We finally limped into Bangkok an hour and a half late because one of our lady suffered mechanical failure and I'd like to end my trip with this
Sophon, the steamers certainly create a lot of interest! You have a fascinating railway there with a good variety of trains - plus of course the steam specials!
Sophon, thanks for another fine railfan report. How often do the steam locomotives run in Thailand? That's a fine looking steamer. :tb-biggrin:
Train 901/902 (Steam excursion) runs on: 26/03 State Railway of Thailand's birthday 12/08 H.M. The Queen Sirikit's birthday (holiday) 23/10 King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day (holiday) 05/12 H.M. The King Bhumibol's birthday (holiday) The emblem you saw on 4418's nose is for Ministry of transport's 90th anniversary
Once more, thank you so much SRT-FAN! I definitly love your pics! They drive me into a hurry to resume my trips bound for your nice country, ranging from next november to april 2009! However I've one question about motive power: the first time I came to Thailand was in 1992. I rode the train to go from Bangkok to Ayutthaia, and I think I recall a freight train powered with a road-switcher style locomotive (ie a locomotive with a cab close to one end, and its diesel engine in a narrow hood). And when looking SRT's current roster, it appears there are none. Please could you confirm? All the best, Dom from France
Dom, SRT has several Henschel diesel-hydraulic switchers used in a captive yard duty at major terminal due to low top speed (58 Km/h). You might see these goat working a switch job in the terminal.
Mmhhh.... I don't think it was one of these. As far as I remember it was a 4-axle or a 6-axle engine, and it was on the main line close to Ayutthaia, fast moving ( 70 - 80 km/h) a pretty heavy freight (consisting of tankcars, what you call the "Black Express"). But it's an old remembering and maybe I'm making a confusion with elsewhere..... Anyway thank you Sophon.:tb-wink: Dom
Sophon, I love your photos. Keep them coming! Where are these locos and rolling stock from? Does Thailand have shops for building them or are the from elsewhere or is it a combination.
SRT buy most of its fleet from many countries such as USA, South Korea, France etc. Many years ago SRT built some passenger cars for its fleet at Makkasan Shop, Now they convert some old boxcars into flatcars for intermodal service