Bus Stops as Heritage and Historical Markers?

The other day I was out exploring during lunch-hour when I saw this near the junction of Kampong Bahru and Lower Delta Road. Assuming "Mque" is the short-form of "Mosque", I looked around the bus-stop for this "Radin Mas Mosque". Not a mosque was in sight from my position. While I am not Muslim, I can identify with this cruel joke played on me, at this time of the day, on a Friday. The nearest mosques are Masjid Al-Amin 800m away to the northwest and Masjid Temenggong 800m to the south.

Read more »

Our Prime Minister Lee, Singapore's Chief Railway Fan

Source: MAS

The end of KTM railway operations between Tanjong Pagar and Woodlands and the consequent return of railway land to the state triggered an outpouring of memories and lamentations from the public, of the once active railway line and stations. The last few weeks stretching into July marked the largest photography documentation of the rail corridor, including Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Timah Stations. Suddenly everyone becomes a rail fan, in one way or another. Interestingly if there is such a title as "Chief Rail Fan", much like the scouting movement has a Chief Scout, then one person would be most deserving of this label. Do you know who is he?

Read more »

A Heritage Planted by Lee Kuan Yew Outside the Railway Station

While the enlightened prime ministers of Singapore and Malaysia are credited with moving bilateral relations forward with the return of railway land to Singapore, we must not forget the genesis of the land exchange started with our Former Primer Minister Lee Kuan Yew. I was acutely reminded of this today while walking along Spottiswoode Park Road back to Si Pai Por, after checking out the former railway station.

Read more »

The Two Ends of the Rail Corridor

Before Singapore removes the tracks and other ancillary structures and hands them over to Malaysia, the public would have a chance to trek along the railway from 1 to 17 July. From 17 to 31 July, the stretch from Rifle Range Road to Rail Mall would continue to be accessible. In 108 years of Singapore railway history, this is the first time the tracks are accessible to public with absolutely zero danger from incoming trains and did I say we need not worry about trespassing?

Read more »

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station Shuts Its Gates After 79 Years

All good things must come to an end. After the station sent off her last train on 30 June and the crowd dispersed, albeit reluctantly, the government machinery moved in, stealthily, while the whole world was asleep and did the inevitable. When Peter Chan, guest blogger on GMY visited the station on the morning of July 1, the deed was done ... with surprising efficiency.

Read more »