:: WeLCOME to IPOH :: Part 2 ::

The Ipoh railway station is a Malaysian train station located at the south-western side of and named after the capital city of Ipoh, Perak. It serves as the main railway terminal for the state. It is owned by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, and offers KTM Intercity services, as well as handling freight trains.

Designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, it was first constructed and opened in 1935, making it the second concrete station to be constructed in the town. The building also houses the hotel called the Majestic Hotel. Affectionately known as the Taj Mahal of Ipoh by its locals, it closely resembles its Kuala Lumpur sister.

As part of KTMB's Rawang-Ipoh double tracking and electrification project which completed in January 2008, the Ipoh station has undergone rehabilitation to not only incorporate modern elements while keeping its historical look, but also accommodate the double track.

The Ipoh railway station was initially meant to be a hospital and used before the 1900s as such before being turned into a station. The original completion year of 1917 was delayed for three years due to lack of construction materials as well as high costs during World War I.

Like the Kuala Lumpur station, the Ipoh station were designed and constructed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a British architectural assistant to the Director of Public Works. Having served in India, Hubback utilised his knowledge of Anglo-Asian architecture in the region on the station's design. The "Neo-Moorish/Mughal/Indo-Saracenic/Neo-Saracenic" style was not uncommon at the time.

Many of Hubback's buildings in then Malaya followed this style and shared many similar features. The other buildings designed by him include the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (completed 1910), the Jamek Mosque (completed 1909) and the old KL city hall building (completed 1904).

In October 2007, the Ipoh station was reopened after seven years of renovation as part of the railway electrification and double tracking between Rawang and Ipoh.

The Ipoh station was used as a shooting location for the film Anna and the King, starring Jodie Foster.