Great Malaysian Railway Journeys
TELUK INTAN (TELUK ANSON)

b&w postcard of steam engine at Telok Anson

I wrote these Great Malaysian Railway Journey pages during the period 2014-2017. They used to be hosted on a separate Weebly website but, since mid 2026, Weebly is no longer available for customers in Malaysia so I am transferring the content here. Some of the information may be outdated and of historical interest only.

THE STATION

The 30km branch line from Tapah Road to Teluk Intan (formerly Teluk Anson or Telok Anson) closed down in 1989 due to a decline in traffic. It opened in 1893. At that time it was one of several unconnected sections of the Perak Government Railway. Tapah Road was connected to Ipoh in 1895 and eventually linked to the Selangor State Railway in 1902 after both railways became part of the FMSR.

The tracks were dismantled and removed by the Japanese during WWII but restored again by December 1946.

The railway line has a couple of claims to fame. It was the location of the first train crash in Malaya which occurred in July 1888 at Sungai Kerawai Halt. On another occasion, in 1894, a train was charged and derailed by a wild elephant, seemingly in retaliation for the train killing her calf in an earlier incident. There used to be a sign on the edge of Teluk Intan commemorating the spot where the elephant's brave sacrifice took place. A bone of the elephant was on display at the KTM Mini Museum at KL Railway Station - not sure where it is now after the museum closed.

sign marking spot where an elephant derailed a train

Teluk Intan railway station is now used as a driving school. There does not appear to be any signage or tracks remaining in town but small stretches of railway track have survived near Chikus.

The platform and tracks were on this side of the station.The platform and tracks were on this side of the station.
Entrance to the former Teluk Intan railway station (now a driving school).Entrance to the former Teluk Intan railway station (now a driving school).

WHAT TO SEE IN TELUK INTAN

There is quite a lot to see in Teluk Intan for lovers of old buildings.I have written about the main attractions here.

Here are a few additional pictures of Teluk Intan.

a 1945 map of Teluk AnsonPart of a 1945 map of Teluk Anson showing the location of the railway station and engine sheds.
former engine shed?This government office and canteen looks like it might have been an engine shed.
coach stationThe Lower Perak Motor Service Co. Berhad sounds like a name from a bygone age. This coach station has a bay marked Singapore.
traditional shophousesThere are plenty of traditional shophouses in Teluk Intan.
a row of shophousesA fine example of a row of shophouses.
prawn statuesRiverfood and seafood are popular dishes in Teluk Intan's 'Lobster Square'.
Glutton SquareBig appetites can be satisfied at Glutton Square.
leaning clock towerThe market and covered food stalls are overlooked by the Leaning Clock Tower, Teluk Intan's most famous attraction.

I have written more about the Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan here.

Return to Tapah Road

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AUTHOR BIO

the author

David (the one on the left) is the writer behind Malaysia Traveller, sharing first-hand travel advice from over five decades of living and travelling across Asia and the Middle East. Based in Malaysia since 2009 and now in Kuching, he has published over 790 pages on this website, personally visited every place he covers, and uses only his own photos. Readers can learn more on his About Me page. He also shares updates on Facebook and YouTube. He loves uncovering overlooked places that even some Malaysians have never visited.