Steam Engines

[wolf359]

hi there, can anybody tell me if there any working steam railway engines in Thailand?

[Crossy]

A couple of years ago there was a steam loco operating on the Kwai river section of the railway, very much a tourist job. Don't know if it is still operating though.

AFAIK Thai State Railways retired their steam some years ago, even China have killed off steam. Such a shame.

[Khun Ngo]

^

Really, did they? I have read that they want to stop production of new locos. But I think

it will take a while till all are out of service.

[wolf359]

As I understand it China has many steam engines still working, but they are gradually being fazed out. I have seen the engine by Hau-Hin station and the engines by the river Kwai, are there any more about? has Thailand got a steam engine dump anywere?

[Crossy]

As I understand it China has many steam engines still working, but they are gradually being fazed out. I have seen the engine by Hau-Hin station and the engines by the river Kwai, are there any more about? has Thailand got a steam engine dump anywere?

As usual my minmal reasearch failed Correct, China is still running steam although phasing out 'real' operations in favour of keeping tourists happy.

Meanwhile I found this http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/steam/thailand.htm page on Thai steam, definately no non-tourist stuff here.

[penzman]

has Thailand got a steam engine dump anywere?

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They were probably stripped and sold for scrap in no time.

[johng]

There's one in Jomtien needs a bit of restoration though

[qualtrough]

Last I heard SRT keeps six locos active for use running trains on the King's birthday, the River Kwai, and some other special occasions. Believe they are over on the Thonburi side, not sure if they have been moved because of the movement of the Thonburi station. I think there are over 100 steam engines at various locations around Thailand. Obvious ones at RR stations across the country, others at schools, at the museum at JJ park, near JJ park, restarants, resorts, etc. There is an excellent book about Thai railways by a Dutchman, may still be available at bookstores.

I don't know of any dumps. When I first arrived here in 1980 there was still active steam in the South from Chumporn on down. There was a big dump at Tung Song junction. Steam died for good, other than preserved steam sometime mid 1981 I believe. I don't recall seeing it after that point and I was down there every 3 months in those days.

China still has industrial steam and some branch line stuff, but I think mainline is pretty much gone or almost gone. Burma still has a dozen or so active steam engines.

Lots of rice mills in Burma and some in Thailand are steam powered, it you are interested in industrial steam. I visited two mills just last week.

Edited March 21, 2005 by qualtrough

[wolf359]

There's one in Jomtien  needs a bit of restoration though 

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Hi Johng can you tell me where in Jomtien the engine is? thanks.

[wolf359]

Last I heard SRT keeps six locos active for use running trains on the King's birthday, the River Kwai, and some other special occasions. Believe they are over on the Thonburi side, not sure if they have been moved because of the movement of the Thonburi station. I think there are over 100 steam engines at various locations around Thailand. Obvious ones at RR stations across the country, others at schools, at the museum at JJ park, near JJ park, restarants, resorts, etc. There is an excellent book about Thai railways by a Dutchman, may still be available at bookstores.

I don't know of any dumps. When I first arrived here in 1980 there was still active steam in the South from Chumporn on down. There was a big dump at Tung Song junction. Steam died for good, other than preserved steam sometime mid 1981 I believe. I don't recall seeing it after that point and I was down there every 3 months in those days.

China still has industrial steam and some branch line stuff, but I think mainline is pretty much gone or almost gone. Burma still has a dozen or so active steam engines.

Thanks for all the information, I will keep a look out for the book.

Lots of rice mills in Burma and some in Thailand are steam powered, it you are interested in industrial steam. I visited two mills just last week.

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[johng]

Hi Johng can you tell me where in Jomtien the engine is? thanks

Sorry I took so long to reply ....didn't see your question, You can see the steam engine from the beach road. If you drive from South Pattaya/North Jomtien all the way down untill you can allmost drive no further (and still be on the beach road ) keep looking left and you'll see it.

[astral]

The State Railway used to run special trains a few times a year,

but I have not seen it reported lately so they may have stopped.

Check out their site at www.srt.or.th.

[krayner]

The State Railway used to run special trains a few times a year,

but I have not seen it reported latelys so they have have stopped.

Check out their site at www.srt.or.th.

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