SRT’s Red Line offers free trips during soft launch

[webfact]

 

By Sirakij Pornbanggird

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government is offering the public free train trips during the soft launch of the Red Line service running Talingchan - Bangsue - Rangsit, and launching on August 2 when the Prime Minister will preside online.

 

The government’s deputy spokesperson, Traisulee Traisaranakul today announced that on August 2, the RED Line train will initiate a soft launch lasting three months. During this time, members of the public can take unlimited free journeys.

 

On August 2, at 10 AM, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-O-Cha will preside over the launch ceremony via online video conference from Government House in Bangkok.

 

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob, and The State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Governor Nirut Maneephan will be at Bang Sue Grand Station.

 

According to the launch ceremony schedule, after the PM finishes his speech inaugurating the service, the first trips will depart simultaneously at 10.29 AM from Bangsue Grand Station, Talingchan station, and Rangsit station.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-02

 

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[lujanit]

I believe it is not an electric train service but a diesel train service so the pic is wrong.  I live near Taling Chan and there is no electric powered tracks.

[Scrotobike]

Free travel - way to go, lets get the trains full, a good measure against Covid.

You cannot make this up.

[KhunBENQ]

Perfect timing.

Free rides on the red train through the deep red zone.

What comes after deep red BTW? Violet?

[KamnanT]

3 hours ago, lujanit said:

I believe it is not an electric train service but a diesel train service so the pic is wrong.  I live near Taling Chan and there is no electric powered tracks.

I haven't seen the rolling stock but I have seen the line running parallel to the Don Muang tollway and it is definitely electrified.

[khunjeff]

5 hours ago, lujanit said:

I believe it is not an electric train service but a diesel train service so the pic is wrong.  I live near Taling Chan and there is no electric powered tracks.

It is definitely electric. The main railway line running through Taling Chan isn't electrified, but the new Light Red Line is. (The original Light Red Line that ran briefly nine years ago was indeed served by diesel railcars.)

[KhunBENQ]

deleted

check again

100% electric but don't know whether they use overhead wire

[KhunBENQ]

They use overhead wire.

It's just different from a locomotive that there is only one current collector somewhere in the middle.

Screenshot from a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgJaulzBUEM

 

[mwbrown]

I made an app for Android called "Bangkok Train Map" that shows all of the Bangkok BTS, MRT, ARL and SRT train routes.  I've spent the evening updating it with the new Dark Red and Light Red lines, but I can't find the GPS location of two of the Light Red stations:

 

"Phra Ram 6"

"Bang Kruai-EGAT"

 

If somebody could do me a huge favour and go to these stations, go up to street level and capture the GPS coordinates with Google Maps that would be simply awesome and I would be forever in your debt.