Singapore's Lost Railways Hunt EP2 - The Unfinished Punggol North LRT

If you're ever at Punggol LRT station, you may notice a “longkang” in the middle of the platform, but did you know that “longkang” was supposed to be another train platform for an unfinished North Branch LRT Line? Also, why is there a track branch that goes to nowhere near the still-closed Teck Lee LRT Station?
Watch Part 2 here: • Singapore's Lost Railw...
Here's an updated version of the episode on Viddsee that acknowledges the fan-made Punggol LRT Map by @Lightforspirit www.viddsee.com/video/singapo...
Did you know that Punggol MRT station has provisions for another unfinished train line that the general public have no access to? Check out this supplementary video here • The Other Unfinished R...
Huge shoutout to @bananasolid for the awesome MRT map animations that he made for this episode!

[@engardepostsg]

*A minor clarification: Some of the comments have pointed out that the station names shown here are actually speculations and not official. We did very extensive research and the map at 1:11 was the only map we could find online with details that corroborated with our other sources, like the 1998 newspaper article and the NUS online map which showed 4 planned stations. Nevertheless, having some speculated names would have been better for the production of this episode as it would have been more straightforward to refer to the stations by their speculated names rather than by their station codes like PN1, etc., and they did provided us with placeholder names that we can use in our map animations.

[@Lightforspirit]

I was the one who drew the map many years ago. My apologies for causing you to believe it was real. I cannot for the life of me remember how I derived the names though; it has been too long.

[@engardepostsg]

@@Lightforspirit Thank you for coming forward! Although it seems more clear now that the station names were never officially announced, your map has made our production so much easier, we couldn't imagine producing this with us referring to the stations by their codes, it would have been so awkward! Perhaps we could get in touch so that we can credit you and your map in a future revision of this episode?

[@Lightforspirit]

Actually, there's a direct source from the URA on the exact locations of the four stations. if you download the KML files from data.gov.sg, you will see it overlaid on Google Earth. (Might want to tweak the colour, though) beta.data.gov.sg/datasets/1773/view beta.data.gov.sg/datasets/1774/view I am not really fussed on credit as I just wanted to draw a nice map and to improve my mapping skills. You may credit my KZbin name if you wish, but it's not necessary. Your video has been spectacularly helpful in reviving memories on the cancelled PN LRT, and hopefully the stakeholders in the government will one day explain why it was cancelled with nary an explanation.

[@lostcluster2]

@@Lightforspirit ~~~~~~~master

[@RUBK27]

How did you guys even find that out?

[@ngkirby51]

As a Punggol resident since the LRT was built, you have solved a two decade mystery that was living rent free in my mind.

[@Neltontan.visuals]

That is absolute true! I was about to comment on the same thought!

[@captainbroady]

This video is really high quality and I'm surprised you guys only have 394 subs!! You guys deserve much more support - though I know you guys just started the channel. Atb and hope to see more support coming soon (aka due to the algorithm haha) :D

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Paramount Network Harvard University

[@samuraiboi2735]

Lol 394 subs that wasthe hivhest i got for the year until i decreased to 393 subs coincidence someone mentioned 394 lol

[@fromis.9]

They post no sht though

[@huangzhongleoalexandra_ps9049]

2024 5004

[@muhdsyakiib8798]

This is really good! Liked the detailed explanation to the North Branch LRT. Really felt the Jay Foreman vibes in a Singaporean context! You should really do more of these!

[@snugglebunny5000]

Also like Jago Hazzard vibes 😁

[@markraphaeldivina]

What’s interesting to me is that Coney Island bound trains branching off before Teck Lee would skip the station and go straight to Coastline, while Punggol bound trains would merge with the West Loop and stop at Teck Lee. I wonder if there would’ve been plans for a second island platform at Teck Lee so that trains in both directions can stop there instead of only one direction for that particular service. But given the common design of LRT stations in Sengkang and Punggol, it’s less likely. Also, no wonder why Punggol has 4 lifts to the LRT; it’s to cover both sides of the station (and the road of Punggol Ctrl) and to make room for the could’ve been double island platforms. Additionally with the middle track, it would be quite troublesome to change platforms when switching between the East and West loops. Commuters would have to go down to the concourse and back up to the other island platform, or if they’re lucky to get a train at the middle platform, would have to squeeze in with other commuters boarding the North Spur train and use it as a bridge between the two island platforms.

[@sv386a]

there were plans to actually build extra platforms on Teck Lee, but sometime during the construction they decided to use the common station design for TL

[@sgpublictransport34956]

As a transport enthusiast, this is a well produced video and it s very accurate as the siding at the still closed Teck Lee LRT station is the path leading to the attempted branch line extension. CNA level.

[@PrograError]

I wonder would LTA some day do a JEMP and rework the "junction" for service reliability... the concrete track "rails" are there anyway... it seems to me the slowness at the turn could be optimised

[@sgpublictransport34956]

I agree they could have turned that space into a depot@@PrograError

[@poteyatocheapp6978]

well done, really like how its formatted like Jay Foreman's videos, super polished The names given to the Punggol North lrt stations were actually speculations

[@engardepostsg]

The station names were speculations? Wow, we didn't know that! Even after doing extensive research, this was the only map we could find that had details that corroborated with other sources, like the fact that the North Branch had 4 stations planned. But at least speculated names are better than nothing, otherwise we would have no placeholder names to put on our map animations!

[@ltankk]

​@engardepostsg yes, the names were just for fun only as the map was a fantasy map done by a transport enthusiast several years ago and it went viral, that people thought it was real. Maybe you want to add a note or something that the Punggol North LRT station names were derived from speculations/fantasy?

[@LunarTesting23]

As someone who is a transport enthusiast, I think this video is thoroughly well-edited and quite informative, it even gave me some information that I initially did not know about! Well done

[@SShiJie]

I just got recommended this either because I live in Sengkang or I'm a train enthusiast, I'm glad I clicked, I've never seen that LRT extension map before This video is high quality, editing and everything❤ Fun fact: Teck Lee has an old map of the System Map

[@VascoRoblox-yp5rw]

His fact is true because the map dates to around 2005. Correct mw if i'm wrong on the map date.

[@PrograError]

@@VascoRoblox-yp5rw it's basically the map when NEL opened so it's thereabout .... (might have the U/C CCL on it IIRC, might have been a before Nicoll Highway incident thing, that delayed the stage 1 & 2 for a while, while they reconfigure the Nicoll Highway station tunnels and figure out how to rejuggle the platform and related tunnels at Promenade (there's a reason for the sharp noises and slow trains on the curve to DBG branch and also that weird extra escalator on the side (it's the alternate platform for the planned "DTL" ) )

[@axan50transportproductions]

This is really good! I remember suggesting this idea back during the monorail video. I wasn't expecting you guys to actually make a video about Punggol North. There isn't a whole lot of information on the Internet regarding the old plans, but in my opinion, this video pretty much summarises every one needs to know about this hidden oddity in Singapore.

[@Aetolus]

I'd recommend dropping by NLB National Archives of Singapore or NLB Lee Kong Chiang Reference Library for future projects about exploring places in Singapore that are lost in time, search engine algos practically make it impossible for you to research on old subjects. Plus not every archive is accessible via normal NLB libraries, since some materials only have few copies left and are usually kept safe at their more research focused libraries. I'm a Singapore nostalgia nut and love your content, hope the algos bless you.

[@sv386a]

Amazing! As a transport analyst, i really appreciate how well this video has watered down all the technical explanations regarding PNLRT into a clear and concise video, not to mention the accurate naming of the "LRT" as an APM ( 5:22 ). I also like the creativity behind the scripting of the video! Good effor :D

[@sbs8131d]

0:52 according to map creator (the map not official), the names of north branch are randomized malay names

[@ryzalk]

This was actually really well done and informative. Very impressed and looking forward to such content from the channel, keep it up!

[@slienthumble4467]

Appreciate the content you put it out there 🙌 You deserve hella subs for the quality of production & research behind this

[@DressedRunner]

Stayed in Punggol for almost 8 years from 2011 to 2018, and never had I known about the North Branch LRT line. Great content, keep it coming!

[@clarencetang3673]

Wow this video was surprisingly informative and so well produced! Never knew about this northern branch gem.

[@gabtng]

Fantastic stuff! Production is so well done and narrated

[@solenix]

this video is super well done, very informative and i highly enjoyed every second of it! very thankful for the length of it too. keep it up!!

[@jo_ovin1482]

I really love how this is just like the unfinished london video on the northern heights but about Singapore instead! Thanks for making this video!!

[@koharumi1]

Would like to see more Singapore videos from your team. Thank you for creating these.

[@octovanfoo968]

This video is awesome! Host is great as well! Hope this channel grow more!

[@gamplie]

Love those perfectly timed clips on the train when you point at the features right when they are passing by without a break in your speech 😂

[@engardepostsg]

Those were not easy, in fact, they took more than one take, so we have to take the route several times!

[@Ghakimx]

I love how concise and well-spoken all the information was. 😊

[@KennyPolaris]

Very well produced with a lively atmosphere from this lovable host!

[@Neltontan.visuals]

Thanks for solving the mystery that ponder me whenever I took the LRT for close to two decades of staying in Punggol! This documentary is nearly as good as CNA and deserve more attention to the Punggolians!!

[@RahimRahmat]

I'm low-key impressed at both the video and the research that went behind it.....

[@uglyducklingcometh]

I just discovered this channel via this video and it's amazing high quality content! Subscribed and I look forward to more content in the future!

[@ryushinn7894]

As a resident of Punggol, I really learnt somethin new and didn't realise the abandoned track! Looks like I gotta subscribe to ya channel now as it is very underrated but the quality and content is tops!

[@durian5233]

The video quality and the detail research is impressive. Well done.

[@engardepostsg]

Thank you for your kind words! If you liked this, you can consider supporting our crowdfunding campaign to finish the final two episodes of the series here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/egpsg/singapores-lost-railways-hunt-the-ktm-railways

[@SGrailadventure2004]

A nice documentary of the 'secrets' of Punggol LRT system. Punggol West LRT is my most-used LRT of the network since it was running in a bi-directional service in 2018, and riding from Punggol to Teck Lee feels like a LRT version of TWE (Joo Koon to Tuas Crescent) and CGL (Tanah Merah to Expo) which is quite cool. Looking forward to the opening of NEL extension next year

[@garfieldandfriends1]

Punggol residents got lucky with a bigger wider platform at their main station where Sengkang residents are stuck with a badly crammed designed LRT platform at main station.

[@dfisherii]

Wow great video! Looking forward to more content from you guys!

[@eatdriveplay]

Going by the history of many provisioned stations/highways/tunnel exits… the stations might actually be built eventually when BTOs are planned for in the coming future.

[@AmanKhoo]

CNA level omg 😍! Keep up the quality work always

[@naphxing]

Apart from the Jay-Foreman-inspired style, the content and editing is amazing too. Nice work

[@mc1337]

It's good to see a video produced about the provisions on the Punggol LRT. I wasn't aware that they actually made plans for the north branch! I think it's worthwhile to research other provisions around the MRT network, like the middle platforms at Ang Mo Kio and Paya Lebar, and other non-platform provisions like station box structures at Bukit Brown & Tagore. The plans for these aren't well-known imo Great production quality as always - looking forward to see what's next in the series!

[@laujunming4152]

The spare platforms at AMK and Paya Lebar are for launching and withdrawing trains before and after the peak hours respectively. They're not intended for other lines to use

[@SGrailadventure2004]

The middle platforms at both Ang Mo Kio and Paya Lebar are somewhat acting as a 'backup' platform for the mainline, used mainly for withdrawal trains after peak hours or launch a replacement train in a event of breakdown when a train needs to be sent back for repairs

[@PrograError]

@@SGrailadventure2004 I wonder if NCH incident hasn't happened, would that platform be used for more than launching new depot trains (certainly it brings more question to the original planning for the CCL 6 and the planned service pattern...)

[@SGrailadventure2004]

@@PrograError Probably Promenade may still not be a island Platform since it's close to the DTL tunnels as the station is a interchange station

[@lzh4950]

@@SGrailadventure2004 Paya Lebar's middle platform was in regular use from when Circle Line stage 1 & 2 opened in Apr 2010 to turn-around services that were added when peak hours started, as these added services operated only along the northern 1/2 of Circle Line (CC9 Paya Lebar - CC23 one-North), where demand is higher. Once Circle Line stage 6 opened in Jan 2012 these added services were extended from CC9 Paya Lebar to CE2 Marina Bay though to ensure a min. level of service along Stage 6, & thus no longer used Paya Lebar's middle platform to turnaround (& which is accessible only from the station's northern end)

[@lolallah3311]

i wan apply BTO with this zeh zeh

[@willardofsingapore]

Looking forward to more videos~ great job!

[@90taetaeya]

Very well done n interesting! Looking forward to more vids!

[@mikaui593]

Love the video, this style of editing reminds me of Jay Foreman and his unfinished london videos.

[@Karl-going-solo]

Impressive footage and narration. I must go back to Singapore and Ride on the subway again. Only time I was there was in July 1997 when you probably weren't even born ;) Hasn't it changed so much. Cheers 🍻

[@KyrosKohKS]

Great hidden facts that the majority do not know! Great work!

[@AndrewHan8]

Well researched and well presented. I like it!

[@eatdriveplay]

It appears that the planned coastline LRT was supposed to connect with the final MRT station of the NE line. Both were provisioned for. Few know that the Punggol Coast station tunnel was already dug and sealed, awaiting for a later time to build a station box.

[@strmdominatr5887]

Nice Video, there are quite a few things I would suggest for future episodes. For example,old Nicoll Highway station, The old KTM rail track, and maybe Station NE2 and CC18

[@PrograError]

I doubt they could find much on the old NCH station... the planning material is probably sealed behind the OSA at LTA, and to "protect" the last victim of the incident. so I doubt it's even in NLB... if only Singapore have a FOIA...

[@TheDestroyer-ne1og]

NE2 was planned to be part of the 1991 transport plan but it was scrapped, CC18 wasnt open due to lack of development

[@bagirbahana9313]

this video is really well made - and also still a testament to how damn good the singapore government in finishing projects and the standard it has.

[@Hans5958]

Hyped for the next episode!

[@anders4u222]

That was really interesting.. never knew about that, thank you.

[@thelucario27]

this is such a well done video, very jay foreman vibes

[@Crushery]

5:37 "When the government builds something, you can be 95% assured that it will be built, any cancelled plans would have long been cancelled before they even started construction" Wish I could say the same about Australia. Many projects get brought up, constructed and prepared and then cancelled half-the-way (Victoria2026 Commonwealth Games)

[@joyseng]

Not bad. I get to learn more about Singapore from this video

[@SMRT-Transit]

Nice video this was well explained 👍

[@ianlim4404]

The idea of the Punggol North LRT branch is very interesting. However, Teck Lee station is still closed now.

[@900321ful]

Somebody has definitely watched Jay Foreman before. I can see the influence. Regardless, this was very well done! Very informational and I have learnt many tidbits here. Also quite humorous too. Not bad!

[@Hilltan1974]

Solid quality video. 👍🏻

[@akkay47]

Excellent video and Joyce is a great presenter!

[@jwanting6335]

Popping in to say thank you!!!

[@xRoundsx]

Love the immaculate Jay Foreman vibes!

[@novembermarimo]

Nice video! Really entertaining and educational! Follow u guys now

[@chxiang]

Agree with other commeters, this is CNA-grade channel haha! Keep it up and hope to see more quality content from this channel. I have subscribed to the channel too.

[@TakanashiRikka22]

why is the production so good but so little subs i felt like i watched a proper tv documentary

[@elliotw.888]

this is so campy, the presentation made me chuckle a little

[@tswub]

Teck Lee LRT station has Wireless@SGx wifi turned on even though it's closed lol. Meanwhile some stations like EW4/CG Tanah Merah don't even have Wireless@SGx installed yet!

[@crappieidiot]

The animations are really useful and easy to absorb! Subbed!

[@Philson]

Yo wtf is this high quality video sia.

[@catapple]

This video so good, like cna documentary

[@jmie28]

If I could speculate, I think the North branch will still be able to see the light. The Punggol Canal district has yet to be launched so there is no immediate priority to have transportation there whereas Punggol Point BTOs were launched in tandem with the announcement of Punggol Coast station.

[@kagenlim5271]

This gives me unfinished london vibes, great job!

[@LocalRapid]

Love to see where you're going with these videos, and I already know what part 2 would be 😏. Hint for the rest: It's also another LRT station, now no longer accessible. (Unless they're gonna cover the old location of Nicoll Highway station)

[@luvsYuri]

tenmilejunction

[@Qoonutz]

Good video!

[@SHZ_Tristan19]

Jay Foreman vibes 😅 . Great video though!! 👏

[@romy4201]

Should have him known he has a loyal video-producing follower now, in a good way without a doubt.😂

[@afiq980]

Great video!

[@handselhand9088]

As a person who's been to punggol LRT numerous times, i've never noticed the third so this video actually made my realise this secret, W video

[@PrograError]

well... it was sealed off pretty recently... ( IIRC they even build the barriers for it) I guess inside LTA public transport, MRT office they decided on the MRT extension around that time...

[@angelswings7024]

Nice. Great video.

[@simplewar]

good quality content

[@isaacfung622]

So cool (subscriber from 🇭🇰)😍

[@Chairrrr.]

This is basically the Singapore version of unfinished London

[@laurenspang]

i stayed in pgl for past 10 years and didnt know abt this, naise. can i recommend you to explore the Boh Sua Tian tunnel? 😁

[@Li-cc3ie]

Wow I didn’t even knew why it has a middle line but I have seen it before even tho I lived here for 21 years!

[@johndotto2773]

Geoff Marshall would highly approve this!

[@yzrocky6015]

Good news, Teck Lee station will be opening this year on August 2024!

[@nuninuninchannel]

My village is almost the same size like Singapore, and i wonder how the manage to fit everything inside this small country. Wonderful!!!! Hope i can go there.

[@QzSG]

The NEL from Serangoon to Punggol is already congested af though during peak hours, bringing more people to Punggol End is going to make peak hours even worse

[@SGrailadventure2004]

What's worse, the new district, the SIT campus and since new estates are coming up at the Punggol Point district with more residents moving in from time to time. Punggol is gonna be a true 'CBD' area of the North-East in the future

[@rohankris]

THIS IS SO COOL!!!

[@LightBluly]

I was there two weeks ago and i find it weird that an LRT station is quite big, and now i see why. I live in the west so I rarely go there. I always thought it's near the same size as BPLRT which is nowhere near as Punggol LRT

[@boonlay76]

Hope you guy can do the KTM Jurong & Sembawang line

[@arsyapermana1]

I'm not even Singaporean yet i still watch this videos till the end 😂😂

[@GraciousKnight99]

Honestly the east and west loop were confusing as myself I staying in the west for punggol I only go for meet ups with friends only

[@TheDude13438]

Is this video inspired by Jay Foreman? It's a really nice video and kinda has that Jay Foreman feeling to it :D

[@klmok5499]

4:11 Got recorded from Singapore MRT Map Expansion by bananasolid.

[@sbs8131d]

2:23 teck lee suppose to have extra platform connecting outbound north branch track to the existing track

[@PrograError]

the clearance doesn't seem like it... either way it's water under bridge... unless LTA release the old planning materials...

[@gp_n_memes]

There's a very Jay Foreman feel to this

[@angelevil1006]

I always knew that when I go to Punggol but I do know not much people know about that, I always wondered where it goes to and then when I took the Punggol West Loop, I find out the awnser and it is at Teck Lee, but unfortuatley Teck Lee is closed so I think when they open Teck Lee Station they will construct the line. That is my theory:)

[@anindrapratama]

oot but i wonder if there are remnants of Singapore's Old tram and trolleybus network, or Tank Road Railway Station?

[@theprotransportboy9000]

Where did u get the map from, or did u create it pls tell me!

[@cosmophanthom9760]

how often do you post about these kinds of topics ?

[@johnsonloh9601]

I think it's beacause Teck Lee(PW 2)is still closed and wait untill it's opened. 0:36

[@dylananddenlangaming1]

Maybe is because of the in the north east extension

[@emptyangel]

I love this! Great video. Thanks :).

[@SGTrainsVideography]

i think there is another one at gul circle, though there are plans to build a tuas south extension from that stn. no plans have been announced yet tho

[@SGrailadventure2004]

True, this is a LRT version to the TWE lol

[@PrograError]

that one is definitely a planned provision... almost like the CCL Bukit brown and DTL Hume, which are all shells station, and the DTL Chinatown, which was built long ago as part of the NEL construction ( as per the word of a forum user, whom was part of the NEL team back then.

[@SGTrainsVideography]

@@PrograError yes ik. lta has a nick of planning many many years ahead