First Round Trip to Ipoh on KTMB Inter-city Train I have always been fascinated about trains since I first witnessed them. I live in a apartment located in Kepong Sentral and it is adjacent to two different train systems and they are the MRT System and the KTMB system. As such I often get to see these trains in operation running back and forth. Since I am quite fond of trains and so as a gift for my 7th. birthday my pop’s decided to take me on a round trip to Ipoh on the KTM’s inter-city train. I was happy and readily agreed and have been looking forward to this very day excitedly. On Wednesday, 22nd. February 2023, my pops arrived at our house at 8;25am. Both of us started to head towards the Kepong Sentral station which was only about seven minutes’ walk from our apartment. We checked in through the passenger auto gate and then sat waiting for the train on one of the empty benches allocated for waiting passengers. Since we got to the station a bit early I happen to see other trains arriving and leaving close up while waiting for ours. Walking towards Kepong Sentral Station Checked-in and excitedly waiting for our train’s arrival.
Our six-car train arrived on the scheduled time and we boarded into Coach A and our seat locations were 10A and 10B. About a minute after we boarded our train departed the station. The coach we were in was filled with passengers. I instantly noticed the coach interior was clean and well-lit. It’s air conditioner was just nice not too cold or warm however, I had my jacket on all the time while in the train. The seats were comfortable and it can be reclined too and had leg and arm rest. There were hooks provided on the wall to hang tiny bags. Further, there were luggage rack at the end of the cars for placing bigger luggage and parcel racks above the seats for storing slightly little bags. There was also a TV screen displaying information such as current time, arriving time, next station, final destination. Announcements for boarding and alighting passengers. These announcements were; welcome on board and thank you for choosing KTM Inter-city Train, do not lean against the train door when train is in motion, there’s a buffet car in the middle of the trainset if anyone is hungry or need a hot or cold beverage, approaching station, not to leave any belongings behind and thank the alighting passengers again for riding with KTMB and wish to see them again. This is our train arriving @ Kepong Sentral Station from KL Sentral. Boarding the train at Kepong Sentral.
After about an hour into our train ride pops took me for a walk on the whole length of the train. All the train cars were filled with passengers and I got to see the buffet car where people were having food and drinks. At the front end was the driver’s cab and he was behind locked door which is not accessible to passengers. Our train’s first stop was Sungai Buluh station and then was followed by Rawang, Tanjung Malim, Slim River, Sungkai, Tapah Road, Kampar, Batu Gajah and finally Ipoh. I witnessed passengers disembarking and new passenger boarding the train at all these stations between Kepong Sentral and Ipoh. Our train arrived at Ipoh perfectly on schedule at 11:30am. Myself and pops just boarded train @ Kepong Sentral. Me and pops disembarked at Ipoh. Our train in the background.
Pops took me for a walk around Ipoh town and after some minutes we decided to look for a place to sit and have lunch. During lunch pops and I decide to go and surprise our great-grandmother (my pop’s mum) whom resides in Simpang Pulai. We packed vegetarian lunch for her at another restaurant and then took a Grab car ride to her house. She was very surprised and excited to see me as it has been a while since we last saw each other. We spent about an hour at her place and then called for a Grab car and headed back at the station. We arrived at the station at 2:35pm. Since we had several minutes for the train departure me and pops went to try out the Monorel Café located in the Ipoh railway station. Pops had a coffee I did not want any food or drinks but instead got myself some mints. Having lunch at a Nasi Kandar shop in Ipoh Town Me waiting in queue at Ipoh Station to check in through the auto gates.
Our return train to Kepong Sentral departed Ipoh station right on schedule. I made friends with to boys whom were brothers Daniel and Adrian and they were heading to KL Sentral. I spent most of the return journey playing games and having a chat with them. The return journey too was similar to the one which were on in the morning where the train stopped at all the same major stations. Our train arrived at Kepong Sentral station on scheduled time. In Monorel Café @ Ipoh Station for a drink while waiting for our train ride back to Kepong Sentral Seated in Coach A, Seats 2A and 2B for our return journey to Kepong Sentral
Overall, it was a memorable day and I greatly enjoyed every part of the trip. I got to see the many towns with railway stations along the way to Ipoh. Our train made stops only larger towns to drop off and pick up passengers. It did not stop at stations of smaller towns. Many of these places were quite new to me. I also got to observe the train and station staffs performing their jobs. I am already looking forward to repeat this whole trip again sometime soon or in the coming months. Picture of Me, Daniel and Adrian in the background Train leaving Kepong Sentral Station after I have disembarked
Trip Summary o Date travelled: Wednesday, 22nd. February 2023 o Destination: Ipoh, Perak o Time of departure from Kepong Sentral Station: 9:15am o Time arrived in Ipoh: 11:30am o Time spent in Ipoh: 3 hours - 45 minutes. o Overall time spent for this journey: 9 hours – 30 minutes. o Condition of weather: Clear and sunny. o Cost of train tickets: RM115.00 o Mode and cost accrued for local transportation in Ipoh (Grab): RM29.00 o Amount spent on lunch, drinks and mints: RM38.00 o Train Operator: Inter-city Train, Keratapi Tanah Melayu Berhad. o Length of Tran: 6 Cars o Maximum speed of train: 115 Kilometers (as in coach interior passenger information screen) o Train performance: Smooth and flawless. o Train arrival and departure time: Right on schedule at all stations. o Trains’ point of origin: KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur o Trains’ final destination: Ipoh, Perak o Station and train staffs’ performance: Courteous and attentive. o Other relevant: Brought along a backpack which my mum stuffed with, drinking water, isotonic drink, chocolate drinks, sandwich, mints, face towel, sun shades, towel and note book and pencil for taking notes. I had my face mask on most of the time as a precaution.
Maps Depicting the Route Travelled Plot indicating the route taken by the KTM intercity train and the distance A wider map depicting the route covering Malaysia and Singapore in full and showing Indonesia and Thailand partially
The End Rayshen Shalini Maheshan