A Trip from Wong Wian Yai to Bang Bon on the SRT Mahachai line.

Today I took a trip on my local railway line. I started at Wong Wian Yai station and traveled to Bang Bon station. This railway is 100% isolated from the rest of the rail system. This railway is part of the Maeklong commuter system that operates from Wong Wian Yai to Mahachai and Ban Laem to Maeklong. Takes about 2 hours to complete both lines.

A little background about these lines. They were built by private companies around 107 years ago. They have a 14 meter wide land reserve which is a lot narrower than the main system. Although buildings have been built right upto the edge the line. It appears today these lines are owned by the city of Mahachai and the city of Maeklong with SRT providing a contract service.

When the line was built it did operate to Klong San station but this was closed in 1963. Its possibly due to the fact that track from Klong San station to Wong Wian Yai was shared with road traffic on Charoen Rat road. A rail bus (Route 57) provides the link now. Up until 1963 Klong San to Wat Sing was electrified and tram like trains did run. The reason for de electrification is unknown. A possiable reason for de-electrification might be that the substation that powered the light tramway overhead on this line was located at klong san station. This was removed when the on road section was removed . Thus cutting off the power to the overhead system for the rest of the line.

1. This is the station sign above the ticket office at Wong Wian Yai station

2. This is a 3 car Japanese non aircond DMU train waiting to depart the station. Taken from across the small railway soi next to the station.

3. This shows how busy the station gets at peak times the train shown had just arrived.

4. Wat Sai station Note this station doesn’t have any end of platform station signs.

5. This is the passing loop at Wat Sing station.

6. Wat Sing station. This is one of the main station and a crossing point for the trains.

7. An off peak train heading inbound this is the passenger seating taken around Wat Sing area.

8. These trains operate with the carriage doors open on most trains this was taken between Bang Bon and Wat Sing stations. This is due to the doors being damaged at some point.

9. Busy Early peak hour train with the doors wide open near Talat Phlu station.

10. This is a view of My local station Bang Bon.

11. A Mahachai bound train is arriving at Bang Bon Station.

12. The same Mahachai bound train departing Bang Bon taken as it runs across Bang Khunthian road. Note this train has an air-conditioned carriage.

13. The platform timetable in the waiting room at Bang Bon station. The times are very rarely changed and the trains tend to always be close to time.

14. This shows the humpback rail bridge at the up end of Bang Bon. Note the track quality here. The platform sign at Bang Bon station.

15. This shows the track quality at the down end of Bang Bon station and the open level crossing. Note: The level crossing is manually operated booms.

16. The level crossing is now closed and the up train to Wong Wian Yai station is arriving at Bang Bon.

17. The feeder truck bus service holding area next to Bang Bon station.

18. The station sign at Chom Thong station. Note: This station is a peak hour only station and they have bananas next to the station.

19. These are the 2 different types of tickets issued for the mahachai line. The larger one is issued at the ticket office. The blue one is issue on board the train.

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