"I have not, the slightest doubt, that, for centuries, this Singapore terminal station will stand here as one of the most nodal points in the whole world's scheme of communications.' (1)
~ Sir Cecil Clementi, Governor of Singapore
Confident words by Sir Clementi. The Train Station is no longer in use, but now stands as an important historical building that in the past, help build up the economy of Singapore.
The Tanjong Pagar Train Station or what was listed in railway records as "Bukit Timah to Tanjong Pagar Deviation and New Terminal Station, Singapore' was officially opened by Sir Cecil Clementi on May 2, 1932. (2)
Over the years, the Train station witnessed the Japanese Occupation and their surrender. A Japanese officer committed suicide at the train station when Japan lost the war (4) ; the merger and separation of Singapore with Malaya, and finally, Singapore's own independence. As Singapore started to grow and prosper, the need of land became more critical.
Singapore and Malaysia started discussing about land swap which include the handing over of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station since 1990. But disagreements on how both countries interpreted the Points of Agreement ensured that the land-swap was only agreed upon in 2010. The last train rolled out of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station on July 1, 2011 and the building has been shuttered ever since, except on public holidays where the Singapore Land Authorities will throw open the gates to the public. (3)
Here're pictures that I have taken on the Good Friday holiday.
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| The sheltered platform where passengers waited for their train |
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| A track that will no longer see any trains |
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| Original Hydraulic buffers made in 1930 |
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| The external building reminding us of British buildings one would see in UK |
1. "A Fine Engineering Achievement." May 3, 1932. The Straits Times. P12
2. Opening of Singapore's New Station. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884-1942). May 3, 1932. P7.
3. Witnessing History Depart. July 11, 2011. The Straits Times. http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/witnessing-history-depart-20110711 Accessed on: April 4, 2015.
4. I saw Japanese soldiers torturing people in S'pore. July 14, 2013. New Straits Times. http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130714-437043.html Accessed on April 5, 2015.
Witnessing history depart
Witnessing history depart
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