Bangkok airport rail link preview.

[Snapper]

I'm currently sitting at Bangkok Airport ready to fly back after being on a press trip to look at Siemens projects in the city - which included a trip on the new rail link which will open early (ish) in 2010. Here's the first few pictures. Some might find that the trains look rather familiar...

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/c1769614.html

 

[the sniper]

I've enjoyed your pictures from Malaysia and Thailand Paul, it was funny to see the EMU in Malaysia which shares a number of front end parts with our Class 323's: http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p61518414.html

Also, they've got some pretty crazy ideas over there, didn't anyone tell them that it's terribly unfashionable to have space for baggage on a modern EMU! http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p61703858.html

 

[turbo mick]

Great pictures mate

Iam over in thailand in november shame the airport link wont be open.ive enjoyed travelling on thailands railways.They have had a few high profile accidents recentley which have damaged there reputation.

cheers

 

[starrymarkb]

You didn't see any of the Class 158's Thai Brides did you?

 

[jopsuk]

The baggage car is interesting- I take it that's designed to take the standard luggage containers used on aircraft? I see that passengers will be able to check in luggage at the station in the city, so I assume the idea is that they're loaded into secure containers on the trains to go to the airport?

Edit: also, they're 360s! Look a bit wierd without the yellow front and with the extra-power aircon pods.

 

[turbo mick]

You didn't see any of the Class 158's Thai Brides did you?

Ive been on the 158 conversion to Hua Hinn quality unit aircon was working and we got fed and watered as well about 400bht.

Its madness trying to get out of bangkok initially about 12 level crossing,road traffic takes priority

 

[Snapper]

I've added a huge number of extra pictures today - not just of the airport link but also of visits to the MRT depot and control room.

 

[Mojo]

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p61703851.html

Indeed, apart from the lack of tables and armrests that looks identical to the 350/1s. Even the seat moquette and the carpets appear the same!

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p61703852.html

Can't say I'd like to be on a train going too fast there!

Great pics as usual, Paul.

 

[Snapper]

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p61703852.html

Can't say I'd like to be on a train going too fast there!

Indeed!

At least with it being Bangkok and on a viaduct over 20m up you don't have to worry about the leaf-fall season...

 

[jopsuk]

Wonder why they went with something from the "Desiro UK" product line specifically as opposed to the other Desiro lines. After all, on a brand new, isolated, system they were not so constrained by gauge in the manner of UK lines?

 

[starrymarkb]

The Thai loading gauge is similar to ours, I'm guessing they have one eye on a future re gauging for the metre gauge network

 

[Snapper]

The Thai loading gauge is similar to ours, I'm guessing they have one eye on a future re gauging for the metre gauge network

Various plans have been mooted for gauge conversion or dual gauging in the past. But as that part of Asia is almost exclusively metre gauge there are logistical problems.

The reason the airport line is standard gauge is - this is what was being offered by the successful bidders. The Japanese bidders were offering a metre-gauge system.