Recently I revisited the Mahachai line however unlike the previous time I photographed this section of the Mahachai line this time I had access to the train’s driver cab and thus could film and photograph from the front. Thus resulting in much more interesting pictures and videos from this section of the Mahachai line. The section of the Mahachai line where the cab ride took place was from Bang Bon to Wong Wian Yai. The future of this line and its counter part Maeklong seems uncertain at this stage as the upgrading projects have been endlessly delayed for either political or financial reasons. However the Mahachai line should not close as its use is very high at peak and reasonable during off peak. But more could be done to improve the current services on the existing infrastructure. For example the peak hour service could be increased to every 15 minutes and off peak to every 30 minutes. This would fit in ok with the crossing loops that exist on the line. However this service increase would require full time use of Khlong Tan Sai loop. The current timetable on the Mahachai Line is as follows: Wong Wian Yai – 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, 20.10. Mahachai – 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, 19.00. The traveling time between Mahachai and Wong Wian Yai is approximately 60 minutes. The trains are normally arrive and depart close to the stated times. However from 1st February 2009 SRT has announced it plans to cut 2 trips a day from the Mahachai line one in each direction. This is a move that I hope they don’t carry out as it will make the service worse and more crowded than it already is. 1. This is a short video showing a departure from Bang Bon station as the train powers toward Wong Wian Yai. Take note of the track side railway village and the section of 20 kph track which is subject to almost constant flooding during the rainy season. Also the grass along the track is kept short by the passing trains. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyCLbHhkRK8"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai Line: Bang Bon - Wat Sing.[/ame] 2. This is a shot of the rural nature of Mahachai line despite is mostly urban areas it runs through. Taken between Bang Bon and Wat Sing stations. Note the quality of the track and how the train keeps the grass short. 6. This is a shot of a small railway village just outside Wat Sing station. A large number of these buildings are only accessible from the railway track. 7. This is a shot of a steel rail bridge on the Mahachai line taken between Bang Bon and Wat Sing stations. The bridge is also used by people to access there homes. The trains operate at normal line speed of 60kph. 8. This is a video showing the approach to Wat Sing station. Filmed from the drivers cab of the DMU train. Note the level crossing and the staff member controlling the manual points for the Wat Sing loop. Also the track is very thin in this busy passing loop. Inbound trains always enter the loop. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ccJgF5BVlI"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai Line: Approach to Wat Sing station[/ame] 9. This is a shot of the Wong Wian Yai end of Wat Sing station. Taken from the train cab as it was waiting for another train coming the other way. The people are waiting for the inbound train. This was the starting point for the former electrified section of the line. If you would like to see more images and information about the Mahachai line please visit: Thai Mass Transport Systems: SRT: Cab Ride Mahachai Line: Bang Bon Wong Wian Yai. [FONT="]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.[/FONT]
10. This is an image of a Mahachai bound train passing though the points at the Wong Wian Yai end of the Wat Sing loop. This was the train we had to wait for before heading on. Train type DMU Hitachi. SRT unit number 1203. 12. This is a video showing the departure from Wat Sing station. Filmed from the front of the train. Note the quality of the track and the number of zero visibility minor unprotected motorbike/pedestrian level crossings as the train passes though the Wat Sing railway village. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-emHHDqZ_A"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai Line: Departure from Wat Sing Loop.[/ame] 15. This is a video showing the approach to Wat Sai station. Note the very small bridge on the curve before the station. Also note the very old railway village at this station. At the Wong Wian Yai end of the station a motorbike crossing can be seen. The platform sign at this station has been missing for about 2 years now. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o_vo8lhEB4"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai line: Wat Sai station approach.[/ame] 17. This is a short video of the track between Wat Sai station and Chom Thong stations. Note how this section has foot paths both sides of the railway track for access to the large number of track side homes of the railway villages. Also a very nice temple can be seen close to the track. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66yNLs1P4oE"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai Line: Wat Sai - Chom Thong.[/ame] 19. This is a shot of Chom Thong station. Taken from the train cab as the train approached the station. This platform is for outbound only trains a separate inbound platform is located on the other side of a large khlong bridge. In the past this station serviced as a transfer point to khlong boat services. Note not all trains stop at this station. 20. This is a movie of passing over the Khlong Bridge at Chomthong station. Note the inbound platforms just after the bridge. Also there is a busy level crossing just after the station which uses a full road with powered wire gate barrier. The track is very bad in this section with a really bad lurch to one side as the train struggles to keep on the track. Again there is a large railway village in this section. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHKnlzQhkw8"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai Line: Klong Bridge and Tight Curves.[/ame] 21. This is a shot of the very rarely used Khlong Ton Sai loop. Taken as the train approached the loop. The staff member can be seen manning the loop. This loop is the shortest loop on the Mahachai line and is in very poor condition. 22. This is a short movie of passing thought Khlong Ton Sai loop and station. This station is used at peak hour only. The track is very rough in this section with really bad up and down movement making it hard to keep the camera still. Note the tunnel of trees effect in this section. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYg-HphsfCo"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai Line: Khlong Ton Sai Loop.[/ame] 23. This is a shot of the BTS track crossing the SRT Mahachai line between Khlong Ton Sai and Talat Phu stations. This location may have a future interchange station. However the BTS track is not currently operating due to endless politics. If this interchange is built it will massively increase demand for Mahachai line services.
24. This is a video of the approach to Talat Phu station. The track in this section is poor quality and the final curves before Talat Phu has an uneven 10% tilt on it which is the worst for the whole line. You can feel the train straining to stay on the track in this curve. Again a large and well built up railway village exists before the station. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WVHrWP3K-U"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai line: Approach to Talat Phu Station.[/ame] 27. This is a movie filmed between Talat Phu and Wong Wian Yai stations. Note the different levels of the road and Rail Bridge and the quality of the track. Plus the numerous unprotected poor visibility level crossings. Also the Masjid “Surao Suan Phlu” at Wong Wian Yai can be seen as the train passes. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZm046pi9Ss"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai Line: Talat Phu - Wong Wian Yai[/ame] 28. This is a movie of the final approach to Wong Wian Yai station. The current terminus on the Mahachai line. Note the large track side market on approach to Wong Wian Yai station. This is the busiest station on the Mahachai line. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3anA_XV9mQ"]YouTube - SRT Cab Ride Mahachai Line: End of the line Wong Wian Yai.[/ame] 29. This is a general view of Wong Wian Yai station and market. Taken as the train approached the end of the platform. This station is a single platform terminus. Originally the railway extended another 2 km east to Khlong San on the Chao Phraya River.
That certainly is an eye-opener compared to US Class-1 lines. I guess it helps that the cars are light-weight and run relatively slowly...~25 mph? Thanks for very informative videos.
Seeing such lush growth in an urban setting is certainly different from what I know in my area of the USA. It is however, beautiful. Would be a marvelous and memorable ride. Boxcab E50
