Railway & Tram Mapping Projects

[ncr]

The tram map (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Tra...k-map-1950.gif) is great! We had not seen anything like this before, only written descriptions of the lines.

This finally gives you a good idea of the whole network.

As the map also displays the Maeklong and Paknam Railways, it drew my attention to one particular thing and brought up some questions:

Where exactly was the terminal station of the Paknam Railway on Rama IV? Are there any remnants left, or when was it destroyed, and what replaced it? Also, how was the track alignment here? Was the rail in the middle of today's road, or on the northern or southern edge, or on a separate right-of-way?

Anyone has more information on that? Khun Wisarut?

[Wisarut]

Well, the Hua Lamphogn terminal has been demolished and Hua Lamphong canal was filled up to make the way for Rama 4 Road expansion .... Before the construction, there is a plaque to show that this is Hua Lamphong termial of Paknam railway ....

However, now the plaque is now in the Railway Hall of Fame


Southern edge was actually Hua Lamphong canal, so the rail is actually the middle of today's Rama 4 road.

One stream Loco of Paknam Railway has become a statue in front of SRT HQ while the other are NOT in such a lluck. One is very dilapidated 0-6-0 loco at Bangsue Rail Yard ... The other is eiter at Sciece Museum ... while ther otehr may have been scrapped.

[ncr]

Interesting.....

And the name of the station was "Hualamphong", just as the Bangkok main station? How far away was it from there?

And as we are talking about historical lines, how about the Khlong San Station of Mahachai Line? (Also to be found on the above map.) Is there anything left of it, or was it torn down? Was it a dead-end station right in front of the river, or located alongside the track?

[Wisarut]

For the case of the distance between Bangkok Station (AKA Hua Lamphogn station fo the Royal Railway) and Hua Lamphong station of Paknam Railway , it is a short walk -> about 50-60 meter across Rama 4 Road.

I have 1946 Photo of Thai Railway -> Take a look at this:

http://www.yimsiam.com/club/board/to...thai&id=000403



Klogn Sarn Station is NOW torn down to make a way for a market and the defuct Sofitel Hotel, so only a few structure was left. The steel rail alogn Charoen Rat road was either removed or covered by asphalt.

Yep Klogn Sarn station is right at the death end ...

I just got the photo of Klogn Sarn station durign the very first day of Mahachai Railway (opend by Crown Prince Vajiravut -> now King Rama 6) but I have NOT scanned yet.

[ncr]

As for the link you gave: nice old photos.

Originally posted by Wisarut
I just got the photo of Klogn Sarn station durign the very first day of Mahachai Railway (opend by Crown Prince Vajiravut -> now King Rama 6) but I have NOT scanned yet.

Please post it as soon as you have done so!

[ncr]

Originally posted by Wisarut
I have 1946 Photo of Thai Railway -> Take a look at this:

http://www.yimsiam.com/club/board/to...thai&id=000403

Today I was at Hualamphong with a printout of these photos in hand to compare the situation today and 58 years ago. I found that the Paknam Station must have been situated exactly where you can now find a middle island between the west- and eastbound lanes, serving as a waiting area for pedestrians crossing the street and housing a traffic light. Khlong Hualamphong has indeed been filled in completely, the bridge of Mahapruettharam Rd over this canal (seen behind the station in the picture) has vanished, and the bridge of Rama IV Rd over Khlong Padung Krung Kasem has been substantially widened. In short, almost everything is sealed road surface nowadays. How things change.... and nobody (except very old people) knows about this anymore.

As for the photo of Hualamphong (this time I mean the 'big one') Station, what was the function of the buildings to the left of it (the hall and the very long structure next to Khlong Padung Krung Kasem)? They don't exist anymore.

Steam loco maintenance? Cargo handling?

Addition 28 October 2004: my account with photos comparing the situation in 1946 and today is now to be found at http://2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/paknam.shtml

[Wisarut]

That white and long building alogn Phadung Krunkasem Moat was a cargo station ... for exchanging the producted transported by rails to the small boats along Phadung Krungkasem canal.
At that time both ends of Phadhung Kruangasem were NOT sealed yet ... so those small boats can transport to the big boat in Chao Phraya

It has been removed in 1960's and replaced with the Cargo at Bangsue (now it is named as Phaholyothin Cargo Yard) ... to cut down the traffic congestion.


That widened bridge across Phadung Krungkasem moat is "Charoensawat 36 bridge" ...

[bangyuk]

Thanks for posting the map. When I was working in SRT I was interested in finding out about the Pak Nam railway but I could find nothing at all. Are there any remains any further down the line towards Pak Nam?

Ian

[Wisarut]

Now, ONLY Tahg Rotfai Sai kao Road is teh only reminder of Paknam Railway though

[bangyuk]

Who is Dik van der Spek who draws these wonderful maps?


Ian

[ncr]

I always wondered about this somewhat mysterious name "Wat Liab". What is it referring to? Is it correct that the temple doesn't exist anymore? Is this more like a general name for the whole neighbourhood close to Saphan Phut? I was in this area today and there is only "Wat Liab Post Office" to be found next to Suan Kularb College.

So were was the HQ of Bangkok Tramways/SEC? Where exactly was Wat Liab Powerplant situated?

[Wisarut]

Wat Liab (AKA Wat Ratchaboorana) was an old temple ... dating to the time of King Rama I ... Later on, the abbots of that temple has to giventhe area for Suan Kularb Highschool and Siam Electricity Co.Ltd.

Wat Liab has been utterily bombed due to proximity with Wat Liab Power plant ... only the old stupa is the onlyt survivor of that bomb .... and the temple temporarily lost the tteple status until local people ask Ministry of Education to revive that temple ... and they did nodate large sum of money to rebuild the temole from the debris ...


Wat Liab is still there ... You can the old stupa in that temple ....

For the case of Wat Liab power plant, it is now MEA (Wat Liabh Office). The power plant was closed down in 1965 once the power plant at Bang Kruay (Northern BKK Power plant) and Samrong (Southern BKK power plant) were activated. Nopw, even Northern BKK Power plan was closed down and sold to China .... I'm no so sure if EGAT are goign to build the new one on the same site of Northern BKK Power plant

[ncr]

Ah, so Wat Liab is an alias for Wat Ratburana......

Now I can imagine the tram network around there. Also, as you said, the electricity office is still there - I also saw it mentioned in a Thai language city atlas on the southeastern corner of Wat Ratburana/Thanon Chak Phet as Samnak Ngan Gan Fai Fa Nakhon Luang Wat Liab or something.

[dick]

Thanks for all information for making the maps of Pak Nam and so on. For make them (almost) 100% I need some more info. I think two maps of the Pak Nam Railway would be better. One of the situation 1958 and one about the year ? Please suggestions. All stops in the beginning did not have a great distance. Please inform me about the locations. Also the stop Phra Kanong, North or south of the watercourse? Where is the correct location Naval Acad. Not in maps here in my collection in the Netherlands. Greater Bangkokmap. Thonburi station closed, Bangkok Noi now on the map. Pak Nam stations added. Name Wat Liab in the map now.
New maps proposed: Siam-Birma Railway including all camps, depots, stops and so on. (Non Pladuk-Thanbyuzayath).
Complete Railwaymap of Thailand (coming November).
I like to make a detailed map of Ban Bua Thong RR.
I try to make a tramwaymap for the year approx. 1930.
________
Honda CR-V history

[The Enforcer!]

Originally posted by dick
Complete Railwaymap of Thailand (coming November).
I like to make a detailed map of Ban Bua Thong RR.
I try to make a tramwaymap for the year approx. 1930.

I can't wait!!

The Enforcer!