Class 360/2 Desiros in Thailand

[LouJ]

Does anyone know the numbering details of the Siemens built emus for the Airport Express Railway.

As far as I can work out typical numbering of a set is 1011+1012+1013

In addition there are units used for the stopping service into the city.
Typical set seems to be 2001+2002+2003

The question is how many sets express and local units are there.

 

[jopsuk]

The Airport Express units are four carriage, with one carrying palletised checked baggage. According to Wikipedia there are five of the three car units and four of the four car ones.

 

[LouJ]

All the sets appear to be three car at the moment. The baggage cars are not been used due to the low volume of passengers checking in at the in town terminal.

 

[Pumbaa]

I wonder how they managed that then - the baggage cars were also the driving cars IIRC.

 

[LouJ]

I have rechecked my photos and you are right they are 4 car. It is very difficult to see the coaches behind the glass screens. On this basis the units are numbered 1011+1012+1013+1014

Ridership is very low. The chance of any baggage on the trains is even lower! The massive in town terminal is deadly quiet with just one of the check-in counters populated by staff.

In contrast the 3 car sets on the all station services are very busy at peak hours - perhaps these should have been 4 car!

 

[stut]

Ridership is very low. The chance of any baggage on the trains is even lower! The massive in town terminal is deadly quiet with just one of the check-in counters populated by staff.

In contrast the 3 car sets on the all station services are very busy at peak hours - perhaps these should have been 4 car!

Given the cost of the express service vs the cost of a taxi, it's no surprise, really. Makkasan station isn't well located, the transfer to the MRT is less than perfect, and the availability of taxis there is pretty poor - not least thanks to the sheer difficulty of finding out how to enter the place from the road! Why the express can't run on to Phaya Thai and Hua Lamphong, I've no idea.

On the plus side, it can save horrendous Friday night queues on the motorways. It's generally more hassle than it's worth, though, sadly.

 

[route101]

Im going to Bangkok in May so ill probably be using the train . Not sure about using a taxi

 

[LouJ]

Take the all-stations train from the airport to Phaya Thai. From here getting taxis is much easier and you can also connect onto the Skytrain without too much hassle.

As said in an earlier post getting taxis at the in-town terminus of Makkasan is a nightmare. I was dropped off by a taxi and he hadn't a clue where to go.

 

[route101]

Take the all-stations train from the airport to Phaya Thai. From here getting taxis is much easier and you can also connect onto the Skytrain without too much hassle.

As said in an earlier post getting taxis at the in-town terminus of Makkasan is a nightmare. I was dropped off by a taxi and he hadn't a clue where to go.

Thanks . Didnt know there was a stopping service.

 

[Railjet]

Thanks . Didnt know there was a stopping service.

The City Line (stopping service) is much cheaper (45 THB to Phaya Thai) than the Express Line (150 THB only as far as Makkasan). Both trains leave every 15 minutes in the day time.

Between the airport and Makkasan, there are only 4 intermediate stations, so there is not a huge difference in journey time. Phaya Thai terminus (for the Skytrain) is 2 stops after Makkasan.

 

[route101]

The City Line (stopping service) is much cheaper (45 THB to Phaya Thai) than the Express Line (150 THB only as far as Makkasan). Both trains leave every 15 minutes in the day time.

Between the airport and Makkasan, there are only 4 intermediate stations, so there is not a huge difference in journey time. Phaya Thai terminus (for the Skytrain) is 2 stops after Makkasan.

Thanks for this Useful info.

 

[CNX]

stut. The airport rail link is standard guage, incompatable with SRT, and would require totally new infrastructure to reach Hua Lamphong.

Most inbound airline passengers who need to travel any distance take a domestic flight. The airport rail link is really only for those actually going to Bangkok itself.

The following is a little off topic, but may be of interest to anyone going to Bangkok.

There's a frequent dedicated bus from the airport to Hua Lamphong. Its Airport Express 4, (AE4), operates every 15-20 minutes so you will never have to wait long, leaves from Door 8, Level 1, ground floor, costs B150 flat fare, and sets down only en route. It terminates just a few metres from the station entrance and is ideal for those with heavy luggage.

I've only used Makkasan terminal once. It was about 2200, and deserted apart from a security lady who directed me to the ticket office, which was staffed by a booking clerk who looked as though he hadn't sold a ticket all shift! I had the entire train to the airport to myself.

For those who wish to travel to Hua Lamphong using the airport rail line, take it to Makkasan, then walk to Petchaburi underground station. Its only 200 metres or so, but involves crossing a busy road. From there you can either go take the MRT to either Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue. The latter is where all SRT Northern, North Eastern and Southern line services call.

For the really really desperate, there's another option, which is to take the airport rail link to Makkasan, then walk back 200 metres or so back along the main Makkasan Road to the junction with Sukhumvit 21 (Asoke) road. Go straight ahead at the junction, across the single line, and you may, if you really look, find Asoke SRT station. I say 'station', its officially a stopping place, unstaffed, and made up of hundreds of concrete slabs that look like sleepers but aren't. It has about 14 trains each eay per day, less at weekends, but the fare may put you off. It the current equivalent of 4p to Hua Lamphong, that's if the gripper can be bothered to do his job, and takes about 25 minutes. And, if that's not enough, although most trains are 3rd class only and hauled, you may be bowled with a Thai version of a 158 and charged extra for the privilege as they are second class only. You have been warned! First service to Hua Lamphong 0641, last one at 2112.

 

[cle]

It's funny how unintegrated it is - they almost get it right byt just don't!

The MRT (underground tube) is bizarre, and a little bit of a white elephant. The system is fantastically modern, with cavernous stations, PEDs and new trains - but it's not too popular, not very frequent and doesn't quite go where you want to!

The Sky train (BTS) is fantastic. Affordable, frequent, fun! And very popular - the connections at Siam are great too. Extension towards the Old City from National Stadium is definitely needed! If it gets towards the river, the tourist uses could be much greater (much less tuk tuks and taxis needed therefore!)

And the Airport line again has modern cathedral stations, but seems a bit ill-planned. Makkasan is in the midde of nowhere!

The worst thing is the connectivity between them. Even where the MRT and BTS meet (at Silom, JJ market or Sukhumvit) - the stations have different names! You have to buy new tickets and all interchanges are out of station in 35 degrees + heat, and usually involve crossing a 10 lane highway!

They seem to work against each other - and can't be classed as true interchanges. They need renaming to sensible, accurate names (get rid of 'Sala Daeng' and 'Asok' - a suffix like Sukhumvit 'Central' or 'Interchange' would be needed though) and integrated ticketing!

It's one of my favourite places in the world, and the traffic (and fumes) really let it down compared to its competition in the form of HK, Singapore, KL etc... I wish they'd invest in linking the network and encouraging transport use, rather than big ticket d*ck waving projects like Makkasan, which are misguided white elephants!

 

[Railjet]

The best way to get around Bangkok is by a combination of Skytrain and "express" boat (but do not buy the tourist one-day pass for the boat!) - and consequently it's a very good idea to stay in a hotel near one or the other.

 

[CNX]

For those wishing to stay literally next door to Hua Lamphong station, click on http://www.thetraininn.com/index.php.

I've never stayed there, so can't comment on its qualities. But, for a guest house, it looks good, and I intend to give it a try soon.

 

[CNX]

The Airport Express Service, that's the non stop one between the airport and Makkasan, is currently attracting a grand total of 700 passengers per day, that's just a third of the number predicted. Or, to put it another way, an average of less than 5 per train, based on 4 services an hour each way for 18 hours per day. Word is its operating at a staggering loss, and only raking in 50% of its running costs.

 

[CNX]

Given the cost of the express service vs the cost of a taxi, it's no surprise, really. Makkasan station isn't well located, the transfer to the MRT is less than perfect, and the availability of taxis there is pretty poor - not least thanks to the sheer difficulty of finding out how to enter the place from the road! Why the express can't run on to Phaya Thai and Hua Lamphong, I've no idea.

Your words have been heeded. Go to http://airportraillink.railway.co.th/en/10_footer/news_detail/26.html

 

[Snapper]

I have rechecked my photos and you are right they are 4 car. It is very difficult to see the coaches behind the glass screens. On this basis the units are numbered 1011+1012+1013+1014

Ridership is very low. The chance of any baggage on the trains is even lower! The massive in town terminal is deadly quiet with just one of the check-in counters populated by staff.

In contrast the 3 car sets on the all station services are very busy at peak hours - perhaps these should have been 4 car!

The City services are busy at all times of the day.

http://paulbigland.pikfu.net/set1936722/media69123619.html

http://paulbigland.pikfu.net/set1936722/media68833879.html
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For those wishing to stay literally next door to Hua Lamphong station, click on http://www.thetraininn.com/index.php.

I've never stayed there, so can't comment on its qualities. But, for a guest house, it looks good, and I intend to give it a try soon.

I've stayed there. It's not bad. The staff are friendly and it's got a great location. The only problem is that it's communal bathrooms.
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It's funny how unintegrated it is - they almost get it right byt just don't!

You have to know about Thai politics to understand how the different systems came to be - and who runs them.

 

[Anon Mouse]

If tou get off at Makkasan and go to the SRT station I would recomend the bar on the station, its a 'normal' bar populated by normal Thai's and you can sit outside facing the platform. I never used the Airport Express as it was under construction the last time I was there. The loco haulage stuff in Thailand is amazing and the older DMU's are pretty hellfire!

sorry if a wee bit off topic, but I have some photos I took in Thailand;

Railway photos;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/sets/72157620857053146/

Holiday snaps;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/sets/72157622331657451/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/sets/72157622461044208/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/sets/72157622335725123/

 

[CNX]

The City Link service is well used because the fares are very reasonable, it serves intermediate stations, and as such has attracted a high percentage of airport staff among it regular users. The one downside it that its service hours are only 0600 to midnight, not much use if you start or finish outside those hours, and a lot or staff will as the airport is going hammer and tongs 24/7. No night flying restrictions here.

If tou get off at Makkasan and go to the SRT station I would recomend the bar on the station, its a 'normal' bar populated by normal Thai's and you can sit outside facing the platform. I never used the Airport Express as it was under construction the last time I was there. The loco haulage stuff in Thailand is amazing and the older DMU's are pretty hellfire!

Yes, the loco hauled stuff in Thailand is pretty dreadful, with many loco's dating back to the mid 60's and hauling stock to match. What's more, most local trains are free, at least until the end of next month. The whole operation is laid back and no one ever seems to be in a hurry. The staff are really friendly, and, unlike the UK, if you were to ask the stationmaster for permission to take photographs you'd draw the blankest look imaginable and get locked up for being so daft!

The SRT 20 day All Line Rover offers amazing value for money.
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I've stayed there. It's not bad. The staff are friendly and it's got a great location. The only problem is that it's communal bathrooms.
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According to their website, http://www.thetraininn.com/index.php.
the First Class rooms have private facilities, so I presume those in the Second and Third Class accommodation have to go to the end of the corridor and hope its not locked out of use!

 

[route101]

The City Link service is well used because the fares are very reasonable, it serves intermediate stations, and as such has attracted a high percentage of airport staff among it regular users. The one downside it that its service hours are only 0600 to midnight, not much use if you start or finish outside those hours, and a lot or staff will as the airport is going hammer and tongs 24/7. No night flying restrictions here.



Yes, the loco hauled stuff in Thailand is pretty dreadful, with many loco's dating back to the mid 60's and hauling stock to match. What's more, most local trains are free, at least until the end of next month. The whole operation is laid back and no one ever seems to be in a hurry. The staff are really friendly, and, unlike the UK, if you were to ask the stationmaster for permission to take photographs you'd draw the blankest look imaginable and get locked up for being so daft!

The SRT 20 day All Line Rover offers amazing value for money.


I travelled 3rd Class to Arruyatha and it was an interesting experience . Wooden Carriages , open windows and food/drink sellers . Ticket was about 30p return for 4 hour round trip. The City LINE is cheap at 45 baht but its side facing seating . Compared to Sydneys rip off $15 from Airport to City!
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[CNX]

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SRT 3rd class fares have been the same for years, certainly since 1995. The governement won't sanction an increase because many low income people rely on them. Revenue is so low that its hardly worth collecting, and most ordinary trains are free until the end of this month.

The Airport Express is also very cheap at 100 Baht (£2) one way, compared with £18 for a similar distance between Paddington and Heathrow. Word is that its running at such a loss that it will take 634 years to pay the construction costs off. The 360's might be a bit long in the tooth by then.