KOTA KINABALU: The steam locomotive from the North Borneo Railway (NBR), featuring the British ‘Vulcan’, one of a few that is still functioning in the world is now back on track.
After being put into retirement in the 1970s after it was replaced by diesel and petrol-powered locomotives, the steam locomotive was relaunched in 2000, through a joint venture project between Sutera Harbour Resort (SHR) and the State Railway Department.
Today, the NBR provides two scheduled runs on Wednesday and Saturday, departing from the Tanjung Aru station to Papar town at 9.30am and returning at 1.40pm.
The train features five carriages named after all the five stations where it stops and it can carry a maximum of 80 passengers.
The route which covers 38.5km will take passengers from the Tanjung Aru station to Putatan and will make a 20-minute stop at Kinarut town before continuing the journey to Kawang and finally arriving at Papar town.
It stops in Papar for 30 minutes during which passengers can disembark to explore the town.
A ride on the Vulcan will certainly evoke nostalgic memories of a bygone colonial era of the late 19th century.
SHR director of marketing communications, Kattie Hoo said: “The train service was resumed on July 4, this year and the response has been encouraging as most of the passengers are our hotel guests, while some came after reading about it.”
“This is an old locomotive train and it has attracted people to come because they want to experience the ride as this is one of a few that is still functioning in the world. The people want to enjoy the natural beauty and the sights of the countryside which they cannot see in the city,” she added.
The steam engine train is operated by a five-member crew after a six-year break since 2005 to allow for the upgrading of the railway tracks.
Continue reading at: North Borneo Railway ‘Vulcan’ returns to offer rides down memory lane
.After being put into retirement in the 1970s after it was replaced by diesel and petrol-powered locomotives, the steam locomotive was relaunched in 2000, through a joint venture project between Sutera Harbour Resort (SHR) and the State Railway Department.
Today, the NBR provides two scheduled runs on Wednesday and Saturday, departing from the Tanjung Aru station to Papar town at 9.30am and returning at 1.40pm.
The train features five carriages named after all the five stations where it stops and it can carry a maximum of 80 passengers.
The route which covers 38.5km will take passengers from the Tanjung Aru station to Putatan and will make a 20-minute stop at Kinarut town before continuing the journey to Kawang and finally arriving at Papar town.
It stops in Papar for 30 minutes during which passengers can disembark to explore the town.
A ride on the Vulcan will certainly evoke nostalgic memories of a bygone colonial era of the late 19th century.
SHR director of marketing communications, Kattie Hoo said: “The train service was resumed on July 4, this year and the response has been encouraging as most of the passengers are our hotel guests, while some came after reading about it.”
“This is an old locomotive train and it has attracted people to come because they want to experience the ride as this is one of a few that is still functioning in the world. The people want to enjoy the natural beauty and the sights of the countryside which they cannot see in the city,” she added.
The steam engine train is operated by a five-member crew after a six-year break since 2005 to allow for the upgrading of the railway tracks.
Continue reading at: North Borneo Railway ‘Vulcan’ returns to offer rides down memory lane
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