Glory of KL Railway Station

The Kuala Lumpur railway station building may be a shadow of its former glory but it is as majestic as ever from the outside. But when you step into the heritage walkway, things have been toned down a great deal. Ever since, KL Sentral took over its role as the main railway hub, the frenzy around the old pride has been stripped away.
Each time I happen to be there to send off my mother to Ipoh via railway transit, a surge of nostalgic memories comes gushing into my mind. The KL Train Station opened with much pomp and circumstance in 1911 to receive trains from Butterworth and Singapore. This wonderful confection of turrets and towers looks particularly impressive amid the blue sky. The soaring domes and arches were skillfully restored in the 1980s, to preserve heritage and serve as historical mileage. But the replacement of new hub by the new KL Sentral station in 2001, brought the glory of old station to a fading one. Today the platforms are only used for KTM Komuter trains to the suburbs. Although it's looking a bit disheveled these days, it's still worth coming here to imagine the glory days. There is something about this place that makes us feel heavenly sitting in the one of the oldest building in Malaysia.
My parents recall many fond memories of the station. “Every day, the platforms would be filled with working people, especially government servants, because they got vouchers to travel by train. According to them, the train fares then were affordable and everybody enjoyed that train ride.
Fortnight ago, I went to pick my aunt from KL station; I decided to venture around while waiting for her arrival. Inside the main building is a mini-museum featuring train models and other railway paraphernalia. There were one or two stalls selling snacks, newspapers, magazines, etc. It’s worthwhile exploring the whole place as it brings nostalgic memories looking at the black and white photographs depicting the heydays of railway station. All I wished for was to see the train station revived to restore its glory as it was built by the ancestors during British Empire.
The once upon a time glorifying station packed with people sharing the same platform to bid farewell or wish safe journey to their families, relatives and friends or meeting them on their arrivals. The station was filled with myriad emotions; tears, laughter, joy, and frenzied atmosphere packaged with whistles of the station master and blaring honk of the diesel-fired steam engines. The sight of the station master in his smart uniform was a formidable moment as he checks the final procedures before the departure of the train. Who can we forget the shiny copper bell being tolled followed by the loud whistle indicating the departure of train. The flagging off train by wave of a green flag completes the olden day procedures.




With the metamorphed railway hub in KL Sentral, the loss of charm of the old station is saddening. Gone were the days of people entering the railway platform to bid farewell. At KL Sentral, well-wishers are not allowed on the platform. The precious memories of yesteryears faded away. I wish the government will do something about bringing back the glory of old station. The station be livened up by conducting official tours, exhibitions and passing on its history and all the culture and heritage it contained to the future generations. I believe it has a huge meaning in every Malaysian life. Never forget that Malaysia’s railways are the connection between our past and our future.