WWII-era trolley rails found near Penang's Fort Cornwallis
The discovery adds a new layer to Penang's rich historical landscape.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed the find, describing it as a major archaeological milestone. The rails, measuring over 7.4 metres in length, were found intact with their original sleepers along Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah.
Markings on the rails suggest they were manufactured in 1895, though their exact installation date remains unclear. Similar rail segments were previously discovered within Fort Cornwallis in 2017 and 2018, hinting at a railway network that once encircled the fort.
Historical records indicate these rails were likely part of a light transport system built by the British and later used by Japanese forces during WWII.
Aerial photographs from 1945 show the railway line extending around Fort Cornwallis, possibly linked to the Penang Hill Railway system of the 1930s.
Authorities, including the National Heritage Department and George Town Conservation and Development Corporation, are assessing conservation options.
One proposal involves preserving the rails in their original location as an open-air exhibit with informational displays.
Chow noted that similar wartime rail remnants overseas have been successfully showcased under protective glass covers.
The state government aims to enhance the heritage value of the North Seafront area by integrating this discovery into Penang's tourism offerings. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Laos shines as South-East Asia's top budget travel destination
A colourful street lined with traditional Lao-style buildings in Luang Prabang, a Unesco World Heritage town. – Phonepaseuth VIENTIANE: Laos has earned the top spot as the most affordable country to visit in South-East Asia, according to a recent feature in Time Out magazine. The article positions Laos as a favourite among travellers seeking cultural depth, natural beauty and warm hospitality, without the hefty price tag. The average daily cost for visitors is just £12, (US$15.97) covering accommodation, food and transport. Travel writer Lola Mendez, who has spent five years exploring the region, praised Laos for its exceptional value. From the peaceful streets of Luang Prabang to the riverside buzz of Vientiane, she found that budget-conscious travellers can enjoy a rich and rewarding experience. In key destinations such as Luang Prabang and Vientiane, hostel beds are available from just £3 a night. In Vangvieng, prices drop as low as £1.50. Street food favourites such as sticky rice and grilled pork cost around 80 pence, and a cold Beerlao can be enjoyed for under £1. Many attractions are free or inexpensive. A visit to the stunning Kuang Si Falls costs only £2.30, with the ticket including access to the Bear Rescue Centre. Travelling between major towns is equally affordable, with buses and minivans typically priced below £4.50. Travel writers also mention the Laos-China Railway, which offers a second-class ticket from Vientiane to Vangvieng for around £6. Motorbike rentals start from £4.70 per day, giving travellers the freedom to explore off the beaten track. In comparison, Time Out lists Vietnam and Cambodia as the next most affordable destinations, with average daily travel budgets of £15. Thailand and Indonesia follow, with higher average costs of £24 and £19 per day respectively. Laos' growing reputation as a travel gem has been reinforced by international recognition. The US-based CNN recently included Laos in its list of 23 best destinations to visit, while National Geographic selected the country among 25 breathtaking places to explore. British newspaper The Telegraph also ranked Laos among 20 special destinations to visit in 2023. In a separate report by the Travel and Tour World website, based on research from Canadian financial platform HelloSafe, Laos was ranked the world's most budget-friendly destination for 2025, with average daily costs estimated at just £12.30. Tourism data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism supports this growing interest. More than 1.2 million international visitors arrived in Laos during the first three months of this year, up 11 percent compared to the same period in 2024. This generated over US$426 million in revenue. Domestic tourism also surged, with more than 1.4 million Lao travellers recorded in the same period, an increase of 98.6 percent, bringing in over US$237 million. As the world discovers Laos, its charm, affordability and authentic experiences are proving more appealing than ever for travellers near and far. - Vientiane Times/ANN
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
3rd LD Writethru: Britain's Birmingham Airport runway temporarily closed following aircraft incident
LONDON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Birmingham Airport confirmed on Wednesday that its runway has been temporarily closed following an aircraft incident. According to airport police, one person sustained minor injuries. The emergency involved a small aircraft that carried out an emergency landing at approximately 1:40 p.m. local time. Woodgate Aviation, owner of the plane, said in a statement that one of its Beechcraft fixed-wing aircraft had developed landing gear problems on the journey from Birmingham to Belfast. "The aircraft returned to Birmingham and made an emergency landing and the main under-carriage collapsed on touch down," the company said. The airport said that passengers already on site will continue to receive updates, while those scheduled to travel later in the day are advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said in a statement that it is investigating the incident at Birmingham Airport. This incident comes on the heels of widespread flight disruptions across major British airports last week, which brought air traffic to a standstill. Birmingham Airport is the seventh-largest airport in Britain, having handled approximately 11.5 million passengers in 2023, according to figures published on its official website.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Penang wants study on cable car link between Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay
pix by MIKAIL ONG GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has asked Hartasuma Sdn Bhd (Hartasuma) to conduct a feasibility study for a cable car project linking the Penang Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay here. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this would provide another transport link between both landmarks in the state. "Penang Botanic Gardens and Gurney Bay are about 2.5km from each other. We want to see if it is feasible to have a cable car connection. "This will be a seamless one," he told newsmen here today. Chow said Hartasuma, which is undertaking the Penang Hill cable car project, was not the intended concessionaire for this new proposed link. "We just ask them to conduct a study and we will take it from there," he added. Chow said this after witnessing the signing ceremony for the financing facility of the Penang Hill cable car project between Hartasuma and Bank Penbangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB). The RM374.5 million facility represents a major step forward as the project moves towards full-scale construction. In April last year, Hartasuma, a leading pioneer in the local rail industry with almost 30 years' experience, had entered into a contract with Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, a global market leader in ropeway engineering, for the much-anticipated Penang Hill cable car project. The project was awarded to Hartasuma through a public-private partnership contract announced on Dec 14, 2022. Doppelmayr was chosen to provide the cable car system. In June last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the Penang Hill cable car project, marking a milestone in the state's efforts to enhance the state's tourism infrastructure by improving connectivity and accessibility to the tourist site, and transforming it into a must-visit historic landmark.
