Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 5:16:00 PM
Today was a super long and tiring day outdoor. Today Sewei and I did a rather stupid but meaningful trip today. We went trekking along Jurong Line. Eh, you may be wondering what is Jurong Line? Let me explain this history of this Jurong Line.
And According to the 1960 Malayan Railway Berhad Annual Report, the Jurong Line was built by and the project funding came from the company itself and not the Singapore Government. The only reason for the existence of the Jurong Line was purely economics. When Singapore was a part of Malaysia, it was envisaged that Singapore was to be the heavy industrial hub of Malaysia through the Jurong Industrial Estate. At the same time, a small number of Malaysian companies producing essential commodities like sugar were to be relocated to Singapore. In order to obtain the raw materials for the Jurong heavy industries; the steel was required by the Jurong Shipyard from Prai, and not to clog up the Woodlands and Bukit Timah roads a railway track that ran-off the main Malayan Railway line was built. Historically much of Peninsular Malaya’s (and the future Malaysia) natural commodities such as rubber and tin were routed through the port of Singapore at Tanjong Pagar. So creating an extension from the main railway line was not all that difficult.This line was actually part of what was called the Bukit Timah Siding. As the name implies, it was actually an extension of the main Malayan Railway Line which went from Tanjong Pagar to Peninsula Malaya. It was connected to the main railway line near the Bukit Timah Station. After crossing S. Ulu Pandan, it continued all the way to Jurong. Hence it was called the Jurong Line.So you guys know what's Jurong Line is now? Anyway, its abandoned and disused le, so no mre train service there. So sibei safe, except for insects such as sandfly and mozzies :) Okay and Haha, lets start the journey.
At around 10am, we met up at Jurong Point to eat Mac for breakfast. Then went off to take 178 to along AYE near Superbowl. We alighted there and walked for about 250 metres before crossing into a dirt track beside AYE.
The journey starts from here. Here we can see the trail along this road. Underneath this 人走出来的路 is the Jurong Line, its dismantled already as you can see.
Here we can see the railway sleeper. Thats the rectangular wooden plank used as a base for railway tracks. The wood has rot due to long period of rain and sun.
Yeap, theres waterlogged areas.
We are going to cross the bridge
We can still see parts of the railroad sleepers along this bridge.
A railroad sleeper with an unlaid screw.
Its pretty obvious that there was once a train running on this track. Cant see the steel rail though, cuz its removed by the government.
Here in this pic, we can see the foundation for a railway track. Quite deep.
See that black statue over there, its a shape of a horse :)
Not sure if you guys can see the railway traffic signal. Its in the left middle. See here grass, trees have overgrown.
A level crossing. The Jurong Line crosses Penjuru Road.
An upclose shot of the level crossing signal.
See the box-like thing. Thats a box for the barrier. When the train comes, the barrier will be lifted down for the train to cross.
Here we can see the 1st sighting of the rail. So far this was the 1st one i spotted along Jurong Line.
Muddy track
The buildings there are at Teban Gardens.
Here we are coming to a flyover at AYE at Teban Flyover. Up front is the tunnel.
Yeah, the tunnel. Met a old man there. Looks pretty scary there right? Then we wanted to through it de, but we spotted many flies there, then we decided to cross the flyover instead.
Teban Flyover
A termite mound
Yes, we managed to cross over to the other side. Underneath is the Jurong Line. Covered with grass le and some are partially dismantled.
Sewei drinking water...diaozzz, go pic him..
Screw me
Then we took bus 198 and alighted 2 stops later. Then we went "against" AYE.
Yes, we can clearly see the railway line already.
Haha
LOL, my shoe :)
And you dun expect us to walk through that right? So we walk up...
the bridge. Yes! From the top view we can see the railway leading to nowhere, haha. So we need to route in the Faber Drive. All terrace houses.
Faber Walk...We got lost...
And after wandering for about half an hour, we managed to crawl out. Took bus 154 to Clementi Station and met Jeremy. Haha! Then decided to go Sunset way to see the railway bridge. Walk along the Ulu Pandan Park Connector.
Yes, underneath the MRT track and the flyover near Ulu Pandan MRT depot, we can the railway line.
Along the Ulu Pandan River. Yes, and we can see the bridge le.
Went up the hill here, damn slippery.
Yeap, at the top of the bridge. Who dares to cross over! Its like so scarry la, God knows this bridge might give way. Then there were gaps in between the Railway sleepers, then the railings are rusty plus wobbly. Feel like crossing but...forget it, risk my life only...But nice and terrific view :)
Se Wei taking pics also :) See even govt also warned us. I think really you should try walking a few steps of the metal steps beside the railray. Scary sia :(
See the gaps?
Really not stable, i mean, the railings at the side...rusty :)
Thats Sunset way HDB flats :)
Bridge from the side view :)
From the bottom view, breathtaking indeed :)
At the opp sde of the bridge crossing to Clementi Street 14. Can see the bridge?
Here we were at Blocks 101, 102 and 103 and 104. Priscilla was like waving at us on the 10th floor lo, haha :) Thought she will throw drinks at us, haha :)
Another side of the railway, the smaller bridge.
Anyway, this bridge is scary also.
Finished the whole trekking at 2pm. Then went Clementi, played arcade, got changed and ate lunch :) Then Yu Xuan joined us and we went Gym :)
Tired and went home early...haha, long day. Next time JCC can organize such things also :) Rail walk. :)
