Kaeng Khoi Juction is a much better place for daylight rail photography than for night photograph. As the station has a nice mountainous backdrop to the east and there is a good covered footbridge over the middle of the rail yard allowing for some great elevated angle photos. As the station is east – west orientated late afternoon shots to the west will not be possible due to the angle of the sun. The footbridge is hardly used by people to cross the tracks locals cross via the yard at grade.
A Little Background on Kaeng Khoi Junction.
Kaeng Khoi Junction is located 125km from Bangkok at the foot of the Korat plateau. Kaeng Khoi is the junction for 3 lines. These are the Ubon Ratchathani, Bua Yai and Klong 19 lines. This junction is the gateway to Isarn and is part of an important cargo train bypass route around congested Bangkok.
The station at Kaeng Khoi consists of 5 platforms. Two of the platforms are siding platforms off the main line. The other 3 platforms are on the main through running lines. To the right of the passenger train platforms is a 9 track cargo train holding and shunting yard. About 500 meters to the south east of the cargo yard is the Kaeng Khoi workshop area.
The workshop area is mainly used to refuel locos and DMUs plus undertake minor repairs to cargo wagons and locomotives. Locos and DMUs are stored inside the large timber workshop building. There was once a hand operated turntable at Kaeng Khoi Junction. However this was removed around 2000 as part of a major double track upgrade project in the Kaeng Khoi area.
Tuesday 6th January 2009 6:40am – Hualamphong Station Bangkok (0 km).
1. This is a shot of SRT loco 4531 waiting to depart Hualamphong with the 6.40am Ubon Ratchathani train. Loco type: newer series General Electric. Taken looking south along the platform.
2. This is a shot of SRT loco 4137 waiting to depart Hualamphong Station with the 6.20am Ubon Ratchathani train. Loco type Ahlstrom. Taken looking south from between the tracks. In the background on the left is SRT loco 4531. Note this 6.20am train is an additional service for the New Year super peak travel period.
3. This is an image of the 2nd class non aircon seats on the 6.40am Ubon train. Unlike many other rapid trains this train provides 2 full carriages of 2nd class seats rather than just half a carriage as is common. Advanced bookings are a must for these seats.
4. This is a shot of the tickets used on the trip to and from Kaeng Khoi Junction. Note the horrible departure and arrival times of the return trip. 3.15am was not a great time to arrive at Hualamphong. Both directions were 2nd class non aircon seats.
Tuesday 6th January 2009 9:26am – Kaeng Khoi Junction (125.10 km).
From approximately 10am until 5.30pm I spent the day in and around the station and yard area at Kaeng Khoi photographing trains and various other railway related items.
5. This is a shot of the train control offices and staff offices located on platform 1 at Kaeng Khoi Station. The staff seem to spend a great deal of time watching TV.
6. This is an image looking west of Platform 1 and 2 at Kaeng Khoi. These two platforms are in a siding off the main through lines. Mainly used for rural commuter trains and commuter trains to Bangkok.
7. This is an image of the station masters office on the opposite side of the yard to the main station buildings. It looks very much like it was once a signal box due to the design and location.
8. This is a shot of the train wash bay at Kaeng Khoi. Taken looking west through the wash bay. This section of track is constantly used for shunting locos and DMUs to access other tracks. It is rarely used to wash the trains as they are rather dirty.
9. This is a shot of the fuel storage tanks and loco fuel point just west of the workshop area at Kaeng Khoi Junction. SRT seems to waste a lot of fuel oil as the ground is saturated in black oil in this area.
10. This is a general view of the Kaeng Khoi Railway workshop and yard. This yard is about a 10 min walk west along the track from the main station. Minor repairs are undertaken here and the rural commuter DMUs are stored here.
11. This is a shot of DMU unit number 1025. Taken looking north east from in the yard area. DMU type: RHN made by Hitachi & Nippon in 1971.
12. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4420. Taken from within the yard area. Loco type Ahlstrom. Note this loco has appears to have undergone a refurbishment recently.
13. This is an image of a miniature steam loco on display in front of a staff rest area inside the Kaeng Khoi workshop. It appears to be a model of the full size SRT steam engines. Its unknown if the miniature steam engine can actually be operated. The workshop staff where very proud of it and were eager for me to photograph it.
14. This is a shot of DMU unit number 1017. Taken looking into the workshop shed at Kaeng Khoi. This DMU was being prepared for a trip out later in the day. DMU type RH made by Hitachi in 1967.
15. This is a general view shot of the inside of the Kaeng Khoi workshop. Taken looking east from just inside the western end of the workshop shed.
16. This is a shot of a maintenance platform used to work on locomotives at the back of the Kaeng Khoi workshop.
17. This is another general view shot of the inside of the Kaeng Khoi workshop. Like most other SRT workshops I have seen there is a large number of train wheels left laying around and other equipment that has long since past its use by date.
18. This is a shot of SRT loco 4308. Taken outside the workshop entrance looking west. Loco type Ahlstrom.
19. This is another angle on SRT loco 4308. Taken outside the workshop looking north west.
20. This is a shot of DMU 1038. Taken looking north west from inside the workshop yard. DMU type RHN made by Hitachi & Nippon in 1971. This type of DMU is used on rural commuter trains that operate out of Kaeng Khoi Junction.
21. This is a general view of the Kaeng Khoi workshop yard looking west. Note the tower between the tracks this appears to be used for access to the roof of locos and DMUs.
22. This is an image of the various engine and train parts left in a pile next to the workers rest area. There appears to be all kinds of things from hoses to electric motors and large batteries.
23. This is an inside shot of an RHN DMU used on rural commuter trains. These DMUs are around 40 years old and are well past it. The seating is not great on this type of DMU as the seat bottoms suddenly come apart leading to nasty surprise.
24. This is a shot of the drivers cab on the RHN DMU. Note the great condition of the cab and how worn out it is after 40 years of daily use.
25. This is a shot of a small wagon storage area next to the Kaeng Khoi workshop and loco fuel point. Taken looking east from the track.
26. This is a general view of Kaeng Khoi Junction looking west from the eastern end of the yard. On the left is the cargo holding yard and on the right are the passenger platforms.
27. This is another general view of Kaeng Khoi station. Taken from platform 3 looking north east. Note how there is a fence along part of platform 1 but a gap was left for a crossing right in the middle making the fence rather pointless.
28. This is a shot of DMU number 1038 arriving in platform 2 at Kaeng Khoi Station with a packed to the doors rural commuter train from Bua Yai Junction. DMU type: RHN made by Hitachi & Nippon in 1971.
29. This is an image of an Ahlstrom loco on a Preng Bound TPI Cement cargo train. Taken looking east as it was approaching Kaeng Khoi Station. The loco number is unknown.
30. This is another angle on DMU number 1038 as it unloads passengers on platform 2 at Kaeng Khoi. DMU type: RHN made by Hitachi & Nippon in 1971.
31. This is a short movie of a DMU shunting on to the workshop siding at Kaeng Khoi Junction. DMU type: RH made by Hitachi in 1967. This type of DMU is the oldest remaining in daily service with SRT. Note the poor visibility pedestrian crossing next to the station masters office.
32. This is a general view shot of the Kaeng Khoi workshop area. In the foreground a RH DMU can be seen making its way towards the workshop area.
33. This is a shot of the Preng Bound TPI Cement cargo train waiting in the cargo yard at Kaeng Khoi Junction. Taken from footbridge looking south west.
34. This is an image of DMU number 1017 making its way past the station master’s office building at Kaeng Khoi. Taken from footbridge looking south east. DMU type: RH made by Hitachi in 1967.
35. This is a shot of a 4 car intercity express DMU train on its way to Issan. Taken as it approached platform 3 at Kaeng Khoi Station. DMU numbers unknown. DMU type Hitachi & Nippon in 1985 (non aircon units) and Tokyu Car Corporation in 1985 (aircon units).
36. This is a shot of a 5 car intercity express DMU train on its way to Issan. Taken as it approached platform 3 at Kaeng Khoi Station. DMU numbers unknown. DMU type Hitachi and Tokyu.
37. This is another angle on the 5 car intercity express DMU taken as it was departing from Kaeng Khoi. Photo taken from footbridge looking north east.
38. This is a shot of DMU unit 1017 taken as it was arriving into platform 2 at Kaeng Khoi Station. This DMU was due to form a rural commuter train to Bua Yai Junction. DMU type RH made by Hitachi in 1967.
39. This is a shot of DMU unit 1017 taken as it was departing from platform 2 at Kaeng Khoi station. Image taken looking south east from platform 1. This the oldest type of DMU still operating in Thailand today.
40. This is a shot of another 4 car intercity express DMU taken as it was arriving at Kaeng Khoi station on an Isarn train. DMU type Hitachi and Tokyu.
41. This is another angle on the 4 car intercity express DMU this time looking north east from the footbridge. Taken as it was departing from Kaeng Khoi station. DMU type Hitachi and Tokyu.
42. This is an image of the 4 car intercity express DMU looking down from the footbridge and east along the platform. Note: the aircon on the Tokyu unit are the worst of all SRT DMUs. I.e. doesn’t cope at all during the afternoon and results in a sauna in the carriage.
43. This is an image of a 4 car intercity express DMU heading towards Bangkok. Taken looking north east from the foot bridge at Kaeng Khoi. DMU type Hitachi and Tokyu.
44. This is a short movie of the departure of a 4 car intercity express DMU service heading towards Bangkok. Note the sounds of the DMUs and the condition of them.
45. This is a general view looking east along the back section of the Kaeng Khoi yard. This part of the yard is mainly used to store old cargo wagons mostly 4 wheelers and old bogie wagons.
46. This is a shot of SRT loco 4024 taken as it was stored in the back road of Kaeng Khoi yard. Loco type older style General Electric. These locos have been operating for over 50 years and are the oldest mainline locos that SRT own.
47. This is a shot of an SRT bogie brake van parked in the back roads of Kaeng Khoi Yard. SRT wagon number BBV 50009.
48. This is an inside shot of Brake Van BBV 50009 at Kaeng Khoi. Note the poor condition of it. It appears that this brake van is no longer used.
49. This is a shot of the maker’s plate on the side of a LPG tank wagon stored in the sidings at Kaeng Khoi. This LPG wagon was built in May 2008 by Unimit Engineering.
50. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4402 making its way though the train wash bay as it prepares to shunt onto another track. Loco type Ahlstrom.
51. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4124 with an ordinary train to Lam Chi. Loco type Ahlstrom. Taken from the foot bridge. Note this train is a free service until end of Jan 2009.
52. This is a video of the departure of SRT loco 4124 with the free ordinary train to Lam Chi in Isarn. This train is 3rd class only and often overcrowded. Also station announcements can be herd as the train departs.
53. This is another angle on SRT loco 4124 on the ordinary train. Taken as it was departing Kaeng Khoi station on its way to Lam Chi.
54. This is an image of SRT loco number 4308 taken as it was stopped outside the station masters building at Kaeng Khoi. Note the poor visibility foot crossing just in front of the loco. Loco type: Ahlstrom.
55. This is a shot of SRT loco 4308 and a passing cement train at Kaeng Khoi Junction. Taken from the track level looking east towards the mountains. Loco 4308 were hauling two oil tank wagons.
56. This is another angle on SRT loco 4308 taken just after it had passed through the train wash with two crude oil tank wagons.
57. This is a short video of SRT loco 4308 with two oil tank wagons. Filmed from track level as the train pulling away from inside the train wash shed. Note: the sounds of the loco and the condition of it. This train appears to be a repaired wagons transfer.
58. This is a shot of SRT loco 4106 with an inbound cement train. Taken as it was passing through Kaeng Khoi station. Loco type Ahlstrom. The cement train is made up two different styles of cement wagons.
59. This is a short movie of SRT loco 4106 with a cement train bound for Bangkok. Filmed from within the cargo yard as it was powering through the yard of Kaeng Khoi Junction. Note the sounds of the loco and the wagons.
60. This is an image of a 6 car intercity express DMU taken from track level as it approached Kaeng Khoi station on a Bangkok bound intercity train from Isarn. DMU type Hitachi and Tokyu.
61. This is a movie of the departure of the 6 car intercity express DMU on its way to Bangkok with a full load. DMU type Hitachi (non aircon units) and Tokyu (aircon unit) Note: the sounds of the DMU and the condition of the DMU.
62. This is a shot of one of the doors on the 6 car intercity express DMU taken at Kaeng Khoi Station. Note how many people have to stand on this train every door on the train was packed like this. These people will be standing for at least 3 hours more.
63. This is a shot of a train notification unit used on the Bua Yai line. This signal device is used with semaphore signals a bell rings when a train approaches a section of track and the signaler changes the signals to allow the train through there section. I’m unsure of its actual name. This unit is located at Kaeng Khoi.
64. This is a shot of signal relay reset units inside the train control office at Kaeng Khoi Junction. A key for the locks on each unit is kept in a glass case near by. These units were imported from Westinghouse Signal in Australia.
65. This is a shot of DMU unit number 1026. Taken as it was passing the station masters office. DMU type RHN made by Hitachi & Nippon in 1971.
66. This is an image of DMU 1026 passing though the train wash shed as it prepares to shunt to form the 17.00 rural commuter train to Lam Narai. Note how both ends are sticking out of the shed.
67. This is a short movie of the arrival of DMU 1026 and 1038 into platform 2 at Kaeng Khoi to form the 17.00 rural commuter train to Lam Narai. Note the condition of the DMUs and the sounds of the engines.
68. This is an image of DMU 1026 waiting on platform 2 at Kaeng Khoi waiting to depart with the 17.00 rural commuter train to Lam Narai. Note the amount of rust on these 40 year old DMUs.
69. This is a video of the departure of DMU 1026 and 1038 with the Lam Narai commuter train. Note: how all the doors are left open on departure and well after it has got up to speed. Often the doors need to be forced open to board or leave these DMUs due to rust in the door mechanism.
70. This is a shot of SRT loco 4024 reversing along the back yard at Kaeng Khoi with two crude oil tank wagons. Loco type Older style General Electric. These oil wagons were removed from a train of 7 oil wagons.
71. This is another angle on SRT loco 4024 and the oil tank wagons. Taken from the footbridge at Kaeng Khoi. These wagons where pushed right into the work shop building.
72. This is a wide view shot of a Hitachi Locomotive shunting into the yard for refueling at the Kaeng Khoi workshop. This type of Locomotive is the most modern that SRT own.
73. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4212 on an 11 car Bangkok bound rapid train. Taken from the foot bridge as it was pulling into Kaeng Khoi station 100 minutes late and overcrowded. Loco type Ahlstrom.
74. This is a shot of the passenger carriages on the rapid train. Note: how people have to stand on the steps just to be able to get on this train. This train has another 3 hours to go and arrived over loaded from Muak Lek an hour away.
Tuesday 6th January 2009 5.30pm at Kaeng Khoi Junction (125.10km) – time to rest.
This brings to a close the 1st part of my 45 hour long rail photographing trip. The day at 5am I was at the station to take a rural commuter train to Chong Samran and that’s a topic for my next post.
In my last visit to Kaeng Khoi Junction I took only night shots and movies so to see what Kaeng Khoi looks like at 2am please visit this link.
http://thaitransit.blogspot.com/2008/11/srt-kaeng-khoi-junction-night-shots-and.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.
1 comments:
Love your photos.
I spent a day in 2004 in Kaeng Khoi.
It was funny really because I went to buy my ticket in Hua Lampong and was guided by those english speaking people who appear out of know where and ask if they can help you. Well I said I wanted to buy a ticket to Kaeng Khoi Junction and she replied with 'why go there, there is nothing there to see'. I had other reasons to go but as a railway person I wanted to see rural Thailand and its railways.
I too took many photos that day including shots of inside the signal box.
Interesting to find that its now the Station Managers office. He ws in an office on the main platform in 2004. He was very helpful. I wasn't aware of the locomotive shops etc. I didn't walk along the railway line for fear of being warned off but I suppose I could have done.
Would like to show my phots sometime so that others can see.
Your photos brought back memories. Love to see your new articles. Keep up the good work.
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