NorthernLines History

[GWR]

Big Thank You to Dick Van Der Spek for the maps! Accurate and artistically crafted!

I have a couple of scans here of branches off the northern mainline from a road atlas. The first shows the Sawankhalok Branch, but also another branch running east for about 15 kms. This branch is to be found in a number of maps. It's not on Dick Van Der Spek's Map. Purpose Unknown.
Sawankhalok Branch & unidentified eastern branch (http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?img=71315&usernum=633867102)

Then south of Nakhon Sawan there is another easterly branch to Ta Thako, which looks like about 40 kms + long to Ta Thako. This is also not on Dick's map, but I notice it is visible on several more modern maps and think it might be a recent addition. Purpose Unknown.

Further south on the same scan is a very short easterly branch which is possibly shown on Dick's map. Purpose Unknown.

Ta Thako Branch & branch near Singhburi. (http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?img=71316&usernum=633867102)

Thai Rail Map-English (http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?img=71317&usernum=633867102)
Thai Rail Map in Thai (http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?img=71318&usernum=633867102)
The above images (Either from SRT or ThaiRailFan) also suggest two other short spurs. (And of course we shouldn't forget the spur to Mae Mo Lignite Mine near Lampang). The text on the Thai is not very distinct, but I believe it indicates a PTT oil terminal just south of Lampang, and another oil terminal at Bang Phra between Pichit and Phisanuloke.

[Wisarut]

For the case of Nong Wai - Tha Tako route, it used to be a narrow gauge line for firewood (opened in 1922) and the Railway Dept has regauged from 60 cm to 1 meter in 1939... However, the regauged process was not reached Tha Tako at all ... jsut soemthign in between ...

This line has been used until 1964 and then the track has been removed to make a local highway instead ...

There is a PTT oil depot at Lampang and the Shell Oil Depot at Bueng Phra
to received Crude Oil at Lan Krabue field of Kamphaeng Phet

Hmm for the case of the eastern line not far from Ban Data Junction, I'm not so sure but it is DEFINITELY NOT the sugar train track to Wang Kraphi Sugar Mill ... Hoever, a station before Ban Data Jucntion is "Rai Oy" (Sugar cane plantation) ... therefore I tihk it must be another railway track for carrying sugar canes from sugar plantation ....

[Wisarut]

I got the answer for you ... The unidentified eastern branch is actually the firewood railway track from Rai Oy to Na Yang (Nam Pad Districty of Uttaradit)

For tha case of Ta Thako Branch & branch near Singhburi., it is Hua Wai - Tha Tako line ... opened in 1922 .. regauged in 1939 and ceased the service in 1964

[GWR]

Thanks for the very informative reply.

It would seem that neither of these will be included in future 'Van Der Spek's'. I looked back at some atlases and maps over ten years old and they didn't indicate these lines. The irony is that GIS mapping seems to be pulling these maps out of the woodwork on more recent maps; but obviously companies like PN Maps are not sending folks out to find out whether these are just old trackbeds, undismantled non-functioning lines or presently functioning lines.

Here's another small mystery I've detected on more than one map. The main Northern Line appears to split (and rejoin) for about 1 kilometre north of Uttaradit. You may need to download this and magnify it to get the full picture. I:750,000 PN Maps:-
Uttaradit Bifurcation (http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?img=71386&usernum=633867102)

[Wisarut]

Defintly, the rail from Uttaradit Bifurcation (Actually Wang Kraphi) is heading to Wang Kraphi Sugar Mill - state enterprise under jurisdiction of Ministry of Industry ... The rail was crated by usign the loc and rails from Bang Bau Thong railway and Phra Phutthabat railway .... Noiw the rail has bene REMOVED since it was no longer used for carryign sugar cane to the mills ... and sugar sacks to the main railway line ...

[von Hirschhorn]

The main Northern line appears to split (and rejoin) for about 1 kilometre north of Uttaradit. (Quote by GWR)

Wisarut comments: … Definitely the rail from Bifurcation (actually Wang Khapi) is heading to the Wang Khapi sugar mill …

First: Wang Khapi is south of Uttaradit, the first station after Uttaradit and about 8 kilometre. GWR talks about North of Uttaradit.
Unfortunate I have problems to download the map and see by my self but split and rejoin is not the case at Wang Khapi. The spur line from station to factory was meter gauge and served by steam locomotive “Samrong” ex Pak Nam railway and on plinth near the factory entrance together with a 762 mm gauge steam engine used in the crop fields.

My comment: the only possible thing is the straitening of curves, something they did several years ago and although the mountainous stretch started after Sila At but more than 1 kilometre, I cannot remember any straitening works so short after Uttaradit.
So Sila At is about 1 kilometre north from Uttaradit, the single split and rejoining is the yard at that station which actually has more than one side-track. (even a steam locomotive on plinth beside the station building)

[Budewizer]

Hi There
I am intereseted in industrial locomotives and was wondering if any one knew what happened to the 2 small Malcom Moore diesel locos which were sent to Thailand from Australia c1960 under the Colombo plan. They were purportedly supplied to the Thai power generating authority for use at a Lignite Mine.

Regards

[Wisarut]

Well, the railway track from Mae Moh station to Mae Moh Lignite Mine (now belonged to EGAT) is CLOSED ... and now that Ozzy Loco has been plinted ....

You can see the phto from Thailand abtou mae Moh line here at :

http://www.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1260

[ncr]

Oh, didn't know the track was closed, but the photos prove it..... (BTW, what Khun Wisarut did not mention: you can also see the small loco brought from Tasmania there.)

When was it closed?

So that means they do everything with trucks now? Where do they bring the lignite? Only to the power plant, or still to some railway station to transport it further to other places in Thailand?

[Wisarut]

Lignite mine is just a few km form EGAT power plant at Mae Moh

The railway track will reach the ash deposit area near Mae Moh Power plant to pick up the ash as a rawe materail to produce Cement

[ncr]

OK, got that..... So the track was only for the ash, not for the lignite.

But then you mentioned elsewhere that there are still ash trains from Mae Moh to Bangsue.

How's that being handled now? They bring the ash from the power plant to Mae Moh Station by truck?

[Budewizer]

Thanks for the link to the photo's - any idea what the red locomotive is?

[Solaris]

Mae Moh stationmaster told me that, the rail track to Mae Moh Mine has been removed about 2-3 years ago ... The 4-5 kms track from Mae Moh Station was used to delivered oil service between PTT PLC and EGAT. (Used for vehicles in Mae Moh Mine & Power Plant)

Now, this track has been cut off near the east signal of Mae Moh station. (Around 1 km. from the stationmaster office) because EGAT use trucks for oil transport instead.

For Ash train from Mae Moh to Bangsue ... EGAT bring the ash from the power plant to Mae Moh Station by truck too.

:)

[Budewizer]

seems strange to me - although i dont know the rail layout at the plant the ash trains i would have thought could have been loaded directly at the plant.
To truck it to the station and then load it causes double handling and more cost?

[GWR]

The two branches in this image are each just over a kilometer long. I believe the branch at Ban Mi in Lopburi Province has been described by Khun W as being used by quarry traffic. Any info about the Tambon Phromnimitr branch in Nakon Sawan Province?
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nehtrawihr/detail?.dir=6234&.dnm=fb13.jpg

[GWR]

Ian Morson's 'Four Hundred Years: Britain & Thailand' (1999, Nai Suk's Editions, available SE-ED, Page 325) says that Teak Logging Companies (among them 'Borneo') operated a river depot adjacent to Sawankhalok Station in the 1920s. Logs were felled well upriver of this point and dragged individually into the various tributaries. They would then float downstream over the space of several months. At Sawankhalok, locals received a fee for every log they diverted to the bank. These logs were then put together in crewed rafts (with cabins) at this point (also at Sukothai & Nakon Sawan) to be floated (over several weeks) downstream to Bangkok sawmills. This account makes it clear that expat forestry bosses used the railway to travel to the site, but doesn't make it clear whether this enterprise helped to bring the railway to Sawankhalok. The only freight mentioned is riverborne.
I also remember that this line was built at the royal prerogative of one of Thailand's Kings. I'm hoping Khun Wisarut will remind us which one.

Could it also have originally served Sawankhalok's famous pottery industry?

[Wisarut]

For the case of Borneo Company, it has Teak Forestry at Phrae (province with the best Teak Wood) ... Phae is a province near Yom river ... same as Sqawankhaloke is ... so they just drop the teak timbers into the river so they will harvest when the long reach the piers near Sawankhaloke terminal.


At one time, Sawankhaloke Branch had been a testign ground for Army Eigineering ... for runnign Military Railway headed by prince Purajat Jaiyakorn
(the first Siamese Railway Director) ....

[GWR]

The main Northern line appears to split (and rejoin) for about 1 kilometre north of Uttaradit. (Quote by GWR)

Wisarut comments: … Definitely the rail from Bifurcation (actually Wang Khapi) is heading to the Wang Khapi sugar mill …

First: Wang Khapi is south of Uttaradit, the first station after Uttaradit and about 8 kilometre. GWR talks about North of Uttaradit.
Unfortunate I have problems to download the map and see by my self but split and rejoin is not the case at Wang Khapi. The spur line from station to factory was meter gauge and served by steam locomotive “Samrong” ex Pak Nam railway and on plinth near the factory entrance together with a 762 mm gauge steam engine used in the crop fields.

My comment: the only possible thing is the straitening of curves, something they did several years ago and although the mountainous stretch started after Sila At but more than 1 kilometre, I cannot remember any straitening works so short after Uttaradit.
So Sila At is about 1 kilometre north from Uttaradit, the single split and rejoining is the yard at that station which actually has more than one side-track. (even a steam locomotive on plinth beside the station building)

Mosey on over to the Maps Forum and you will note that we have located an online source of RTSD 1:250,000 Maps of Thailand which your rail Cartographers might find useful.

This scan clearly shows the line bifurcation North of Uttaradit and also indicates that Ban Wang Kaphi is South of Uttaradit:-

http://tinypic.com/fao4ly.jpg

[GWR]

Here's another 1:250,000 scan showing the two branches at Ban Dara:-

http://tinypic.com/fao87a.jpg

[Wisarut]

For the case of "The main Northern line appears to split (and rejoin) for about 1 kilometre north of Uttaradit. " ... it is the realignment of the Track at
Sila At ... and the odl track is GONE for good.

For the track that goto Ban Na Yang, itis the trackfor firewood to feed Steam Locos

[dick]

I will try to find back my sources (map collection), please give me some time. So I will look again for these short railway lines.

[von Hirschhorn]

Seen the map I can be brief and firm, it's non existing!
To many times I rode the line - the last time October 11th
After Sila At the line turns East and further North again, however, before the curve all the spurs of the Sila At yard enter the main line. Between Sila At and Uttaradit (actualy once place) there is double track although the inner one leads direct to the depot and not Uttaradit station.
And sorry Wisarut but any realigment work at the spot I never saw. The track situation in my views and sightings never changed.

[GWR]

Thai Rail Map-English (http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?img=71317&usernum=633867102)
Thai Rail Map in Thai (http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?img=71318&usernum=633867102)
The above images (Either from SRT or ThaiRailFan) also suggest two other short spurs. (And of course we shouldn't forget the spur to Mae Mo Lignite Mine near Lampang). The text on the Thai is not very distinct, but I believe it indicates a PTT oil terminal just south of Lampang, and another oil terminal at Bang Phra between Pichit and Phisanuloke.

Khun W. The Bueng Phra branch is probably quite short, right. Although the included maps indicate a branch heading south east, the following quote mystifies this branch somewhat. Sketchy data from 1987:-

http://reference.allrefer.com/country-guide-study/thailand/thailand108.html

A number of branch lines were also in operation, including a line constructed in the 1980s to link the Lan Krabu oil field in Kamphaeng Phet Province to the Northern Line.

This basic description suggests the line was built. Lan Krabue lies about 50 kms SW of Bueng Phra. Quite a long branch. One suspects that it was uneconomic and was replaced by a pipeline along the old track or just road tankered to Bueng Phra.

I have no map evidence of this branch.

[Wisarut]

Bung phra station jsut have a railway yard for Crude Oil Train (Maenam - Bueng Phra0 to be setn to Bang Chak Refinery or so ...

[von Hirschhorn]

In the shade of a tree time passes in almost senseless sitting and waiting for the return train. Around the station nothing moves a far away children’s game at the waterside.
Serene tranquillity, only vague far away voices slowly fading over the plain. The railway yard seems deadly and lies abandoned beneath the heat vibration above the tracks. Steel wires dance quiveringly along the tracks till where they stir the signal waiting for a sign to lift the arm. Melancholy after getting of for no reason after just a ride next to an open window, hot wind caressing playfully the senses, beyond home and familiar countryside, in autumn colours decorated hills, but also an almost endless ribbon of refuse at the verge of the section.
Polystyrene wrapping for the traveller’s convenience sake, who, after use, beyond respect throws the waste out. But the scrupulous traveller as well, accountable, who keeps the refuse with him, will be belied by the train’s staff who will sweep it all together in one heap and out of sight as yet: out with it. After dwindling for a while on the train’s turbulence it comes to rest and becomes the prey of grateful stray dogs who with the leftovers and the bones celebrate a banquet. But whether mother Nature will be pleased as well will remain a question. It takes a long time for synthetic waste to fall apart.
That does not belong to the realm of Thai concern, because an open window offers ill resistance to the temptation of sweeping beyond your own back yard.
The train comes and goes, nobody gets off, nobody gets on, certainly not an alien. He waits for moving on, under the delusion of certainty in cadence of steel upon steel.
When this slowly dies away in the far distance, the station retreats in desolation, and so does a sandy road twistingly disappearing in the hills.
Somewhere beyond the blown up dust, houses are hidden. Corpulent wives steam pale rice and quietly cherish a wish when the giant lizard lets his presence be known nine times in succession. Superstition keeps them going.
This is what it must be. A declining word finds a line here, in the shade of a tree. In the distance eerie children’s voices, a sense of game and joy in all. Tokkeh, let hear your call.

[Wisarut]

Khun Bob, Khun Bom (Civilspice) has been to Mae mo for surveying the old track ewhich can be seen here: :) :p :rolleyes:

http://portal.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=54

[von Hirschhorn]

Before anyone ask why Mae Mo, I say why not although any other rural station could have been the decorum of this play. It’s another view at Thai Railways and between the lines the poetry behind.

Between two stations
a train stood suddenly still.
Between two stations
an unexpected leaving
no farewell
no tears
just disappeared
a train obeyed my will.

Between two stations
for the good and for sake
emergency pulled the brake.

[tram1]

I have in my collection this book published in Denmark by Royal Danish Ministry of Education. Covers alot of early history of Thailand on opening of Tramways and Railways with good photographs.
One Article That has a photo of a Private Log Hauling Railway E.A.C. East Asiatic Company, Anyone no much about there Railway?
Book covers alot including very old photos of Thailand Royal Family.
The book is published in English but I could not tell you where to get it.
I was presented a copy the day a copy was presented to the King some twenty years ago, also I was given a video of the King before he became the king, covers his trip to Europe .
Ric

[Wisarut]

East Asiatic used to get a teak wood concession at phrae

When I take at teh record in Royal Garzette, I found out the small forest railway at Ban Nasarn, Surat Thani in 1943 .... and the extension in 1949

[dick]

On a map (Carte de la Mission Pavie........de Service Geographique de l' Indo - Chine et l' Etat Major Siamois, 1909) in my collection, I saw a planned line from Xien Mai over M. Dou - M.Teung - Pong Kat - M.Pa Pau - Pa Kouei - B.Din Doum - B.Mo Pik - B.Nong Kong - V.Houei - V.Tia - X.Kong toX.Sen (siamese border). The names of stations/stops(?) as written on the map.
This was a planned line. Where there more planned lines (but never made) wich such an important distance in the past?

[Wisarut]

On a map (Carte de la Mission Pavie........de Service Geographique de l' Indo - Chine et l' Etat Major Siamois, 1909) in my collection, I saw a planned line from Xien Mai over M. Dou - M.Teung - Pong Kat - M.Pa Pau - Pa Kouei - B.Din Doum - B.Mo Pik - B.Nong Kong - V.Houei - V.Tia - X.Kong toX.Sen (siamese border). The names of stations/stops(?) as written on the map.
This was a planned line. Where there more planned lines (but never made) wich such an important distance in the past?

Are you sure if this was the proposed railway line (chemin de Fur)

M.Pa Pau -> Mang pao pao -> Wiang pa pao District in Chang Rai?
X.Kong -> Xiang Kong -> Chaing Khong .... Hmmm in Chaing Rai indeed ....

However, it route is so moutainous that nobody would datre to construct the railway track .. Similar thign can be said to the route from Tak - Theon - Lampang - Chaing Rai whcih has becoem a part of National Hioghway No. 1 (Phaholtyothin road)

[Wisarut]

The old photo of Chiang Mai station taken by Uncle Boonsoem Satraphai circa 1952-1953
http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/picturelanna/picture_trails_cate.php?cate_id=58

Railway Hotel at Chiang Mai taken by Uncle Boonsoem Satraphai circa 1965
http://library.cmu.ac.th/ntic/picturelanna/picture_trails_cate.php?cate_id=8

[Wisarut]

Old Khuntan Tunnel - at Fort Surasakmontri - Lampang
http://www.mc32lp.org/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=222&Itemid=108

Old Photo of Lampang station can be seen here:
http://olphistory.blogspot.com/
http://olppicture.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html

Current Photo of Lampang Station
http://www.photoontour.com/gall_slideshow_html/railway/lanpang_railway.htm