Unusual Brunei Transportations
Today I thought I will share some very old photographs of unusual transportation in Brunei which for some reason did not catch on until today. If they were still around, it would be fun to see them.
Both of these were operated by Brunei Shell about 40 to 50 years ago. The first is more common in other countries. But unfortunately in Brunei, there were used in only two places - one was in Brooketon (Muara) to haul coals from the Serai Pimping area to Muara beach - the other was from Badas in Belait heading towards the Lumut Beach if I am not mistaken. I am talking about trains.
The one in Brooketon has a history on the engines published on a train specialties website but I can't find it at the moment, so when I do, there will be a slight correction on this entry. The engine in Badas, again if I am not mistaken actually is somewhere in Seria. I remembered in 1988 when I was visiting Shell, we actually took a photograph in front of the engine. If there is any BSPians reading this, do let me know where it is. Better still, a photograph would be nice.
The second mode of transport is rather unusual. In the earlier days, the oil rig was a lot closer to the beach as compared to the current oil rigs which goes out a few miles into the sea. So instead of using boats or anything, Brunei Shell actually strung a cable car from the beach to the oil rigs. I found several photographs of these cable cars and their stations. I was told that after they stopped using the cable cars, BSP used hovercrafts. I would love to get my hands on those hovercrafts photos if anybody has them.
Both of these were operated by Brunei Shell about 40 to 50 years ago. The first is more common in other countries. But unfortunately in Brunei, there were used in only two places - one was in Brooketon (Muara) to haul coals from the Serai Pimping area to Muara beach - the other was from Badas in Belait heading towards the Lumut Beach if I am not mistaken. I am talking about trains.The one in Brooketon has a history on the engines published on a train specialties website but I can't find it at the moment, so when I do, there will be a slight correction on this entry. The engine in Badas, again if I am not mistaken actually is somewhere in Seria. I remembered in 1988 when I was visiting Shell, we actually took a photograph in front of the engine. If there is any BSPians reading this, do let me know where it is. Better still, a photograph would be nice.
The second mode of transport is rather unusual. In the earlier days, the oil rig was a lot closer to the beach as compared to the current oil rigs which goes out a few miles into the sea. So instead of using boats or anything, Brunei Shell actually strung a cable car from the beach to the oil rigs. I found several photographs of these cable cars and their stations. I was told that after they stopped using the cable cars, BSP used hovercrafts. I would love to get my hands on those hovercrafts photos if anybody has them.
Comments
http://www.quicktechhobby.com/Hovercrafts/Hovercrafts/h8.jpg
Apologies for my comment being about 4.5 years out of date.