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.



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.

The Bangkok BRT (Bus Rapid Transit System) and Buses of Thaphra.

Last weekend I visited the currently under construction Bangkok BRT system. This BRT system is being built as a cheaper and faster way to deliver BTS style mass transport to other parts of Bangkok. The BRT is being supported by the Bangkok city council.

The BRT will run from Chong Nonsi BTS station in Sathorn to the Mall Thaphra in Thonburi. The route will run south along Narathiwat Ratchanakharin road then turn to the right and operate along Rama 3 road and cross the Rama 3 Bridge and finish in front of the Mall Tha Phra on Ratchadaphisek road in Thonburi.

The construction works on all stations is underway from Chong Nonsi BTS to the eastern foot of the Rama 3 Bridge (Bangkok side). However no construction works have started on the Thonburi side of the Rama 3 Bridge. The lack of work on the Thonburi side is due to major problems with providing a BRT bus lane over the Rama 3 Bridge which is gridlocked at peak times with traffic speeds at 2 kph.

If the BRT lane as planned for is installed over the Rama 3 Bridge it will reduce mixed traffic from 3 lanes to 2 lanes on the bridge and from 2 lanes to 1 lane on the bridge approaches. Also this will mean the 4 lanes of mixed traffic between the Mall Thaphra will be forced to merge into 1 lane to access the Rama 3 Bridge.

If the BRT is pushed through in its current form it will make an already bad traffic situation even worse. It’s already at 2kph average traffic speed at peak hour before BRT. After these works the mixed traffic route will become unusable with journey times increasing from 1 hour to well over 2 hours for a 3 km journey.

However all is not lost with this section of the BRT if the Bangkok City Council could extend the BRT much further west and north of the Mall Tha Phra then car and normal BMTA bus users could transfer well before the Rama 3 Bridge and therefore reducing the negative impacts of the BRT.

Another issue with the BRT is going to be its maximum capacity per hour this is currently unknown as it’s never been tested. If it’s too low the BRT system will not cope with demand. As has occurred in other parts of the world.

The buses used on the BRT will be high floor articulated buses with railway like floor level platform access. Also the buses will be setup so the doors are on the right hand side and not the left as per all other Thai buses. This setup will make the BRT busway exclusive to the BRT buses only. No BMTA buses will be able to use it.

Thus on the congested Thonburi section of the route the every 30 second BMTA bus services will become trapped in even more massive jams making life worse for Thonburi bus users and even creating transport delays as far away as Mahachai city.

The BRT does have some great positives if the problems are worked out. Some of these positives would be a single high frequency rail like mass transport route for Rama 3 road which has poorly planed indirect bus services currently. The new route will offer a high capacity route to cross from Thonburi to Bangkok and connect with the BTS for a traffic free journey saving an hours traveling time at peak.

1. This is an image of footbridge/concourse of the BRT station at the eastern foot of the Rama 3 Bridge. Taken from the north end of the walkway looking south. Note the ticket office can be seen under construction at the southern end.



2. This is a close up shot of the under construction ticket office inside the BRT station. The peeling material on the outside will be removed when complete.



3. This is a shot of the inbound BRT busway platform. Looking east from the concourse of the BRT station.



4. This is a shot of the outbound BRT busway platform. Looking east from the concourse of the BRT station. It appears each platform will only be able to hold a bus at a time.



5. This is an image of the exit steps to the side of Rama 3 road. There will be escalators for entry only. Also no disabled access will be provided on the BRT system as no station has a lift from street level to the concourse or to the busway platforms.



6. This is a general view of the BRT concourse looking north. The ticket office is to the right. The small door will provide access to a small staff lunch or rest area.



7. The inbound Busway platform. Taken from the platform itself looking east. Note the railings down the middle of the platform. This appears to separate arriving and departing BRT passengers.



8. The outbound Busway platform. Taken from the platform itself looking east. Note the boxes stored on the platform. These contain materials probably panels for the bus shelters.



9. The view of the BRT station from street level. Note the single escalator for up access from the platforms to the concourse. Like the BTS stations these BRT stations dominate the streetscape.



10. This is a general view of the BRT station from street level. At this angle it appears to be a foot bridge over the road. Signage will be needed to help make them standout better to car users.



11. This is a shot of the entry escalator to the concourse. There will be no lift for disabled passengers. The colour of the BRT stations is similar to the Bangkok city council colours.



12. This is a shot of the almost complete concourse of the second last BRT station on Rama 3 road. Some signage work and electrical work remains to complete.



13. This is an image of the almost complete inbound BRT platform. The entire station is built over the existing Rama 3 road khlong. The white panels will be used for backlit signs or advertising.



14. This is a close up shot of the externally complete BRT station ticket office. This BRT station is located in front of a Home Pro shopping centre on Rama 3 road. The internal works for the ticket office still needs to be completed.



15. This is a view looking towards the entrance to the BRT Busway platforms. It is not known if there will be off bus ticket barriers installed in this area. If so, no provision for electric power has been provided in the floor.



16. This is a shot of the almost complete outbound BRT platform. The Buses will travel in a meant to be segregated lane on Rama 3 road. The lane they will use is the current top lane of Rama 3 road. Therefore reducing it from 4 to 3 lanes in each direction.



17. This is an image of the BRT station toilets. It is not clear if they will be available for passenger use despite being located on the Busway platforms. If they are available for public use it will be a first for Bangkok’s modern mass transport system as the BTS and MRT do not have any station toilets. Also of note the toilets are above a khlong it is possible the waste will just going into the khlong directly.



A more complete survey of the BRT route and system will be completed once the system is operating fully. This could be upto 12 months a way.

The Current Bus services of Rama 3 road.

All of the following images were taken near the second last BRT station opposite the Home Pro Shopping centre.

18. This is a shot of a Route 89: Bangkok Rajamangala Institute of Technology – Taling Chan Bus. Traveling towards Taling Chan. Bus number 89 – 9. Bus type Non aircon Hino. This service operates from 5am to 11pm operates every 5 to 10 mins.



19. This is an image of a Route 205: Customs Department (Klong Toei) – Tha Phra Bus. BMTA bus number 4 – 80072. Bus type non aircon Mitsubishi. This service operates from 4.30am to 11.20pm operates every 2 to 5 mins. Note this bus is a free service.



20. This is a shot of a Route 205 bus. Traveling towards Tha Phra. BMTA bus number 4 – 45124. Bus type Aircon Hino. Between 6am and 9am and 4pm and 7pm rapid buses operate using the aircon buses every 2 to 5 mins in addition to the normal service. These buses use all 5 Rama 3 road flyover bridges to provide a faster service.



21. This is a shot of a Route 504: Rangsit to Thanon Tok bus. Traveling towards Thanon Tok terminus. Bus number 504 – 3. This service is operated by premium management and appears to be a new route as the old route is via Charoen Krung road. Bus type Golden Dragon. This service appears to operate every 10 mins.



22. This is an image of a Route 22: Sathu Pradit to Lat Phrao 101 bus traveling towards Lat Phrao 101 Bus number 8 – 6739. Bus type Merc O305. This service operates every 5 to 10 mins and is a 24 hour service.



The Buses of Tha Phra.

This next set of images where taken in the area in front of the Mall Tha Pra. This area is where the last BRT station meant to be built. However due to issues mentioned at the start it has been delayed due to its detrimental effects on traffic in the area. This area has crawling 5 to 10 kph traffic in at least one direction from 6am to 11pm 7 days a week. These images where taken on a Sunday afternoon when the traffic its lightest inbound but was jammed outbound.

The bus services in this area are already at capacity and operate when the traffic allows every 30 seconds on a number of separate routes. Making the traffic worse is the addition of 4 new 30 plus storey condo projects close to the already very busy Mall Tha Phra. These building will be built with zero consideration for the infrastructure issues of the area.

23. This is a shot of a Route 147: Rama 2 – Bang Khae – Tha Pra – Dao Khanong bus. Bus number 147 – 58. Bus type Unknown. The bus was stuck in the massive outbound jam opposite the Mall Thaphra.



24. This is another angle on the very pink Route 147 bus. This bus has recently undergone a major refurbishment with new seats new paint job and a conversion to NGV. Buts it’s still got crappy old windows and doors plus no aircon and the choice of colour leave a lot to be desired.



25. This is an image of a Route 57: Thonburi – Southern Bus Terminal Loop bus. Bus number 21 – 215. Bus type Unknown. The route of this bus is very complex and indirect as it appears to be made up of parts of other routes. It even provides train replacement service between Wong Wien Yai and Klong San.



26. This is an image of a Route 68: Mahachai city – Banglamphu bus. Bus number 68 – 22. Bus type Merc O 305. This bus has been converted to NGV.



27. This is a shot of a Route 547: Mahadol University (Salaya) to Victory Monument bus. Bus number 547 – 10. Bus type Merc O 305. This service travels via an indirect route.



28. This is a shot of a Route 101: Rama 2 (Bang Mod) – Wat Muang bus. BMTA bus number 6 – 50107. Bus type Isuzu. Note this is a free bus service.



29. This is a picture of a Route 205: Thaphra – Customs Department (Klong Toei) Bus. BMTA bus number 4 – 44086. Bus type Aircon Hino.



30. This is a shot of an unrefurbished Route 147 bus. Bus number 147 – 47. Bus type Unknown.



31. This is an image of a Route 193: Rama 2 - Kanlapaphruek – Tha Phra – Dao Khanong loop bus. BMTA bus number 6 – 30315. Bus type Merc O 405. This is a new service that started in September and fills in a previous transport black hole on Kanlapaphruek road.



32. This is a shot of a Route 68: Samae Dum – Banglamphu bus. BMTA bus number 5 – 30378. Bus type Merc O 405.



Now for something different a Route 1402: Bang Bon – Bang Khae bus. Bus number 1402 – 60. Bus type unknown. Note how the bus doors have long since gone missing. This route is a minor route and provides an important alternative route to Bang Khae. Taken as it was doing a U – turn at Bang Bon SRT station.



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.