First time meeting Nickgoh, Train Camps, and Joyrides!

It was a memorable train camp two Saturdays ago! We've met some new members who're joining our train camp, as well as some random visit from others. First, I'd like to welcome Nickgoh, who'll be joining us in our train camps regularly (although not as regularly as we do)! Secondly, I'd like to thank Chao An and Liheng for joining us! Finally, I'd like to thank Matthew for joining us from his joyride!

The following week is a slightly more interesting one. There was a slight track fault at Jurong East station which causes a nice sound effect. The best part was that the TO of 099/100 waved at us while we're filming! It was a pretty rare occasion for a staff member to do that!

SMRT C151 Set 099/100 arriving Jurong East (Southbound)

After that me, Zhihao and Youyuan went to the National Library to look at more interesting books about buses and trains. Of course, the main purpose for me to go there is to do book reviews, and I really did one anyway.

The next day I met Nickgoh again (finally). We joyrided Alstom trains and visited one of Nickgoh's favourite station, Stadium station! It's a pretty fun experienced and we finally managed to communicate with each other without any shyness. That was a milestone in our relationship!

From left: Lam Zhihao, Nickgoh (Nicholas Goh)

Train Camp [14/8/10], YOG Opening Ceremony, Joyride with ZhiHao

Train camp took place as per usual. Nothing really special took place, just that I caught last trains again, but this time with You Yuan. We split after our after-train-camp-joyride and I moved over with ZhiHao to Esplanade to meet Joel. It quite tough to access the Merlion due to road blocks and stuff. At least we managed to get there on time... :D

Anyway I managed to film the YOG flame being lit (accidentally) but I didn't upload that clip since it's quite blur. After that I split from Joel to meet You Yuan once again at Tanah Merah. Was nearly late due to the service diversions (and me losing my way). Managed to board the last connecting train to Changi Airport anyway.

I barely managed to catch the last CGL train. Then we proceeded onto Dhoby Ghaut to camp trains for fun. After awhile we made our way to City Hall and caught the last southbound train to Raffles Place.

Last CGL Train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaIlO08V-hQ
Last Southbound Train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG-0hwatUX0

We rushed up to catch the last eastbound and the last northbound trains before we missed them. It was just around 10 minutes before they arrived.

Last Eastbound and Last Northbound Train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpa4lfOwZdU

Last Northbound Train [RFP → CTH]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjN8c4cvUNo
Last Eastbound Train [RFP → CTH]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-_Bu4J1hLY

Note: Last EB Train from RFP to CTH was by ongyouyuan1907. ;)


I reached home at 2 AM in the end and slept at 3.45 AM.

Next day, I joyrided with ZhiHao on the BPLRT and filmed some random KTM videos. Not a very nice one so I think one or two paragraphs should be enough.

I asked him to do me a favour - with a promise of adding 10 piaks* if he fails to do so. He kept failing and failing until around 7 PM. I was very very fed-up and got really upset and shouted him and piak-ed* him 10 times despite his retaliation and added 10 piaks* for every second he retaliates. I didn't talk to him for the rest of the day due to this.

Well, it's Saturday, time for another train outing! This time, we've got a new member - Nicholas Goh! Stay tuned for my next blog post!

* Piak = Smack

Last Train, National Day Special 2010, SBS8000Z Debut, KTM, NDP 2010 Train Outing, and Train Camps!

A weekend filled with excitement!


Friday night, I went with Shaun to catch last train since he's attending some event in Republic Polytechnic anyway. I left the house abit too late (at around 9 PM) and went for bus 858. In the end I chose 969 since it's easier to catch the train via 969 at Tampines instead of spotting CGL trains at Changi Airport station via 858 which takes 40+30 mins to reach, compared to just 30 mins with 969.

He nearly missed the train as he left RP late too. :P He ran and jaywalked his way to Woodlands station and boarded the train, which turns out to be 045/046. Videos are taken, so you can just visit my channel to view them.

The next day I went for train camp as per usual, with some new faces. I was late for 1 hour and 10 minutes (oops) and it turned out that I wasn't the latest anyway. Zhihao was slightly later than me and Wenjie's even later (he caught YOG buses). After that we went Joo Koon and then the Skytrain at Changi Airport. This time it's with Youyuan and Zhihao (normally after TC I'll be with Wenjie), when we went back via CGL → EWL → CCL → NSL since both of them wanted those NDP collar pins, which were apparently out of stock. What a waste to visit. :P

The next day I went with Zhihao to film some clips for my National Day Special 2010. After that we went to catch SBS8000Z, it's first day of service on 185. Quite a nice trip though. The bus was very KUB-like in the interior. The acceleration is like when you're in a private coach. In the end I reached home at 9 PM+...

9th August arrived! Went to watch the NDP fireworks. Before that Shaun, Joey and I went to catch SBS8000Z. This time, it's special. The BC was pretty kind and offered a trip into the bus park in Buona Vista Bus Terminal. He even changed the route info of the EDS so that we could take photos! How nice. :)

For both days (8th and 9th August), I caught the KTM 26up Senandung Timuran -- before and after the Sunlong ride respectively. Those were pretty random.

Finally, we had our dinner in a Burger King. The place was quite crowded and we're in a hurry so that we could take the pledge in time at our respective venues -- me and Shaun in Promenade/Esplanade station, and others, at Marina Barrage. We failed to obtain permission to film that occasion, therefore we went for the fireworks instead at Esplanade - Theatres at the Bay.

For some reasons, the others went to The Helix (via Taxi) to film. Quite random though, but was a pretty nice visit. Shaun was so upset about the traffic management when on our way there and gave tons of complains. Hehe...

After which, a marching parade went pass The Helix, when we proceeded to film. Everyone was expecting SMRT/SBS Transit/LTA to be in, but apparently they weren't! Sigh...

There's a planned EMTC, which was then converted to EMJR, the next day. I didn't attend due to fatigue (look at the paragraphs above) from those train outings! Nothing special happened anyway so I didn't really miss anything.

On 14th August, there'll be a train service extension due to YOG opening ceremony. I'll be catching last trains on that day with You Yuan. Stay tuned for videos!

JEMP Visit, Sentosa Visits, Train Camp, and YouTube 'Life in a Day'!

Yes, I forgot to post last week, so I'm cramming everything into here.

Last Saturday, Shaun and I managed to visit the Jurong East Modification Project construction site. Well, not only that, we also got into the construction office in Boon Lay. The same office was used for BLE too, which is already opened on 28th February 2009.

We also learnt that:

• Jurong East MRT Station will be closed for 2 weekends for point construction
• Shuttle bus services will be utilised to ferry passengers along the affected stretch
• The new platforms will be opened by March 2011 latest

Pretty cool isn't it? Looking forward to the opening. :)

Later in the day, we went to try out the Cable Car which was renovated recently with new cabins. It's alot more better, but the bad thing is that the glass cabins are no longer available. There is still one cabin with glass bottom though, but we won't one to ride it, and I guess you won't too. It's the VIP cabin, which costs $888 to ride on. It's air-conditioned and it has much more facilities onboard. Our ride costed $22.90 and that's for Singaporeans and Singapore PRs. Wonder how much it costs for foreigners.

Also, on that visit, we didn't ride on the Sentosa Express at all. :P

Going further in time, we met up with Youyuan and Afiq at City Hall MRT Station to film YouTube's "Life in a Day". It involved interviews and some random shots of us walking around and riding on trains. Also, coincidentally, I managed to catch the last train to Toa Payoh because I stayed up until so late. :)

In the middle of the week, trains got miscoupled! Everyone went to catch for at least one pair, except for Jeremy, which, for some reason, didn't go and catch them. If you wanna know, the miscoupled trains which made an appearance are 211/227, 057/112 and 058/111. Was pretty fun though. :P

Going a week ahead, we had our train camp. It's pretty interesting although it's typical. We caught 099/100, a train which recently got modified in Bishan Depot. It's got the new features the other modified trains have, wheelchair stickers on floor, new floor texture, builder plates and refurbishment plates. We also went to Joo Koon to camp 'fresh trains' from depots.

We also spammed SGForums Trains and BVE to get our popularity up! In the end, SGForums Trains ended up in 5th position and SGForums BVE went to 14th position.

Another day ahead will bring you to today, 1st August 2010. Went with Zhihao again to Sentosa since he missed it. Unlike the other visits, we only rode buses and Sentosa Express due to rain. Wanted to take a video of the bus ride but we ran out of time. :( But I came back with Sentosa Express videos. :D

Pictures coming up, stay tuned! Next post, coming up right next week. :)