SRT Northern line: Steam Locomotives at Bang Pa In.

On the 12^th august 2010 I visited Bang Pa In station to photograph the Queens Birthday special steam train. This steam train ran from Hualamphong station in Bangkok to Ayutthaya station. The special steam trains operate 4 times a year over the same route. The dates are 26^th March (SRT Anniversary), 12^th August (Queens Birthday), 23^rd October (Chulalongkorn Day) and 5^th December (Kings Birthday).

A little background on steam locomotives in Thailand.

Steam locomotives were once very common all over Thailand and used both by SRT and private industrial railways. Japanese and German built steam locomotives were the most common type used in Thailand. By 1982 all steam locomotives were removed from regular service and replaced with diesel locomotives. The railways of southern Thailand were the last to see steam in regular service.

Most Thai steam locomotives have been turned into static outdoor displays in front of various railway stations around Thailand. Also a number of former Thai industrial railway locomotives were preserved outside Thailand. Today there are only a handful of steam locomotives that remain in working condition. The remaining steam locomotives are maintained by the Thonburi locomotive workshops on the western bank of the Chao Phaya River in Bangkok.

The current SRT steam locomotive fleet consists of 5 locomotives. They are locomotive numbers 713, 715, 824, 850 and 953. However only steam locomotives 824 and 850 appear to the only locomotives on special tourist trains. Locomotive number 713 was built by Hitachi Japan in 1935 and is a 2-6-0 type. Locomotive number 715 was built by Nippon Sharyo Japan in 1935 and is a 2-6-0 type. Locomotive number 824 was built by Nippon Sharyo Japan in 1949 and is a 4-6-2 type. Locomotive number 850 was built by Nippon Sharyo Japan in 1950 and is a 4-6-2 type. Finally locomotive number 953 was built by Hitachi in 1950 and is a 2-8-2 type.

Other than the above operational steam locomotives there are no further plans to restore other Thai steam locomotives back into operational working condition. This is a real shame as steam locomotive hauled tourist trains on weekends could work very well on the outer section of the Kanchanaburi line in western Thailand as it would help bring the railway history of that area to life.

A little background on the Main North line at Bang Pa In.

The railway from Bangkok to Bang Pa In opened in 1897 and was the second railway built in Thailand after the former Paknam commuter railway that opened in 1893. The section of railway between Bangkok and Bang Pa In was the 1^st step in building a nationwide railway system. The line was originally built as a standard gauge 1435mm line by the 1920s it was reguaged to a 1000mm gauge line. Today this section of railway is triple track and is one of the busiest sections of railway on the SRT system.

Bang Pa In is located 58.0 km from Hualamphong station taking about 90 minutes by train. It is considered a commuter station today and is the stopping point for visitors to Bang Pa-In Palace also known as the Summer Palace. At the northern end of the main platform at Bang Pa In station is a former royal rest house that was used by King Rama 5 during the early days of the railway.

As the area around Bang Pa In station has grown rapidly over the last 20 years with a number of major industrial complexes that are home to multinational electronics and pharmaceutical factories this has significantly increased demand on train services to and from the area. Often leading to overcrowding on trains in both the outbound and inbound direction from Bang Pa In.

In the future there have been vague plans to extend the proposed SRT Red line commuter project from Rangsit to Bang Pa In to help connect the area better with Bangkok. There has even been ideas to relocate Mochit 2 bus terminal to Bang Pa In as part of the Red line commuter project extension. These ideas tend to enforce the view that Bang Pa In is a new outer suburban area of Bangkok that is far beyond Rangsit that is also in a separate province to Bangkok.

This first section of photographs cover the steam train action at Bang Pa In station on August 12^th 2010.

Now onto the photographs.

1. This is a shot of steam locomotives 824 and 850 pulling into Bang Pa In station on a special tourist service to Ayutthaya.

2. This is another shot of steam locomotives 824 and 850 pulling into the main platform at Bang Pa In station with a special tourist train to Ayutthaya.

3. This is an image of steam locomotives 824 and 850 pulling into the main platform at Bang Pa In station. To the right of the steam locomotive is the royal railway rest house that was used by King Rama 5.

4.This is a shot of steam locomotives 824 and 850 as they make a photography stop at Bang Pa In station. The carriages used on this special train service are normal long distance 3^rd class non aircon carriages.

5. This is a close up shot of steam locomotives 850 and 824 while they wait at Bang Pa In station. Note the excellent condition of these locomotives. These steam locomotives burn fuel oil they were converted from timber to oil to reduce costs and to make train operations simpler.

6. This is another shot of steam locomotives 824 and 850 while they wait at Bang Pa In station for a photography stop. After Bang Pa In the train headed for Ayutthaya. The flower chains on the locomotive are similar to the type used in temples.

7. This is an image of steam locomotives 824 and 850 while they wait for a photography stop at Bang Pa In. Note all the people on the track some taking photos. The track people were standing on is the bi directional express line and was in active use at the time steam train was there.

8. This is a wider view of steam locomotives 824 and 850 with the Queens Birthday special train. Taken from the inbound track while they wait to depart from Bang Pa In station.

9. This is a video of steam locomotives 824 and 850 departing from Bang Pa In station with the Queens Birthday special train to Ayutthaya. Note how loud the whistle is on these locomotives also the whistle was sounded for a very long time upon departure. These locomotives must have been a real sight to behold in there heyday.

10. This is a shot of steam locomotives 824 and 850 departing from Bang Pa In station on its way to Ayutthaya. Note the amount of black smoke pouring out of the locomotives as they powers up.

11.This is another shot of steam locomotives 824 and 850 as they power away from Bang Pa In station on there way to Ayutthaya. Note the amount of steam coming out of locomotive 850.

12. This is a video of steam locomotives 824 and 850 as the power along the line towards Ayutthaya with the Queens Birthday special tourist train. Note the large amount of black smoke from the locomotives and the lovely steam while sounds.

The next section of photographs from Bang Pa In station outlines the normal SRT rail movements and station infrastructure.

13. This is a shot of covered passenger waiting area at Bang Pa In station. This the only covered waiting area at the station.

14. This is a shot of Alsthom locomotive number AHK 4218 Taken as it was passing though Bang Pa In station with a load of oil bound for Bangkok.

15. This is another shot of Alsthom locomotive number AHK 4218 with a number of bogie oil tank wagons bound for Bangkok. Taken as it passes under the footbridge at Bang Pa In station.

16. This is a view of Bang Pa In station looking along the main platform towards Bangkok. On the left is the Chumphon based track maintenance train.

17. This is an image of the royal rest house next to the main platform at Bang Pa In station. It is preserved intact and is not open to the public.

18. This is another close up image of the royal rest house at the end of the main platform at Bang Pa In station. Note the design of this building and how ornate it is when compared to the main station building.

19. This is a shot of the track maintenance machines stored next to platform 4 at Bang Pa In station. These machines are used for large scale track work around the SRT system.

20. This is an image of a name plate on the side of the track maintenance machines at Bang Pa In station. The track maintenance machines were produced in Austria by Plasser and Theurer.

21. This is an image of a track maintenance machine stored in a platform road at Bang Pa In station. The cab on these vehicles are fully air conditioned and the track machines can move on there own and don’t need to be pulled by a locomotive. But the coupler is there for long distance transfers at higher speed.

22. This is another shot of a track maintenance machine stored at Bang Pa In station. As total line closures are extremely rare for track work on the SRT system most work is carried out between trains or after the last service for the day.

23. This a view of Bang Pa In station and the royal rest house looking south towards Bangkok. The carriages on the left are part of the track maintenance train.

24. This is a shot of the royal rest house at Bang Pa In station. The doors on the platform side would have been used by the king to access trains directly from the building.

25. This is a close up shot of a platform sign at Bang Pa In station showing the distance and direction to the next station along the line.

26. This is a shot of the main station building on the main platform at Bang Pa In station. It is home to the signal box and ticket office.

27. This is an image of a group of SRT track workers performing some minor sleeper and ballast repair work at the southern end of Bang Pa In station. Not a single high vis vest to be seen here.

28. This is another image of the main station building at Bang Pa In station. To the left of the picture is the signal relay room and station backup generator. Most stations with powered signalling systems have back up power to ensure the signal systems remain up even during storms and power outages.

29. This is a view of Bang Pa In station Taken from the footbridge looking north towards the royal rest house. As can be seen this station is a 4 platform station but the 4^th platform is not in use,

30. This is a shot of Daewoo DMU number 2516 powering through Bang Pa In station with a special express service to Bangkok. Note the track workers to the right of the train.

31. This is a shot of Daewoo DMU number 2516 taken as it ran express through Bang Pa In station with a special express service to Bangkok. These Daewoo DMUs operate in either 2 or 3 car sets.

32. This is an image of Hitachi locomotive number HID 4511 taken as it was approaching Bang Pa In station on an outbound intercity service. Note the track workers waiting for it to pass.

33. This is an image of Hitachi locomotive number HID 4511 taken as it passes the track workers while entering the main platform road at Bang Pa In station.

34. This is a shot of Hitachi locomotive number HID 4511 hauling an outbound intercity train. Taken as it waits to depart from Bang Pa In station.

35. This is a shot of Hitachi locomotive number HID 4511 departing from Bang Pa In station hauling an outbound intercity train.

36. This is a shot of Alsthom locomotive number ALD 4305 approaching the main platform at Bang Pa In station on an outbound service.

37. This is an image of Alsthom locomotive number ALD 4305 waiting to depart from Bang Pa In station on an outbound service. Note the royal rest house next to the locomotive.

38. This is a video of Alsthom locomotive number ALD 4305 departing from the main platform at Bang Pa In station with an outbound intercity service. Note the horn and engine sounds as it powers away from the station.

39. This is an image of Alsthom locomotive number ALD 4305 hauling an outbound intercity train. Taken as it powers away from Bang Pa In station.

40. This is a shot of Alsthom locomotive number ALS 4110 approaching Bang Pa In station hauling a Bangkok bound intercity train.

41. This is a shot of Alsthom locomotive number ALS 4410 with an inbound intercity train. Taken as it was loading up with passengers on platform 3 at Bang Pa In. Note the green signal light for the train also on platform 2 the signal is also green for an express train that is due to arrive.

42. This is an image of General Electric locomotive number GEA 4554 hauling cement wagons from Hin Lap to Bang Sue. Taken as it powers express through platform 2 at Bang Pa In station. Note the new white boxes mounted on the roof of the locomotive these are for in cab aircon.

43. This is a shot of THN DMU number 1101 built by Tokyu, Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo on an inbound intercity service. Taken as it was approaching Bang Pa In station.

44. This is a shot of THN DMU number 1128 built by Tokyu, Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo on an outbound intercity service. Taken as it blasts through Bang Pa In station just before the steam special arrived.

45. This is a video of an Alsthom locomotive running express through Bang Pa In platform 3 at high speed with a very late running special express train from northern Thailand. This train was at least 3 hours late by the time it was passing though Bang Pa In.

46. This is an image of the signal control desk inside the main station building at Bang Pa In station. The book in front of the computer is used to record actual train arrival times for every train that passes the station. On the right is the station to train radio.

47. This is a close up shot of the signal computer screen showing the track and signal layout at Bang Pa In station. The red mark in middle of the screen shows a train is occupying platform 4.

48. This is a shot of the inside of the ticket office at Bang Pa In station. As this station building is original from when the line opened it was never air conditioned.

49. This is a view of Bang Pa In station taken from the footbridge at the southern end of the station. The nearest building is the signal relay room and generator room. The small building between the main station building is a station food shop.

50. This is a view of Bang Pa In station looking south along platform 2. Note the Royal rest house and main station building.

51. This is a shot of the passengers timetable inside the covered waiting area inside the main station building at Bang Pa In station. The 1^st column of times is the train departure time at origin. The 2^nd column is the arrival time of the train at Bang Pa In station. The 3^rd column is the departure time of the train from Bang Pa In station. The 4^th column is the arrival time of the train at final destination.

52. This is a view of the main station building at Bang Pa In station. On the top of the building is the antenna for the train radio system. As at many other stations around Thailand Bang Pa In has well kept gardens.

53. This is a view of the royal rest house used by King Rama 5 during the early days of the railway. Today it is preserved and rarely used by royals and is not open to public viewings.

54. This is a shot of Alsthom locomotive number ALD 4308 taken from the footbridge as it waits to depart from Bang Pa In platform 3 with an inbound intercity train. Note the white box on the roof of the locomotive it is for in cab aircon.

55. This is a shot of Alsthom locomotive number ALD 4308 hauling a very packed inbound intercity train. Taken from the footbridge as it was departing from Bang Pa In station on its way to Bangkok.

56. This is a video of the departure of Alsthom locomotive number ALD 4308 from platform 3 at Bang Pa In with an inbound intercity service to Bangkok. This train was rather busy with some passengers standing on the steps. Note the sounds of the locomotive as it departs from the station.

57. This is an image of Alsthom locomotive number ALS 4130 pulling into Bang Pa In station with a very busy outbound intercity service.

58. This is another image of Alsthom locomotive number ALS 4130 waiting to depart from platform 2 at Bang Pa In station hauling an outbound intercity train.

59. This is a shot of Alsthom locomotive number ALS 4130 hauling an outbound intercity train. Taken as it was loading up passengers at Bang Pa In station.

60. This is a video of the departure of Alsthom locomotive number ALS 4130 from Bang Pa In station platform 2 with an overcrowded outbound intercity train. Note the sounds of the locomotive and the amount of people standing in the doorways of the carriages.

61. This is a shot of Alsthom locomotive number ALS 4130 powering away from Bang Pa In station hauling a very overcrowded northbound intercity train. Note the people hanging out of the doors.

62. This is an image of a Daewoo wide body DMU number APD 2534 running express through platform 1 at Bang Pa In station with an outbound special express service.

63. This is another image of Daewoo wide body DMU number APD 2534 as it powers away from Bang Pa In station on an outbound special express intercity service. Before the airport rail link was built these Daewoo DMUs were the fastest trains in Thailand.

64. This is a shot of class 158 sprinter DMU number ASR 2510. Taken as it powers through Bang Pa In station on an outbound special express service to Sawan Khalok. This train was built by BREL Derby. Its is one of only 2 three car sets still in operation.

65. This is another shot of Class 158 sprinter DMU number ASR 2510. Taken as it powers past the royal rest house at Bang Pa In station on a service to Sawan Khalok. Just as this train arrived a huge rain storm was about to hit.

66. This is an image of a NKF DMU number 1258. Taken as runs express through platform 2 at Bang Pa In station on an outbound intercity service.

67. This is a shot of General Electric locomotive number GEA 4541. Taken as it runs express though platform 3 at Bang Pa In with an extremely late running Special express number 2 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. This train was running about 7 hours late.

68. This is a shot of a NKF DMU number 1242. Taken as it runs express through platform 1 at Bang Pa In station on an outbound intercity service. This train was built by Nippon Sharyo, Hitachi and Fuji Heavy Industries in 1985.

69. This is a shot of Alsthom locomotive number AHK 4217. Taken as it powers through platform 2 at Bang Pa In with a load of cement wagons bound for a cement plant near Kaeng Khoi Junction.

70. This is a shot of NKF DMU number 1242 pulling away from Alsthom locomotive number AHK 4217 as they power through Bang Pa In station on their way north. Only the very front of the Alsthom locomotive can be seen.

71. This is an image of Alsthom locomotive number AHK 4212. Taken as it was pulling into the main platform at Bang Pa In station with an outbound intercity service.

72. This is another image of Alsthom locomotive number AHK 4212. Taken as it was departing from the main platform at Bang Pa In station on an outbound intercity service.

73. This is a shot of the tickets used to return from Bang Pa In to Bangkok. The return train was a real bargain at 20 Baht per trip. To get to Bang Pa In I went by Taxi direct from my apartment to save about 2 hours travelling time for cost of 600 Baht.

I hope you found the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments about the pictures and videos above.