Half-Day North Borneo Railway Train Ride

Half-Day North Borneo Railway Train Ride

Ride away on a Vulcan Steam Engine through scenic countryside. The North Borneo Railway gives the experience of the bygone era of British North Borneo in a fully refurbished deluxe carriages. The train journey passes by the backyards of local homes surrounded by small orchards, skirting pass mangroves, through the Pengalat tunnel before ending at the town of Papar where you can visit the nearby local market. A tiffin box lunch and hotel transfer is included.

Meet at the hotel lobby for your transfer to the Tg. Aru Train Station. Upon arrival, you will need to register to obtain your train passport and enjoy photo shooting opportunities of the old Vulcan steam engine head.  The engine head was first used when the railway tracks were first laid in 1896 as a means to transport natural resources grown by young planters and plantation owners who had bought vast pieces of land in the interior. Rubber, tobacco, sugar, tapioca, soya beans, pineapple and rice were some of the produce that was hauled to the Port of Jesselton to export. Today, you can ride as a passenger on board the North Borneo Railway in fully refurbished deluxe carriages.

At 10am, the train departs passing Putatan town and the Lok Kawi Army Camp before making a brief 15 minutes stop at the village of Kinarut. Here, soak up the ambience of the old traditional shops or enjoy a short walk to the nearby Tien Nam Shi temple.  

The train continues for another hour skirting pass mangroves, through the Pengalat tunnel, crossing a river before finally ending in the town of Papar. Visit the local market as you learn more about the people through their produce and mingling with them.   

On your return trip back to Tg. Aru Train Station, enjoy a tiffin box lunch, a remnant of Colonial custom as you take pleasure in the rustic surroundings.