Turning the pages of history back by 120 years, we arrive at the introduction of the Singapore-Kranji railway. This well-engineered masterpiece, a critical mode of trade transportation betweenSingapore and Malaysia, however, began trundling to a halt when certain segments were shuttered in the 1990s. The curtain finally descended on its operations with the last train journey in 2011. Although steam-powered locomotives no longer surge down its tracks, the railway has been ingeniously reincarnated as an exciting bike and footpath.
Renamed as The Rail Corridor, this revived bike trail stretches from Spooner Rd to the Kranji MRT station in the North, traversing a mere 15-min bike ride from Downtown Singapore. Cyclists and hikers can commence their journey conveniently from Spooner Rd or catch the MRT to Outram Park and access one of the Hello Ride bikes, easily unlockable via an app. The reimagined path pays respectful tribute to its rail heritage while offering a green haven for Singapore’s vibrant wildlife.
The redesign of The Rail Corridor has not just involved the planting of a few trees. The team has meticulously lined the trail with lush clusters of native plants, the same ones that luxuriantly flourished during the railway’s prime days. I notice charming clusters of yellow hibiscus and aromatic white jasmine, endearing local flora from the early 20th century. The restoration project oversaw the planting of over 52,000 shrubs and trees, lending untamed, verdurous aesthetics to the trail in places and providing the ideal backdrop for a nature-takes-over-the-city Hollywood flick.
Imprinted on this trail are testaments to the grand engineering marvel that the railway was. The Bukit Timah Railway Station, built in 1932 and restored in 2022, stands as a tangible symbol of this historical grandeur. Complete with track-switching levers and a minuscule ticket window, this piece of history was even a disembarkment point for racehorses being transported to the proximate Turf Club in the mid-1900s.
The Rail Corridor is not just a manifestation of incredible engineering, but a testament to Singapore’s reverence for its natural environment. The trail, both wild and urban in parts, links various nature reserves and parks, punctuated with stunning botanical surprises. For example, sightings of a visitor as elusive as the great slaty woodpecker in the Singapore Botanic Gardens were enough to make a groom abandon his wedding altar momentarily to catch a glimpse of the rare bird.
While pedaling the full stretch isn’t an impossible feat, succulence and sustenance are a stone’s throw away. Many scrumptious pit stops, like the Alexandra Village Food Centre in Bukit Merah Lane, dot the route; helping cyclists and hikers refuel with delicious street food.
The Rail Corridor is worth more than just a footnote in the annals of Singapore’s journey. It symbolizes the extraordinary marriage of history, biodiversity and recreational inclusion. As a cyclist, it offers a secure haven, further enriched by Singapore’s prudently laid-out and well-maintained cycle paths. Hotels have now started providing complimentary bike rentals, with the Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen standing out for its fleet of comfortable Bamboo Bicycles. But remember to be vigilant, while on the trail, keep an eye out for a fleeting pangolin – they trot the trail too!
