In praise of Southeast Asia's old railways

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Kung-fu Hillbilly
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In praise of Southeast Asia's old railways

Post by Kung-fu Hillbilly »

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An old stream train makes a rare departute from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok. (Photo by David Sutton)

DAVID SUTTON
JANUARY 15, 2020


As high speed rail projects proliferate new uses must be found for older lines

Railways are in my DNA. My father was an avid train spotter, and both my grandfather and my elder brother built miniature steam locomotives to haul children around public parks. In my youth I volunteered to restore old stations for one of England's many preserved railways.

Four times a year, I visit this station to watch the departure of a train hauled by two beautifully preserved Japanese-built steam locomotives. At 8 a.m. the whistle blows and steam billows from the engines as the train begins its run. A bright orange phuang malai (flower garland) hangs on the front, and 10 spotless burgundy-and-cream coaches are lined up behind

Hua Lamphong is one of Southeast Asia's last remaining grand old railway stations, and it breaks my heart to know it is scheduled for a drastic change in 2021. Except for one route, all services will be moved to a new transport hub at Bang Sue, which will also be the Bangkok terminal for a new high-speed rail network. Hua Lamphong will be turned into a museum.

These trains will run on standard-gauge track -- wider than the 1,000 mm track for existing railways in much of Southeast Asia -- which means the new trains will not be able to run on older lines. Some of the existing networks will continue, but others are likely to close or become underutilized. So this is a good time to talk about earmarking some of the old networks for preservation.

full.https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/ ... d-railways
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Duncan
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Re: In praise of Southeast Asia's old railways

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Wow , the sound of a steam train and the whistle blasting still makes my heart beat faster. At the age of 10 I could hear the steam train and whistle blow even though we lived on a hilltop 15 miles away from the nearest track.
Only one thing more exciting for a kid than riding in a steam train and that was to stand on the side of a railway line and watch as the train approached,,, getting louder and louder and the driver blowing the train whistle to warn us kids to get off the tracks.
All that power and noise when you are soooo close,, is something you will never forget.

Cambodia,,,, Don't fall in love with her.
Like the spoilt child she is, she will not be happy till she destroys herself from within and breaks your heart.
hiway5
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Re: In praise of Southeast Asia's old railways

Post by hiway5 »

The steam train still runs from Bangkok. Next trip is March 26.
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Duncan
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Re: In praise of Southeast Asia's old railways

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Cambodia,,,, Don't fall in love with her.
Like the spoilt child she is, she will not be happy till she destroys herself from within and breaks your heart.
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Re: In praise of Southeast Asia's old railways

Post by pczz »

The trouble with narrow guage is its too slow and can't take the capacity.
Can njust imagine Amazon prime - 5 month delivery
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