Update: 21 Feb 2010:The Penang Hill Railway existing funicular train makes its final run on the 87-year-old track. After today, the system will stop for a RM63 million upgrading project. The upgrading of the Penang Hill Railway will take seven months. When completed, the new trains will take visitors up Penang Hill non stop, unlike the present system where visitors have to change trains at the middle station.
According to Dr Ng Yen Yen, the Tourism Minister, the coaches will be air-conditioned and will have a glass roof to allow better viewing of the surrounding scenery. According to Lim Hock Seng, the Penang Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman, the new system will join the two tracks into one, and a new passing loop will be built some 100 meters above the present middle station. The train will still be able to stop at the substations such as Claremont, Viaduct and Moniot Road.
The new system will have two coaches each capable of taking 100 passengers. The projected hourly capacity will be 1000 compared to 250 passengers with the old system. Journey time will be 10 minutes rather than 30 minutes on the old system.
About the Penang Hill Railway
Penang Hill Railway is a funicular train that goes from Air Itam to Penang Hill. The idea of a railway line up Penang Hill was put forth as early as 1897, before motor vehicle was even introduced to Penang Island. It was built by the British between 1906 and 1923 at a cost of 1.5 million Straits Dollars, so that the British officers can journey up the hill for convalescence or simply to relax and enjoy the cooler air. The funicular railway was only open to the public on 21 October 1923. The 2007 meter (1 mile 435 yard) journey is the most convenient way up Penang.
A journey up the hill takes about half an hour, and requires changing trains at mid station. This is due to the difference in steepness. The lower section, which is 907 meters in length, has a steepness of 50.5% while the higher section, with a distance of 1313 meters, has a steepness of 51.3%. The system operates on a single track with passing loop, with two carriages one going up while the other coming down. There they meet, the track forks into two to accommodate the two carriages.
In 1923, a new railway track was built to replace the one from 1906. With it, a "new" station was also built. The original carriages which date from 1923 were replaced with newer ones in 1977. One of these carriages is now displayed at the Penang State Museum.
Past Updates
I am writing this article in September 2008, at a time when the Penang Hill Railway was not running. It broke down in June 2008, and until today, it has still not been fixed due to several issues, not least of which, the reluctance of the federal government to release funds for the repair.
17 December, 2009: The railway is running again, but not for long. The government will be upgrading it to make the ride smoother and faster. Hence, the railway will be closed from 22 February 2010 to 30 October 2010.
The following are the sights near the Railway Station at the foot of Penang Hill:
Jade Emperor's Pavilion: Temple to one of the most important deity in the Taoist pantheon. From the Penang Hill Railway Station, walk down Jalan Bukit Bendera until you see a lane with an arch on the left. That's the arch for the temple. Enter through the arch, and follow the road uphill to the Jade Emperor's Pavilion.
Bat Cave Temple: A unique Tua Pek Kong Temple built into a cave and inhabited by bats. The route there is almost the same as to the Jade Emperor's Pavilion. From the Penang Hill Railway Station, walk down Jalan Bukit Bendera until you see a lane with an arch on the left. That's the arch for the Jade Emperor's Pavilion. Enter through the arch, and follow the road uphill. Before arriving at the Jade Emperor's Pavilion, you will see a junction to the right. Turn right and follow that lane. It leads to the Bat Cave Temple
The following are sights near the Railway Station at the top of Penang Hill:
Bel Retiro: The most prestigious property on Penang Hill
The Great Wall: Hill retreat on Penang Hill built by Khoo Sian Ewe
Visiting Penang
If you're planning a trip to Penang, please go through the information I have assembled in Penang Travel Tips. You'd find there information covering all aspect about Penang, including accommodation, transport, food, shopping, places of interest and more. Everything you need to know Penang is right there at your finger tips!
Before booking a hotel room, make sure you are getting the lowest price for it. Different hotel booking websites offers the same room at different prices. If you stick with one site all the time, you could be paying more for the same room. Now why pay more?
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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms.
