History

Imagine a railway built entirely from wood, decades before this station building even existed.

The very first railway in Malaya was laid down right here in Johor in 1869, so early that the line was nicknamed the Wooden Railway, or the Smoke Train, because the rails themselves were made of timber rather than steel. By the time this particular station building was completed in 1930, it represented a far more permanent version of something that had started out held together with wood and steam.

Today it stands as the oldest railway station still standing in Johor Bahru.

Why It Matters

Step outside, and you will find retired train cars parked exactly where they once carried passengers and cargo.

The station has since been preserved and converted, with old train cars from its working era on display for visitors to explore.

It is a rare chance to see, up close, how people and goods moved through Johor a century before highways took over that job.

Travel Tips 

• Accessible by bus from JOTIC. Check the route link for the fastest option. 

• The retired train cars outside are the highlight. Budget extra time to walk around and photograph them properly. 

• Good stop for train and transport enthusiasts, or anyone wanting a break from the mosque and street-heritage stops with something more industrial. 

• Confirm current opening access before heading out, as heritage sites like this can have limited or seasonal hours.

💡 Did You Know? 

• This building holds a specific title, it's recognised as the first railway museum in Malaysia.

• It replaced an earlier wooden-built train station on the same site that had already been running since 1917, so there was a working station here well before this one was constructed.