My Small Railway Model Layout

 

Reconstruction of my railway model

 It has been decades that I have been keeping my model railway in boxes. Now approaching retirement, I have decided to rebuild my model railway. I have just installed a new work station as a base. The plan track layout will be End to End Shunting. Recently, I have also purchased a few new buildings, model trees and a new grass mat by Bachman.  Will keep you posted of how it goes. 

Visit the Elephant Memorial near Teluk Intan November 2019

In the Taiping Museum, there is an elephant skull on exhibit. I first saw it when I visited the museum when I was a little boy. I came to know of the origin of the skull in the Form One English Language book in my secondary school in 1974.

The story was like this. In 1884, a train was chugging along the rail tracks from Tapah Road to Teluk Anson (the old name for Teluk Intan town). A few miles before reaching the Bidor River bridge, there was a small herd of elephants crossing the track. The lead elephant must have perceived the train as a threat to the herd. It went to charge against the small steam locomotive. The collision caused the locomotive to derail. Nobody was injured but the elephant was killed. The dead elephant was buried near the spot where the accident occurred. The authorities decided to keep the elephant skull in Taiping Museum. A memorial sign was built to mark the location of the incident.

The original photo of the incident in 1884.

The original photograph of the sign board.

In November 2019, I decided to make a visit to this site. I read in the news papers that the local community and Teluk Intan Municipal Council had rehabilitate the site.

The sign board indicating the path to the site.

The sign board, direction towards Tapah Road.

The sign board, direction towards Teluk Intan (Telok Anson).

What was forest in 1884 is now a housing estate. By the small road, opposite a row of houses, one could see the sign board leading to the site. I parked my car by the roadside. I walked along the trail to the site which is not very far. The rail tracks are all gone now. However, the original memorial sign board still stands. The grass and lalang have started to grow although it was just a few months after the area was recently cleared. In that moment of solitude, I could imagine of the sad incident that happened many years ago.

After I took several pictures, I left the site and headed to Teluk Intan town. I wanted to go to the famous restaurant by the Perak River that sells the famed Fried Prawn Noodles.

Twelve years has passed since my heart attack in 2007

While driving to work today this Thursday morning, brought my mind back on the day I had my heart attack 12 years ago.

It was a Thursday morning during the Chinese New Year week, just like today.

I survived that day. I regard every year and every day that I wake up to as a valuable gift from Allah, the God Almighty.

I cannot tell how many more years that I can still have to live.

I hope I get to live my life to the fullest as Allah has given me.

To my wife, my children and my family, I love you all.

Every day I got to see your smile and hear your laughter brings me joy.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Ahmad Zharif's Graduation Day 8 December 2018

My son, Zharif, Graduation Day was held on the 8 December 2018. We reached the hall early by 10:30 to get the best available car park space. While waiting for the ceremony to start, we sat at the college cafeteria. Students were to report in their graduation attire at 12.00 noon. Parents were allowed into the hall at 1.30 PM. My brother, Mahathir and wife, were kind enough to attend too.

The ceremony started at 2.15 PM with all the guests, college Board of Directors, lecturers and students walked into the hall in turns. Proud parents were busy taking pictures, within the allowed space in the hall.

Zharif, entering the hall with other students.

Ahmad Zharif was number twelve in the queue to receive his Diploma from the College Director.

The ceremony ended after 5.00 PM. Students and parents went busily about taking memorable pictures of the day.

Well done, my son. You have earned your Diploma. Time to seek your fortunes. I pray for your success.

Zharif with his uncle, Mahathir and Mardina.

14 May 2018 - Zharif Pass His Diploma Finals

Alhamdulillah.
My son Zharif informed me of this good news. He has pass his Finals for his Diploma.

Good to see that Zharif is also very happy of his achievement.

My wife and I are very happy for him.

With the coming month of Ramadhan, I pray to Allah, for  my son's well being, good health and prosperity.

 

Taiping - I miss so much

Reading and seeing several posts and pictures in Facebook of Taiping brings me a feeling of longing to go back to my hometown. It has been several months now, since I went back to Taiping and Ipoh in January 2018.
A few posts if the street foods just bring the ringling sense of tastes to tongue and memory.

Oh! How I miss the scenery of Taiping Lake Gardens and Ipoh so very much.