JOHOR BAHRU: Perhaps not many people know that behind the Southern Shuttle train service here, there is a Class 26 or Blue Tiger locomotive used to pull the train that was actually once driven by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim.
Locomotive numbered 26108 with the Tanjung Kupang code has a special position because it is Sultan Ibrahim’s favorite train conductor who holds a Class 26 High-Power Locomotive Driving License.
His Majesty was also recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records in 2010 as the first sultan in the country to have such a license.
It is understood that His Majesty has operated the train several times on various official trips, including in October 2017 when he drove from Kuala Lumpur to Kluang, a distance of 284 kilometres.
Sultan Ibrahim also drove the locomotive on the Johor Crown Journey to Segamat in November 2018 and from JB Sentral to Kluang in July 2020.
Not only driving, His Majesty also performed the “turntable” procedure to turn a 120-ton locomotive at Gemas Station, Negeri Sembilan before driving the train for 391.3 kilometers, over three days.
The Tanjung Kupang locomotive was an attraction for media personnel who participated in the Familiarisation Trip Shuttle Selatan involving the JB Sentral-Kulai-Kempas Baru-Pasir Gudang route from 19 to 20 July when they had the opportunity to see up close the KTMB asset that was once driven by Sultan Ibrahim.
According to a KTMB spokesperson, the locomotive is still being moved regularly to ensure that its engine and mechanical system are always in good condition.
Locomotive 26108 is usually used about three times a week for cargo operations, maintenance tests and pulling the Southern Shuttle service.
The history of the Blue Tiger in KTMB service began with the arrival of the first batch of 20 units, which were received in stages starting on 2 Oct 2003, and has since become the backbone of the company’s cargo transportation operations, with each locomotive named after a cape in Malaysia.
The Southern Shuttle, which was launched on June 16, is a government initiative to improve connectivity and mobility for the people of Johor via two main routes, namely Kulai – JB Sentral – Kulai and Kempas Baru – Pasir Gudang – Kempas Baru.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke previously said this service is expected to benefit more than two million residents in the Johor Bahru, Kulai and Pasir Gudang corridor, which is among the most dynamic economic growth areas in the country.
— BERNAMA
