These SX carriages where originally design for floor level platforms commonly found in Australia and not the track level platforms commonly found in Asia. As a result of this SRT had to heavily modify the access to these carriages. By installing doors with step access at each end of the SX carriages to allow use with SRT’s track level platforms. The carriages also had to have there track gauge altered as SRT uses 1000mm wide tracks and Queensland uses 1067mm wide tracks.
Other modifications related to bolting shut the original doors and various modifications to the carriages electrical systems. The end result is that the insides of these carriages are close to original as they would have been when in use in Brisbane Australia. The internal layout of these SX carriages is interurban commuter style. All of these SX cars owned by SRT are non air conditioned.
When compared to other SRT non aircon commuter carriages these SX cars offer a lower standard of comfort. This is due to there being no toilets and poorer ventilation due to the smaller opening windows. The result of this means they are only used on short commuter routes and always found in consists with other older steel or wooden body carriages. These SX cars are not self powered and thus are used on loco hauled commuter trains.
These SX cars are normally used on loco hauled eastern line commuter services and sometimes on main north commuter services. They are rarely out on weekends as they tend to be timetabled on weekday only peak hour trains. The most common service they are found on is the 5pm Chachoengsao train.
1. This is a movie of a walk though of all the empty SX carriages stored in the platform roads at Hualamphong station. Note the bolted shut original doors and the internal layout. Also some old warning signs left over from Queensland rail use of them can still be seen.
2. This is a shot of all three SRT SX carriages. Taken looking along the platform road at Hualamphong Station. Note the missing window in the original doors and the step access. The SRT carriage numbers are BTC 602, BTC 618 and BTC 620.
3. This is a closer shot of the middle SX carriage. Note the opening windows in the original doors.
4. This is an image of connection between to of SRTs SX carriages. Again the step entry can be clearly seen as well as an unusually placed inter car power cable above the gangway.
5. This is a shot of a couple of old Queensland rail warning signs on the original doorway wall in one of the SX carriages. No Queensland rail logos are present on these carriages.
6. This is a shot of part of the original carriage doors and another old Queensland rail sign. Note the small metal plate that is part of how the doors are bolted shut.
7. This is an image of the SRT installed doorways and step access to the carriages.
8. This is a shot of the SX carriages taken looking along the platform towards the main ticketing hall at Hualamphong station. Note how much higher the original door level is when compared to the platform.
9. This is an internal shot of the SX carriages in there current layout. Note the large standing area around the now closed off original doors. Also standard SRT style ventilation fans are used in these carriages.
10. This is a shot of the typical seating on the SX carriages. These seats maybe original from Queensland as the seat back angle is quite different to normal SRT 3rd class carriages. Also these seats are much softer than normal 3rd class seats.
11. This is an image of the SRT installed door and steps at the end of one of the SX carriages. Note the gap at floor level. These doors are normally left open during travel.
12. This is a shot of the original doors now bolted shut and with a window level hand rail for standing passengers across the doorways. Also note the opening windows in the doors.
13. This is a shot of the inter carriage power cable that hangs down between each car at head level. The material around it is used to tie it out of the way and to keep it connected.
14. This is a shot of a typical loco used with the SX cars. Taken at Hualamphong station. SRT Loco number 4118.
15. This is a shot of the German shunter going about its business in the rail yard at Hualamphong. SRT loco number 73. These are very over worked locos. Running for days on end shunting carriages around as fast as possible to form the next train and move arrivals out of the way for other trains.
STOP PRESS: These SX carriages can now be ridden free of charge from 1st August 2008 until 31st January 2009.
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.
