One thing no one has mentioned, would anyone want to be on, or near, anything travelling at speed, that is maintained by Thais. How will they keep not only animals away from the tracks but also 65 million fools.

Presumably the same way they keep animals and wandering 'fools' off the BTS, MRT tracks and the elevated expressways. I don't notice too many dogs on the Don Mueang Tollway when I am driving.

I understand your concern, but not all Thais are fools like some of the politicians bleating on about various projects.

Thailand has many expert and capable engineers. "65 million fools" Sure hope my wife is not included in your tally.

The existing railway system still manages to have derailments, and fatalities are common, particularly upcountry where some people still haven't learned you don't argue with a train. You do, you die!

kid" Even if you include small grains your comment about railroads being the cornerstone of perishable shipping in the US may be somewhat out of date. In fact many miles of track has been taken out of service in the past few decades with the highway and air being chosen quickest for door to door delivery.

Canada is the largest market for US agricultural frsh produce exports. Most of the fresh produce is shipped by intermodal methods truck, to train to truck. Mexican fresh produce is usually trucked in to a rail center in the US and then transferred to trains to make its way to northern US and the Canadian markets. Many Europeans come from relatively small countries (land size) with high density populations and attempt to apply the transportation systems that work for that characteristic.

Thailand should have moved to rail cargo a long time ago. However, the emphasis upon trucking is due to the same reasons why the truck carrier lobby in the EU, USA & Canada has always tried to undermine rail transport. Railways haven't had the same deep pocketed lobbyists ( truck manufacturers & suppliers, oil companies, logistic companies) as the trucking lobby.

"Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods"

Key words there are High-Speed Trains, it's not too difficult to see the difference between a High Speed train and a freight train, which is used to transport goods all over the world.

You just don't want to see it, do you?

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

Not impossible, just ridiculous.

On edit, you forgot to quote Yingluck further down the OP:

She said the transport of goods by a high-speed train system would add value to agricultural products, especially those that need fast transport to retain the quality of goods.

So, you were saying?

Edited March 30, 201313 yr by AleG

kid" Even if you include small grains your comment about railroads being the cornerstone of perishable shipping in the US may be somewhat out of date. In fact many miles of track has been taken out of service in the past few decades with the highway and air being chosen quickest for door to door delivery.

Canada is the largest market for US agricultural frsh produce exports. Most of the fresh produce is shipped by intermodal methods truck, to train to truck. Mexican fresh produce is usually trucked in to a rail center in the US and then transferred to trains to make its way to northern US and the Canadian markets. Many Europeans come from relatively small countries (land size) with high density populations and attempt to apply the transportation systems that work for that characteristic.

Thailand should have moved to rail cargo a long time ago. However, the emphasis upon trucking is due to the same reasons why the truck carrier lobby in the EU, USA & Canada has always tried to undermine rail transport. Railways haven't had the same deep pocketed lobbyists ( truck manufacturers & suppliers, oil companies, logistic companies) as the trucking lobby.

"Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods"

Key words there are High-Speed Trains, it's not too difficult to see the difference between a High Speed train and a freight train, which is used to transport goods all over the world.

You just don't want to see it, do you?

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

Under 'normal" circumstances, freight trains and true high speed trains never use the same tracks.

In the U.K., freight trains use the same tracks as some fast trains and always have, but are usually scheduled around the passenger system timetable. Passengers come first on the U.K. Rail Network. In North America freight trains out number passenger trains by a huge margin.

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Oh boy , just when you thought you had heard it all...

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Based on the other thread, he doesn't understand that the HSR network is separate to the current system.

This from 473geo: Mick to raise the question of a feasibility study where an existing track already exists is probably as obtuse as it gets, of course the project is feasible........

It is clear that he is just defending Yingluck no matter what idiocy she comes out with. Normally her advisors take over where anything requiring knowledge is concerned. In this case it is her personal Facebook page where she has been tripped up by Thai citizens & unfortunately the more she says, the more ridiculous it gets.

Upgrading the current rail system to allow more freight as well as passengers is absolutely correct. The 'thinking' goes off the rails (sic) with a totally outrageous 'justification' of HSR to transport perishables.

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Thank you Mick, so it can be done as I explained, just a little further investment required, well done Thailand we are breaking new ground here all along the way......perishables will soon be zipping along by the RF containerload into Duwei and over to the middle east market....brilliant.

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Thank you Mick, so it can be done as I explained, just a little further investment required, well done Thailand we are breaking new ground here all along the way......perishables will soon be zipping along by the RF containerload into Duwei and over to the middle east market....brilliant.

Its not to late to delete that post Geo. You should step away from your Yingluck defense on this one.

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Thank you Mick, so it can be done as I explained, just a little further investment required, well done Thailand we are breaking new ground here all along the way......perishables will soon be zipping along by the RF containerload into Duwei and over to the middle east market....brilliant.

Anyone know the fastest speed a Shipping Container on a train can travel?

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Thank you Mick, so it can be done as I explained, just a little further investment required, well done Thailand we are breaking new ground here all along the way......perishables will soon be zipping along by the RF containerload into Duwei and over to the middle east market....brilliant.

Anyone know the fastest speed a Shipping Container on a train can travel?

Using the network, not travelling at high speed but I would suggest rail car transporters can travel at 100 klms plus....so that is zipping along in Thai terms..freight will also have more scope on the original tracks as the high speed trains remove the bulk of the passenger traffic...a win win all round

Edited March 30, 201313 yr by 473geo

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Thank you Mick, so it can be done as I explained, just a little further investment required, well done Thailand we are breaking new ground here all along the way......perishables will soon be zipping along by the RF containerload into Duwei and over to the middle east market....brilliant.

Surely it is no great feat of engineering to build freight cars to run on the HSR network. Built to the same streamlined style but geared up for freight & hooked on to the passenger wagons seems pretty straightforward plus it would be a more efficient use of the HSR system & generate more income. Just because they do not do it elsewhere does not mean it cannot be done.

I ask the question, because refrigerated containers are very common here, so, it won't be much quicker than lorry transport.

I wondered if there is a legal maximum globally, I c the UK has about 100 mph for mail freight. Commodities must be slower due to weight. But if it gets 10000 ten wheel trucks off the road that is progress enough.

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Thank you Mick, so it can be done as I explained, just a little further investment required, well done Thailand we are breaking new ground here all along the way......perishables will soon be zipping along by the RF containerload into Duwei and over to the middle east market....brilliant.

Surely it is no great feat of engineering to build freight cars to run on the HSR network. Built to the same streamlined style but geared up for freight & hooked on to the passenger wagons seems pretty straightforward plus it would be a more efficient use of the HSR system & generate more income. Just because they do not do it elsewhere does not mean it cannot be done.

Freight train= meter gauge track (one meter wide) HSR= Standard gauge track 4' 6" wide. Not exactly easy to overcome this difference.

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Thank you Mick, so it can be done as I explained, just a little further investment required, well done Thailand we are breaking new ground here all along the way......perishables will soon be zipping along by the RF containerload into Duwei and over to the middle east market....brilliant.

Its not to late to delete that post Geo. You should step away from your Yingluck defense on this one.

I don't see anything to defend....and don't expect to lessen the usual attacks.....If the high speed links free up the original upgraded tracks for freight there are many options that would be good for Thailand...only the near sighted dwell on a faux pas from Yingluck, I doubt it will be the last....much as you all wish her to be perfect....sadly she is human and carries the potential to make the occasional inappropriate comment..like myself ...unlike her perpetual critics on Tvisa who remain correct at all times in their perfect world....

Well reading your quote above it says "Yingluck Defends Using High-Speed Trains Network For Perishable Goods".........do you understand. or along with many others did you miss that point....if the freight trains do travel on any new track initiated to facilitate the high speed train project......they would be using the network.....maybe a rare occurence but not an impossible scenario don't you think?

You do understand that the HSR network is a different gauge to the existing, so your "cunning plan" would require the purchase of goods rolling stock to run on the parallel system, with duplication of all the other existing goods handling infrastructure?

Thank you Mick, so it can be done as I explained, just a little further investment required, well done Thailand we are breaking new ground here all along the way......perishables will soon be zipping along by the RF containerload into Duwei and over to the middle east market....brilliant.

Surely it is no great feat of engineering to build freight cars to run on the HSR network. Built to the same streamlined style but geared up for freight & hooked on to the passenger wagons seems pretty straightforward plus it would be a more efficient use of the HSR system & generate more income. Just because they do not do it elsewhere does not mean it cannot be done.

They will be different gauge. If I knew there would be 100 kmh trains mixed in with high speed on the same line, I would leave it well alone.

Hsr on hsr, freight on freight, but don't mix it please.

Too many of you are trying to simplify high speed rail, anything is considered hsr over thailands current system. Rail cost is measured in freight miles per ton, so different delivery times are charged accordingly. The highest cost for shippers we had were the z-classified trains which were intermodal trains, they were given track time priority to get to their destination the fastest, but they cost much more and had guaranteed delivery times compared to say coal or box cars, they would go in a siding while the z-train passed by without stopping. The problem is thailand cannot in any way justify the cost of any hsr system being a small poor country without a market for it. The money they are talking about spending would buy a new vastly expanded rail system with new engines,cars and wider gauge rail to carry more tonnage cheaper which would benefit thailands future logistics opportunities from the asean agreements. By the way you cant run heavy cost effective tonnage trains on true high speed rail systems, it just doesnt work due to wear and tear on the rails.

One high-speed rail application which perhaps would appeal to the current legal P.M., is to speed-up the delivery of high-so high-cost high-fashion items to market, after all things go out-of-fashion so rapidly that these are clearly time-sensitive !

Rural-Thailand might become a Hub (that dreaded word looms once more) of Production for High-Fashion Goods, under her/PTP's transport-infrastructure plans, speeding desperately-needed handbags & silk-goods to the eagerly-awaiting shopping-malls & consumers of the capital !

Your comment is not particularly amusing. Rather, it speaks to a condescending ignorance and bias.

The PM's attempt to promote an energy efficient mode of transport that will benefit Thailand, is laudable. It is the correct position and one that is supported by the current transport conditions in Thailand. Instead, all you can do is offer up an infantile comment.

Yes, the PM has money. If you are jealous or are resentful, that's your cross to bear. I, and millions of other people have no resentment to the PM being wealthy. Good for her. The PM doesn't need a train to bring her fashion products, ok.

I thought it was very amusing.

The idea behind moving perishable goods by high speed train is even more so.

By the time the goods have been picked they are then trucked to the nearest railhead which maybe 100, 200 or more km away possibly in the wrong direction. They will either stay on the truck or be offloaded to wait for the next available train if there is room, the railed down to the nearest railhead to the destination, to be offloaded, wait for a truck and then loaded on the truck to take them maybe 100 or 200 km to the final destination.

The theory is good but in practical terms there needs to be a railway network across ALL the country and not just up and down.

For example Khampaeng Phet 65km from where I live is 110 km from Phitsanulok and 125 km from Nakhon Sawan, the 2 nearest railway stations.

One thing no one has mentioned, would anyone want to be on, or near, anything travelling at speed, that is maintained by Thais. How will they keep not only animals away from the tracks but also 65 million fools.

Well, then, best not to use BTS or subway, not fly Thai airways, FD, Nok, or Bangkok Airways, and never to use a highway in thailand.

One thing no one has mentioned, would anyone want to be on, or near, anything travelling at speed, that is maintained by Thais. How will they keep not only animals away from the tracks but also 65 million fools.

To state that the whole population of Thailand are all fools plumbs new depths, even for this forum, and probably says far more about you than it does about Thais. You should consider upping your post count, you will go down a storm with some of the obsessive ' Everything about Thailand and Thais is awful' on here!

One thing no one has mentioned, would anyone want to be on, or near, anything travelling at speed, that is maintained by Thais. How will they keep not only animals away from the tracks but also 65 million fools.

To state that the whole population of Thailand are all fools plumbs new depths, even for this forum, and probably says far more about you than it does about Thais. You should consider upping your post count, you will go down a storm with some of the obsessive ' Everything about Thailand and Thais is awful' on here!

How long have you lived here ?

One thing no one has mentioned, would anyone want to be on, or near, anything travelling at speed, that is maintained by Thais. How will they keep not only animals away from the tracks but also 65 million fools.

To state that the whole population of Thailand are all fools plumbs new depths, even for this forum, and probably says far more about you than it does about Thais. You should consider upping your post count, you will go down a storm with some of the obsessive ' Everything about Thailand and Thais is awful' on here!

How long have you lived here ?

Eleven years. And you?

The only 2 valid high speed routes would be from Malaysia to Bangkok and Bangkok to Nong Khai. Anything else can easily be served by a dual track 160-180 km/h for a fraction of the cost (this is in the plan as well!!). When will Thailand wake up and realize that their administration is plundering their wealth as well as irresponsibly spending?

The only 2 valid high speed routes would be from Malaysia to Bangkok and Bangkok to Nong Khai. Anything else can easily be served by a dual track 160-180 km/h for a fraction of the cost (this is in the plan as well!!). When will Thailand wake up and realize that their administration is plundering their wealth as well as irresponsibly spending?

Probably the same time that the rest of the world realise that their vote can change the political landscape, but the ownership remains the same....

One thing no one has mentioned, would anyone want to be on, or near, anything travelling at speed, that is maintained by Thais. How will they keep not only animals away from the tracks but also 65 million fools.

Well, then, best not to use BTS or subway, not fly Thai airways, FD, Nok, or Bangkok Airways, and never to use a highway in thailand.

Which highway? except in Bangkok, I have never seen a highway, only 4 lanes road. transition from Malaysia where you have proper highway is appealing you immediately.

Wifey found this on a Thai website.

not all the money go to the project...that is how they corrupted........create project....