Singapore Railways
Pictures from the early years (1880-1940)
The following pictures are mainly from postcards produced in the early 1900's and any dates are approximate. Since most of the pictures are of, or at, the Tank Road terminus there is a separate page for these. The first picture shows a steam tram running along Tanjong Pagar Road from the docks, probably along the line which operated between the city and Kranji between 1885 and 1894. As yet I have found no further information on this line, however I do have information on the tram locomotives and this can be found here. The system was electrified and expanded before finally closing around 1930.
Above: A train crossing Orchard Road railway bridge, probably shortly after the line opened. The view appears to be looking west so the train would be approaching the Tank Road terminus and the Cold Storage would have been on the extreme right. I cannot identify the building visible on the right - was it converted for the Cold Storage in 1917?
Below: Another postcard picture, this time of Newton station, and obviously taken before 18th September 1919. The locomotives in this and the previous picture both appear to be A class 4-4-0T's supplied by Hunslet.
Above: The postcard says Bukit Timah station but it looks nothing like the present building or location so I suspect this one was somewhere to the north of the present location which I believe is on the "new deviation" built in 1932.
Below: This could be almost anywhere on the line, but probably approaching a station as I doubt there was any double track anywhere else on the line. The locomotive is again probably an A class 4-4-0T. These may have been the only locomotives on the line until the causeway opened in 1923.
Above: the title to this picture is "Johore causeway" - I suspect these are contractors tanks engaged in construction works for the causeway.
Above: A view of Woodlands station taken about 1910. The loco is an A or B class 4-4-0T.
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Last updated 19th December 2004.
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