A little background on Kaeng Khoi Junction.
This junction is located just before the end of the double track line from Bangkok. The junction is the gateway to the Issan region of Thailand. All trains regardless if passenger or cargo must pass though this junction on their way to or from the Issan region.
Next to the passenger station at Kaeng Khoi Junction is a large cargo shunting yard where cargo trains are broken down to reduce weight for the climb to Thanon Chira or to reverse cargo trains to head down to Chachoengsao. This means that there is a lot of light engine movements around the yard and cargo trains arrive and depart at all hours of the day and night.
The main double track line from Bangkok splits into 3 smaller main lines at Kaeng Khoi Junction. These three lines are:
Kaeng Khoi Junction to Bua Yai Junction. (Branch Line to Nong Khai)
Kaeng Khoi Junction to Thanon Chira Junction (Main line to Ubon Ratchathani)
Kaeng Khoi Junction to Klong 19 Junction. (Cargo only line to Chachoengsao)
The line from Bangkok to Kaeng Khoi Junction opened in 1897. The very steeply graded main line to Ubon Ratchathani opened in various short stages from 1898 until fully completed in 1930. This line along with the Bangkok route was built as a 1435mm gauge line which was re gauged to 1000mm in 1922.
The branch line from Kaeng Khoi Junction to Bua Yai was built in stages from 1956 until finally completed in 1967. This line was built as a lighter graded line to bypass the steep 1 in 30 grades and tight curves of the Kaeng Khoi to Thanon Chira line. This route has the only tunnel in the north east region of Thailand.
The cargo only line from Kaeng Khoi Junction to Klong 19 Junction opened in 1995 this line was built as a cargo bypass route for cargo travelling from Issan and the eastern seaboard area of Chonburi. The cargo trains must reverse if coming from the Bangkok direction to access this line.
The Bangkok line and a short section of the Ubon Ratchathani main line to Map Ka Bao was double tracked in 2002 to ease chronic line congestion on the Bangkok side of Kaeng Khoi Junction. However passenger train delays still occur regularly even on the double track section.
1. This is a shot of SRT loco 4307 on the 23.40 train to Ubon Ratchathani. This train is the last outbound train for the day. Taken looking toward platform 9 at Hualamphong Station. Loco type Alstrom.
2. This is another angle on SRT loco 4307. Taken looking south between platforms 9 and 10 and Hualamphong Station.
3. This is a shot of SRT DMU unit number 2515 waiting to depart on the 22:55 Special Express train to Yala in the Deep South. In Typical SRT style this train was 20 mins late leaving Hualamphong Station. DMU type Daewoo. This shot was taken while waiting for the 23:40 train to depart.
4. This is an inside image of the 2nd class non aircon seats on the 23:40 Ubon Ratchathani train. There are only 20 of these seats on this train the other 11 and half carriages are 3rd class non aircon seats. No sleepers are available on this train.
5. This is a shot of the tickets used on the 23:40 train to Ubon Ratchathani. This trip cost 89 baht for 2nd class non aircon seats. The train left on the second and arrived only 6 minutes late at Kaeng Khoi Junction.
Kaeng Khoi Junction (125.10 km) at 2.16 am.
6. This is a shot of the computer controlled signal system at Kaeng Khoi Junction. This junction is one of the busiest in all of Thailand.
7. This is a close up shot of the computer control screen at Kaeng Khoi Junction. The red marks indicate occupied tracks and the green marks are reserved for soon to arrive trains and thin white marks are track that are free for use. Sorry for the poor image quality.
8. This is an image of a newer GE loco running light engine through the cargo sidings at Kaeng Khoi Junction. Taken from Platform 5.
9. This is a picture of a stabled Bangkok commuter train set and loco in the platform road at Kaeng Khoi Junction. This train will form an early morning commuter service to Bangkok at 5.05am.
10. This is a general view of Kaeng Khoi Station. Taken looking towards the ticketing hall from the foot bridge over the cargo sidings. The slight blur to one side of the image is caused by small vibrations in the foot bridge. The columns of steam are from a power station close to the station.
11. This is a shot looking across the crude oil tank cars towards platforms 2 and 3. Taken from the same foot bridge this time without any vibrations.
12. This is a picture of the inbound timetable at Kaeng Khoi Junction. Taken in the ticketing hall of the station.
13. This is a shot looking east along platform 3. Note the foot bridge and oil tank cars in the sidings.
14. This is an image of the stored commuter train set on platform 1 at Kaeng Khoi Junction. Looking east toward the ticketing hall.
15. This is an image of SRT loco 4147 while stabled in platform 1 at Kaeng Khoi. Taken from track level directly in front of the loco. Loco type Alstrom.
16. This is a shot of the platform sign at Kaeng Khoi Junction. Note the 3 different routes and the next stations.
17. This is an inside shot of the 3rd class non aircon commuter carriage stabled in platform one. Note the hard wooden seats this is one of the oldest wooden bodied carriages still in service on commuter trains.
18. This is a picture of the brake van of a NGV gas train that had just arrived in platform road 4 at Kaeng Khoi. Taken from platform level looking west.
19. This is a shot of the SRT office staff hard at work in the control office at Kaeng Khoi Station.
Night Train action movies at Kaeng Khoi Junction.
Due to low light and damp misty conditions most train shots have been taken as short movies instead. The intention was to show more train movement details in trying light and weather conditions.
20. This is a short movie of an Alstrom loco running light engine via the loco inspection shed on the far side of the cargo yard at Kaeng Khoi Junction.
21. This is a short movie of a newer GE loco arriving at Kaeng Khoi Junction hauling a TPI cement train. Note the sound of the loco. Filmed from platform 5.
22. This is a short movie of a newer GE loco arriving at Kaeng Khoi junction with a NGV gas train. Note the sounds of the loco as it passes.
23. This is a short movie of an Alstrom loco arriving at Kaeng Khoi Junction with a night express passenger train on its way to Bangkok. This train will arrive in Bangkok in 3 hours time around 6 am.
24. This is a short movie of an Alstrom loco arriving at Kaeng Khoi with a Bulk Cement train in tow. Note the lit up loco cab and the driver getting ready for a swap over for another driver who is waiting on the platform. The train only stopped for 20 seconds.
25. This is a short movie of the same Alstrom loco departing Kaeng Khoi with a bulk cement train just after a short stop for a driver change. The driver had started the train rolling before even sitting down. Note the sounds of the loco.
26. This is a shot of the train guard’s signs and equipment resting against a pole on the platform at Kaeng Khoi. The large wooden signs are for the side of the carriages to give information about the train’s destination.
27. This is a shot of the very old Hitachi 2 car DMU sitting at Platform 2 waiting for the 05:00 rural commuter service to Khon Kaen. On the right hand side is the loco hauled Bangkok commuter train waiting to depart. Taken from track level looking west. SRT DMU unit number 45.
28. This is an odd angle shot from the open door at the front of the 2 Car DMU. Looking down the carriage from floor level. Taken from outside the train.
29. This is an inside shot of the passenger seating area of the Hitachi DMU. Note the condition of the carriage. This train is over 40 years old according to the train driver.
30. This is an image of the drivers cab on the DMU. Note the condition of the controls. There appears to be no dead mans device on these DMUs.
31. This is a short movie of the Hitachi 2 car DMU on its way from the carriage sidings at Kaeng Khoi to the platform to form the 05:00 rural commuter train to Khon Kaen. Note the engine sounds.
32. This is a movie of the Hitachi DMU number 45 as it approaches platform 2 at Kaeng Khoi Station. Note the engine sounds on the DMU. The rear car on this DMU had some engine problems and would not stop over revving until it got underway.
This next section is the night cab ride from Kaeng Khoi Junction up the steeply graded Dong Phraya Yen Pass (Korat Pass) to Hin Lap Station. Note the videos in this section will be quite dark as the route is mostly monsoon rainforest.
33. This is a movie of the night departure from Kaeng Khoi Junction on the 05:00 Khon Kaen train. Filmed from the drivers cab on the DMU. Note the point work plus signals and how the drivers shut off there headlights when approaching each other.
34. This is a movie of passing though the points for the Bua Yai line east of Kaeng Khoi Junction. Note how useless the headlights are on this DMU. The track after the junction is rated as 110kph for DMU and 90 kph for loco hauled. This section of track is double track.
35. This is a movie of departing from Map Ka Bao station and starting the steep winding climb up the Dong Phraya Yen Pass. The line is all single track with short 600 meter loops from this station onwards. The track is in poor condition with a max speed of 20 kph for all trains. An attempt at concrete re sleepering has left the track in worse condition than all timber.
36. This is a movie of passing though the densely forested sections of the Dong Phraya Yen Pass. The curves are so tight here that the train’s headlights are often points to the side of the track rather than following the track. Also the line is made up of 5 and 10 meter rail sections not welded and at each join are weak wooden sleepers which make the train jolt downwards at every single track joint.
Approaching Hin Lap Station (144.29 km) at 5.30am.
37. This is a movie of the final approach to Hin Lap station. Note to the right of the train is the private sidings of the TPI cement mine and factory. The main line here is steeply graded and with a 20kph limit. Hin Lap station is my next destination on this trip I arrived there at 5.30am
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.
2 comments:
What are the differences for 1st and 2nd class? Do they run on the same routes?
1st class: Twin Berth in a separate rooms with a lockable door. Plus a hand basin in the room with drinking water and soap provided. Plus you can control the aircon airflow in 1st class.
2nd class: corridor style. with 40 berths per carriage 20 upper and 20 lower. each has curtains for privacy at night. The beds open directly on to the corridor of the carriage.
If two people are travelling together go with 1st class as its more private and comfortable. If travelling alone go with the lower berth in 2nd class.
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