Kanchanaburi-Nam Tok railway route now back on service

[webfact]

Kanchanaburi-Nam Tok railway route now back on service

BANGKOK: -- The State Railway of Thailand announced the reopening of the Kanchanaburi rail route to normal service on Monday night after it has finished repairing and conducted test run on the tracks to ensure safety passage.

The route was closed since Sunday morning after the international luxury train from Singapore, the No 952 Eastern & Oriental Express, jumped off the track in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi en route to the River Kwai bridge in Kanchanaburi province.

Two Japanese tourists on board were slightly injured. They were admitted for treatment in Bangkok.

Old sleepers were blamed for the derailment of two carriages of the seven-carriage Eastern & Oriental Express and its locomotive.

SRT said repair of the damaged rail line has been fixed last night and the first local train from Nam Tok station to Thonburi was allowed to resume service last night.

Two other weekend tourist trains stranded at Nam Tok station Sunday also returned to Bangkok with empty bogies last night.

The Kanchanaburi route is popular with local and foreign tourists as one of its section from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok station in Sai Yok district is dubbed the the “death railway”.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/kanchanaburi-nam-tok-railway-route-now-back-service/


-- Thai PBS 2014-07-29

[Lakegeneve]

Train used to derail on the Nam Tok line every month until a few years ago, never anything too bad as the av speed is 45km/h and obviously on sections of poor track trains run much slower. Derailments are no surprise given that the track had not been upgraded since the 1960s as no govt has provided the money to do so. Over the last few years about 30% of the line has been upgraded with concrete sleepers and new track which has led to a reduction in derailments.

After this embarrassing incident the SRT is contemplating shutting down the line for a couple of months to undertake an intensive upgrade and replacement of track similar to what they did with the northern section of the Chiang Mai line last year. (That is assuming that the junta makes funds available). In the past the main problem has been that politicians won't allow the SRT to shut down lines as so many poor constituents use the trains.

That dicotomy basically sums up the main problem for the last few decades. No politicians have wanted to provide the funds to upgrade the SRT network yet the same politicians expect the SRT to keep running services so as not to upset poor voters!

Thankfully, there is bipartisan support from all political parties for upgrading the whole network and funds have been made available in the last 3 administrations (Dems, PT and junta). The program is running about 4 years behind schedule due to the political crisis and the consequent constant changes of govt over the last 8 years!

(More info in this thread #82, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/743680-high-speed-train-project-continues-with-the-bangkok-chiang-mai-route/page-4#entry8123125)

[NongKhaiKid]

I see the rain is being blamed for this accident so the weather is expanding its empire from just road accidents.

[salavan]

2 japanese hurt ehh, wern't their japanese ansestors the ones that supervised the building of that railway

[EricBerg]

And then they want a high speed train from BKK to CM?????? Trying to compete with the number of road traffic victims?

Please first try to operate the normal trains without accidents and victims. As most countries do.

[Lakegeneve]

And then they want a high speed train from BKK to CM?????? Trying to compete with the number of road traffic victims?

Please first try to operate the normal trains without accidents and victims. As most countries do.

There is no comparison, it is apples and oranges.

As many people do you want to compare two completely different transport systems and mistakenly conclude that the problems of one will be replicated in the other.

You can't compare a run down 1950s era rail network with a brand new network using imported technology built in the late 2010s and 2020s, run by a different operator. You might as well say that a single lane 1950s highway is comparable to a modern German Autobahn.

[Boycie]

Quote-The Kanchanaburi route is popular with local and foreign tourists as one of its section from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok station in Sai Yok district is dubbed the the “death railway”.

I believe that the whole 415kms section from Bangkok to Rangoon is known as the "death railway".

[EricBerg]

And then they want a high speed train from BKK to CM?????? Trying to compete with the number of road traffic victims?

Please first try to operate the normal trains without accidents and victims. As most countries do.

There is no comparison, it is apples and oranges.

As many people do you want to compare two completely different transport systems and mistakenly conclude that the problems of one will be replicated in the other.

You can't compare a run down 1950s era rail network with a brand new network using imported technology built in the late 2010s and 2020s, run by a different operator. You might as well say that a single lane 1950s highway is comparable to a modern German Autobahn.

Comparisons can be made: SRT will be in charge being the most important.

BTW we're not yet in the 2020s. ANd have you been cruising the German Autobahnen in recent years? They're for a large part in a worrying condition. It's why in many places max speed limits had to be set. Considering that the comparison with a future Thai high speed rail works. The high speed wil not be so high speed after all as it will be max 160 km/h I read. In many countries that is normal fast speed. Let's hope the things later will not have to be pulled by 50ies diesel locs, which woul be srt-style.

[ratcatcher]

Quote-The Kanchanaburi route is popular with local and foreign tourists as one of its section from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok station in Sai Yok district is dubbed the the “death railway”.

I believe that the whole 415kms section from Bangkok to Rangoon is known as the "death railway".

AFAIK, The section from Ban Pong junction north westwards towards Three Pagodas via Sai Yok/Nam Tok and Hellfire pass was initiated by the Japanes, the southern line from Bangkok through Ratchaburi existed prior toJjapanese occupation..

[Boycie]

I do apologise the 415km is from Nong Pla Duk (5km from Ban Pong) to Thanbyuzayat

304km in Thailand and 111km in Burma.

[Lakegeneve]

And then they want a high speed train from BKK to CM?????? Trying to compete with the number of road traffic victims?

Please first try to operate the normal trains without accidents and victims. As most countries do.

There is no comparison, it is apples and oranges.

As many people do you want to compare two completely different transport systems and mistakenly conclude that the problems of one will be replicated in the other.

You can't compare a run down 1950s era rail network with a brand new network using imported technology built in the late 2010s and 2020s, run by a different operator. You might as well say that a single lane 1950s highway is comparable to a modern German Autobahn.

Comparisons can be made: SRT will be in charge being the most important.

BTW we're not yet in the 2020s. ANd have you been cruising the German Autobahnen in recent years? They're for a large part in a worrying condition. It's why in many places max speed limits had to be set. Considering that the comparison with a future Thai high speed rail works. The high speed wil not be so high speed after all as it will be max 160 km/h I read. In many countries that is normal fast speed. Let's hope the things later will not have to be pulled by 50ies diesel locs, which woul be srt-style.

The SRT will not be in charge. A new body will be established under the MOT. That decision was made some time ago.

I didn't say that German Autobahns are perfect, of course they are not. Though I cannot agree with your assertion, "They're for a large part in a worrying condition." The point is that the Autobahns of today cannot be compared with a 1950s single lane highway. That should be very self evident. No more self evident than when comparing todays BTS system with SRT BKK commuter trains of the 1950s.

On the speed issue, you again show that your views are based on ignorance. You are mixing info regarding network upgrading and then making an incorrect assertion related to HSR plans. The two projects are completely distinct.

You could have taken half the time that it took you to construct your post and read the link posted above which gave info on the current network duplication/upgrading program. The pertainent para;

SRT trains are renowned for their slow speeds and delayed scheduling due to state of the single track network. This project will allow the SRT to increase ave speeds from 45km/h to around 80-90km/h. Most track will have a max operating speed of 120 km/h although a couple of priority freight sections are planned to have future 160 km/h max operations.

The completely separate and new HSR lines will be built for 220-250km/h ave operations with a max of 300km/h even if some pollies state 350km/h. (Once there is finally a tender

Being aptly able to criticise the many problems with the SRT and transport planning in general in Thailand does take some analysis based on factual info, not just ignorant based cynicism. That is too common on TV and about as useful as someone who posts on "corruption" for any proposed infrastructure project as if it is some amazing revelation!

You obviously have an interest in the area. There is a wealth of linked info on these threads that you could use as a start to educate yourself about these plans. Perhaps, then we could then have a more informed discussion as there are plenty of concerning issues related to all of these projects which require debate.

[joebrown]

To : Lakegeneve #6... You are correct in one respect and that is the obvious technical improvements in track, rolling stock etc over the years. However, IMHO you are mistakenly forgetting the nature of Thai culture, compared with other countries. Where in LOS do you see a strict adherence to Health & Safety, proper maintenance of systems and adequate staff training? The only example I can think of might be in the control tower at Suvarnabhumi, which has to meet strict Inernational standards. As, I said in a previous post, the only situation I would travel on mid/high speed train in LOS would be if the ticket included free life/ accident insurance with hospitalisation cover.

Edited July 31, 2014 by joebrown

[joebrown]

To : Lakegeneve #6... Duplicate post removed.

Edited July 31, 2014 by joebrown

[Lakegeneve]

To : Lakegeneve #6... You are correct in one respect and that is the obvious technical improvements in track, rolling stock etc over the years. However, IMHO you are mistakenly forgetting the nature of Thai culture, compared with other countries. Where in LOS do you see a strict adherence to Health & Safety, proper maintenance of systems and adequate staff training? The only example I can think of might be in the control tower at Suvarnabhumi, which has to meet strict Inernational standards. As, I said in a previous post, the only situation I would travel on mid/high speed train in LOS would be if the ticket included free life/ accident insurance with hospitalisation cover.

On the contrary, not at all. The issue is highly pertinent.

However, if the concern is universally valid and applicable to all transport systems in thailand - given the culture as you state - then it must be difficult going anywhere when you cannot fly on a thai plane, use the BTS, MRT or ARL, never use a bus, take a taxi or drive on any thai road. God forbid to walk on a sidewalk here in BKK, they would not meet any H&S standard in the west.

Obviously, this view is an extreme. We all make risk assessments every day, every trip - or perhaps we don't!.

It is obvious that H&S standards are completely different here - that is one main reason why this region attracts people from the west. As we know, safety & risk analysis nor prevention is not thought of in the main here. Nothing would be operating if they were the same standard as in most western countries. However, planes fly, metros run and we all use other forms of transport on a daily basis. Thus, the informed cultural insight does need to be tempered by some acceptance of reality that some transport systems do work safely in Thailand, we should not be completely cynical for the sack of it.

The BTS is safe is it not - only really one minor accident. The MRT - only the one major accident back in 2004, which caused a change in operations. The ARL trains have done over 1.2 million kms without any serious event at operating speeds of up to 160km/h (which is not to say that the rolling stock has not had problems on the spare part front nor to say that the track is perfect).

The view that perhaps needs to be considered is that as the proposed HSR lines are a generational upgrade with worlds best safety systems, so will the potential of the management and operations be. The plan for the HSR lines is that they will be run by an international manager most likely who will be connected with the rolling stock provider. Whatever gets built will have very extensive testing. If trains crash during the test period then the naysayers can say, "I told you so" and feel smug. Will they be teething operational problems in the first couple of years of operations? No doubt. Will there be an accident in the first 10-20 years of operation? It is very possible.

However, I have extensively used other HSR systems around the world that have had major accidents. The German ICE had a major accident due to a design fault - nearly 100 killed. The Spanish AVE has had a major crash due ot driver error which killed many. The wonderful TGV has avoided major accidents involving death but there have been at least 3 derailments at speeds of between 270-300 km/h. That should say something about the safety systems in place. Even the Shinkasen have had a couple of derailments at high speed with no loss of life.

Should I not use these HSR systems due to past incidents and accidents?? I do of course have a higher regard for OH&S in those countries but no standard is infallible.

If the thais are completely unable to safely operate a HSR line due to 'cultural' and 'organisational' limitations then none of us would be flying in Thailand nor using the ARL and metro systems, as examples. There will be safety concerns with any new transport system. Those concerns can be met with technical and operational solutions. Even Morocco is building a TGV based HSR line! Are we really saying that the Thailand cannot?