Perzim Builds Locomotive Driving Simulator To Give Tourists A Rail Experience

MELAKA, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- A simulator to experience driving a locomotive will be created by the Melaka Museum Corporation (Perzim) as an interactive attraction to draw tourists who are fans of train travelling.

Perzim board chairman Datuk Zaidi Attan said it is not merely a new attraction but one which has an impact on historical values for visitors, as well as dignifying the country’s heritage in a more conducive atmosphere.

“It is one of the offerings planned when we open this locomotive simulator to visitors later to tell the current generation about the history of the train that is not only found in this country but a train that used to run in the centre of Melaka along Jalan Kubu before its rail service was abolished on 1957,” he said.

He said this after presiding at the handover ceremony for the Completion of Upgrading the Class 21-21111 Locomotive by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) to Perzim at Laman Rakyat in Banda Hilir here today.

Also present was KTMB Group chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin.

Zaidi said Perzim will hold a meeting with KTMB to discuss in more detail the simulatory experience that will be carried out in the locomotive named ‘Sungai Lukut’, which was originally handed over to Perzim on May 1, 1994 as an exhibit at the Melaka Transport Museum.

“We can expect this soon but for now, adding background scenarios of people, pictures and information about this locomotive will take a month or two, it will take some time to incorporate these elements into the simulator,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Rani Hisham admitted that more and more states and municipal councils are showing an interest in acquiring KTMB’s old diesel-powered locomotives for exhibition and conservation purposes.

“KTMB still has some old locomotives that are used for cargo and travel to the east coast and there are some that are no longer in service due to various factors and we will donate these to those who are genuinely interested, like state governments.

“Even so, not everything can be given because, for the sake of posterity, we have to keep some for KTMB itself,” he said.

He said the overhaul works for old locomotives, including those handed over to Perzim, need to match the standard of the original locomotive in terms of colour, structure and tools found in the vehicle.

“That is why we use KTMB’s staff to do the restoration but if the recipient (of the locomotive exhibition) can do it themselves, well and good but if not, we will help from a technical point of view.

“Like this 'Sungai Lukut’ restoration, 50 KTMB staff are involved from the Coach and Stoker Maintenance Department and the Royal Army Engineers Regiment team, who are Territorial Army reservists in KTMB,” he said.

-- BERNAMA