World War II-Era Goods Trolley Rails Discovered Near Penang's Fort Cornwallis

GEORGE TOWN, July 8 (Bernama) -- A pair of goods trolley rails, believed to be remnants of a wagon transport system from the World War II era, were discovered buried beneath a road adjacent to Fort Cornwallis here on June 26.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the discovery marks a significant archaeological milestone for the state and added a new dimension to Fort Cornwallis and its surrounding area.

"The rails were found during pedestrian walkway and landscaping upgrade works carried out by the project team along Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, near the northwestern wall of the historic fort.

"The over 7.4-metre-long rail tracks were found intact with their original sleepers, serving as a significant physical testimony to the historical military logistics infrastructure in the heart of George Town's heritage zone," he told a press conference during a visit to the site today.

He added that markings on the rails indicate they were manufactured in 1895, but the exact year they were installed at the site remains unverified and that this is also not the first time such rail segments have been discovered in the area.

Chow said similar rail segments were uncovered within Fort Cornwallis itself in 2017 and 2018 and that it is believed that a railway line once circled the fort, extending an estimated 4 to 5 kilometres.

He added that the rails were likely part of a light transportation system built by the British and possibly used actively by the Japanese military during the war to transport ammunition, food, and fuel from the port to storage depots around the Esplanade and Fort Cornwallis.

"Based on aerial photographs from the War Office taken in 1945, the railway line is shown encircling Fort Cornwallis, and there is a possibility that it was part of a rail system also used by the Penang Hill Railway around the 1930s.

"Further studies are underway to confirm the complete historical background of the railway line, which is believed to have served as a vital logistical artery for the port", he said, adding that the discovery has already been documented.

He noted that the find has drawn the attention of the National Heritage Department (JWN), the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC), the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), and the state government, which have conducted a joint assessment visit to determine the best approach to conservation.

Chow said several proposals are under consideration, including creating an open-air exhibit where the rails would be preserved in their original location, complete with information boards and landscaping elements to provide an educational experience, especially for foreign tourists.

He said preserving the goods trolley rails not only holds the potential to become a significant historical and tourist attraction but could also play a major role in enhancing the heritage value of the North Seafront area as a key historic site in Penang.

"Based on previous overseas visits, we found that many countries have successfully showcased wartime rail remnants in creative ways by keeping them in situ and protected with glass covers so the public can view them.

"Following the joint site visit with JWN, the state government and agencies involved have agreed to preserve the rails as part of a public open-air exhibit, although further discussions will be held before final decisions are made," he said.

-- BERNAMA