CONSTRUCTED by the Perak government between December 1897 and March 1900, Victoria Bridge over Sungai Perak has been serving the public apart from its main role to support the tin mining industry in the state.
According to villagers nearby, the single-track railway truss bridge remained in use until 2002.
“It was no longer used when a concrete bridge was built parallel to the old structure.
“But it is still open to motorcycles and pedestrians,” said Mo Akoi of Kampung Karai.
“Victoria Bridge, or better known among the locals as the ‘Forgotten Bridge’ brings back 1001 memories,” said the 63-year-old former tin miner.
He said the railway was the most reliable means of transportation back then.
“When I was young, it was not easy for small town folks like me to buy a car.
“So, we had to rely on public transportation such as bus and train,” he said adding one had to wait for an hour for the bus service.
He said back then, when he travelled to other districts or even Butterworth, the ticket was cheap.
“To travel to Taiping, it only cost 50 sen and to Penang it was only about RM2,” he said.
Mo also said that he could still remember taking his five children on the train, where they spent quality time together.
“It was the only time we could chat and share our stories. My wife and I would also take the opportunity to listen to our children's experience at school,” he said.
For V. Rajagopal, the Victoria Bridge brings back all his childhood memories especially on his grandmother, who used to work at the Victoria Bridge Station.
“The train station was also known as the Enggor Karai Station.
“I was staying with my grandmother, together with my two other siblings. My father was a soldier and had always been stationed elsewhere.
“Once a month, my grandmother had the opportunity to take me and my siblings on a train ride.
“Those were among the best childhood memories I had.
“It was not just the thrill that I had riding the train, but it was just the opportunity for me and my siblings to have fun running inside the moving train.
“I remember that we had so much fun then,” said the 50-year-old.
He agreed with Mo that back then, it was really difficult for the locals to own vehicles.
“Those days are not like today. People back then could not afford to own a car or a motorcycle.
“I remember that my siblings and I had a great time, sipping a cup of coffee or tea that we bought inside the train,” he said.
Ex-serviceman Mohd Latif Ngah Fadzillah, 63, remembered having the luxury to ride the train for free every time he had a day off.
“When I was still serving in the army, I remember that we had the benefit of commuting using public transport for free.
“Between train and bus, I have always opted for the train ride,” he said.
The former Enggor Karai village chief said although the train track has been cut short, the bridge is still well-preserved by the state government.
“The bridge is one of the famous tourist attractions here.
“Local and foreign tourists love to come and take pictures at the bridge for its beautiful architecture and the beautiful surroundings,” he said.
He said the new bridge now caters to different types of trains including the Electric Train Service (ETS).
Khairunisah Md Sik, 48, remembered growing up in Kuala Kangsar and using the train to go to Batu Gajah.
“I’ve always loved the view every time the train passed by the bridge. The architecture never failed to amaze me as a child,” she said.