SRT: The Mahachai line a trip from Bang Bon to Mahachai.

This is a continuation on from the earlier post on SRT’s Mahachai line. This is the link to the earlier post SRT: Wong Wian Yai to Bang Bon.

http://thaitransit.blogspot.com/2008/02/trip-from-wong-wian-yai-to-bang-bon-on.html

On Tuesday afternoon I took a ride to Mahachai city via the Mahachai line to visit the rail yard located behind the station. I took a number of pictures and interesting Cab ride style movies. This is by far one of my favorite railway lines in the world. Mostly due to the way it operated and how it is isolated from the rest of the system.

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. The Mahachai line was built by the Thachin railway company about 107 years ago. Then at a later stage taken over by the local government and SRT rail. These lines have a 14 metre wide land reserve that is a lot narrower than the main system. Although buildings have been built right up to 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. It’s 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. If this occurred today the line would not be able to keep its timetable and train versus car accidents would occur often.

Up until 1963 Klong San to Wat Sing was electrified and tram like trains did run. A possible reason for de electrification is due to the removal of the on street running around Klong San. This would have cut off the overhead system from the power substation located at Klong San station. There appears to have been only one substation for the whole line.

Mahachai line train timetable:

Wong Wian Yai to Mahachai

05.30, 06.25, 07.00, 07.40, 08.35, 09.40, 10.40, 12.15, 13.20, 14.25, 15.25, 16.30, 17.05, 17.35, 18.35, 19.10 and 20.10. It takes about 1 hour to reach Mahachai.

Mahachai to Wong Wian Yai

04.30, 05.20, 05.55, 06.25, 07.00, 08.00, 09.35, 10.40, 11.45, 13.15, 14.25, 15.25, 16.00, 16.30, 17.35, 18.10 and 19.00. It takes about 1 hour to reach Wong Wian Yai.

1. This is an image of the station sign at Bang Bon station where I started this journey to Mahachai.

2. This is a short Movie showing what its like to ride on the Mahachai line. Note the track condition and the approach to Kan Kheha station. Taken from the front drivers cab.

3. This is Rang Sakae station. The sign is all that remains of the station. However 2 trains a day stop at this station. Note there is no platform or waiting shelter at this station.

4. This is a picture showing the track quality and the tunnel effect from the trackside trees and bushes. Taken near Rang Pho station.

5. This is an image of the train driver and the speedo showing the speed of the train in the above section. It was about 65kph or about as fast as the trains go on this line.

6. This is a shot of a relatively new rail bridge on the line. Some of the line has had resleepering done on the section down of Kan Kheha. Although the ride is still very rough despite this work.

7. This is a shot of the manually operated points at the up end of Rang Pho loop. Note the flagman he is the one who manually changes the points.

8. This is a picture of Rang Pho Station the halfway point of the line and the 3^rd crossing loop on the line.

9. This is a short movie of a departure from Rang Pho station and passing though the points at the end of Rang Pho loop.

10. This is an image of Sam Yaek Station. This is a suburban station but it feels like countryside. Access to the station is via the bridge and along the track.

11. This is a shot of a section of better quality track and a small humpback bridge.

12. This is a shot of Phrom Daen station. The complex next to the station is Tharn Institute of Technology. It’s basically a technical school. This station is the 1^st station in the “City of Mahachai”.

13. This is an image of the points at the up end of Bang Nam Jued loop. This loop is normally used during peak hours. It is the 4^th loop on the line.

14. This is a shot of Bang Nam Jued station. All stations that have a crossing loop have a similar layout to this.

15. This is a shot of the points and rail bridge at the down end of Bang Nam Jued loop. This is a very typical steel rail bridge. The bridge also provides pedestrian access to the station.

16. This is a short movie of the train going over the points at Bang Nam Jued and the rail bridge. Note how the level crossing gate is broken off and laying in the klong.

17. This is a shot of the road bridges of Rama 2 road. This is not far from Mahachai Mai (new Mahachai city) Under this bridge is a very dangerous unprotected dirt level crossing that only about 3 metres wide. Trains always blast the horn and slow down here.

18. This is a shot of the flagman and the up end points at Khok Khawi loop. This is the 5^th and last crossing loop on the line.

19. This is an image of Khok Khawi station. Note the rusty station sign. The loop here is only used at peak times.

20. This is a shot of the points and level crossing at the down end of Khok Khawi loop. Note the short guy manually operates these level crossing gates.

21. This is a picture of another small humpback steel rail bridge. Note the lovely wavy rail on the down side of the bridge.

22. This is a shot of some lovely track quality even on the concrete sleepers.

23. This is an image of a section of track that often has a lot of annoying monkeys sitting on it they slowly move off the track as the train passes.

24. This is a shot of Ban Khom station. This is one of the suburban stations of Mahachai city. This station is odd in that an up and down platform was provided even though only one is used.

25. This is another image of an unprotected level crossing. Thai unprotected crossings don’t even have signs to let you know there is a crossing there. Note the low overhead cables.

26. This is a picture of Klong Chak station the last station before Mahachai. This is a peak hour only station. Note the great lack of station facilities. The shelter is where you wait for the train.

27. This is a movie of the final approach to Mahachai station and the end of the line. Note the old rail cars and flatcar cargo carriages on the approach to Mahachai station. Also Mahachai station like most major stations on this line have a railway market next to the station.

28. This is a shot of the train I used to travel to Mahachai on and the middle door at the front is where I filmed. Train Number 1203 taken just after it had arrived in platform road.

29. This is an image of the train timetable at Mahachai station. There are 17 trains in each direction on this line. Making this the 2^nd most frequent SRT commuter line.

30. This is a shot of the waiting room at ticket office at Mahachai station the most substantial station on the Mahachai – Wong Wian Yai line.

31. This is a shot of the nice wooden sign above the entrance to Mahachai station. This is a very common shot taken by rail fans that visit the station.

32. This is a shot of the market outside the station at Mahachai. You must walk though this market to continue on to the famous Maeklong line on the other side of the river at Ban Leam (Mahachai West). See this link for details of the Maeklong line

http://thaitransit.blogspot.com/2008/02/srt-maeklong-line-and-maeklong-railway.html

Please follow this link to access the pictures and details on the Mahachai rail yard.

http://thaitransit.blogspot.com/2008/03/srt-mahachai-rail-yard.html

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.

SRT: The Mahachai Rail Yard.

This is the final topic on the famous Mahachai and Maeklong rail system. This is all about the rail yard and the interesting things I found in the rail yard. Including some rare historical items. The Mahachai rail yard is a very interesting for rail fans partly due to the friendly nature of the workshop and rail yard staff. And also for it’s hidden historical gems.

This kind of rail yard visit in Australia is very much frowned upon. This is mostly due to over the top safety laws and rules and also from too much vandalism that occurs now in western counties that comes from a breakdown in their social structures. If I did the same rail yard visit in Australia as I did in Mahachai id probably end up dealing with the police at some point as no one trusts anyone in Australia now days. The freedom to explore the railways and its infrastructure hassle free is one of the many great things about Thailand and South East Asia.

If you do come to visit the rail yard at Mahachai the people are very friendly and welcoming to rail fans. But please be careful of moving trains and other equipment when in the rail yard. Also be friendly to the staff and don’t take or damage any of the equipment or metal parts or trains. The rail yard staff do speak a little English and will show you around the yard and trains if you ask them.

Here are some details on the trains that have been used on the Mahachai and Maeklong railway lines over the years:

The following DMUs have operated on the Mahachai line.

The first diesel railcars for these lines were the series D3 - D8
Type Bogie + trailer
Teikoku car & MFG. Co. Ltd. Osaka – Japan
In service 1959

Series D9 - D16
Type RTS Bogie + trailer
Maker: Tokyu Car Corporation – Japan
In service 1971

Series 1201 – 1264
Type DMU = Diesel Motor Unit
Maker: Nippon Sharyo Seizo Kaisha Ltd. / Hitachi Ltd. / Juji Heavy Industries Ltd. /
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. / Niigata Engineering Co. Ltd. / Kinki Sharyo Ltd. Japan. In service 1985

Series 2101 – 2112 (Unit number 2101 currently used on Mahacahi line)
Type: Air-conditioning motor unit (without driver cabin)
Maker: Tokyu Car Corporation – Japan.
In service 1985

The following DMUs have operated on the Maeklong line.

Series 1001 – 1003
Type: Bogie + Trailer
Maker: Niigata – Japan
In service 1962

Series 1004 – 1010
Type DMU = Diesel Motor Unit
Maker: Tokyu – Japan
In service 1965

Series 1011 – 1020
Type RH (same as above)
Maker: Hitachi – Japan
In service 1967

Series 1021 – 1048
Type RHN (same as above)
Maker: Hitachi & Nippon – Japan
In service 1971

Series 1101 - 1140
Type DMU = Diesel Motor Unit (coupled back to back to form a set)
Maximum speed 100 kph.
Maker: Tokyu Car Corporation / Hitachi Ltd. / Nippon Charyo Seizo – Japan
In service 1983

Series 1210 and 1213 (Current set used on the Maeklong line.)
Type DMU = Diesel Motor Unit
Maker: Nippon Sharyo Seizo Kaisha Ltd. / Hitachi Ltd. / Juji Heavy Industries Ltd. /
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. / Niigata Engineering Co. Ltd. / Kinki Sharyo Ltd. Japan. In service 1985

Source: Von Hirschhorn from 2bangkok.com

1. This is a shot of the trains stabled in the yard at the end of the platforms at Mahachai station. SRT unit numbers 1204 and 1212.

2. This is an image of the general view of the rail yard at Mahachai. Taken from between the trains. The train on the left is a current Japanese DMU made by a consortium of 6 Japanese companies in 1985 and the train on the right is an old DMU made by Tokyu Car Corporation in 1971.

3. This is a shot looking back towards the station I entered the rail yard though the gap between the trains. They don’t lock up the trains in this yard or give visitors any problems when photographing the trains.

4. This is an inside picture of the Japanese DMUs currently used on the line. This is the 3^rd class non aircon carriage. This type of carriage makes up most of the carriages used on the Mahachai line.

5. This is an inside shot of the only aircond carriage used on the Mahachai line. It is a 2^nd class car and is used on 4 trains a day in each direction. Costs 25 baht per trip. However I once rode in this carriage the aircon is often broken and it’s better to use the 3^rd class carriages. This carriage was made by Tokyu Car Corporation and entered service in 1985.

6. This is a picture of a bullet hole in one of the inter carriage doors on the currently operating DMUs. The 2^nd class aircon car is in the background. This has been like this for a long and the train is run in service with the broken glass.

7. This is a shot of the older DMUs that used to run on the Mahachai line. SRT unit T25. These are no longer in service due to disrepair.

8. This is an inside shot of the old out of service DMUs. Today they are used as a stock of spare parts for the currently operating DMUs. But in there day they would have been nice as the seats are padded.

9. This is a shot of the train repair workshop at the back of the Mahachai rail yard. Train Unit 1201 is in for repairs.

10. This is another shot showing the equipment used to repair the trains. Some of this equipment is very old and dirty.

11. This is an image of the workbenches in the workshop a staff member is cleaning something in the trough. Everything is oil soaked are rather dirty in this workshop.

12. The under train inspection pit and lifting jacks to allow under train work. The pit is very oily.

13. This is a general view of the rail yard taken from outside the workshop.

14. The is a shot of Train Unit 1215 at the back of the yard. Note someone is inside giving the windows are good clean.

15. This is a shot of train unit 1207 sitting in the yard. Note how the doors are left open. People in Thailand don’t vandalise the trains or try to damage them. Unlike in Australia.

16. This one of the hidden surprises in the rail yard this is an original 4 wheel box car from when the railway opened and operated by the Thachin railway company. It is over 100 years old.

17. This is another rail shed with old DMUs stuffed into it. This is Train unit D14. No longer in service. The small bottles contain engine oil they are everywhere around the rail yard.

18. This is a shot of old oil drums and old train wheels left at the back of the yard in front of train unit D25.

19. This is a shot of some old train parts left in the children’s playground that is next to the rail workshop. The children’s playground is only accessible via the rail yard.

20. This is a shot of the various metal junk and old train parts left at the back of the workshop. Taken from the staff lunch/rest area behind the workshop.

21. This is a shot of the sign on the back of the rail workshop the walk way on the left leads to the children’s playground and the main rail yard.

22. This is another hidden gem at the back of the rail yard. An old railway house. Possibly used to house the stationmaster's or rail yards manager's family. The house I estimate to be around 100 years old. There are not many houses like this left in Bangkok or surrounding areas.

23. This is a shot of the stairs inside the old house it was locked off, as it appears its still used for staff to rest in at times.

24. This is an image of an open but undercover room at the back of the old house. Like the rail yard metal parts are stored everywhere around the house.

25. This is a room that was open in the old house. All there is in the room is an old bed and a table. Its not know what the room is used for today. But it was quite cool inside the old house. It seems these old houses are better suited to the hot climate of Thailand than the modern buildings.

26. This is a shot of the veranda area of the house. The room with the open door is a very old but simple Thai style bathroom. The brown and white wooden doors lead to the room above.

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.