A funicular train going up to the top of Penang Hill.
Tag: train
The Penang Hill Railway Journey
Breathtaking views from the inside of the funicular train while traveling along the railway up to the top of Penang Hill. The new train now takes less than 30 minutes to reach the top station of the hill, and unlike the old train, it no longer stops at the middle station.
The Hill Railway
During the journey up to the top of Penang Hill, one will be able to spot the former red funicular train parked along the hill’s railway.
Up to the Penang Hill
The new Penang Hill funicular train. It now takes less than 15 minutes to reach the top from the base of the hill.
Penang Isle: Penang Hill
Penang Hill (or Bukit Bendera in Malay) is a hilltop area comprising a group of peaks and is located approximately 6 kilometres from the city centre of George Town. It stands out prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area.
The most convenient way up to Penang Hill is by means of the Penang Hill Railway, a funicular railway from Ayer Itam district to the top of hill. Construction of the railway took place between 1906 to 1923, at a cost of 1.5 million Straits dollars. The railway was opened to the public on October 21, 1923. The 2,007 m (1 mile 435 yard) journey takes about half an hour and the train may stop at intermediate stations upon request.
In 2010, the hill railway service was upgraded and the old funicular trains were replaced by newer ones, which are air-conditioned as well as carrying heavier load. The new train is faster and does not stop halfway at the middle station of the hill (unlike the old one). The ride up to the top of the hill will take around 15 minutes.
For Malaysians, the fare for a return (round trip) ticket is RM8 per adult and RM4 per child aged between three and 12. For foreign tourists, the return fare would be RM30 for adults and RM15 for children aged seven to 12.
The old funicular train
The new train as shown above
