Kota Kinabalu, Sabah: North Borneo Heritage Train

The old railway tells Sabah’s story. The North Borneo Heritage Train links Kota Kinabalu with Papar Town in a day of vintage coaches, tropical views, local food, and simple cultural activities. I like the restored wooden carriages and the friendly onboard service, especially the souvenir bag, snacks, and mission book. I also like that Papar is part of the experience rather than just a train turnaround.

The main caution is important: the Vulcan Steam Engine is currently under maintenance. The tour is still operating with a diesel locomotive, although the heritage carriages remain in use. A past service disruption also caused a long delay and forced a switch to road transport, so you should book this for the overall heritage outing, not only for a guaranteed steam-powered ride.

Key points at a glance

• Steam-style coaches, diesel operation: The vintage carriages still provide the old railway atmosphere, but the Vulcan Steam Engine may not be running.
• Papar Town mission: You receive a mission book and photograph local sights during a guided walk.
• Lunch on the train: The meal is intended to be served onboard, with dietary requests accepted when made ahead of time.
• Local fruit tasting: A stop at Papar’s market adds a small but worthwhile taste of everyday Sabah.
• Henna and mystery reward: You can take part in a stencil henna activity and earn a gift by completing activities in the mission book.
• Hot, active day: Bring water, a hat, cash, and comfortable clothes. The Papar walk involves heat and walking.

A railway trip with a local purpose

The North Borneo Heritage Train is not a long-distance railway adventure. It is a carefully packaged day outing from Tanjung Aru Railway Station, designed to combine a short historic train ride with a visit to Papar. That makes it a good choice if you want to see a slice of Sabah beyond Kota Kinabalu without arranging several separate transfers.

The route passes tropical rainforest, plantations, and rural villages. You get a changing view from the carriage windows, with the railway itself providing the rhythm of the day. This is less about speed or distance and more about the pleasure of moving slowly through the countryside.

I especially like the way the package gives you something to do in Papar. The mission book encourages you to look closely, take photographs, and notice local places instead of simply wandering around for a few minutes. The reward at the end gives children and playful adults a reason to join in.

The service is run as a private group experience, with English used by the driver and onboard crew. That does not necessarily mean you receive a private train carriage. Seating is generally arranged three or four people to a table, and a private table costs an additional RM200.

Boarding at Tanjung Aru Railway Station

The day begins at Stesen Keretapi Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu at 9:00am. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included unless you pay a surcharge, so you need to plan your own way to the station.

The first impression comes from the carriages. They are restored wooden coaches with brass fittings and traditional railway styling. The presentation aims to recall an earlier period of North Borneo rail travel, and the staff help set the mood with a warm welcome and information about the train.

A souvenir bag is included. It contains snacks and a booklet, according to the supplied experience details, and this small touch received particular praise. It gives you something useful at the start of the day rather than leaving you waiting for the main attractions.

The train ride itself is listed as about 45 minutes before the Papar portion of the outing. Expect scenery rather than a formal sightseeing commentary at every bend. The best moments come from watching villages, plantations, and thick tropical growth pass at a relaxed pace.

Bring a hand fan if you have one. Papar can be very hot, and the old-style coaches may not feel as cool as a modern air-conditioned train. Water, a sun hat, and light clothing are sensible choices.

The steam question you should understand before booking

The experience is described as Sabah’s only tourism package using a hybrid steam-diesel locomotive. That is a major part of its appeal, but the current operating notice changes what you should expect.

The Vulcan Steam Engine is being maintained and needs further work before it can safely return to service. The tour continues with a diesel engine, while the historic train wagons remain part of the journey. The schedule, activities, tourist carriages, and Papar program are intended to continue as booked.

This distinction matters. If your dream is specifically to ride behind a working steam locomotive, wait for confirmation that the Vulcan engine is operational. If you are happy with vintage coaches, railway heritage, countryside views, and a Papar visit, the diesel arrangement still preserves much of the visual character of the outing.

There has also been at least one serious operational disruption. A diesel locomotive broke down near Papar, causing a delay of more than an hour. A local shunter helped move the train onward, but the return journey had to be replaced by a coach transfer. Lunch was also moved from the train to a local cafe, and the shortened schedule affected the planned temple visit and market time.

That is not a reason to assume every departure will fail. It is a reason to keep your schedule flexible and to avoid booking a tight onward connection after the tour. Railway heritage is charming, but old equipment can bring old-fashioned uncertainty.

The Papar Town mission and market visit

Papar is the social center of the day. After the train reaches town, the guide or crew gives you a mission book with activities based around local points of interest. You are asked to photograph several places, which turns the walk into a light scavenger hunt.

This is a smart format for a short town visit. Without a plan, a brief stop can feel thin. The mission gives you a reason to walk, look around, and interact with the surroundings. It also suits families and groups who enjoy a little friendly competition.

The program is intended to introduce you to indigenous communities and local life. Keep your approach respectful, especially when taking photographs. The point is to observe and connect, not to treat the town as a backdrop.

A fruit tasting at Papar’s local market is included. It is a modest feature, but it adds a clear local flavor to the outing and gives you a chance to try produce associated with the area. You should carry some cash for personal purchases, since personal expenses are not included.

The walk is not presented as a long historical tour. It is a quick, guided look at Papar, supported by the mission activity and market stop. One supplied account found the walking portion too brief, so you should not expect hours of free time or an extensive town tour.

The heat is the bigger issue. Papar may be much hotter than you expect, and the activity involves walking outdoors. A hat, water, comfortable clothes, and a hand fan can make the difference between enjoying the stop and simply trying to finish it.

Lunch, refreshments, and small onboard activities

Lunch is included and is intended to be served onboard the train. That is one of the more distinctive parts of the outing. Eating while the old railway coaches move through Sabah creates a memorable setting, even if the meal itself is simple.

Dietary restrictions must be requested in advance. One vegetarian request was accommodated successfully, but you should not wait until the morning of departure. The operator needs time to notify the restaurant and adjust the menu.

Light refreshments are also included, along with the snacks in the souvenir bag. Alcohol is not included and is not permitted. Personal expenses, including extra purchases at the market, are your responsibility.

The crew may offer a stencil henna activity during the ride. You choose a pattern, the henna is applied to your hand, and you wait for it to dry before peeling it off. This is an easy, hands-on activity that helps break up the train time.

The mission book and onboard activity connect to the mystery gift. Complete one or more of the listed tasks, and the team gives a reward at the end. The exact gift is kept as a surprise, which is a small but effective way to keep the group involved.

The only caveat is that the planned onboard lunch may not always happen if there is a mechanical problem. On one disrupted departure, the meal was moved to a nearby cafe and arrived cold. That appears to have been linked to the delay rather than the normal plan, but it is worth keeping in mind if the meal setting is a major reason for booking.

Returning through the countryside

After the Papar activities, the train is scheduled to return toward Tanjung Aru. The listed return ride takes about 45 minutes, although the full day includes the town walk, meal, market stop, and onboard activities.

The return leg gives you another chance to enjoy the scenery without needing to organize anything. You can use this time to finish the mission book, compare photographs, or simply watch rural Sabah pass the window.

The train is not a luxury vehicle. The appeal is its age, character, and connection to Sabah’s railway past. If you want perfectly quiet carriages, modern comfort, or a precise timetable, this may feel basic. If you like old transport and the sense of a working railway, the imperfections are part of the experience, within reason.

A train breakdown can change the ending. In the disruption described above, a coach brought the group back to Kota Kinabalu instead. The operator continued the outing, but the substitute transport reduced time in Papar and removed some planned activities. Ask about the current locomotive situation before departure if the train ride is central to your plans.

Is $114 a fair price?

At $114 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Kota Kinabalu. The price includes the return train ticket, onboard English-speaking crew, lunch, light refreshments, a souvenir bag, the Papar mission book, and fruit tasting at the local market. Those inclusions make the price easier to justify than a simple scenic rail ticket.

You are also paying for the restoration and operation of historic railway equipment, the organized Papar program, and the staff-led activities. This is a packaged cultural outing rather than ordinary public transport.

The value drops if you are interested only in steam power. At present, the diesel engine may operate instead of the Vulcan Steam Engine. The value also drops if you prefer independent exploration, since the Papar visit is structured and relatively short.

I see the price as reasonable for someone who wants an easy, organized heritage day with meals and activities included. It is less convincing for an experienced independent visitor who could arrange a local town visit for less and does not care about the restored coaches.

Private table seating costs RM200 per table, which is worth considering if you need more space or want a dedicated table for your group. Otherwise, expect to share with three or four people.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the tour to families, railway fans, first-time visitors to Sabah, and anyone who enjoys a gentle cultural program with clear structure. The mission book, mystery reward, fruit tasting, and henna activity give children something to focus on, while the carriage design and railway story appeal to adults.

It also suits you if you want to leave Kota Kinabalu for a day without managing several local connections. The package takes care of the train, lunch, crew, and scheduled activities.

You should think twice if you have limited physical activity, are pregnant, or use a wheelchair. The tour involves considerable walking and is not considered suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Anyone with a disability must be accompanied by someone.

This is also not the right choice if you need a firm timetable. The railway is heritage equipment, and the diesel locomotive situation has already caused delays and replacement road transport. Leave plenty of space around the tour.

My booking advice

I like the North Borneo Heritage Train most as a cultural day trip with railway character, not as a guaranteed steam excursion. The restored coaches, friendly crew, lunch, mission book, and Papar market stop give the day a clear identity. The best experiences come from joining the activities rather than sitting back and expecting a long scenic rail journey.

Before paying, confirm whether the Vulcan Steam Engine is operating. Book with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead if your plans may change, and use the reserve-now, pay-later option if available. Bring cash, water, sun protection, and patience.

Book it if you value old trains, local contact, and a guided day with plenty included. Skip it if the steam locomotive is the only reason you are coming, or if delays and walking would cause real problems.

FAQ

Where does the North Borneo Heritage Train start?

It starts at Stesen Keretapi Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 9:00am.

How long is the experience?

It is a one-day activity. The listed train sections take about 45 minutes each, with about one hour allocated for the Papar visit and activities, plus time for lunch, refreshments, and other stops.

Is the Vulcan Steam Engine currently operating?

The Vulcan Steam Engine is being maintained and requires additional work before it can operate safely. The tour continues with a diesel locomotive while the heritage train carriages remain in use.

What happens in Papar Town?

You receive a mission book and take part in a guided activity involving photographs of several points of interest. The program also includes a local market visit and fruit tasting.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is planned for onboard the train. Dietary restrictions must be requested in advance.

Is vegetarian food available?

A vegetarian meal can be arranged when requested in advance. The operator needs advance notice to adjust the lunch menu.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat or hat, water, comfortable clothes, and cash. A hand fan is also recommended because Papar can be very hot.

Are private tables available?

Yes. Standard seating is arranged for three to four people per table. A private table costs an additional RM200 per table.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women?

No. The activity involves a lot of walking and is not recommended for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Passengers with disabilities must be accompanied by someone.