North Borneo Sabah State Railway in 1996 and 2012

The present-day Sabah State Railway is a meter-gauge railway (1,000mm) constructed by the British North Borneo Company (BNBC). Established in 1881, the company functioned not just as a business but also as a governing body with its own army and police. As part of colonial development, the company promoted large-scale plantations for rubber, tobacco, copra, and timber, along with the necessary infrastructure such as ports and railways.

The first railway segment opened in 1896 between Beaufort and Weston (32km), eventually expanding into a 193km network linking Kota Kinabalu (formerly Jesselton) with Tenom and further south to Melalap.

In 1914, the North Borneo Railway Administration was established, laying the foundation for today’s Sabah State Railway. Although the railway was occupied by the Japanese Army during World War II, the British later restored and reinforced the infrastructure.

In the 1970s, diesel locomotives replaced steam engines. However, with improved road transport, several sections were closed: Weston Branch (1963), Melalap–Tenom (1970), and Kota Kinabalu–Tanjung Aru (1974). Currently, the operational section is Tanjung Aru to Tenom, covering 134km one-way.

In 1996, Mr. Peter Crush visited the line and documented its fading British charm in photos and a travelogue.
Sabah Railway in 1996 (By Peter Crush)

Between 2007 and 2011, the entire line was modernized with Chinese assistance. After a 4-year suspension, new Chinese-built diesel locomotives, updated stations, trackbeds, and signaling systems transformed the railway into a distinctly modern Chinese-style network. A tourist steam train service called the "North Borneo Railway" also began in 2000 to promote tourism. While the infrastructure remains under the management of Sabah State Railway, local travel agencies handle the tourist train’s operations, ticketing, and onboard services.
Sabah Railway in 2012 and the "North Borneo Railway" tourist steam train

The Sabah State Museum in Kota Kinabalu exhibits preserved steam locomotives once used on this railway.
Sabah State Museum