Everything About The Opening of the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail

Hidden paths are like Easter Eggs in games. They are widely known but still considered ‘hidden‘ because the authorities did not address them publicly.

However, here in Singapore, it is only a matter of time before these secret routes are blocked off or get transformed into an official path. This time, it’s the latter.

Everything About The Opening of the Old Jurong Line Nature Trail

The previously abandoned Jurong Railway has been transformed into the new Old Jurong Line Nature Trail.

The 4km long Old Jurong Line Nature Trail also runs through parts of Clementi Forest. Just be sure not to be there when the sun goes down. Especially during the Hungry Ghost Month.

The Old Jurong Line Nature Trail will be connected to the New Jurong Town Hall Road and Clementi Nature Trail. The 7km route includes a 3km long Jurong Town Hall Park Connector. as well, and it will also connect to the Rail Corridor and Jurong Lake Gardens.

The trail will also be part of the longest cross-island trail, the Coast-to-Coast Southern Trail. This trail will be completed progressively from 2024.

The newly open Old Jurong Line Nature Trail not only allows you to experience mother nature but it brings you memories from the past as well.

You see, there’s a reason why this particular trail is named Old Jurong Line Nature Trail although it is new.

Jurong Railway Line

The Old Jurong Line Nature Trail was named after the abandoned Jurong Railway Line that was used to transport goods between Singapore and Malaysia in the early 1960s.

The railway line was created as part of the S$45 million industrial plan for Singapore in 1960. It was run by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), a Malaysian rail operator.

Constructions started in 1963 after Singapore’s Economic Development Board provided the Malayan Railway with a loan of nearly S$6 million. The loan was repaid with the basis of tonnage moved over the Jurong railway line.

After two years, the 19km railway line was opened in November 1965. The railway line ran through Sunset Way estate and ended at Shipyard Road.

After years of being in service, the Jurong Railway Line was discontinued in 1992 due to the rise of trucks.

Did trucks overtake Singapore in the 1990s? 

Not exactly, but it was a more efficient and convenient way of transporting goods as compared to the train.

In 1993, the Jurong Railway station was demolished and the railway tracks have been abandoned ever since.

If you’re still thinking about my previous statement of why you should not wander into such trails in the dark during the seventh month, watch this video to the end to learn more things you should not do this month:

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Featured Image: Facebook (NParks)