For a long time I have been searching for the original steam trains that were imported into Thailand back in the 1890′s. As I have mentioned before, the first railway in Thailand ran from Paknam to Bangkok. As I live there I have been trying to find at least one of the four original engines. But, to no avail. Then someone wrote to me and said I should check out the Planetarium and Science Museum at Ekkamai. So, that is where I drove this afternoon. I found the above steam train around the back near the canteen. I won’t say it was in good working order, but it had a fresh layer of paint that showed someone cared. I was really excited when I first saw the train as I thought I had found the Paknam Train. But, although the distinctive chimney is the same, there were a few differences. Most notably this has a set of three wheels whereas the Paknam Train had only two.
According to the excellent book “The Railways of Thailand” by R. Ramer, this train was imported to be used on the eastern section of the Maeklong Railway between Bangkok and Samut Sakhon. This section was run by Thaichin Railway Co (TRC). The western section was operated by the Maeklong Railway Co. (MRC) and ran between Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram. It was manufactured by Krauss of Munchen, Germany in 1903 and had the working numbers of 5011-5012. The plate on the above black and white picture looks like 5011 and the one I saw this afternoon was definitely 5012. However, another smaller plate attached to the engine on this train said 5011. Even more confusing, is the identification MRC 2 which is clearly wrong as those trains are dated 1905. It looks like when it was restored parts from different trains were used. Though I believe my one is engine 5011 and it was manufactured in 1903. The Paknam Trains were made by the same company.
In addition to the steam train, there is also a well preserved railway carriage and a Bangkok Tram which I will talk about later. On the way out, I spotted a couple more engines behind the Planetarium. These are in a very neglected state and it is obvious that they have been dumped here with the intention to let them rust away. I had to search really hard for any identification numbers. There were no plates at all. However, I could just make out the outline of the number 738 on this train.
The above train is No. 709 and is in the same series as the one I saw this afternoon. They were imported from Japan and are dated 1935-36. They were used all over Thailand though mainly on the Kanchanaburi line to Nam Tok. There are only two of these left in good working order. They are used at the annual light and sound show during River Kwai Bridge Week. I photographed these recently in the Thonburi Railway sheds.
The second steam train is in a worse state. I was a bit puzzled at first but then realized that one side of the engine had been stripped away so that you could have a clearer look of the workings of the steam train. Obviously this one had once been an exhibit at this museum. Though very neglected now. Again, no plates but I could just work out the outline of the numbers which identified it as engine No 263.
This is a picture of engine No 260 waiting to leave Hua Lampong station in Bangkok. It is in the same series as the one I saw and was manufactured by Hanomag of Germany and is dated 1928-1929. Apparently, No. 261 is preserved at the train station in Nakhon Ratchasima. Others are spread around the country.
The Planetarium and Science Museum is easy to find. Take a Sky Train to Ekkamai and then walk north past the Eastern Bus Terminal and you will find it on your left opposite Major Cineplex. Entry to the grounds are free if you don’t want to visit the museum. Which incidentally is only 20 baht. I have marked it for you on the map at ThailandPhotoMap.com.
This is not the end of my quest to find the original steam trains in Thailand. They must (hopefully) be somewhere. I do have a few more clues of locations where they might be. I will be following these up soon and will report here at thai-blogs.com.
Update: We are discussing Steam Trains in Thailand (รถจักรไอน้ำ) at the ThailandQA.com forums.
I am very happy to see this web page.
I do not know if you have been in SRT Makkasan depot near to Ratchaprarop intersection.
Here, most of the old trains are keep to rush away.
I hope you will find something interesting there
I believe there are several clubs – such as the Thai Rail Fan Club. However, I am not sure how active they are in campaigning to save their rail heritage. From my own experience here, I have noticed Thais have no interest in their history and tend to bulldoze old ruins in the name of progress. From my own point of view I would like to document these places before it is too late. Sadly, time is running out fast – and in many cases has done so already.
First, good luck in finding those original steam trains, Richard.
It is a shame but there does not seem to be any steam train renovation societies in Thailand-hopefully I am wrong here.
As you know, in the UK there are many, which also have their own track and stations to run old steam trains-and are often open to the public for rides etc.
Sad to see what is essentially history just rusting away-particularly at the back of a museum.
Yes, I know about Makkasan and that is where I will try next.
Good luck in your quest!
Hopefully they have not used the original Paknam trains for scrap metal. Part of the reason I keep my old cars is to preserve them for future generations to see, Even the ones that are not worth much, like my fathers original un-restored 1972 Hillman Hunter GT, it’s not worth much but if I don’t keep it, there will be none left 50 years from now. Preserving these trains is important for future generation to admire.
Great blog Richard.
Thank you for the excellent article. It would be nice to have contact information for organizations interested in restoration and reconstruction.
There’s one of the large steam engines nicely preserved on display at the front of Korat station.
nice place
About the tram of Bangkok I like to know more about the tracks in the city, (to prepare a trackmap). I wrote an article about the Bangkoktram (published in Tramway Review, June 2007) with some maps, also from Paknam Railway, Ban Buathong etc. But a real trackmap I haven’t seen yet. Do you know more?
Hmm Jeath Museum, Pitsanolok, Lopburi, Suran Buri (sp) all have painted or saved locos sitting out. Take the northern line to there and you can see all from the train. Would love to see a list of all that survivie around Thailand. Thanks, Paul Venne Laksong, Bangkok
All locomotives have now been removed from Ekkamai Science Museum. The Hanomag is now at Jesada Technik Museum where it has been beautifully restored.
I should have added – see the steam section among the image pages of http://www.rotfaithai.com where you will find some before and after shots of the Hanomag.
The smaller steam train is now in Paknam along the waterfront.