Let’s take a 15km along another instant of the Singapore Rail Corridor, Tanjong Pagar and Ayer Rajah edition. Our route today traces Singapore former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway line that once connected Tanjong Pagar to Malaysia. Specifically, this section of the Rail Corridor begins near the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and runs northwest past Ayer Rajah, through Alexandra Hospital, Portsdown, Commonwealth and ending in the Biopolis Buona Vista district.
History of the KTM railway and Rail Corridor (Ayer Rajah Section)
The last time we did a Rail Corridor run was along the Diary Farm road area. This southern stretch is unique in its own way and history. This other route runs along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) area is a unique urban green corridor that preserves a slice of Singapore’s colonial and industrial past. On some history, originally constructed in the early 20th century. The railway played a vital role in transporting goods and passengers between Singapore and the Malay Peninsula. The line officially ceased operations on 1 July 2011 after a historic land swop agreement between Singapore and Malaysia.
Also, following the KTM railway decommissioning, conservation and enhancement works were undertaken to turn this 24-kilometre corridor into a continuous green connector. The southern segment retains much of the old railway infrastructure. This includes truss bridges and underpasses, now repurposed for recreational and heritage purposes.
This rail corridor in a nutshell, a 15km flat route
For today’s 15km run, we start off from Bukit Merah Henderson road towards Tanjong Pagar, U-turning at the old Tanjong Pagar railway station and carrying on to the Buona Vista and Ghim Moh estate area and back to where we started.
Moreover, you could alternatively start from the eastern end where the old Tanjong Pagar railway station is, running past this Bukit Merah Central starting point towards Buona Vista, and back, totaling a shorter 12.5km.
Starting from Bukit Merah Central
For the Bukit Merah 15km route, you can access our start area at the Rail Corridor via a staircase from Henderson 211. It leads you right to the Rail Corridor path. From here, heading east bound brings you towards Tanjong Pagar, while West takes you to the Bunoa vista MRT/Star vista area.
Heading east bound brings you along Jalan Bukit Merah and along the AYE highway. The route markers here count down from 2.5km towards 0km marker at the old Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. Also, it is not long where you pass under the CTE fly over and the Avenue South Residence nearby.
Despite the proximity to the buzzing highway and the continuous droning sounds of nearby traffic, there is still a good enough green spaces allowing for some refuge with nature with chirping crickets in the background. It does provide a green refuge from the urban concrete jungle.
Railway landmarks
Here, you can find landmarks such as the old railway staff quarters at the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. Also, the railway station area is closed off, owning to both conservation works as well as a large construction site for underground rail works blocking off access to the last mile.
Notably, the station was built in 1932, this iconic station served as the southern terminus for KTM trains. Its grand neoclassical façade and Art Deco interior made it a symbol of colonial prestige. The building is a conserved national monument and serves as a cultural heritage site marking Singapore’s rail history.
Nearing the Tanjong Pagar station, you can find old rail landmarks such as the Old KTM Signal Box building. This concrete structure used to house railway support facilities and does feel out of place by the rail path now.
Long shaded forested paths
U-turning from the Tanjong Pagar 0km marker and retracing back the route is a pretty long straight. This runs along both the AYE and Jalan Bukit Merah passing by a light industrial area at Jln Kilang Barat and some car workshops at Alexandra village. The path here is surprisingly well-shaded and provides for an option to run even under the mid-day sun.
straights good for speed work
Also, being a past railroad route, the path is surprisingly flat and level. These straights along the AYE highway makes it ideal for speed work as well as distance. Though you need to take caution of potholes and uneven surfaces.
Thankfully there are ongoing works here by NParks to level the ground as well as fill the potholes. However, do not expect any slopes or inclines here to do any hill work.
The long straight runs from Bukit Merah central all the way towards Alexandra village end, where the pyramid-topped AIA insurance office building sits. Also, this point of interest is located next to the AIA building. It is near the Alexandra village which you might remember where we had dinner at KEK restaurant’s Wok in Burger we dined in quite some number of years back.
From here, you pass under the Gilman flyover. The Gilman Flyover is located near Gillman Barracks, providing vehicle access to Alexandra road towards Hort park, another point of interest along the Southern Ridges PCN we previously visited.
Also, the Gilman flyover here is notably unusually narrow, with additional rows of concrete supports using constructions methods of an era bygone. Notably, the route here is often packed with runners and commuter cyclists in the morning and evenings. But are usually quiet mid in the afternoons.
Warwick Road Colonial Landmarks
The route carries on running along Alexandra hospital and passing by rows of black and white colonial houses. These are the Warwick Road Colonial Houses, a restful estate and a pretty nice and quiet spot to pass by along your route.
Notably, these black-and-white colonial homes were built in the 1930s for British military officers. Their unique design blends tropical adaptability with European aesthetics. Today, they house expatriates and remain a part of Singapore’s architectural heritage.
Notably, the old Colbar Hainanese restaurant used to reside in this area. This is before they were relocated further inland due to a flyover construction for this One-North area. Colbar historically used to serve British military personnel living in the area.
Also, the Alexandra Hospital here was colonial hospital which opened in 1938, this historic hospital served British military personnel. It was the site of tragic events during World War II. Today, it is a public hospital integrating nature into healthcare and remains a conserved heritage structure.
It is not long till you come across a route detour, courtesy of a massive Queensway Canopy HDB BTO construction site along Commonwealth drive. Also, the lack of trees here by the Queens Canopy construction site makes for this stretch being of the dustier and hot sunny spots along the route.
Following this is your first rest and waterpoint of the route. This is courtesy of a nearby mosque called Masjid Hang Jebat, Water for All it says. More on places of worship along the route later in this article.
Cool Bridges and Underpasses
It is not long before when you reach the Portsdown Road Flyover. Moreover, this flyover and Rail Corridor Underpass at Portsdown Avenue is a highlight and one of the more spectacular points of interests on our running route.
The underpass is sparse, spanning the width of three lanes. Notably, this large flyover connects two major roads- Queensway and Portsdown way. The bridge is a restored rail underpass integrated with greenery and serves as a key pedestrian link along the trail. These bridges and crossings are functional while preserving the historic rail alignment.
Also, the elevated path was constructed over the former old railway tracks. The flyover connects One-North to Alexandra and is adjacent to historic black-and-white bungalows in the area. The Queensway road crossing of this flyover connects to the Queen’s close estate where you can find metal swings and a seating area under the flyover. Still, the underpass here is yet surprisingly quiet for such a large flyover with high traffic on the top.
Places of worship along the way
Moving on our run, you pass by several interesting religious landmarks and points of interest along the way in the Commonwealth area, first off with the Masjid Hang Jebat. This small mosque along the corridor is named after the Malay warrior Hang Jebat. Serving the Muslim community in the area since the 1950s, it remains an important cultural and religious site. Water for all and is the only water drinking point through our route. It’s a regular water fountain, and do not expect chilled water here.
Following on, this is where the path starts to get messy with several HDB BTO constructions sides making for detours along the route here. The route carries on along the old Tanglin Halt estate before passing by another large sunny clearing.
Not long is the Sri Muneeswaran Temple and Blessed Sacrament Church. The Indian temple was founded in 1932, the temple is dedicated to the deity Muneeswaran and serves the Tamil Hindu community. Located close to Tanglin Halt, it has expanded over the decades into a large, active religious site. Moreover, the Church with its iconic sloping roof was designed by architect Y. G. Dowsett, this Catholic church was completed in 1963. Its dramatic roof structure resembling a tent pays homage to nomadic spirituality and remains a prominent architectural landmark in Queenstown.
Commonwealth Green and Biopolis
Furthermore, the Rail Corridor route continues towards the old Commonwealth Green Estate. These rustic old blocks of flats were part of the early public housing schemes under the Singapore Improvement Trust and later HDB. Notably, the estate near Tanglin Halt saw the evolution of housing from low-rise blocks to modern developments.
Also, it is interesting to see how the old railroad route passes by closely by the Tanglin Halt residential estates and tight clearances under bridges. For the record, you can find the Historical marker 29 of the former Malayan railways here. It is situated just off the running path inside the residential estate.
From here, we lead on to the last 1km stretch of our onward route covering 10km so far. Here, you pass by another BTO construction project at Commonwealth Drive before hitting a small shaded wooded forest clearing alongside Biopolis Link.
It is not long where you reach the One North and Buona Vista area, flanked by tall modern glass-clad buildings such as the P&G, Metropolis and Elementum office buildings. Your crossing under the North Buona Vista Flyover welcomes you into the Buona vista commercial area such as the Biopolis and The Metropolis area.
Developed in the early 2000s, Biopolis and The Metropolis are research and commercial hubs supporting Singapore’s biomedical and tech sectors. The site is located adjacent to the Rail Corridor, where we are now. These precincts showcase modern urban planning alongside heritage preservation.
U-turn at Buona Vista and Ghim Moh district
Moreover, the railway spaces between the Biopolis and The Metropolis buildings had been converted into a small park and playground. This while retaining railway elements such as signages and distance markers. The park runs under the nearby Buona Vista MRT viaduct tracks.
This park area is where our Western-most U-turn point is about 300m just after the Commonwealth Ave west flyover at the Ghim Moh green estate area. From here, you can choose to carry on northbound towards the Ghim Moh/Holland/Bukit Timah part of the Rail Corridor. Also, this U-turn point is near the Holland village food center where we had claypot previously. Also, this area serves as potential rest spots with food and toilet amenities for your return journey. Thereafter, you will make the remainder 5km back to where we started at Bukit Merah, totaling about 15km in all.
Interestingly, this Buona Vista area is also the spot near the Sunset way and Ulu Pandan park connector we covered previously, which offers better scenic views. The views along this part of the rail connector is not as scenic in comparison, but still has a charm on its own, passing by several interesting points of interests which makes up part of the old Singapore-Malaysian rail road infrastructure.
All in all, that wraps up the coverage of our rail corridor Ayer Rajah edition, starting from Tanjong Pagar station 0km marker end. I be planning to cover more parts of the rail corridor part-by-part, given its length to fit in my 10km runs. This rail route, with its natural landscapes, diverse flora, and preserved built heritage, offers a unique mix of history and biodiversity within a fast-developing urban corridor. Definitely an interesting route to spice up your regular runs around Singapore.
