Pak Nam & Bkk Port Lines

[dick]

I ment the line for goods traffic only to Klong Toey. Maybe "stations" is not the correct term I've used, stops is a better qualification.
Sorry.

[Wisarut]

Well, Mae Nam Station has the status as "Station" though ... the section between Mae Nam Station (Near Chuea Ploeng Road) and Makkasan station has No intermieidate stop at all

[GWR]

Given that their use isn't that heavy any longeer, has any thought been given to using them as a transit link to the all important new Makkasan?

[GWR]

ORIGINALLY ON FRONTPAGE
Believe I've seen this one from the Expressway up ramp. It looks as if it might have been a knockdown unit. Indeed, it looks very GWR.

A more serene version of this same type of Signal Box is to be seen at Langsuan Station on the Southern Line. It looks comparatively recent. The buildings at Langsuan are very 'Great Western Railway' right down to the Chocolate Brown paint. I believe that I read somewhere that at least one GWR Engineer was involved in the construction of this stretch, but it is only a dim & distant recollection.

http://www.2bangkok.com/images/rail5.jpg
http://www.2bangkok.com/images/rail3.jpg
http://www.2bangkok.com/images/rail2.jpg
http://www.2bangkok.com/images/rail4.jpg

http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/srt/railwaybld.shtml

[Wisarut]

That's the Railway route from Makkasan to Mae Nam station
construction started in 1906 and done in 1909

[gwmss15]

why are there so many sheds so close to the railway line isnt it dangerous to have it like this with trains going past at 115kph.

if the double track that line all the sheds will need to be removed

[ncr]

why are there so many sheds so close to the railway line isnt it dangerous to have it like this with trains going past at 115kph.115 kph? In Thailand? Rarely. (See this thread (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=186) for reference.)

[Wisarut]

gwmss15 said:

why are there so many sheds so close to the railway line isnt it dangerous to have it like this with trains going past at 115kph.

if the double track that line all the sheds will need to be removed


Which loco shed are you referign to? Bangkok Diesel Railcarshedat HuaLamphong, Bangsue Loco Shed, Thonburi Loco Shed? What else?

The Loco sheds supposed to be in Major stations though (e.g. Kaeng Khoi, Hat Yai, Thung Song, Nakhon Ratchasima, Lampang, Sila At ...)

[gwmss15]

the images of the track leading from that signal box on the front page

[dick]

For the (railwaymap) reconstruction we need in fact the years of all issues from the Thai 1: 250.000 issues to make a compete view. But for all details we need a corrections from the thai Railway adepts (Khun Wisarut and others may I ask?).
For example: in the Bangkok aerea we see a connection between Paknam Railway and State railway; we know of course that this is wrong. Due to scale no excuse for the cartographer: or there is a connection or there isn't.

[Wisarut]

Khun Dick

The ONLY connection with the main Railway line and Paknam Railway is Makkasan - Mae Nam line at Klong Toei whcih allow SRT to put SLM shunter No. 21-22 to work on Pak Nam railway with ease when Paknam Tram/Steam Locos/carriage has been pushed to be repaired at Makkasan ...

[dick]

Thanks Khun Wisarut.
That's a new fact to me and important for the drawings I made (Paknam Railwaymap). I will make a correction map. How to draw? Connection between the two lines for paknam railway coming from Hualampong in direction Paknam with a turn to the left, or......?

[Wisarut]

Let me guess,

In 1936 - 1959
1) When Paknam station master and locomotives Paknam Depot and foiund that it's abotu the time for heavy repair at Makkasan, they just BKK Station master to take SLM 21(or SLM 22) ... turning left ..


2) When SLM Shunter reached Paknam, RSR workers wer takign trolleys out of the copper wires before coupling with carriages or steams to be repaired at Makkasan ... ABC Coupler of course! .. Turntable Needed heere .....

3) After Heavy Repair, SLM 21/22 will take the carriages, steam loco or tram back to Paknam ...

[GWR]

BMA to close off Pak Nam railway bridge after signs of degradation were observed
Deputy Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Bansopit Maekwichai (บรรณโศภิษฐ์ เมฆวิชัย) revealed after traveling to inspect a concrete bridge over the Pak Nam (สายปากน้ำ) railway located at Kluay Nam Thai junction (สี่แยกกล้วยน้ำไทย) that signs of degradation were observed. A 1 meter by 10 meter separation was detected on the bridge, which Mrs. Bansopit stated was due to the bridge's over use in the 30 years.

The separation has prompted a 30 day closure of the bridge for repairs while the BMA has urged citizens to find alternate routes through the area. The administration states that it has provided signs to direct traffic away from the reparations circumventing back on to the road.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter01
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255011090005

This map shows that the bridge is probably more than 0.5 km away from Kluay Nam Thai intersection, and is probably also one of the Bangkok Port entrances. Hence the heavy use over the last 30 years:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7474364@N07/1928171613/

[GWR]

Three sites shortlisted for new Parliament building

The search for a new location of Parliament has shortlisted three potential sites, Deputy House Speaker Apinan Wiriyachai said on Thursday.

The three sites are the Army ordnance depot fronting the Chao Phya in Nonthaburi, the plot vacated by a textile factory in Pathum Thani's Rangsit distrct, and the oil depot at Klong Toei, he said.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30077192

Leaders of the House and the Senate will tomorrow hold a meeting to review the relocation of Parliament, he said.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is expected to join the legislative leaders to inspect the Klong Toey oil depot on Saturday, he said. The 265-rai plot has recently become available following the expiry of the lease for oil depot.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/03/politics/politics_30077193.php

I sort of suppose that about the only interesting thing about the possibility of Klong Toey as a parliament site is that it might encourage SRT to develop the port line as some sort of transit system. Other than that, I doubt whether a new parliament will do anything to improve the already rock bottom quality of politics here. Might even make it worse, as they yet again fight over who makes what out of it.

[GWR]

Who owns the oil depot?

PTT, Bangchak or another?

Why is Samak so keen on this site? ;)

And when the cat is away, why do the mice prefer Nonthaburi? ;)

House, Senate speakers prefer army land in Nonthaburi for new Parliament compound


The House and Senate speakers and their deputies Friday said they preferred the Army ordnance depot in Nonthaburi for building a new Parliament.

They plan to convince Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Saturday to change his mind from choosing the oil depot at Klong Toei for the new Parliament site.

The decision was made during a meeting of House Speaker and Parliament President Chai Chidchob, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, Deputy House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranon, Deputy Senate Speaker Nikom Waiyaratphanit, Deputy House Speaker Apiwan Wiriyachai and Deputy Senate Speaker Thassana Boonthong.

Chai said both the House and Senate agreed to select the ordnance depot but Samak wanted them to consider the oil depot first.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30077302

[Wisarut]

Who owns the oil depot?

PTT, Bangchak or another?

Why is Samak so keen on this site? ;)

And when the cat is away, why do the mice prefer Nonthaburi? ;)


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30077302

AI Samak and Cronies want to grab the railway land from Makkasan to Maenam station .... along with the Oil Depot (Esso, Shell, and PTT) on SRT land ... Bangchak refinery is further away though.

[GWR]

Do SRT get remunerated properly for such land expropriations by the government?
Or is it a case of having to grin and bear it because the government has had to bale them out so often in the past?


Samak leads House, Senate speakers inspect Klong Toey oil depot

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Saturday led House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej and their deputies to visit the 200-rai oil depot at Klong Toey port.

Samak led the speakers and deputies to visit the plot to try to convince them to select it as a new site for Parliament.

The visit came a day after the speakers and deputies agreed to select the army ordnance depot in Nonthaburi for the site.

Samak said he showed the oil depot, whose land is owned by the State Railway Authority, to the speakers because he preferred this location and he would be the one who would approve the construction budget.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30077374

PM, speakers inspect new site to build parliament

(BangkokPost.com) – Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, House Speaker Chai Chidchob and Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondech traveled by boat to Klong Toey port on Saturday to inspect a site to build a new parliament.

The 200-rai land, where oil depot is situated, is owned by the State Railway Authority.

Mr Samak said he preferred this location comparing to an army depot in Nonthaburi that the speakers chose.

The premier is the one who will approve the construction budget.

Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=128729

[GWR]

The second paragraph does seem rather important. If past battles over eviction of both squatters and legal householders are anything to go by (in this very region of the city alone), the other sites are probably a much better option. But then I suppose we shouldn't expect anything other than chest-beating from a PM who still thinks he is Tarzan:

Somsak likes new Parliament in Klong Toei idea

Deputy House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont agreed with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's idea to build new Parliament at the oil depot in Klong Toei.

He said the location was interesting because it is on the bank of the Chao Phya River. The only problem he foresaw was that it might take at least three to five years to evacuate over 1,000 people living nearby. He dismissed concern over the problem that the soil there is not suitable for the construction because it is saturated with oil. He said Shell and Esso would find solutions over the problems.

Samak on Saturday led House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej and their deputies to visit the 200-rai oil depot at Klong Toey port.

He tried to convince them to select the area owned by the State Railway Authority as a new site for Parliament. The speakers and deputies had earlier agreed to select the army ordnance depot in Nonthaburi for the site.

Samak said he preferred this location and he would be the one who would approve the construction budget.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/07/politics/politics_30077484.php

[GWR]

Parliament sites draw opposition
By Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation
Published on July 8, 2008

Proposed sites for the new Parliament building have met with opposition from labour unions and local residents.

The three sites proposed so far are a plot belonging to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) in Klong Toei, military land in the Kiakkai district near the Chao Phya River, and Army land in Nonthaburi.

The SRT Labour Union has opposed the Klong Toei site while locals are against the Kiakkai proposal.

The SRT Labour Union sent its message of opposition to House Speaker Chai Chidchob yesterday and it became a point of discussion at a meeting of senior parliamentary officials with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

The SRT union cited the extremely high rental cost at Klong Toei.

"If the Klong Toei site is selected, the rent would be at least Bt10 billion for the 30-year period," said the union's letter.

"While the meeting's offer is just a few million baht, the official estimated price for this 265-rai plot is around Bt3 billion. Prime Minister Samak has ordered further negotiations with the labour union," Somsak Kiatsuranon, a deputy House speaker said.

"Personally, I prefer the Klong Toei site," he added.

After the meeting, the House Speaker and the premier's team visited the Kiakkai site, on which more than 500 people currently live. The site is about 400 metres long, open to the Chao Phya River and has good views.

The Klong Toei site is also close to the river.

Owners of plots on the 119-rai area include the Forestry Industry Organisation, Yothin Burana School, the military and the health service office of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Part of the land is rented by some 100 families in a cloth-weaving community.

"We will relocate them to Nonthaburi's Wat Salak area if we select this site," Somsak said.

"We are improving the community's roads and houses under the Ban Mankhong [secured house] project," village leader Ubon Muangthim said. "If they really want to built a new Parliament here, they should make every thing clear in an official announcement as soon as possible."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/08/politics/politics_30077544.php

[GWR]

Interesting entry in a famous local blog. I think I will post it here for posterity and to form the basis of a new thread. Featured frontpage today:
http://www.2bangkok.com

http://www.thai-blogs.com/media/blogs/richpictures/100_9375.jpg
[All Photos: http://www.thai-blogs.com]

http://www.thai-blogs.com/media/blogs/richpictures/100_9350.jpg
http://www.thai-blogs.com/media/blogs/richpictures/100_9357.jpg

http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/2008/04/10/quest-for-the-paknam-steam-train?blog=5
Quest for the Pak Nam Steam Train
By Richard Barrow
ThaiBlogs, April 10, 2008
BTW, the local authority in Samut Prakan are keen on buying the Paknam steam train from the sugar cane factory in Uttaradit. I don't think they will be successful because I got the feeling that they are proud of their train. But the local people here are putting a committee together and hope to raise enough money to buy it. I will let you know later of their progress in this. There was already a plan in place to build a memorial to the steam train in front of Paknam Market. They cleared a building for this last year. They were going to build an imitation train. That is partly the reason I went to Uttaradit to find the Paknam Train. I thought it would be better to have the real train. There was a story about this in the local paper a few weeks back.

For about ten years now, I have been on a quest to find the Paknam Steam Trains. These are part of the first railway that ran between Bangkok and the mouth of the Chao Phraya River at Paknam. Work on the private line started in 1887. It was then formally opened by King Rama V on 11th April 1893. There were 12 stations including the two terminals. In Bangkok, the station was near present day Hualamphong Station. In Paknam, the terminus was by the market. The trains pulled four carriages which were made up of 2nd and 3rd class seating. It took the steam train about one hour to reach Paknam which is amazingly fast compared to these days. After World War I, the line was changed to electric trams. It was then nationalized after World War II and finally closed in 1959.

There were four locomotives on the Paknam line. All of them were made by Krauss & Co. of Munich in Germany. Numbers 1 and 2 were 0-4-0Ts (dated 1892), Number 3 was a 2-4-0T (dated 1896) and Number 4 a 2-4-0T (dated 1908). These latter trains were similar to the locomotives used on the Maeklong Railway. One of these engines can be seen at the Planetarium and Science Museum at Ekkamai. I have been trying to find the Paknam Steam Trains for a long time and now thanks to Robert from Chiang Mai I have located one of them. The pictures here are of Locomotive No. 4 which had the nickname "Samrong". The engine is in surprisingly good working order. At least it has a good paint job. It is doubtful it can actually run. Robert gave me the tip that he found it in a sugar cane factory in Wang Khapi in Uttaradit Province. Apparently the factory bought it to transport sugar cane from their factory to the main railway line. It was a seven hour drive north of Paknam but I was determined to drive up there to see the steam train for myself.

I spent the night in Phitsanulok and then drove up to Wang Khapi in the morning. I didn't know the exact location but it wasn't long before I spotted the large trucks full of sugar cane and then the tall chimneys billowing smoke at the factory. As I drove past the factory gates I spotted the train. I was so happy it was still there and still in good condition. As it was inside the gates I had to ask permission to take a closer look. The guys on security told me to go up to the office to speak to the manager about taking pictures. I then told them that I would like to take a picture of the steam train. They kept asking why. Thais can never understand the strange obsessions of foreigners. Anyway, after I said that I had driven up specially from Samut Prakan to find this train they let me go and take some pictures. It turns out that no-one at the factory knew of the history of this engine. They seemed interested when I told them that this engine used to run on the first railway line in Thailand over 100 years ago.

I am really happy that I have now seen one of the Paknam Steam Trains. I am also delighted to see that it is in excellent condition and being well looked after. So, that is one down and three to go. I wonder where the remaining locomotives can be. And will they also be in good condition? If you are interested in trains then I recommend the excellent book "The Railways of Thailand" by R. Ramaer. It is published by White Lotus. If anyone thinks they know where the Paknam trains might be, then please contact me. I will be posting more of my steam train pictures here at thai-blogs.com in the near future.
http://www.thai-blogs.com/