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Today I took a trip on my local railway line. I started at Wong Wian Yai station and traveled to Bang Bon station. This railway is 100% isolated from the rest of the rail system. This railway is part of the Maeklong commuter system that operates from Wong Wian Yai to Mahachai and Ban Laem to Maeklong. Takes about 2 hours to complete both lines.
A little background about these lines. They were built by private companies around 107 years ago. They have a 14 meter wide land reserve which is a lot narrower than the main system. Although buildings have been built right upto the edge the line. It appears today these lines are owned by the city of Mahachai and the city of Maeklong with SRT providing a contract service.
When the line was built it did operate to Klong San station but this was closed in 1963. Its possibly due to the fact that track from Klong San station to Wong Wian Yai was shared with road traffic on Charoen Rat road. A rail bus (Route 57) provides the link now. Up until 1963 Klong San to Wat Sing was electrified and tram like trains did run. The reason for de electrification is unknown.
I hope you find the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments and feelings about the pictures.
1. This is the station sign above the ticket office at Wong Wian Yai station
2. This is a 3 car Japanese non aircond DMU train waiting to depart the station. Taken from across the small railway soi next to the station.
3. This shows how busy the station gets at peak times the train shown had just arrived.
4. Wat Sai station Note this station doesn’t have any end of platform station signs.
5. This is the passing loop at Wat Sing station.
6. Wat Sing station.
7. An off peak train heading inbound this is the passenger seating taken around Wat Sing area.
8. These trains operate with the carriage doors open on most trains this was taken between Bang Bon and Wat Sing stations. This is due to the doors being damaged at some point.
9. Busy Early peak hour train with the doors wide open near Talat Phlu station.
10. This is a view of My local station Bang Bon.
11. A Mahachai bound train is arriving at Bang Bon Station.
12. The same Mahachai bound train departing Bang Bon taken as it runs across Bang Khunthian road. Note this train has an air-conditioned carriage.
13. The platform timetable in the waiting room at Bang Bon station. The times are very rarely changed and the trains tend to always be close to time.
14. This shows the humpback rail bridge at the up end of Bang Bon. Note the track quality here. The platform sign at Bang Bon station.
15. This shows the track quality at the down end of Bang Bon station and the open level crossing. Note: The level crossing is manually operated booms.
16. The level crossing is now closed and the up train to Wong Wian Yai station is arriving at Bang Bon.
17. The feeder truck bus service holding area next to Bang Bon station.
18. The station sign at Chom Thong station. Note: This station is a peak hour only station and they have bananas next to the station.
19. These are the 2 different types of tickets issued for the mahachai line. The larger one is issued at the ticket office. The blue one is issue on board the train.
I hope you find the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments and feelings about the pictures.
johndory
hi
Hi mate, will be in Bangkok in a few weeks and am planning a day out on the rails and this sounds like a great trip.
Can you tell what is the best way to get to Wong Wian Yai from Ratchathewee Skytrain Station as i'm staying in a hotel in this area.
cheers
admin
Take Bus 529 (normal white sign) to wong wien yai.
Board the bus under Ratchathewee BTS station in the southbound (MBK direction.
Tell the ticket lady "ROT FAI WONG WIEN YAI"
DO NOT take the 529 with any kind of yellow sign it is expressway service and doesn't stop there.
if 529 doesn't come or the wait is too long you can take Bus 542 but it will stop at wong wien yai traffic circle and you will need to walk around to the left and cross the road at wong wien yai.
Another choice is to take BUS 21 in front of MBK the same side of phaya thai road as chulalongkorn university. buses 529,542 and 21 all pass MBK before arriving at wong wien yai.
if peak hour allow upto 90 minutes for travel. if off peak allow 60 minutes. the traffic in china town area is very slow.
hope this helps
Note: none of the destination signs are in english but the route numbers are. also as long as the bus does not have a red or yellow sign at the front it will go to wong wien yai.
johndory
hi
g'day, thanks for your detailed reply, geez,
60-90mins! wow sounds like a traffic nightmare! hehe
Would it be quicker or easier to catch the Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station and jump in a taxi or bus from there?
cheers
admin
You asked me direct bus services 1st but anyway here are the ones from the BTS.
These are the 2 bus services to wong wian yai from surasak BTS station.
Only route 173 is direct to the station. Exit to the southern side of the station and wait a the bus stop under the station. The traffic is likely to be jammed.
Route 149 also goes there but stops in Latya road infront of robinsons shopping centre and you have to walk around to the left for about 300 meters.
I would allow at least 45 mins to do this.
You could take a taxi from Surasak for between 45 and 60 baht. Allow 20 to 30 mins for this.
