The West Coast railway line runs from
Padang Besar railway station
The Padang Besar railway station (''Stesen Keretapi Padang Besar'') is a railway station located at and named after the border town of Padang Besar, Perlis in Malaysia. It is the northernmost station of the west coast line where the line connect ...
close to the
Malaysia–Thailand border
The Malaysia–Thailand border divides the countries of Malaysia and Thailand and consists of a land boundary running for 595 km (370 mi) across the Malay Peninsula and maritime boundaries in the Straits of Malacca and the Gulf of Thaila ...
in
Perlis
Perlis, ( Northern Malay: ''Peghelih''), also known by its honorific title Perlis Indera Kayangan, is the smallest state in Malaysia by area and population. Located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it borders the Thai provinces o ...
(where it connects with the
State Railway of Thailand
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ( th, การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย, abbrev. รฟท., ) is the state-owned rail operator under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport in Thailand.
History
The SRT was ...
) to
Woodlands Train Checkpoint
Woodlands Train Checkpoint (abbreviated as WTCP, also known as Woodlands CIQ) is a railway station and border checkpoint in Woodlands, Singapore. Located close to the Malaysia–Singapore border, the station is owned by Singapore's Immigration an ...
in
Singapore
Singapore (), officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. It lies about one degree of latitude () north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, borde ...
. It is called the West Coast railway line because it serves the West Coast states of
Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia ( ms, Semenanjung Malaysia; Jawi: سمننجڠ مليسيا), or the States of Malaya ( ms, Negeri-negeri Tanah Melayu; Jawi: نڬري-نڬري تانه ملايو), also known as West Malaysia or the Malaysian Peninsula, ...
.
The 1,151-kilometre line is busier than the
East Coast railway line because the West Coast railway line handles a variety of passenger train services such as the
KTM ETS
The KTM ETS (commercially known as ETS, short for 'Electric Train Service') is an inter-city rail passenger service operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) using electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains. The KTM ETS is the second electric train servic ...
services, the
KTM Intercity
KTM Intercity ( ms, KTM Antarabandar) are diesel-hauled intercity train services in Peninsular Malaysia, operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). Services operate along the East Coast Line between Tumpat and Gemas and on towards JB S ...
services, the
International Express
The ''International Express'' ( th, รถด่วนพิเศษระหว่างประเทศ; ms, Ekspres Antarbangsa) is an express train between Bangkok, Thailand and Padang Besar, Malaysia. The train formerly traveled to But ...
, the
KTM Komuter
KTM Komuter is a commuter rail system in Malaysia operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). It was introduced in 1995 to provide local rail services in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding Klang Valley suburban areas. Services were later expanded to ...
in the
Klang Valley
Klang Valley ( ms, Lembah Klang; zh, 巴生谷; ) is an urban conglomeration in Malaysia that is centered in the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and includes its adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor. It is con ...
and
Greater Penang, and freight trains. Of this total length, 759 km is double-tracked and electrified.
The major stations on the line include
KL Sentral in
Kuala Lumpur
, anthem = '' Maju dan Sejahtera''
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia
, pushpin_map_caption =
, coordinates =
, su ...
,
Butterworth Butterworth may refer to:
Places
* Butterworth (ancient township), a former township centred on Milnrow, in the then Parish of Rochdale, England, United Kingdom
* Butterworth, Eastern Cape, now also known as Gcuwa, a town located in South Africa
...
in
Butterworth, Penang
Butterworth is the largest urban town in the city of Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. It lies about east of George Town, the capital city of Penang, across the Penang Strait. , Butterworth has a total population of 107,591 residents.
Butte ...
and
JB Sentral
Johor Bahru Sentral (also known as JB Sentral) is an integrated transport hub in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Inaugurated on 21 October 2010, it replaced the closed Johor Bahru railway station located 200m south of it. As part ...
in the south in
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru (), colloquially referred to as JB, is the capital city of the state of Johor, Malaysia. It is located at the southern end of Peninsular Malaysia,along the north bank of the Straits of Johor, opposite of the city-state Singapore. T ...
.
History
The West Coast railway line was developed in stretches on June 1, 1885, with the opening of the Taiping–Port Weld Line, and 1932 when the line opened up to , thus spanning the entire west coast of Peninsular Malaysia from on the
Malaysia–Thai border to Singapore. The line began with the construction of branches linking coastal ports with inland tin mining areas before they were gradually linked up by the main truck line running through the interior of the West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.
The latest new lines to be built were the branch lines to
West Port,
North Port,
Tanjung Pelepas
The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP, UN/Locode: MYTPP) is a container port located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru District, Johor, Malaysia, and is part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, which holds a minority share in the joint ventur ...
,
Pasir Gudang
Pasir Gudang is a city in Johor Bahru District, Johor, Malaysia. The main industries are transportation and logistics, shipbuilding, petrochemicals and other heavy industries, and oil palm storage and distribution, which is located in Johor Port ...
and the
North Butterworth Container Terminal
North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.
Etymology
The word ''north'' is ...
. The trunk line had also seen sections becoming disused, abandoned or even removed, with the latest being the closure and subsequent removal of the southernmost stretch of track between the
Woodlands Train Checkpoint
Woodlands Train Checkpoint (abbreviated as WTCP, also known as Woodlands CIQ) is a railway station and border checkpoint in Woodlands, Singapore. Located close to the Malaysia–Singapore border, the station is owned by Singapore's Immigration an ...
and in 2011.
Services
The West Coast railway line is served by a variety of train services:
*
**' between
Tumpat and
JB Sentral
Johor Bahru Sentral (also known as JB Sentral) is an integrated transport hub in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Inaugurated on 21 October 2010, it replaced the closed Johor Bahru railway station located 200m south of it. As part ...
.
***
The route between Gemas and JB Sentral is part of the West Coast Line while the route between Gemas and Tumpat is on the East Coast Line)
**' between
Gemas
Gemas (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Gomeh'') is a small town and a mukim in Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, near the Negeri Sembilan-Johor state border. It is situated 101 km northeast of Seremban, the state capital city, and 30 km no ...
and
JB Sentral
Johor Bahru Sentral (also known as JB Sentral) is an integrated transport hub in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Inaugurated on 21 October 2010, it replaced the closed Johor Bahru railway station located 200m south of it. As part ...
.
**' between
JB Sentral
Johor Bahru Sentral (also known as JB Sentral) is an integrated transport hub in Bukit Chagar, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Inaugurated on 21 October 2010, it replaced the closed Johor Bahru railway station located 200m south of it. As part ...
and
Woodlands Train Checkpoint
Woodlands Train Checkpoint (abbreviated as WTCP, also known as Woodlands CIQ) is a railway station and border checkpoint in Woodlands, Singapore. Located close to the Malaysia–Singapore border, the station is owned by Singapore's Immigration an ...
*
**' (express service that only stops at a few major stations, one of 6 coaches upgraded to business class with free wifi, charging sockets, on board dining & single seats)
***Between
KL Sentral and
Padang Besar
***Between
KL Sentral and
Butterworth Butterworth may refer to:
Places
* Butterworth (ancient township), a former township centred on Milnrow, in the then Parish of Rochdale, England, United Kingdom
* Butterworth, Eastern Cape, now also known as Gcuwa, a town located in South Africa
...
**' (stops at all major stations a few minor stations)
***Between
KL Sentral and
Ipoh
, image_map =
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, pushpin_map = #Malaysia#Asia#Earth
, pushpin_mapsize = 275px
, pushpin_map_caption = Ipoh in Malaysia
, coordinates ...
***Between
Gemas
Gemas (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Gomeh'') is a small town and a mukim in Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, near the Negeri Sembilan-Johor state border. It is situated 101 km northeast of Seremban, the state capital city, and 30 km no ...
and
Padang Besar
***Between
Gemas
Gemas (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Gomeh'') is a small town and a mukim in Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, near the Negeri Sembilan-Johor state border. It is situated 101 km northeast of Seremban, the state capital city, and 30 km no ...
and
Butterworth Butterworth may refer to:
Places
* Butterworth (ancient township), a former township centred on Milnrow, in the then Parish of Rochdale, England, United Kingdom
* Butterworth, Eastern Cape, now also known as Gcuwa, a town located in South Africa
...
**' (stops at all stations)
***Between
KL Sentral and
Ipoh
, image_map =
, map_caption = Location of Ipoh in Perak
, pushpin_map = #Malaysia#Asia#Earth
, pushpin_mapsize = 275px
, pushpin_map_caption = Ipoh in Malaysia
, coordinates ...
*
** ' between
Batu Caves
Batu Caves ( ta, பத்து மலை : Pathumalai) is a mogote (a type of karst landform) that has a series of caves and cave temples in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Malay word ''batu'', meaning 'rock'. The hill ...
and
Pulau Sebang/Tampin.
** ' between
Tanjung Malim
Tanjung Malim, or Tanjong Malim, is a town in Muallim District, Perak, Malaysia. It is approximately north of Kuala Lumpur and 120 km south of Ipoh via the North–South Expressway. It lies on the Perak-Selangor state border, with Sun ...
and
Port Klang
Port Klang ( ms, Pelabuhan Klang) is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Known during colonial times as Port Swettenham ( ms, Pelabuhan Swettenham) but renamed Port Klang in July 1972, it is the largest port in the country. It is l ...
.
** ' between
KL Sentral and
Terminal Skypark.
** ' between
Butterworth Butterworth may refer to:
Places
* Butterworth (ancient township), a former township centred on Milnrow, in the then Parish of Rochdale, England, United Kingdom
* Butterworth, Eastern Cape, now also known as Gcuwa, a town located in South Africa
...
and
Padang Rengas
Padang Rengas ( Jawi: ڤادڠ رڠاس; ) is a small town in Kuala Kangsar District, Perak, Malaysia.
It has a police station, railway station, rural health centre, market and Schools ~ SJK(C) Khiu Min, SK Tun Dr. Ismail, SK Perempuan & SMK T ...
.
** ' between
Padang Besar and
Butterworth Butterworth may refer to:
Places
* Butterworth (ancient township), a former township centred on Milnrow, in the then Parish of Rochdale, England, United Kingdom
* Butterworth, Eastern Cape, now also known as Gcuwa, a town located in South Africa
...
.
*
International Express
The ''International Express'' ( th, รถด่วนพิเศษระหว่างประเทศ; ms, Ekspres Antarbangsa) is an express train between Bangkok, Thailand and Padang Besar, Malaysia. The train formerly traveled to But ...
between
Padang Besar and
Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station
Projects
Gemas–Johor Bahru electrification and double-tracking
After many years of announcements about the intention to upgrade the final stretch of single track of the West Coast Line, the Government began the public display exercise for the Gemas–Johor Bahru electrification and double-tracking project on 27 October 2015. The public display exercise, required for all development of new railways under Section 84 of Malaysia's Land Public Transport Act 2010, ran until 27 January 2016. Chinese company
China Railway Construction Company
China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (abbreviated CRCC) is a listed construction enterprise based in Beijing, China, that was the second largest construction and engineering company in the world by revenue in 2014.
The limited compan ...
(CRCC) has been awarded to build the Gemas–Johor Bahru electrification and double-tracking project.
The length of the line to be electrified and double-tracked is 197 km between Chainage 563.040 at
Gemas
Gemas (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Gomeh'') is a small town and a mukim in Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, near the Negeri Sembilan-Johor state border. It is situated 101 km northeast of Seremban, the state capital city, and 30 km no ...
to Chainage 754.180 at
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru (), colloquially referred to as JB, is the capital city of the state of Johor, Malaysia. It is located at the southern end of Peninsular Malaysia,along the north bank of the Straits of Johor, opposite of the city-state Singapore. T ...
. The project includes the construction of 11 stations at , , , , , , , , , and , and 3 future stations at , and . The upgraded line is supposed to cater for at least 22 services daily involving
KTM ETS
The KTM ETS (commercially known as ETS, short for 'Electric Train Service') is an inter-city rail passenger service operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) using electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains. The KTM ETS is the second electric train servic ...
,
KTM Intercity
KTM Intercity ( ms, KTM Antarabandar) are diesel-hauled intercity train services in Peninsular Malaysia, operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). Services operate along the East Coast Line between Tumpat and Gemas and on towards JB S ...
and shuttle train services. Electrification for the stretch will have the same specifications as that of the Seremban-Gemas stretch, name at 25 kV AC 50 Hz single phase and supplied via an overhead catenary. Train operations for this stretch will be integrated with the Train Control Centres at KL Sentral and Gemas. The design speed for the tracks is 160 km/h.
Construction began in 2016 and is expected to be completed by October 2022.
Klang Valley Double Track Project
The project was implemented by
Keretapi Tanah Melayu
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) (Jawi: كريتاڤي تانه ملايو برحد) or Malayan Railways Limited is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. The railway system dates back to the British colonial era, when it was firs ...
began in 2016 and phase 1 is expected to be completed by 2021. The project entails the rehabilitation of 42 km of tracks between and as well as and Simpang Batu. This will focus on enhancing 16 stations along these routes and upgrade the existing signalling and electrification system. This will be reduced to just seven-and-a-half minutes once the KVDT is completed.
The 42km rehabilitation under Phase I, which are:
*Phase 1A (Rawang – Simpang Batu)
*Phase 1B (Kuala Lumpur – Simpang Bangsar)
*Phase 2 (Simpang Batu – Kuala Lumpur)
*Phase 3 (Sentul – Simpang Batu)
*Phase 4 (Simpang Bangsar – Salak Selatan)
Phase II is from Simpang Bangsar - Pelabuhan Klang and Salak Selatan - Seremban.
Line network
Main trunk line
![ETS main trunk line](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/ETS_main_trunk_line.jpg)
The West Coast main trunk line stretches from
Padang Besar on the
Malaysia-Thailand border to
Woodlands Train Checkpoint
Woodlands Train Checkpoint (abbreviated as WTCP, also known as Woodlands CIQ) is a railway station and border checkpoint in Woodlands, Singapore. Located close to the Malaysia–Singapore border, the station is owned by Singapore's Immigration an ...
in Singapore.
The main trunk line is double-tracked and
electrified
Electrification is the process of powering by electricity and, in many contexts, the introduction of such power by changing over from an earlier power source.
The broad meaning of the term, such as in the history of technology, economic history ...
from Padang Besar to
Gemas
Gemas (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Gomeh'') is a small town and a mukim in Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, near the Negeri Sembilan-Johor state border. It is situated 101 km northeast of Seremban, the state capital city, and 30 km no ...
. From Gemas to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint, the line is single-tracked and not electrified. Loops at stations allow trains to pass. Double tracking and electrification works are currently being carried out.
The West Coast railway line connects with the State Railway of Thailand at Padang Besar, while the East Coast line branches off at
Gemas
Gemas (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Gomeh'') is a small town and a mukim in Tampin District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, near the Negeri Sembilan-Johor state border. It is situated 101 km northeast of Seremban, the state capital city, and 30 km no ...
.
Branch lines
The West Coast railway line includes several branch lines from the main trunk line, namely:
*Bukit Mertajam Junction to
Butterworth Butterworth may refer to:
Places
* Butterworth (ancient township), a former township centred on Milnrow, in the then Parish of Rochdale, England, United Kingdom
* Butterworth, Eastern Cape, now also known as Gcuwa, a town located in South Africa
...
*Batu Junction to
Batu Caves
Batu Caves ( ta, பத்து மலை : Pathumalai) is a mogote (a type of karst landform) that has a series of caves and cave temples in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Malay word ''batu'', meaning 'rock'. The hill ...
*Port Klang/Bangsar Junction to
Port Klang
Port Klang ( ms, Pelabuhan Klang) is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Known during colonial times as Port Swettenham ( ms, Pelabuhan Swettenham) but renamed Port Klang in July 1972, it is the largest port in the country. It is l ...
and
Westport, with further branch lines:
**
Subang Jaya
Subang Jaya is a city in Petaling District, Selangor, Malaysia. It comprises the southern third district of Petaling. It consists of the neighbourhoods from SS12 to SS19, UEP Subang Jaya (USJ), Putra Heights, Batu Tiga as well as PJS7, PJS9 ...
to
Terminal Skypark at the
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (Subang) Airport
**
Port Klang
Port Klang ( ms, Pelabuhan Klang) is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Known during colonial times as Port Swettenham ( ms, Pelabuhan Swettenham) but renamed Port Klang in July 1972, it is the largest port in the country. It is l ...
to Northport
**Pulau Indah to various Wesport shipping terminals
*Skudai Junction to the
Port of Tanjung Pelepas
The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP, UN/Locode: MYTPP) is a container port located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru District, Johor, Malaysia, and is part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, which holds a minority share in the joint ventur ...
*
Kempas Baru
Kempas is a suburb in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. The Kempas Medical Centre is located in Kempas.
Transportation
The suburb is accessible by Causeway Link route 112 from Johor Bahru Sentral railway station
Johor Bahru Sentral (also known a ...
to
Pasir Gudang
Pasir Gudang is a city in Johor Bahru District, Johor, Malaysia. The main industries are transportation and logistics, shipbuilding, petrochemicals and other heavy industries, and oil palm storage and distribution, which is located in Johor Port ...
The Bukit Mertajam Junction to
Butterworth Butterworth may refer to:
Places
* Butterworth (ancient township), a former township centred on Milnrow, in the then Parish of Rochdale, England, United Kingdom
* Butterworth, Eastern Cape, now also known as Gcuwa, a town located in South Africa
...
, Batu Junction to
Batu Caves
Batu Caves ( ta, பத்து மலை : Pathumalai) is a mogote (a type of karst landform) that has a series of caves and cave temples in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Malay word ''batu'', meaning 'rock'. The hill ...
, Port Klang Junction to
Port Klang
Port Klang ( ms, Pelabuhan Klang) is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Known during colonial times as Port Swettenham ( ms, Pelabuhan Swettenham) but renamed Port Klang in July 1972, it is the largest port in the country. It is l ...
station, as well as the branch lines to
Terminal Skypark and Northport are double tracked and electrified.
The line from
Port Klang
Port Klang ( ms, Pelabuhan Klang) is a town and the main gateway by sea into Malaysia. Known during colonial times as Port Swettenham ( ms, Pelabuhan Swettenham) but renamed Port Klang in July 1972, it is the largest port in the country. It is l ...
to Westport and its shipping terminals, as well as the branch lines between Skudai Junction and the
Port of Tanjung Pelepas
The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP, UN/Locode: MYTPP) is a container port located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru District, Johor, Malaysia, and is part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, which holds a minority share in the joint ventur ...
and the
Kempas Baru
Kempas is a suburb in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. The Kempas Medical Centre is located in Kempas.
Transportation
The suburb is accessible by Causeway Link route 112 from Johor Bahru Sentral railway station
Johor Bahru Sentral (also known a ...
and
Pasir Gudang
Pasir Gudang is a city in Johor Bahru District, Johor, Malaysia. The main industries are transportation and logistics, shipbuilding, petrochemicals and other heavy industries, and oil palm storage and distribution, which is located in Johor Port ...
are single lines and not electrified.
There are also branch lines where the tracks exist but are not used for any service or closed are:
*Between
Tapah Road
Tapah Road (pop. ~7,000) is a small town in Batang Padang District, Perak, Malaysia. The population consists of 40% Muslim Malays, 30% Chinese, 20% Indians and a few indigenous.
History
Tapah Road was of greater importance in early to mid-20th ...
and
Teluk Intan
Teluk Intan is a town in Hilir Perak District, Perak, Malaysia. It is the district capital and largest town in Hilir Perak district and fourth largest town in the state of Perak with an estimated population of around 172,505, more than half of ...
(abandoned and not connected to the main line)
*Between
Seremban
Seremban (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Soghomban'', ''Somban''; Jawi: ) is a city in the Seremban District and the capital of the state of Negeri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia. The city's administration is run by the Seremban City Council. Sere ...
and
Port Dickson
Port Dickson (Negeri Sembilan Malay: ''Podeksen'', Jawi: ) is a beach resort in Port Dickson District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. It is the second largest urban area in Negeri Sembilan after Seremban, its state capital. The town's adminis ...
None of these disused branch lines are double tracked nor electrified.
Stations
Main Trunk Line
Batu Junction–Batu Caves Branch Line
Port Klang Junction–Port Klang Branch Line
Bukit Mertajam Junction–Butterworth Branch Line
References
{{coord missing, Malaysia
Railway lines in Malaysia
Metre gauge railways in Malaysia
Railway lines opened in 1885
1885 establishments in British Malaya