Sabah's Tanjung Aru-Beaufort Train Ride Truly Tourism-worthy

By Lucia Terey Anak John

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Going on beautiful train journeys offering stunning scenery is any traveller’s desire. Photos of rail routes like the Kandy–Ella line in Sri Lanka, which is famed for its sweeping views of tea plantations and mist-covered mountains, often go viral on social media.

Malaysians too can enjoy a remarkably similar experience — in Sabah through its classic railway service, the only one of its kind still operating on the island of Borneo.

With fares as low as RM4.80, unchanged since 1989, the Tanjung Aru–Beaufort line, served by a century-old train, offers views of rustic villages, tropical rainforests, winding rivers and traditional settlements.

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Bernama recently had the chance to experience this unique journey while covering the 17th Sabah state election.

Passengers begin gathering as early as 6 am at the Tanjung Aru station in Kota Kinabalu, even though the train only departs at 7.45 am. Tickets are still sold manually and only at the counter, which opens at 7 am.

Covering a distance of about 105 kilometres to Beaufort, the train passes seven major stations in Putatan, Kinarut, Kawang, Papar, Kimanis, Bongawan and Membakut, before arriving at the main destination (Beaufort) at about 10 am, depending on the weather and operations.

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Over the more than two-hour-long journey, passengers are treated to views of Sabah’s traditional villages, padi fields and palm oil estates as well as mangroves, winding rivers and gentle hills that create a serene, calming atmosphere.

Adding to its charm is how well the train has retained its classic features despite several rounds of repair work. The carriages still use a combination of metal and wood and have large windows that can be fully opened, and old front-facing seats that offer unobstructed views.

But what truly captures attention is the familiar rhythmic ringing of the classic metal bell — ting, ting, ting — followed by the loud diesel locomotive horn each time the train approaches a station or crossing, evoking nostalgia from the era of British colonial rule.

According to the Sabah State Railway Department website, the service was first developed in 1896 under the British North Borneo Chartered Company, beginning with a 37-kilometre route from Bukau to Weston. It later expanded into a 134-kilometre network spanning 14 stations from Tanjung Aru to Tenom.

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Originally, the railway was built to transport rubber and tobacco from the interior to the port in Kota Kinabalu (then Jesselton) for export. It later became an essential mode of transport for delivering daily necessities to residents in Tenom and Beaufort.

Today, the rail service plays a bigger role — it is not only a mode of transport for the local communities but also a heritage tourism attraction that introduces younger generations to the history and significance of the state’s oldest transportation system.

Student Muhammad Fairul Yahya, 19, said although the train journey takes longer than travelling by road, the experience offered is far more meaningful.

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“It’s really enjoyable. Even though it’s slow, you can appreciate the beauty of nature from your seat, so you don’t feel bored at all,” he told Bernama.

Ameera Natieesyah Md Yussof, 23, believes the classic train service should be upgraded for greater comfort, given its huge potential as a heritage tourism product.

“This train carries sentimental value as Sabah’s oldest mode of transport. The ticket price is low, but the experience is priceless and something both locals and tourists should have,” she said.

-- BERNAMA