North Borneo Railway / Sutera Harbour Heritage Train

Sabah State Railway / Sutera Harbour Resort
Loading Map...
The Journey

Navigate from Tanjung Aru (Kota Kinabalu) to Papar across a span of 38km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Padas River Gorge dramatic river bends
  • Kinarut heritage town
  • Papar wet market and shophouses
  • Benoni Estuary sunset (Sunset Tour)
  • Coastal farmland and village scenery
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2.5 hours

  • Distance

    38 km

  • Est. Price

    Moderate

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: Continental breakfast & Tiffin Lunch

Ensuite: No

Meals: Continental breakfast & Tiffin Lunch

Ensuite: No

Meals: Light snacks and packed dinner

Ensuite: No

Meals: Light snacks and packed dinner

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Vulcan Steam Locomotive (under maintenance as of 2026); Diesel locomotive substitute (currently operational)

Locomotive Weight

Vulcan steam: approximately 40 tonnes; Diesel: approximately 80 tonnes

Track Gauge

1,000 mm (metre gauge)

Braking Technology

Manual handbrakes on carriages; steam vacuum or diesel air brakes

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Single-track operation with passing loop at Kinarut

  • Tight curves through the Padas River gorge

  • Low-lying coastal section prone to seasonal flooding

  • Ageing infrastructure requiring ongoing maintenance

  • Speed restrictions on deteriorated track sections

Year Built

1894 (original North Borneo Railway); vintage carriages from 1920s–1940s

Route Length

38 km one-way (76 km round-trip)

Max Speed

40 km/h

Elevation

Near sea level – gentle coastal gradient

Operator

Sabah State Railway in partnership with Sutera Harbour Resort

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2.5 hours

  • Distance

    38 km

  • Est. Price

    Moderate

Official Booking Provider