Imagine freight trains rumbling along this track. This is the Old Jurong railway. It once connected Bukit Timah to Jurong’s industrial heart. Let’s step back in time.
The Jurong railway line was a vital artery. It transported goods to and from Jurong’s factories. The line stretched 19 km from Bukit Timah to Shipyard Road. That’s near Jurong Island today. The Jurong railway opened in 1965. It aimed to boost Jurong’s industrial estate.
Raw materials from Malaysia flowed into Jurong. Finished products journeyed out. Trains passed warehouses and refineries. They reached Jurong’s western coast. The line had a 14 km main section. Three branch lines served different parts of Jurong.
The railway’s story began in the early 1960s. Singapore needed a way to link Jurong to Malaya. The Economic Development Board provided a loan. Construction started in 1963. The Malayan Railway handled track laying. The Jurong railway line was completed in 1965. It cost $5 million.
The railway line included tunnels, bridges, and culverts. One tunnel still exists under Clementi Road. Bridges remain over Sungei Ulu Pandan and Sunset Way. Nature has reclaimed much of the old track. Vegetation now thrives where trains once ran.
The Jurong railway’s success was limited. Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1965. The line’s freight volume decreased. The Jurong railway line closed in the mid-1990s. Other transportation methods became more efficient.
Today, the Old Jurong railway is a memory. But it is a reminder of Singapore’s industrial past. Parts of the Jurong railway line remain. These remnants attract explorers. Nature lovers also visit the Old Jurong railway. The National Parks Board plans to create a nature trail. It will open progressively from end-2026. This trail will preserve this piece of history. It allows future generations to explore the Old Jurong railway.
The Jurong railway carried cargo from Malaysia. It ended at Jurong’s ports. Today, you can still see short cast iron bridges. One stands over Sunset Way. Another almost 10m tall crosses Sungei Ulu Pandan. These bridges connect the Jurong railway line to Teban Garden.
The tracks are rusted now. Wooden sleepers are rotten. But maintenance has been carried out for safety. These remnants offer a glimpse into the past. They tell the story of Jurong’s industrial rise. The Old Jurong railway is a hidden gem. It is a testament to Singapore’s progress.