years ago could no longer serve commuters.

“The station is not only very small but is located along the busy main road which is a flood-prone area. In fact, there are no facilities such as a canteen, parking or even toilets,” he said.

Kong said the new station, expected to cost between RM5mil and RM6mil, will be built some 500m away from the existing station and will have various amenities as well as be disabled-friendly.

“Work on the new station should begin in June and will be completed within 15 months,” he said, adding that the contractor would also have to realign the tracks in the area.

On a separate matter, Kong said the Implementation and Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department has approved a RM716,000 allocation for the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Seremban-Gemas double-tracking project near Batang Melaka in Gemencheh.