Speed train or 2nd railway track - What exactly is happening?

[Monmichel]

Driving south from Bangkok to Hua Hinh and further ( past Chumphon) you see serious construction work happening along existing railway lines.  You also see new buildings that are said to be new railway stations.

 

Some say this is just the adding of a second track all the way to the South. Others say this is for the fast train.  Grateful if anyone could clarify this.

 

Also, if there are details (maps, models, plans....) of this project online, great to have a link. 

 

Many thanks for reading

[Jonathan Fairfield]

The construction you are referring to is the new dual track train line.

 

The proposed high speed train to Hua Hin, which was a separate project to the dual track line, was shelved last year: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1125613-three-high-speed-train-projects-shelved-due-to-lack-investor-interest/

They’ve made remarkable progress so far with the dual track line in and around Hua Hin. 

 

We had this post a while back on some of the progress:

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1105563-new-dual-track-train-line-to-slash-travel-time-between-bangkok-hua-hin-and-southern-thailand/

[Marvo]

From what I can see, the dual lines are the same 1,000mm gauge as the existing single track. So the trains ain't going to be going any quicker.

[Burma Bill]

2 hours ago, Marvo said:

So the trains ain't going to be going any quicker.

The actual locomotives/diesel rail cars are not going to travel faster but the time taken for journeys should be quicker as many stops at passing loops on existing single tracks (as shown in photo from the UK) will be eliminated. This goes for both passenger and freight services.

 

 

Edited June 4, 2020 by Burma Bill
additional information

[millymoopoo]

An appropriately constructed narrow gauge track is capable of taking speeds up to 140 - 150km (Perth Western Australian suburban trains run up to 120 - 130 km on narrow gauge) it would be great but I can't see that happening in Thailand.

[malibukid]

when will Thailand adopt high speed rail?  i thought they where working on it

[anfh]

Im guessing it is fir faster trains, maybe not actual ‘“ high speed “ rail. You will notice they are building overpasses at ever road crossings, since they can ot rely on Thais stopping at a barrier, so im guessing it will be faster rail than present.

there is approval for High Speed track from Bangkok to Utapao airport, but this is not started yet. 

[mwbrown]

On 6/3/2020 at 3:49 PM, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The construction you are referring to is the new dual track train line.

 

The proposed high speed train to Hua Hin, which was a separate project to the dual track line, was shelved last year: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1125613-three-high-speed-train-projects-shelved-due-to-lack-investor-interest/

They’ve made remarkable progress so far with the dual track line in and around Hua Hin. 

 

We had this post a while back on some of the progress:

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1105563-new-dual-track-train-line-to-slash-travel-time-between-bangkok-hua-hin-and-southern-thailand/

 

I read the high-speed line was shelved too, but construction continues here in Hua Hin on the ground-level dual-track lines and also a raised line going right thorough town above the ground-level tracks.  That has to be the high-speed, right?

[AhFarangJa]

38 minutes ago, mwbrown said:

 

I read the high-speed line was shelved too, but construction continues here in Hua Hin on the ground-level dual-track lines and also a raised line going right thorough town above the ground-level tracks.  That has to be the high-speed, right?

No it is not. The elevated sections are only through the built up areas to avoid crossings, in Hua Hin it goes down to ground level again at Hua Hin Hospital. however, it should be a bit faster, and certainly safer..........one would hope.........

[Estrada]

21 hours ago, Marvo said:

From what I can see, the dual lines are the same 1,000mm gauge as the existing single track. So the trains ain't going to be going any quicker.

The current average speed of the single line, 1 Metre gauge track, is 60km/hr. The current track is very old and the new dual track will be able to take heavier passenger and freight trains. When completed and new rolling stock delivered, the maximum speed for passenger trains be raised to 120km/hr with an average speed of 90 - 100kmhr. Current freight trains avergage 29km/hr and the average speed will be raised to 42km/hr.

Edited June 5, 2020 by Estrada

[Burma Bill]

18 hours ago, malibukid said:

when will Thailand adopt high speed rail?  i thought they where working on it

The latest (quote from Railway Technology Magazine 14 April 2020):-

 

SHARhe State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has reportedly planned to request its board to postpone the signing of the contract for Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed railway. Additionally, the 28th Thai-Chinese Joint Committee (JC) meeting that was a part of signing of the contract did not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bangkok Post reported that SRT will propose that the THB50.6bn ($1.54bn) ‘Contract 2.3’ will be signed in October.

SRT deputy governor Worawut Mala said that the signing of the contract cannot proceed as the officials did not agree on the cost of tracks, the signalling system and train carriage procurement.

The board of SRT is headed by Department of Land Transport director-general Jirut Wisanjit. The board will be requested to postpone the deadline for the signing which will expire next month.

The THB179bn ($5.46bn) 253km-long Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima route consists of 14 contracts.

Of the 14 contracts, the bidding process for 13 has proceeded. The last contract involves the construction of a 10km Bang Sue-Don Muang rail line.

 

Photo is a 3D mock-up.

 

 

[kickstart]

7 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

The latest (quote from Railway Technology Magazine 14 April 2020):-

 

SHARhe State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has reportedly planned to request its board to postpone the signing of the contract for Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed railway. Additionally, the 28th Thai-Chinese Joint Committee (JC) meeting that was a part of signing of the contract did not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bangkok Post reported that SRT will propose that the THB50.6bn ($1.54bn) ‘Contract 2.3’ will be signed in October.

SRT deputy governor Worawut Mala said that the signing of the contract cannot proceed as the officials did not agree on the cost of tracks, the signalling system and train carriage procurement.

The board of SRT is headed by Department of Land Transport director-general Jirut Wisanjit. The board will be requested to postpone the deadline for the signing which will expire next month.

The THB179bn ($5.46bn) 253km-long Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima route consists of 14 contracts.

Of the 14 contracts, the bidding process for 13 has proceeded. The last contract involves the construction of a 10km Bang Sue-Don Muang rail line.

 

Photo is a 3D mock-up.

 

 

The photo might be a mock up ,but it is also true, near me at Mortlec Saraburi, on the Bangkok -Korat  line, the new HST is being built on legs next to  the existing line ,it practical goes over the town of Mortlec ,and it seems to go on for miles.

[bodga]

On 6/5/2020 at 11:44 AM, Estrada said:

the maximum speed for passenger trains be raised to 120km/hr with an average speed of 90 - 100kmhr.

painfully  slow,  ill  still  be  driving  up  then

[Don Mega]

On 6/4/2020 at 6:31 PM, malibukid said:

when will Thailand adopt high speed rail?  i thought they where working on it

It was my understanding the new rail line being built linking Don Muang/Soyouwannaboomboom/U-Tapao airports was high speed.