This short double track railway from Bang Sue to Taling Chan opened in the 1920’s with the completion of a double track steel Rama 6 rail bridge over the Chao Phraya River. This was the 1st bridge built across the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. However the bridge did not last very long as it was destroyed in World War 2 and subsequently rebuilt in the early1950s. During World War 2 a dangerous rail ferry operated to keep the only rail link from the south to the north of Thailand open.
Prior to this rail link most southern line trains went to SRTs Thonburi station near the Chao Phraya River where mass transport boats could carry people and cargo onwards into Bangkok.
Today things are very different. Around 70% of all Main South line trains operate directly to Bang Sue station and onwards to Hualamphong station in inner Bangkok. Also all cargo trains operate directly to Bang Sue. There are 12 trains a day each way between Bang Sue and Nakhon Pathom with some stopping at Taling Chan Station. An unknown number of nighttime and midday cargo trains also operate though the Bang Sue to Taling Chan rail link.
1. This is a short movie showing a departure from Bang Sue’s Southern platform 2. Note the track condition and station as the train leaves. This is filmed from an on train perspective.
2. This is a shot of the entrance to the Bang Sue locomotive workshops. These workshops are located about 700 meters north of Bang Sue station. Taken as the train passed by.
3. This is a shot of the railway village at the points just before the Main South line splits off from the Main North line. The railway village at bang sue is one of the biggest it stretches for about 2 km along the railway.
4. This is the start of the Main South line. The tracks in the background are the Main North line and the closer curved tracks are the Main South line. A few Hopewell columns can also be seen.
5. This is the junction on the Main South line that allows direct access to the Bang Sue freight terminal. It turns off to the left of the picture and the freight line will cross the Main North line as a diamond crossing.
6. This is a shot of the rail bridge of the klong just before Bang Son station. This bridge has extra plates of steel to stop rubbish and other waste from falling into the town water supply klong that passes under it.
7. This is a shot of the eastern end of Bang Son station. Looking back towards the busy level crossing. To access this station you need to walk along the track.
8. This is a general view of Bang Son station. This is one of only 2 stations on this short rail link to Taling Chan. Only 4 trains a day stop here. All occur at peak hour.
9. This is a shot of the Bang Son railway night market that operates on Friday, Sunday, Mondays and Wednesday. The market sells mostly low quality household goods and Thai food.
10. Click Here to see an early video of Bang Son station and bus services. Note: this video is of poorer quality due to high compression used to upload it to Youtube.
11. This is an image of Bang Son station taken from the western end of the station. The platform loop track on the right of the picture is no longer used by trains and the market uses it for car parking. However the loop is still active on the signal system.
12.This is a movie showing a crossing of the Rama 6 rail bridge. This steel bridge is about 500 meters long and crosses the Chao Phaya River. This is the only rail bridge across the Chao Phraya River.
13. This is a shot of the Rama 6 Bridge taken from the back of the train as it crossed the railway embankment on the Thonburi side of the bridge. Note the lovely twisted track that is only around 8 years old.
14. This is a shot of a typical rural like view on the Bang Sue to Taling Chan rail link. The left side of the track is the “City of Nonthaburi” and the right is the “City of Bangkok”
15. This is an image of the eastern end of Bang Bamru station and yard. Note the amount of signals.
16. This is a general view of Bang Bamru station. This is the 2nd station on the line. Despite its rather rural location it has 12 trains a day each way stopping here. About 500 meters away to the south of this station is a rather densely populated area.
17. This is a shot of the western end of the rail yard and station at Bang Bamru station.
18. This is a shot of 2 steel rail bridges across Klong Bangkok Noi. Almost all long rail bridges in Thailand are made of steel and constructed in a similar way to these. Taken just before Taling Chan junction.
19. This is an image of Taling Chan Junction. The single track on the right is the Thonburi commuter line.
20. This is a shot of Taling Chan Station’s main platform. Taken from the middle of the track. This station does not have any connecting bus services.
21. This is a shot of the platform timetable at Taling Chan Station. It is a much older style to that of Bang Sue. Not all trains listed go to Bang Sue station, 6 of them go to Thonburi station.
22. This is a shot of the Station Masters office at Taling Chan station. The building it is in would be over 100 years old. The computers give a good contrast of old and new.
23. This is a shot of the ticket counter at Taling Chan station. Like the rest of the station it is very old.
24. This is an image of a typical commuter train ticket used on the Bang Sue to Taling Chan rail link. This section is more expensive than others for some unknown reason.
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.
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