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| Tanjong Pagar Railway Station |
On 1 July 2011, the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will become history. I understand that the building has been here for the last 79 years. It has seen Singapore through the colonial days to the days when we were a part of Malaysia and then independence.
It was not a building I frequented. In fact, I had only been there three times to catch a train. Once when I as probably about 10 years of age on a day trip to Kluang, another when I was in my early teens (11 or 12 years) on a holiday to Fraeser's Hill and the third when I was about 17, also on a holiday to Fraeser's Hill. They were all family holidays with my parents.
I recall 2 things vividly about the train ride then - the toilet was a hole in the floor and you could see the track beneath you when you had to "go". The other thing was the hypnotic rhythm the wheels made as they rolled over tracks. There was something soothing about it.
Although it was more than 30 years since my last trip on this train, I felt a call to visit the station one last time. I cannot explain why this is. Perhaps it is because of the countless times I have driven past the building and used it as a landmark, hence I feel a sense of indebtedness.
I made that last trip to Tanjong Pagar Station on 25 June 2011, armed with my camera. It was truly nostalgic. Some parts of the station did not seem to have changed in the last 30 years ! It is, in my opinion, a charming building and I hope it does not get reincarnated as another characterless office building or condominium.
After 79 years, its time had come. Once a significant station of Malayan Railway linking Singapore's harbour with the Western Malaysian states, it has since lost its relevance.
These are some photographs I took. Enjoy :)
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| Stately European Styled Clock |
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| Main Hall of the Station |
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| Ticket Office |
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| Train pulling into the station |
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| Interesting Lamp |
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| When was the last time you saw this at a car park? |
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| Wrought iron fence surrounding building |
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| The Circle of Life |
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| Hibiscus, Malaysia's National Flower |
