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If you’re looking for the Singapore memory Portal; update your bookmarks and head on over to http://www.SingaporeMemory.sg to share your stories with us!

Curious about what is Singapore Memory Project (SMP)? SMP is a national initiative to collect, preserve and provide access to memories and stories related to Singapore. Join us to collectively paint the nation’s memory via irememberSG, part of the SMP! The goal is to engage individuals, communities, groups or institutions who have formed memories and content about Singapore and would like to contribute them. Participate in this initiative via Facebook and Twitter or email us at iremembersg@nlb.gov.sg, and read about the memories of our nation at www.iremember.sg.

“We also loved to watch Chinese or English movies at Capitol, Cathay, Lido, Odeon or Rex cinemas.  There were no cineplexes then and we hardly had popcorn or coke during the show except for kachang puteh.  We usually paid $2 for backstall seats but sometimes $3 for circle upstairs.   Capitol looked like a high-class place with its well-lit European statues for rich cinema goers while most people seemed at home at Rex at Mackenzie Rd which was synonymous with Old Chang Kee curry puffs which you could buy at 40 or 50 cents. Cathay was very cramped with narrow rows of seats with little leg room and sticky floor.  I didn’t  have a good impression of the cinemas as I found them noisy, filthy and smoky as smoking was allowed then.”  Memories of my childhood by Sharon Ng

“I had many friends, and we played together and roamed in and around this area, which at present, is bounded by Changi Road, Jalan Geylang Serai, Sims Avenue and Jalan Turi. 

This rectangular-shaped area was actually an entertainment centre called the Eastern World Amusement Park with joy-rides, games galleries and snack stalls and music blaring from juke-boxes.  Even though the entrance fee to the park was nominal, mischievous kids sneaked into it through secretly-made holes in the zinc-walled fence.

 At the front corner of the entertainment centre, was the Taj cinema where Tamil, Hindi and Malay movies were shown to packed houses, especially at week-ends with cinema touts openly selling the tickets at black-market prices, two or three times above the cinema price.  But for us boys, it was more fun to watch cowboy and Tarzan films at a10-cents open-air cinema which screened two shows a night, the first at about 7 pm.  The cinema, located deep in the nearby Jalan Alsogoff, now roughly the Eunos Road 5 stretch, even screened Chinese movies for the Chinese farmers and villagers who lived around there. 

If it rained before the start of the movie, the show would be cancelled, but if it rained when the movie had already started, patrons, drenched to their skin, carried on watching it.  Some of those who used their umbrellas would be shouted at for blocking the view.   Others at the back rows would stand on the long wooden benches for a better view of the screen.” Geylang Serai  by Shaik Kadir Bin Shaik Maideen

digital copy (c) National Library Board Singapore 2010. The original copy (c) S. Zahra Aljunied

“I was born & bred in Kampong Potong Pasir. The name of the kampong was derived from the sand quarries that were there from 1910 to 1937. Hence the Malay name, “cut sand”. I was born in 1951 & lived in the kampong till 1970 when the development for HDB flats started.

During the kampong days, we did not have running water & electricity till the late 1960s (for some). As such, we depended a lot on hurricane lamp, carbide lamp & candles, which is why my eye-sight is bad. Only later, did we get use generator to provide us with electricity.

 There were no flushing toilets but we had jambans or outhouses with buckets. You even had to plan your visits to toilets well in advance. We used to depend on newsprints as toilet-paper (When wet, it marks your bottom!)” Josephine Chia’s Childhood  Memories

“Dad and mum grew up during the 2^nd World War and life was difficult.  Dad has primary education and mum did not go to school at all. Both started working in their teens for a living. I had asked my parents how they met, and mum said one of my great grand aunts match made them when they were in their early twenties. They dated for a short time going to open-air movies, sharing a hawker meal by the beach where the Bedok Army Camp now sits, and visiting one another’s family. Mum claimed that they went to cinema only once in their courtship, and it was at the defunct Alhambra cinema at Beach Road. Dad proposed to mum after that and I count myself lucky that they ended up together, or else I wouldn’t even be here today!” A Simple Love of 50 Years in Marriage by Eric Lim

“It was at Kembangan MRT station, and the escalator was very scary and high! Being very young then, the raised train platform was very shiny and stony. Train arrival – it was with a large woosh and prominence, like a giant, long SBS bus. 

The train ride, for the first time, I was traveling faster than the cars on the road and the ride was very smooth.” My First MRT Trip (in 1992 when I was still in primary 2) by Tan Eng Kwang

“Going to Kampong Buangkok jotted my memory of a Kampong although I had never stayed in a Kampong before.  I grew up at Lorong 37, Geylang that was next to Kampong Wah Tanjong. There I spent my early days roaming around the Kampong after my religious class. I remember catching tadpoles in the monsoon river with my Kampong friends, playing catching or hide and seek under the Kampong stilt houses, buying rojak and pisang goreng (fried banana). For my mum, enjoying the “air batu kepal” rounded shaved ice from the Mamak (Indian) shop, washing my feet with the cold well water behind my friend’s house and many more.” Sharifah Zahra Aljunied contribution for ‘When Nations Remember’ Conference 2010

Note: The above represents a few selected memories based on a compilation of memory contributions by the public inclusive of stories from Heritage Roadshow 1 (2007) -4  (2009) & ‘When Nations Remember’ Conference 2010, both of which were organised by the National Library Board, Singapore.

Lately, flash floods were reported in many parts of Singapore when a sudden, higher than usual amount of downpour affected many areas in Singapore including popular shopping areas like Tanglin Mall.

This brought memory to our contributor, Seow G.H, who shared her personal experience of surviving a flood. Read more of her stories below.

“At that time, my family had just stayed for five months in this farming area, which was beside the Kallang river (a big canal) that flowed under Braddell Road. This farming area was just across the road from today’s SBS HQ Bus Depot.

A sketch of the author's home

This house and farm that we stayed belonged to my paternal grandfather. My family consisting of my father, my mother, my three siblings and I were staying with our uncle’s family. My siblings and I were about 2 years old to 6 years old then. My uncle was the elder brother of my father.

Pigs, hens and ducks were reared in this farmland. There were a few wooden houses on the farmland such as the main wooden house, the kitchen, the storeroom for the animal feed, etc. There was also a small pond where the ducks swam amidst the water hyacinths. Some guava trees, coconut trees and sugar-cane were also present. We could eat their fresh fruits and roamed freely. My father also built 2 swings, which were held securely by strong metal structures for us to play. The neighbours across the big canal were vegetable famers growing Chye Sim. Other further neighbours were rearing fishes (fish-farming).

Author's childhood memories

From my parents’ recollection, the flood in 1969 started around 4 a.m. The flood reached the height of a bicycle or higher. It seemed my uncle tried to save some pigs by using a bamboo pole to lift them to some higher boards. Finally, we all went up by a wooden staircase to the second storey of the 2-storeyed main wooden house.

Afraid that the main wooden house might topple, my father managed to borrow a wooden boat from someone in Sembawang. It was transported to Braddell Road on a lorry.  My father, my mother’s uncle and 2 other men then carefully walked in the water and pushed this boat to where the main wooden house was. Next, my mother, my siblings and I got into the boat and the four men again moved this boat with difficulty out to the flooded Braddell Road till they reached the junction where the Braddell flyover now stands – at that time it was Braddell Roundabout (something like Newton Circus today). The flood receded around 6 p.m. However, we did not return that night but stayed with my mother’s uncle’s place at Jalan Teck Kee kampong (also called Chia Keng in the Teochew dialect) – this kampong used to be at the portion of Yio Chu Kang Road near today’s Serangoon Avenue 4.

Carefree kampong life & the simple games that they played

According to my parents, almost all the hens, ducks, and pigs died or were carried away by the flood water. It was the same for the neighbours’ fishes. It seemed the place smelt horrible after the flood waters receded.

Author's kampong house in Braddell

The second major flood in this same area was in 1973. My uncle’s family went up to the second storey of the same main wooden house that had withstood the first flood. This time, we were not staying with them. My uncle was suffering from a stroke at that time. My mother cooked some chilli stuff and packed them with some bread. My father brought these food to my uncle’s family by wrapping the food in plastic material and holding them and an umbrella in one raised arm. My father said if his feet could feel the ground, he walked in the water; if not, he swam with one arm stroking the water, and the other holding the wrapped food and the umbrella above the flood water. It seemed that was how he reached my uncle’s place with the food. He said he felt the water was still very cold even though one nephew had offered him some wine to warm him up before he left the wooden house by a combination of walking or swimming.”

Seow G. H.

This is part 2 & final continuation of train memories contributed by our readers..

I have never been an ecological traveller, preferring the ozone-depleting air travel for its sheer speed.  However in recent months, I have been giving train travel some thought; afterall, there is a certain romanticism attached to it, helped in part by Paul Theroux’s thespian adventures and Agatha Christie’s spine-chilling ones.

My most recent train journey was in Morocco, zipping from Casablanca to Marrakech (4 hours), Fès to Casablanca (7 hours).  Each time, we struck up conversations with the locals, always a treasure trove of information on their culture, touristic sights and insight into family life. I learnt a lot on these journeys, not just these nuggets of information – precious enough – but also in a larger sense about how similar our concerns are across social and cultural divides (e.g. erosion of family values, rising cost of living) and how different we can be.  Each train journey leaves me with a renewed sense of my finite being in an ocean of humanity; a truly humbling experience indeed.

Audrey Tay

Many years ago, my younger brother, Robert, who was once a guard outside the President’s house, ran away. Years passed and we were not able to find him until one day, a friend of an uncle informed us of his whereabouts in KL. My brother was actually there to serve his military service. My siblings and I then took a train to look for Robert after his 10 years of disappearance and eventually found him in living in KL, working in the carpentry industry. The six hours train ride was the most exciting as we saw palm plantations, how Malaysian farmers lived and never forgot the hall of our Tanjong Pagar railway station, with its famous sculptor’s works of Cavelliere Rudulfo Nolli.

Ivy Yeo Siew Eng

The first time I took a train was to Malacca in 1996 with my family.  The train facilities were quite good with a full course lunch served during the trip.  Unfortunately, the state of the toilet facilities on the train ruined the good experience.  The toilet bowl after usage by the many passengers was unable to drain off the water and the water level became higher and higher, until finally, I also did not dare to use the toilet.

Teo Hwee Lay, Geraldine

As a student in Malaysia, I travelled frequently on the night train to commute between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & Singapore during 1954-58. Seeing the train cross the railway bridge near Bukit Timah railway station brought me back to my younger days when the train was the main means of transportation between Johor & Singapore. In those days, I felt sad at the prospect of seeing the train that brought me to Malaya, leaving. Whenever I returned to Singapore for holiday, I would travel in the opposite direction and would be extremely excited to see my family again! As soon as the track crossed the bridge, my excitement of seeing my families again heightened. The journey felt like a scene depicted from a movie as I imagined myself in the train, looking out the train window and remembering the forest trees passing by as the train chugged on slowly.

Daniel Gwee

My first memorable experience of taking the train was when I was 5 years old. At that age, everything was an eye-opening experience. In my eyes, the train station seemed huge while the train seats felt spacious. To me, the whole trip was the start of an adventure!

My family boarded the train at Tanjong Pagar railway station. My brother and I then ran along its aisles to explore corners for our hide-and-seek adventures. At lunchtime, our whole family trooped to the cafeteria and watched the scenery while eating biscuits and drinking Milo.

The whole trip was so fascinating that we didn’t feel tired despite the long journey to KL!

Adeline Yeo

My memory of a railway trip was when I took the train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). My friends and I had taken the night train from Tanjong Pagar railway station. Upon entering the Tanjong Pagar railway station, I was greeted by the sight of its beautiful walls and nice murals. The statues outside the station were grand and unique. We then entered the train and found the sleeper beds allocated to us. I occupied the upper deck and found the bed to be quite comfortable. As the train left Tanjong Pagar railway station and headed towards Causeway, the scenery of various housing estates flashed past us including Ghim Moh, Bukit Timah and Woodlands. The train continued its journey, meandering the palm estates, mountains and valleys of Malaysia. The train was noisy, making “Cling Clang’” sounds along the way. However, we managed to sleep soundly in our beds and finally reached Kuala Lumpur at 6am.

It was a great railway journey, which I thoroughly enjoyed!

 Tony Lin

My railway “corridor” of memories extends from Singapore to Penang / Butterworth (Malaysia).  There was a common “look and feel” to all the gardens, sparse plantings & bright Ixora. As a child who grew up in Kluang (Malaysia), I was fortunate enough to taste the railway’s scrumptious Nasi Lemak, its sambal afloat with fragrant chilli oil and small peanuts fried in skin!  As I grew older, the train was my main form of transportation, which carried me to and from my university in Kuala Lumpur. Sometimes I travelled 3rd class on the mail train in solidarity with friends who were broke, sharing seats and snacks bought through the windows from young boys during the short adjourns.  The Rakyat Express with its guaranteed seats in 2nd class was definitely a treat!  My milestones in life revolved around my train journeys which included travelling First Class when I started working in Singapore …. what comfort! Through the years, the rhythm of the train remains to be music to my ears.  

Chuah Ai Lin

The first time I took a train was many years ago. A friend had organised a trip to Taman Negara (Malaysia) and the 3 of us set off. We took a train at Tanjong Pagar railway station & headed towards Kluang (Malaysia). Since we took the c-class train, there were no seats allocated to us as they were based on first-come-first-serve. We ended up sitting on the floor.

Despite the discomfort, we enjoyed the experience as we could walk from one end of the train to the other where there was a small cafe at one end of the train. As the train passed through towns, some vendors came up the train to sell drinks and curry puffs. Using the train toilet also required skills as the train kept vibrating & jerking. If we were not careful, our urine would splash onto us instead of the cramp toilet bowl!

In those days, it was cheap to travel by train. I loved watching the sceneries and kampong houses that we passed. The kampong kids would then wave at us.

The last time I took a train was about two to three years ago when I went to KL (Malaysia). I was alone and the cabin was air-conditioned. It was comfortable but I did not feel the warmth of the kampong spirit anymore.

Tang Peck Chan 

I had the opportunity to take the train thrice when I was in ODAC (Outdoor Activity Recreation) during my junior college (JC) years.

 The first time was when we made a night trip from a Johor Bahru (JB) train station in 1998. We walked across the Causeway and took the night train all the way to Segamat.

It was an experience that I’ve never encountered before. Going with the JC ODAC friends was really fun. Till today, I still keep the physical photographs, evidence of my trip.

The second time that I took the train was for a ride to Segamat to climb Mount Ophir (Gunung Ledang).That was an experience that I will never forget! Together with 5 other friends, we decided to relive the same experience to Mount Ophir again in year 2002.

Based on the map, we decided to take the train from Tanjong Pagar to Segamat then make our way to Malacca for the return trip back to Singapore. We assembled early in the day then took the train to Segamat.

We encountered an interesting experience along the way. As we could not understand the Malay announcement that was made in JB by the time we reached Segamat, we realised that we had not stamped our passports at the Malaysian customs. As such, we were considered “illegal immigrants”, stranded in Segamat for days. Not only did we reach Segamat at 4pm in the evening, the shops were also closed, which left us stranded!

In 2005, I decided to go to Taman Negara (Malaysia’s Nature Reserve in Pahang) on a night sleeper train. A colleague found a “hotel” and guide near the train station, so we had fun the entire trip.

Since then, I realised how much I love taking train rides. In most trips, I make it a point to see the various trains and ride them.

This year, I’ve gone to the train stations in Singapore to photograph them. I hope that I can get a chance to go and take a look at the tracks and stations before they close…

Esther Ong

 Despite having travelled on trains in several countries, my most memorable ride will be the KTM Shuttle Train from Singapore to JB Sentral, Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Travelling in a train with 3 coaches, led by a diesel locomotive and diesel generator, the ride simply brings back memories of the historic Singapore KTM Station to the modern and functional JB Sentral Station in Malaysia. In-between are memories of many Singaporeans. It is like reversing the timeline, stretching from the bustling city area to the HDB flats before settling down on the kampong areas. With the diesel train, the older noise and vibration is simply an experience which will thoroughly be missed. Moreover, the efficient service of the train beats the over crawling traffic as well as the famous jams along the Causeway. This conventional service will sorely be missed come 1 July.

 Leonard, Wong Ka Chun

Do read up further at the links provided if you do not want to miss the last train departing Tanjong Pagar railway station…

http://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/the-last-train-from-tanjong-pagar/

http://www.thegreencorridor.org/2011/05/26/don%e2%80%99t-miss-the-last-train/#more-133

The colonial influenced architecture of the Tanjong Pagar railway station stands awkwardly majestic amongst the skyscrapers of a business district and residential area. It runs its own series of offerings including an eating place that lends its weight to blue collared workers in that area during the lunch time crunch & becomes a night hangout place for young urbanites and families dreaming of temporarily escaping Singapore’s hectic city life.

Come 1st July, these are all but memories when the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Tanjong Pagar railway station ceases its operations.

Do you remember your first train ride or have personal memories of this railway station?
Does reflecting on any of your train ride journeys or walking along the railway tracks bring back significant memories?

Recently we asked our ‘Bear Fruit Railway Memories’ participants to share their personal memories of the railway tracks & trains. This was what they shared with us…

 I don’t have much memory of the Malayan railway because I came from China less than one year ago. However,  I managed to ride the train recently for a short journey across Singapore to JB. I was really excited because since young, I shared great sentiments about railway and trains.
 

Based on my observations, the railway tracks are usually located in the rural area, which indirectly brings us closer to nature. I took a lot of pictures with my friends when we were sitting in the train, watching the quiet but beautiful night scenery of the Johor Straits, listening attentively to the rhythm of the train. I have no idea why I love train so much and even enjoy the rattling & vibrations of the train that accompanies its long winded journey. Perhaps, it is because of my love for nature, travel and strong inquisitiveness.

As a nation progress, its people tends to quicken its pace to compete with other nations and we often forget to slow down and observe the beautiful things around us, no matter how great or small.

In my case, I was born and brought up in China where the trains used are different from those in Singapore. As such, I don’t have much memories of Malayan railway, but I do hope to share with others, stories about the trains in China because I believe, no matter how different our memories may be we share similar sentiments of railways and trains.

YangYang (Amy)

In 2009, I brought my two young boys, aged 4 & 5, on their maiden train trip to Kluang (Malaysia). They were very excited when they watched the noisy, life-sized trains pull up so near the platform as they boarded the train from the old but rustic Tanjong Pagar railway station!

As the train meandered through Ghim Moh, my husband recalled nostalgically, how he used to cross the rail tracks to get across the estate. I too, recalled making train trips with my family to Malaysia, enjoying the lush green forests and rural sights, whilst eating nasi lemak in the train’s “food carriage”!

Lee Seow Ser

My first visit to Kuala Lumpur on my own was in 1964 at the age of 9 years old when I travelled by train.  At that time, I had only $20 with me. My next trip was as part of our school rugby tour in Bangkok in 1971. We took a return-trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) then continued the journey to Butterworth (Malaysia) to arrive at our final destination in Hualampung (Bangkok, Thailand).  The train journey for a one-way trip lasted for two days and two nights. Read more of my adventures in 
http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/2009/11/travel-to-kuala-lumpur-kl-peter-chan.html
 
http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/2009/07/sawatdi-khap-welcome-to-bangkok-by.html 

Peter Chan

When I was a teenager, we boarded a train from Taiping (Malaysia) only to realise that we had boarded the wrong train home to Singapore. We stopped somewhere near Gemas and was stuck at the station for nearly 8 hours. While waiting, there weren’t any food peddlers during the night except for a watermelon seller. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten that much watermelon in my lifetime! As the train that we later took was really crowded, we had no choice but to cram ourselves near the train toilets and endure its stink for the rest of our journey back to Singapore!

Marcus Lim

As a small girl, the train was a horrible ‘monster’. It eats up my one and only nanny who used to take the train back to Malacca to visit her family. At the railway station, I would stare at the ‘monster’, with tears in my eyes. How I hated it!    

 Clara Mok

 ”Mama will buy you a packet of Nasi Lemak, ok?” 

I shook my head vigorously. 

“You can eat it on the train there. It’s going to be a long ride. We’ll only get there past lunchtime. Wait here with Ah Kong and I’ll go and buy,” said mum.

 I wasn’t the brightest sunshine in the morning. It was early and I was at the KTM station with the family. I kept quiet and stayed close to Ah Kong, in case someone kidnapped me at the eerily old and rundown station. I was torn between wanting to go back to the comforts of my own home and going over to Segamat for the first time!

Yeo Sze Min

The first time I went to the railway station was for a trip to Kuala Lumpur in 2001 to promote the poetry book, “No Other City”.  I was only 20 years old.  I remembered the cavernous, faded splendour of the place, buying snacks from the “mama” shop, how my mother chatted with the parents of the youngest poet there and the lengthy train journey where we stayed up half the night excitedly, listening to Alvin Pang blow our minds with his reflection on the true nature of Singapore politics.

Ng Yi-Sheng

My first journey was when I decided to catch a train to KL. Only third class overnight Mail Train tickets were available. Any romantic illusions of the journey quickly evaporated with the opening of the gate to the immigration counters. The crowd behind the gate had surged forward in a rush when the gate opened. After going through immigration, I found myself behind a wall of people who were standing behind a barrier. I soon realised why the initial rush! A madder rush ensued when barrier was removed. Boarding the train, I realised why, not a single seat was left! 

Lim Kian Guan, Jerome

In the 1960s, I made my maiden trip on the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) to Penang. Greeted at the station by fabulous tall ‘sculptures’ protruding from porch pillars, which I learnt four decades later were the works of Rudolpho Nolli, master sculptor for commissioned work for the King of Siam, of the “King & I” fame, I was struck in awe.

 Later, I tucked-into Malay food followed by fellowship chit-chats before being led to even greater excitement of tucking into double storey bed that had wooed me. Lights out and the hypnotic rhythm of wheels were on track. With a satisfied smile, my heavy eyelids were drooping. Suddenly, something struck me.

What’s that? Gate-crashing cockroaches! The impression was just indelible! 

Betty Wee

 When I was in Secondary school, I had my first and only train ride experience to KL.  It was an overnight ride and I was too excited to go to sleep. The train ride was rather rocky and there was nothing to see on the way as the night was so dark.  Ever since then, I have not looked forward to anymore train rides to Malaysia.
 
Perhaps, I should try the train ride in the day time to replace my dilapidated old memories with good ones.  As the train will not depart from Tanjong Pagar railway station anymore come 1 July, I think I may not have a second chance of riding the train in my life!

 Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Some of our participants shared what they felt after going through the trail & took time to pen their thoughts. Others went the extra mile to share their experiences on their personal blogs. Here’s what they have to say…

When I was young, I stayed in a flat in Telok Blangah Crescent that overlooked the railway tracks. Frequently, I would hear the sound of the trains passing by but today was the first time that I actually walked along the tracks. I was amazed by the amount of nature found near the tracks. The open spaced area created much opportunity for the sun loving plants to grow there. These plants include morning glory and even a creeper, with a name called “a mill a minute”.  Other plants include tapioca plants & banana trees, which were harvested by the inhabitants of the area who have now moved out. This made me wonder if the railway tracks in front of my old house also have a huge variety of flora & fauna.

Geraldine Teo

Seeing the train crossing the railway bridge on Bukit Timah brought me back to my younger days when the train was the main means of commuting between Johore & Singapore. In those days, I felt sad at the prospect of seeing the train that brought me to Malaya, leaving. Whenever I returned to Singapore for holiday, I would travel in the opposite direction and would be extremely excited to see my family again! As soon as the track crossed the bridge, my excitement of seeing my families again heightened. The journey felt like a scene from a movie, as I imagined myself in the train, looking out the train window and remembering the forest trees passing by as the train chugged on slowly.

Daniel Gwee

“We’re hoping that they don’t take the tracks along with them when the KTM train stops its operations,” said Marggie, our tour guide. All these while I had taken for granted that the tracks would always be there. I’ve walked across the tracks at the Rifle Range area before and was walking  on the opposite side of the road at King Albert Park today. Like a tourist in my own land, armed with Polaroid and digital cameras, I shuffled along with the group, initially refusing to act as if I was a tourist. Then, at the possibility of never seeing the tracks again sank in, pictures would have to suffice, so snap, snap, snap I went. Everywhere I turned, I saw snippets of life so strange to this concrete jungle I now lived in. Who says Singapore didn’t have a past that still exists? Perhaps, ‘The Green Corridor’ symbolises our hope of sustaining a heritage site?

Szemin

Walking near the Bukit Timah railway line always evokes a sense of nostalgia in me, especially at the sight of the black steel truss bridges. The bridges are what I remember much of my early childhood days when my father would drive me on many trips as we crossed the Causeway. Seeing the bridges filled me with memories of a happy and carefree childhood. Seeing the Bukit Timah railway station brought me memories of my maiden train ride from Tanjong Pagar railway station. It was a journey that I well remember for any romantic illusions I had of the Malayan Railway swiftly vanished by the smoke-filled third class carriage that I was seated in.

Jerome Lim

It all started from an uphill rocky road from Bukit Timah Road. Seeing the train reversing seemed so unusual. As the opposite southbound train moved in swiftly, we witnessed the ceremonial exchange of tokens (train keys) between the station master and the train driver. While the northbound train awaits its turn, its train driver took a cigarette break. Nervous of the photographers who were watching the spectacle, he shouted at us. As soon as he got his token, the train driver withdrew to his carriage in quiet confidence, and got his locomotive moving. Meanwhile, a smaller northbound train, waits its turn for clearance at the railway station whilst its passengers were seated comfortably in the air-conditioned train, while the tired-looking locomotive happily puffed smoke into the unpolluted Singapore air.

Wong Ka Chun, Leonard

Maybe it’s hard for me to track back my memories to the first time I took a train ride, so the walk along the railway tracks made it more exciting and interesting as we witnessed the ceremonial procedures of exchanging the  “token” within the Malaysian boundaries. It seems surreal that we had stepped into Malaysia territory without having to leave Singapore. Perhaps, the Malaysian ownership had resulted in the sustainability of the ‘Green Corridor’, enabling the wild flourishing of flora and fauna along the railway tracks. Had it not been for the fact its railway journey in Singapore would “end” soon, I would have kept delaying this visit – nature trail.

Dexterine

I joined this walk as I wanted the experience of walking along the railway line from Bukit Timah Railway Station to Old Holland Road. The lovely weather made the journey very pleasant. It was lovely to see so much greenery all along the path. The walk enabled me to get a closer look at the railroad tracks and the wooden blocks of wood that were discarded.

Here and there were many flowers like the purple morning glory creepers, the mile-a-minute tiny white flowers with the fragrant smell of its leave &, the yellow dahlias, which were all so tiny. There were also the yam plant with big leaves, the tapioca plants and some banana plants which we seldom see around anymore. The path was actually a walk through the natural scenery of flora and fauna instead of the concrete jungle that many places have become. It was interesting to see people cycling and walking through this uneven path of mud and stones.

I feel so refreshed and serene to see so much greenery, the tall trees, bushes and plants, butterflies, dragonflies and hear the sound of birds like the pacific swift, striped tit babbler and the long tail parakeet. I must take a train ride to Johor before all this is gone…

Doris

Earlier, I wondered if we would be able to see trains passing by today. To my delight, the sound of the long-awaited music came. While the organisers frantically tried to gather everyone back in the group, they soon had people scrambling off in all directions towards the track.

I struggled between the newly-handed Polaroid camera & my digital camera. Alas! I wasn’t fast enough to get a decent photo of the train. I looked sadly at the train that passes by on the black bridge. Interestingly, the details which I usually lose when I am taking a view through the lens came: – Passengers looking out from the train, smiling & waving at us as if to say, “Hi!” from the train and photographers on board the train who were enthusiastically snapping photos of us who were standing along the tracks. Similarly, our group did the same thing before the moments passed & was gone forever.

Then the tour guide, Marggie, continued to share information about the trains & its history. Although the topic was not my cup of tea, I tried to focus on what she was sharing. Suddenly, the train came on the tracks again. I looked in surprise. It was the same group of passengers that we had earlier seen. “What’s happening? Is this like part of the programme where participants get to take a ride on the train to & fro in Singapore?” I wondered.

“This is the reason…” said Marggie explaining that as soon as another train came, the two trains at the station proceeded with the ceremonial exchange of the token. Only then was the train with the key allowed to depart.

 We then continued on our journey, admiring the natural habitat of the butterflies, dragonflies & various wild flowers & weeds.

Esther Ong Shu Xuan

Bear Fruit participant, Dexterine, was charmed by the rustic beauty of the train station and tranquillity that nature offered when she stepped into the realm of the Bukit Timah Train Station & Railway.

Read more about her special encounter…

http://dexterine.blogspot.com/2011/05/bearfruit-railway-memories.html

In his journal, Jerome, who was also a participant of the visit to Bukit Timah Train Station & green corridor reminisces his childhood days when he used to spot the familiar railway bridge that crosses Dunearn & Bukit Timah Road  from the back seat of his father’s  Austin 1100. Get a sneak peek of his experience…

http://thelongnwindingroad.wordpress.com/2011/05/15/a-walk-on-the-wild-side/

By Michael Chin

The sky looked ominous on the 14 May.

 Some of the people in the group of 20 blinked and yawned as it was just 7.30 am. The meeting lobby at the National Library Building was barely illuminated by the rays of the rising sun.

 Everyone had woken up early for the Bukit Timah railway walk and not even the suggestion of a downpour could dampen their spirits.

Bottles of mineral water were distributed and a quick introduction was made by the two librarians in charge of the walk, and by the guide, Margaret Elizabeth Hall, or “Marggie” as she would like to be known.

 Likewise, the writer, Pugalenthii Ramakrishan or Puga (as he called himself) was on hand to help out with the creative aspect of the walk. He encouraged everyone to think of twenty words on the nature trail which they would have to elaborate upon when they return to the library.

Everyone’s spirit lifted as the bus stopped near the Bukit Timah railway tracks. Marggie had trouble controlling the herd as everyone was busy taking photographs with their cameras. She managed to round everyone up but her effort was also derailed by two morning trains pulling into the Bukit Timah station in opposite directions.

One of them gave a loud hiss, blew its fog horns and drew admiring looks from both sides; the passengers waved at the people, bemused at the scene they had caused by turning up. In turn, the nature trail walkers were frantically capturing the moment and waving back at them, worried that the train might suddenly pull away and ruin their photos.

There was an interesting exchange of tokens between the two train drivers before they carried on their way and calm returned to the train station once again.

 Having regained everyone’s attention, Marggie started to explain about history of the Bukit Timah railway. While she was talking, there were whispers about the fact that the Sultan of Johor might be driving the last train on 30 June 2011 and some of the people in the nature walk were keen to be on that ride.

Everyone made their way past the tiny station, taking care not to take pictures and studied the colourful rows of track switches as well as the rudimentary layout of the office.

As the group ventured further along the tracks, nature intruded upon them and broken stone pavements were replaced by beautiful wild morning glories as well as lefty tapioca plants as well as yam plants. The noise of the city was also replaced by the songs of numerous birds spotted by sharp-eyed nature lovers in the group.

Bold numbers on posts demarcated the distance along the tracks as the nature group ventured deeper and deeper into nature.  Sights such as a large water drain and a rare brick bridge were spotted along the way.

The walk was relaxing but everyone was relieved when they spotted the bus. Humidity was building up and the rumbling noises of distant thunder and the sensation of rain drops falling meant staying outdoors was not ideal. Marggie bid us farewell as she was not following the group back to the library.

Everyone was relatively quiet on the way back to the National Library Building. But after a quick 10 minute toilet break, everyone was set to work on several brain-storming exercises before writing a 100 word passage about what they experienced along the railway line by Puga. 

 Groups of fours and fives were formed and individuals within each group were encouraged to help each other enhance their writing by sharing or adding more details to their initial passages.

 A much needed lunch break was taken before one person from each group was chosen to present their creative writings at the “Green Corridor” forum held later that afternoon.

It was an eventful day for all the people involved in the railway walk and many of the participants were pleasantly surprised to re-discover their seemingly ‘lost’ ability to express themselves in words.

Bearfruit Railway Memories was a journey down memory lane. To those who attended the event on 14 May 2011, the trail especially ignited our love for a classical form of transport, the KTM train, that once linked the whole of Malaya. 

The classic “Choo! Choo!” sound  greeted us & overwhelmed us with a rare opportunity of capturing  photographs of not just one but two trains at a close proximity!

Our experienced trail guide, Margie Hall, from the Nature Society (Singapore) led us to experience the rustic, old Bukit Timah Train Station, which charmed us with its heritage appeal. Then, it was back to nature as we were whisked deeper into the green corridor & struck by the flamboyant appeal of red dragonflies & colourful butterflies. 

The ‘Green Corridor’ not only reminded us of our personal memories of riding the KTM train during our childhood days but was also a great reminder that the nature along this corridor has it’s days numbered if we choose not to preserve it.

Well, we’ll certainly remember those good old times, so watch this space for more postings on railway memories as shared by our Bear Fruit participants! =)

Looking to do something exciting & meaningful on a weekend, why not join the National Library Board on our special edition of Bear Fruit Railway Memories on Saturday, 14 May?

The event involves a walking trail near a railway track (we will not reveal where!) & will provide you insights to the flora, fauna & heritage aspects of railways in Singapore. To complete this nostalgic journey, participants will also be sharing their own memories by drawing from their own experiences be it from the train rides that you’ve previously taken as a child or other related experiences! Transport, refreshments & lunch are provided.

Seats are limited only to 30 registered participants, so if you’re keen, e-mail Nurulhuda_SUBAHAN@nlb.gov.sg with subject header ‘BF Railway Memories’ with the following details:

1. Your Full name

2. Your Contacts: E-mail address & mobile number

3. Share with us your memorable experience at the train station or of your train ride in not more than 100 words.

Successful applicants will be notified via e-mail. All ‘Bear Fruit Railway Memories’ participants will be required to share and present their works and memories at the ‘Green Corridor Forum’ on the same day, which will be held from 2.00 – 4.00pm.

About Bear Fruit Railway Memories:

Saturday, 14 May, 7.30am – 2.00pm, level 1 reception counter, National Library (Limited to 30 registered participants)

http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/Programmes/Singapore/NL/2011/05/14/0730/Bear%20Fruit3A%20Railway%20Memories.aspx

Priorities are given to you and your friends, so if you would like to attend & know of others who may be keen and available, share this piece of great news with them!

Hurry! Registration closes on 6 May 2011.

The National Library Board will also be hosting the ‘Green Corridor Forum’ by the Nature Society (Singapore) to share the proposed plans for the preservation of railway corridors, which will be joined by local writers like Madeleine Lee & Suchen Christine Lim who will be sharing their sentiments about the railways.

Find out more about ‘Green Corridor Forum’:

Saturday, 14 May, 7.30am – 2.00pm, level 16, POD, National Library (Open to public)

http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/Programmes/Singapore/NL/2011/05/14/0200/The%20Green%20Corridor%20Forum.aspx