Thai Mass Transport Systems: SRT Cargo Trains and Chachoengsao Junction (Eastern Line).

This week I went out to Chachoengsao Junction to document the cargo and passenger train operations of the area. Chachoengsao city is around 60 km east of Bangkok located on the banks of the mighty Bang Pakong River.

Before the railways Chachoengsao was a major inland river port and was the centre of water borne travel in the eastern part of central Thailand. Today its role has greatly changed its now at the heart of SRT’s major cargo train corridors to the deep water ports in Rayong and Chonburi.
Chachoengsao is the junction for 3 mainline railways. These are Aranyaprathet (Former Cambodia route), Kaeng Khoi Junction (Issan cargo route) Sattahip/Map Ta Put/Laem Chabang (SRT’s busiest cargo routes).

The railway to Sattahip/Map Ta Put/Laem Chabang is very recent by SRT standards opening progressively in stages from 1984 to 1995 to service the massive cargo task of these areas. This line generates the bulk of SRTs cargo operations revenue.

In addition to this line the railway from Khlong 19 to Kaeng Khoi Junction also opened in 1995. This line was built to bypass the congested main eastern line to Bangkok with its short loops and congested single track. This line allows direct cargo access to the Issan lines. Even to this day no passenger trains operate regularly via this line it’s a strictly cargo only line.

The Bangkok direction line also sees quite a bit of container traffic from the ICD (inland port) terminal at Hua Takhe about 30 km west of Chachoengsao Junction. There are 24 container cargo trains a day to and from the ICD via Chachoengsao.

The main eastern line (Bangkok to Chachoengsao) line is quite unusual in that it is double tracked from Hua Mak (eastern Bangkok) to Chachoengsao but is single line from Hua Mak to Yommaraj Junction through some of the most densely populated areas of inner Bangkok. This odd track layout means extensive delays for all cargo and passenger trains between Hua Mak and Yommaraj as this section of line is at capacity most of the time. Also the section crosses many gridlocked main roads of inner Bangkok that makes delays even worse.

The different types of cargo trains that SRT operate via Chachoengsao Junction are: Containers, Natural Gas, Crude Oil, Chemical and Cement trains. Due to all the lines east of Chachoengsao being single line the maximum cargo train length is approximately 600 meters.

A total of 60 various SRT cargo trains pass though the Chachoengsao Junction each day. This number also includes the 20 trains that have to reverse direction at Chachoengsao to allow them to access the Kaeng Khoi line from the Sattahip line. This is due there being no triangle at Chachoengsao Junction.

As a result of all this cargo train activity this area is great for getting Thai cargo train images during daylight hours close to Bangkok. As its only 90 minutes SRT train ride from Hualamphong station via the congested main eastern line.

1. This is a shot looking east along the platform at SRT’s Asoke station. This station was the starting point for my trip to Chachoengsao.

2. This is another view of SRT’s Asoke station. Taken looking west towards Hualamphong. This rather small station is one of the busiest interchange stations for the eastern line. To the left of the image across a busy road is Phetchaburi MRT station.

3. This is a shot of the inbound (Hualamphong direction) train timetable on the platform at Asoke station. There are 14 trains a day from 6.41am to 9.12pm. Tickets are purchased on board.

4. This is a shot of the outbound (Chachoengsao direction) train timetable on the platform at Asoke station. There are 12 trains a day from 6.26am to 6.48pm.

5. This is an image showing the train waiting to cross the jammed level crossing at 11am in the morning. The congestion in Bangkok often adds 5 mins per crossing due to them being gridlocked. In the background is the new Makkasan station for the airport line still under construction.

6. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4547 looking quite sharp on the very late 10.28 Chachoengsao Train. This is a newer GE loco. Taken looking west from Asoke station.

7. This is a shot of a busy 10.28 train to Chachoengsao. This service used to be a 4 car DMU but recently was replaced with a 10 car loco hauled service to help reduce the massive overcrowding.

8. This is a picture of SRT loco number 4547 at Chachoengsao running around train that just arrived from Bangkok. Taken looking east from the cargo yard.

9. This is a shot of the carriages used on the train from Bangkok. Taken looking west along platform 2 at Chachoengsao. This train will form the 12.35pm Bangkok train. These carriages are ex Japanese railways and are quite comfortable for non aircon carriages.

10. This is a platform sign showing the different passenger rail route directions at Chachoengsao Junction.

11. This is a shot of the signal control system desk inside the main station building at Chachoengsao Junction. The black box is the train radio system. The red phones contact the next signal boxes either side of Chachoengsao station.

12. This is a close up of the signal control system computer display. The long red marks show the current position of a train. This control system was provided by Bombardier Transportation.

13. This is an image of the passenger timetable at Chachoengsao station. It’s nailed to the middle of the ticket office window. The two rows with white paper over them indicate that the train type has changed. It was aircon DMU now non aircon DMU.

14. This is a shot of the outbound timetable at Chachoengsao. This timetable is located outside the station entrance.

15. This is a shot of the inbound timetable at Chachoengsao. The trains to Bangkok depart from 5.45am until 8.05pm. There is now only one aircon DMU operating on this line.

16. This is a picture of the static steam loco on display in the station car park at Chachoengsao. It was SRT steam loco number 182. Loco type unknown. This loco likely made its last trip to Chachoengsao in operating condition before going on display.

The Cargo Trains of Chachoengsao Junction.

17. This is an image of SRT loco number 4536 hauling a Laem Chabang bound container train. This train originated at the ICD inland port at Hua Takhe. Taken looking west from the rail yard.

18. This is another angle on the Container train. The train was about 600 meters long and was hauled by a newer GE loco. Taken from within Chachoengsao rail yard.

19. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4511 in blue colour scheme hauling an ICD bound container train. Taken looking east from within Chachoengsao rail yard.

20. This is another angle of SRT loco number 4511 hauling an ICD bound container train. Taken looking east as it ran express though Chachoengsao station and rail yard.

21. This is a shot of SRT loco 4511 hauling an ICD bound cargo train passing SRT loco 4536 hauling a Laem Chabang bound container train in the 3rd platform road at Chachoengsao station.

22. This is a between the trains view. Taken from next to platform 3 at Chachoengsao. Note: SRT Loco number 4536 is waiting for the train on the left before having access to the single line east of Chachoengsao Junction.

23. This is a short video of the wagons of the ICD bound cargo train passing through the platform road at Chachoengsao Station. Note the container wagons used. These wagons only can hold two 20 foot containers or one 40 foot container.

24. This is a movie of SRT loco 4536 hauling a Laem Chabang bound container train. Filmed as it departed Chachoengsao Station heading east. Note the sounds of the loco and the wagon types.

25. This is a shot of the last few wagons going through the eastern end points of Chachoengsao rail yard. Note the twist effect of the train as it passes over the points.

26. This is a general view of Chachoengsao Junction Station after the cargo trains had departed. But it was not a long wait for the next cargo train.

27. This is a shot of SRT loco 4118 hauling a natural gas train as it was approaching Chachoengsao Junction. This train will stop at this station and reverse direction as it’s a north eastern bound gas train. Loco type Alstrom.

28. This is another shot of SRT loco 4118 hauling a natural gas train taken looking east from within Chachoengsao rail yard.

29. This is a short movie of SRT loco 4118 on a gas train as it arrived at Chachoengsao junction. Note how the driver was waving out the window as he passed by.

30. This is an image of a typical cargo train brake van seen on a natural gas train. Taken looking north west from the rail yard at Chachoengsao yard. SRT unit number BBV 50010. This vehicle houses the trains guard.

31. This is a shot of SRT loco 4118 taken as it runs around the Natural Gas train on its way to the north east of Thailand.

32. This is a shot of SRT loco 4118 as it prepares to couple to the brake van to haul the train onwards in the other direction.

33. This is an image of SRT loco 4118 and brake van BBV 50010 taken at the exact moment of the two vehicles meeting. The person in the foreground will connect the locos hoses to the brake van.

A Passenger DMU at Chachoengsao Junction.

34. This is a shot of SRT DMU number 1031 seen waiting to form the 14.05 train to Bangkok. Taken looking south east at Chachoengsao Station. DMU type Hitachi & Nippon built in 1971. Note the amount of rust in the front of this DMU.

35. This is another angle on DMU number 1031 seen at Chachoengsao station. This DMU is really on its last legs but due to a rail car shortage at SRT they are forced to use it. The 14.05 train normally operated with an all aircon British rail sprinter DMU.

36. This is an inside shot of DMU 1031 looking towards the drivers cab. Note the condition of the passenger area even the floors are rotten and holes are forming in the floor coverings.

37. This is another inside shot looking away from the driver’s cab of DMU 1031. Note the poor condition of the seating and carriage. This carriage is a real big down grade from a clean aircon DMU to one of the oldest non aircon DMUs still operating on the SRT rail system.

38. This is a shot of the drivers cab on DMU 1031. Note how it’s just made of rust and is in poor condition. This train appears to be able to get upto around 110kph but only did 90kph in service. The track is rated to 120kph for DMUs.

39. This very old 4 car DMU was coupled to a younger single Hitachi DMU creating a 5 car DMU set. This due to there being no toilets in the older DMU. Therefore the single Hitachi rail car provides a single toilet for the whole train. The SRT unit number is 1135.

40. This is an image showing the use of the Hitachi DMU 1135 with the older DMU. All SRT rolling stock can be coupled to each other regardless of type or purpose as they use common coupler style. Note the open window to the left on the Hitachi that is the train toilet.

41. This is a shot movie showing what its like to ride on SRT DMU 1031. Note the general condition of the carriage. This DMU could only get upto 90 kph after having its engine fail in the platform at Chachoengsao. Remember this trip used to have a clean aircon DMU before this very old non aircon DMU replaced it.