Centennial glory: An old postcard featuring the early Penang Hill funicular train.
GEORGE TOWN: Since 1923, the funicular train has transported millions of people to the top of Penang Hill to take in the flora and fauna.
Among them were distinguished guests like the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Emperor and Empress of Japan and the Prince of Cambodia.
From the steam engine coaches in the olden days to the modern carriages these days, the Penang Hill Railway has reached a milestone as it turns 100 years old today.
A special button badge featuring three generations of funicular trains will be given out for free today to commemorate the centenary.
The memorabilia can be redeemed with the purchase of tickets at the lower station counter from 8am onwards while stocks last.
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the token of appreciation is to celebrate the railway service which started in 1923.
“We are celebrating 100 years of the funicular train service and its role in transforming the social economics of Ayer Itam.
“The funicular system has played a major role over the century to transform the landscape and contribute to tourism as well.
“At present, we receive almost two million visitors annually and about 35% of them are international tourists,” he said when met at the lower station yesterday.
Besides giving out free badges, there will also be performances by The Penneo Band, appearance of Penang Hill mascot Tupai and balloon sculpture giveaways at the station from 10am to noon.
A large 2m-tall decorative artwork of the railway’s 100th anniversary has also been erected at the roundabout in Ayer Itam to greet motorists.
Cheok said the artwork, which is lighted up at night, will liven up the celebration within the community.
“The Ayer Itam area had its beginnings in the late 18th century shortly after the establishment of Penang Island by Captain Francis Light in 1786. The name is said to have derived from the murky water of the Ayer Itam river.
He noted that the British administration had turned this place, including Penang Hill, into a thriving agricultural hub and spice farms.
“To this day, fruits and vegetables are still grown at the hill. The fresh produce is then brought downhill to the wet markets.
“There is a strong connection between Penang Hill and Ayer Itam. In the early days, the funicular train was the lifeline for the farmers to bring down their yields,” he said.
Since early this year, PHC has held various programmes like the introduction of new fast-lane tickets, a new wrap on the funicular train, launch of The Great Hill book, sale of commemorative stamps and setting up of exhibitions as well as wall murals as part of the celebration.
On Penang Hill being ranked as the top tourist trap in Asia and ninth worldwide by American daily newspaper USA Today, Cheok said the constant return of visitors was testament to its affordability and sustainability in bringing people closer to nature.
He said the data by the daily may not have been properly analysed as the article relied on reviews from only one source – Google reviews platform.
“Based on the pool of 3,737 reviews received, only 21 felt it was a tourist trap and six said it’s overrated.
“In the past five years, over five million visitors have been recorded, some even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cheok promised that PHC will strive to continue being a nature-based hill resort without overdeveloping it, and play a role to strengthen the infrastructure and provide basic amenities to serve visitors.
“In comparison with other iconic funicular rides around the world, tickets in Penang Hill are cheaper and the tracks are among the steepest of such rail operations in the world with a length of about 2km up the hill,” he said.
