SRT: Bua Yai Line and Chong Samran.

thaitransit Jan 13, 2009

  1. thaitransit

    thaitransit TrainBoard Member

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    After spending a night in Kaeng Khoi. I was up at 5am and I made my way to the station to board rural commuter train number 433 at 5.28am. This train will take me via the Bua Yai line which branches of the main line at Kaeng Khoi. The Bua Yai line is an alternative route into Issan and is rather scenic.

    A little background on the Bua Yai line.

    The Bua Yai line was built as an alternative rail route into northern Issan. This alternative route is less steeply graded than the main line to Korat. Therefore making it easier and faster for large cargo trains to traverse the line. This is due to having only a short 20km section of steep grade with the rest of the line only lightly graded.

    The Bua Yai line was built in 3 stages from 1956 until fully complete in 1967. The line runs between Kaeng Khoi Junction and Bua Yai Junction on the Nong Khai line that comes up from Korat. The Bua Yai line is 250.80 km long and is 100% single track. The Bua Yai line uses semaphore signals throughout the line.

    Between Pa Sak Jolasid Dam Station (162.38 km) and Saranarai Station (185.80 km) the line crosses the massive man made lake of Pa Sak Jolasid Dam. The line crosses it via 5 long concrete bridges and a series of long rock and earth embankments. This section of the line is one of the most scenic in all of Thailand.

    Between Khok Khli Station (240.87 km) and Ban Wa Tabaek Station (263.14 km) the line climbs over 300 meters in elevation up a steeply graded escarpment and onto the Korat plateau of the Issan area. The view from the train as it climbs the escarpment is spectacular. Just before Chong Samran Station there is a curved tunnel of about 230 meters in length. This is the only rail tunnel in the north east of Thailand.

    A little background on Chong Samran.

    Chong Samran is a minor station located roughly at the middle of the Bua Yai line. Chong Samran is the mid way point on the steeply graded section of the Bua Yai line. The station is the dividing line between central Thailand and Issan.

    Chong Samran station is 250.62 km from Bangkok and is about 200 meters above sea level. The station consists of a single platform and a 3 track loop of which only 2 tracks are in use. The station uses semaphore signals which are controlled from the station building using a series of levers and pulleys.

    The Chong Samran area very rural and rather remote but does have a highway nearby. The people who live in the area are very friendly but are basically low income farmers. If you are visiting the area it is advised to bring food and water with you from Kaeng Khoi or Bangkok as there is very little food available at Chong Samran.

    Chong Samran Station only sees two trains a day in each direction. These trains are 3rd class only rural commuter trains. There are no direct trains to Bangkok from Chong Samran. To access Bangkok one has to transfer at Kaeng Khoi Junction to another train.
    Train Timetable at Chong Samran.

    Trains to Bua Yai Junction depart at 07.46 and 14.11 only.

    Trains to Kaeng Khoi Junction depart at 08.17 and 15.13 only.

    Make sure you don’t miss the last train as there is no hotel of any kind at Chong Samran to stay overnight.

    Wednesday 7th January 2009 5.28 am at Kaeng Khoi Junction (125.10 km).

    1. This is a shot of DMU 1032 waiting to depart from Kaeng Khoi Junction with the 5.28 am rural commuter train to Bua Yai Junction. DMU type: RHN made by Hitachi & Nippon in 1971. Taken looking west along platform 3.

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    Wednesday 7th January 2009 5.33 am at Ban Chong Tai Loop (128.80 km).

    3. This is a movie of a night time cross between train ORD 433 and train EXP 70 at Ban Chong Tai loop and station. Train EXP 70 was over 180 minutes late at Ban Chong Tai. This cross helped to delay ORD 433 by 30 minutes. It was unusually very cold at Ban Chong Tai.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvCsfFJ4mHU"]YouTube - A night time cross at Ban Chong Tai loop and Station.[/ame]

    Wednesday 7th January 2009 6.10 am at Pa Sak Jolasid Dam Station (162.38 km).

    6. This is movie of the final approach to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam station. Filmed from the side of the train in the early morning light. Note the sunflowers near the station. This station has no crossing loop.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IH3IaivF2s"]YouTube - Final approach to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam Station.[/ame]

    Wednesday 7th January 2009 6.10 am – 6.21am between Pa Sak Jolasid Dam (162.38 km) and Khok Salung (176.55 km) stations.

    7. This is a movie of crossing the first rail bridge over Pa Sak Jolasid Lake. Note how long the bridge is and the curved nature of the bridges and the view around the train. Filmed from the side of the train in the early morning light.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6SLCiuAfyE"]YouTube - Crossing the 1st railbridge over Pa Sak Jolasid lake.[/ame]

    11. This is a movie of crossing the forth rail bridge over Pa Sak Jolasid Lake. Unlike the other bridges this one has a double curve. These bridges along with this part of the line were built in 1999 over dry land as the lake had yet to fill. The scale of the lake can be seen as it stretches to the horizon. This is last bridge before Khok Salung Station.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw1uu7K0I_Y"]YouTube - Crossing the 4th rail bridge over Pa Sak Jolasid lake.[/ame]

    Wednesday 7th January 2009 6.21 am at Khok Salung Station (176.55 km).

    14. This is a short movie of the departure of train 433 from Khok Salung station after crossing another train and taking on a load of school kids. Note how the windows are closed on the other train this is due to very cold weather. Around 16 C instead of 25 C.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTYQm_f0ALw"]YouTube - A Cross and Departure from Khok Salung Station.[/ame]

    Wednesday 7th January 2009 6.21 – 6.33 am between Khok Salung (176.55 km) and Saranarai (185.80 km) Stations.

    15. This is slightly grainy shot of the 5th rail bridge over Pa Sak Jolasid Lake. Taken as the train was approaching the bridge. Note the curved nature of the bridge and the semaphore signals on the bridge and track side cables.

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    Wednesday 7th January 2009 6.33 am at Saranarai Station (185.80 km).

    19. This is a shot of SRT loco number 4513 with a Bangkok bound intercity rapid train. Taken as it passed train 433 in the loop at Saranarai Station. Loco type Hitachi. Note the great steam engine imitation this loco is doing with the huge cloud of black smoke.

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    20. This is a short movie of SRT loco 4513 with the Bangkok rapid train crossing the rural commuter train at Saranarai station and loop. The Bangkok train is a free service indicated by the white signs on the side. Also note the semaphore signals in the distance.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOF2BYipwDw"]YouTube - A Cross at Saranarai Station and Loop.[/ame]

    Wednesday 7th January 2009 7.00 am at Lam Narai Station (208.80 km).

    21. This is an image of SRT loco 4554 with a southbound LPG cargo train. Taken at Lam Narai Station as the train approached. Loco type newer style General Electric.

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    24. This is a short movie going over the Lam Narai steel rail bridge between Lam Narai and Ban Ko Rang Stations. Note the design of the bridge with the smaller spans each side and the centre larger and fancier span. Filmed from the side of the train.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI002meMbP0"]YouTube - Crossing the Lam Narai rail bridge.[/ame]
     
  2. thaitransit

    thaitransit TrainBoard Member

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    Wednesday 7th January 2009 7.34 am at Khok Khli Station (240.87 km).

    31. This is a movie of the departure from Khok Khli Station and the start of the steep climb up to Chong Samran. This section of track is quite rough with some tight curves and max speed is 50 kph. Note the semaphore signals along the track.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y6WVndbbO0"]YouTube - Climbing up to Chong Samran on the Bua Yai line Part 1.[/ame]

    33. This is the final movie of the steep climb up to Chong Samran. This last section of the track passes through the Khao Pang Puai Tunnel. This tunnel is 230.60 metres long and is curved. Note the tight curves and track condition after the tunnel. Also the outer semaphore signals of Chong Samran can be seen.

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz2q5qyE0oY"]YouTube - Climbing up to Chong Samran on the Bua Yai line Part 3[/ame]

    Wednesday 7th January 2009 7.45 am at Chong Samran Station (250.64 km).

    This last section of photos where taken in and around Chong Samran Station between 7.45 am and 3.13 pm.

    35. This is a shot of DMU 1013 waiting at Chong Samran Station for another train to pass. DMU type: RH made by Hitachi in 1967. This was the train that I rode from Kaeng Khoi to Chong Samran. Its 3rd class only with crappy seats.

    [​IMG]

    39. This is an image of DMU 1017 and DMU 1013 waiting at Chong Samran Station side by side. DMU 1017 is heading towards Kaeng Khoi Junction. DMU type: RH made by Hitachi in 1967.

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    42. This is an image of the signal control levers for the semaphore signals and the points at Chong Samran Station. They are connected via steel cables to the signals.

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    47. This is shot of a typical signal mast for the semaphore signals on the Bua Yai line. Taken just after the level crossing at the Kaeng Khoi end of Chong Samran loop. On the mast the track speed for DMU and Loco hauled trains is shown.

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  3. thaitransit

    thaitransit TrainBoard Member

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    52. This is a shot of the Chong Samran end of Khao Pang Puai Tunnel. This tunnel was built in the late 1960s and is of a modern design. The tunnel is on a curve and is 230.60 meters long. Taken from track level in front of the tunnel. The tunnel is located at 249.03 km.

    [​IMG]

    58. This is a shot of DMU 1231 as it was slowing down to pass a book to the station master at Chong Samran Station. DMU type: Hitachi & Nippon made in 1985.

    [​IMG]

    This draws to a close an epic 45 hour long rail fan and photographic trip in the Kaeng Khoi area and on the Bua Yai line. The last part of this trip is a rather drawn out 250.64 kilometer long trip back to Bangkok. I departed Chong Samran at 3.13pm and arrived in Bangkok on time at 3.15 am, 12 hours and 02 minutes later! That is an average journey speed of just 20.8 kph!

    If you would like to see more images and videos from the Bua Yai line and Chong Samran Please visit:

    Thai Mass Transport Systems: SRT: Bua Yai Line and Chong Samran.

    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.
     
  4. Stourbridge Lion

    Stourbridge Lion TrainBoard Supporter

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    :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:​
     
  5. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    'Epic' is the word for a 45 hour railfan trip! There are some impressive curved bridges on the route. Fascinating - thanks for sharing. :thumbs_up:
     

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