Repair work on northern Thailand rail line almost finished

[webfact]

Repair work on northern rail line almost finished



BANGKOK: -- The State Railway of Thailand says the repair work on its northern rail line from Sila-art railway station to Chiang Mai is almost finished and ready to reopen to normal service early next month.

SRT chief mechanic Suprapass Seniwong na Aytthaya said that the repair work was earlier scheduled to finish end of this month, but by now repair work was almost 100% finished.

He said all wooden sleepers have been replaced by more than 450,000 concrete sleepers while some sections of the remaining 50 kilometer section in Lamphun and Lamparng provincial areas where workers were laying new rail tracks which will take about two days.

He said the SRT will test run the rail line on Thursday from Uttaradit to Chiang Mai.

The finished rail line will enable trains to run smoother than the previous line and passengers will be more convenient for their travel.

The SRT closed its northern rail line from Uttaradi to Chiang Mai for major repair and maintenance since September 16 following frequent rail mishaps on this special section.

Meanwhile the SRT said that all its seats on the first and second class train services on the northern lines from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and vice versa have been fully booked until end of December.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/repair-work-northern-rail-line-almost-finished/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-27

[bigbamboo]

If by 'smooth' they mean the trains will stay on the rails that'll do me.

Edited November 27, 2013 by bigbamboo

[spirit47]

Last time I go with this train, there was more Cucarachas than passengers...

[nong38]

Let us all hope that the maintance standards have improved and I welcome the re opening of the line.

[tigermonkey]

"He said all wooden sleepers have been replaced by more than 450,000 concrete sleepers" I've only had a chance to see the results in two areas during the past week.

South of Chiang Mai, there is new ballast ( rock base) and new rails, but new wood sleepers ( ties) have been used.

In Lamphun, I see old ballast, new wood ties (sleepers) and some new rails.

The work looks fine, but why the need to lie about the work ?

[BillyBobThai]

Lie = Face, it is the Thai way.

[lungmi]

What do you want? They start already for the High Speed Flying Pigs. This species doesn't need rails, only a high competency

in lying.

[Ulic]

We shall see, I certainly hope so. A straight forward fix, all it needed was the budget to do it. Just up to the big wigs to stop skimming

from the maintenance budget. Not like the maintenance guys are incapable. Actually surprised how quickly they were able to get it done.

[Lobo4819]

"He said all wooden sleepers have been replaced by more than 450,000 concrete sleepers" I've only had a chance to see the results in two areas during the past week.

South of Chiang Mai, there is new ballast ( rock base) and new rails, but new wood sleepers ( ties) have been used.

In Lamphun, I see old ballast, new wood ties (sleepers) and some new rails.

The work looks fine, but why the need to lie about the work ?

It's Thailand. They have to lie.

[Pikey]

Hopefully they have put a blob of weld on the bolts used to connect the rails to stop the locals nicking them and selling them for scrap!

Cheers,

Pikey.

[lomatopo]

Originally 1 Nov., then 1 Dec. firm, now "early next month", so sometime in the first four weeks of December.

"Service to Chiang Mai starts tomorrow"

[thaibeachlovers]

"He said all wooden sleepers have been replaced by more than 450,000 concrete sleepers" I've only had a chance to see the results in two areas during the past week.

South of Chiang Mai, there is new ballast ( rock base) and new rails, but new wood sleepers ( ties) have been used.

In Lamphun, I see old ballast, new wood ties (sleepers) and some new rails.

The work looks fine, but why the need to lie about the work ?

I just followed the rail line from Lamphun to CM and I did not see any wooden sleepers still in use. Perhaps the ones you saw were due for replacement, or some other local reason. It would not be due to a shortage of concrete sleepers, as plenty of them lying beside the tracks.

Thankfully, the terrible level crossings are all being upgraded.

[thaibeachlovers]

double post

Edited November 29, 2013 by thaibeachlovers

[wayned]

It closed on 16 September, about 75 days ago. They replaced 450,000 sleepers. That's 6000 per day. I'd have to see it to believe it!

[thaibeachlovers]

It closed on 16 September, about 75 days ago. They replaced 450,000 sleepers. That's 6000 per day. I'd have to see it to believe it!

I wasn't there to see it happen, but all the sleepers between Lamphun and C M are new concrete ones.

Edited November 30, 2013 by thaibeachlovers

[billd766]

Today is 30th November.

Today the work is supposed to be complete and tomorrow they "promised" the line would be open again normally.

I won't hold my breath.

[MESmith]

"He said all wooden sleepers have been replaced by more than 450,000 concrete sleepers" I've only had a chance to see the results in two areas during the past week.

South of Chiang Mai, there is new ballast ( rock base) and new rails, but new wood sleepers ( ties) have been used.

In Lamphun, I see old ballast, new wood ties (sleepers) and some new rails.

The work looks fine, but why the need to lie about the work ?

The section I drive by daily is south of Saraphi station, north towards Chiang Mai. All new concrete sleepers. New ballast. Rails also been replaced (old rails still alongside, no sign of thieving). Stacks of old rotted wood sleepers on east side of Saraphi station.. Road crossings re-done (but not the tarmac either side).