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Stamps to commemorate reopening of Bukit Timah Railway Station

Commemorative stamps to mark the reopening of the Bukit Timah Railway Station along the Rail Corridor. (PHOTO: SingPost)
Commemorative stamps to mark the reopening of Bukit Timah Railway Station along the Rail Corridor. (PHOTO: SingPost)

SINGAPORE — On the same day when the historic Bukit Timah Railway Station reopened after restoration, SingPost has released a set of stamps featuring different landmarks of the Rail Corridor.

The postal service provider said in a media release on Friday (1 July) that the stamps feature recognisable sights along the 24km-long Rail Corridor such as the restored railway station, Bukit Timah Truss Bridge, Nine-Mile Platform, Railway Staff Quarters as well as the Quarry Bridge. They also feature flora and fauna that visitors may find along the nature track.

The Rail Corridor used to be part of the railway line in Singapore, which was first opened in 1903 and extended to Malaysia when the Causeway was built in 1923. It continued to connect downtown Singapore to Malaysia until 30 June 2011, when the last train departed from Tanjong Pagar Railway Station.

Nowadays, the corridor has become a rustic recreational space for residents to experience nature and heritage.

The restored Bukit Timah Railway Station. (PHOTO: Urban Redevelopment Authority)
The restored Bukit Timah Railway Station. (PHOTO: Urban Redevelopment Authority)

Two conserved buildings, new amenities and gardens

The 4.3-hectare community node around the restored Bukit Timah Railway Station comprises two conserved buildings—the railway station and railway staff quarters—as well as the surrounding compound with newly-added amenities, gardens and lawns.

Visitors will see restored elements such as track switching levers, ticketing booth, and a replica of a signals diagram that former station masters used to control rail traffic. A cafe will also be opened in early July at the former staff housing block.

Two new gardens have been built in the compound: the Kampung Garden which features ornamental shrubs and flowers iconic to Singapore’s 1960s landscape, and the Herb and Spice Garden which showcases plants commonly used for home-cooked dishes.

Friday's reopening of the Bukit Timah Railway Station was officiated by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, who lauded the Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Parks Board for working extensively to enhance the Rail Corridor into a place for all to enjoy.

He also announced that the next extension of the Rail Corridor between Hillview and Kranji will be open by the end of this year. By 2023, there will be new access paths, shelters and restrooms along the trail.

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