Questions from a Farang who is a new member

[bzmotman]

Hello everyone. Thank you for letting me join your forum.

I have been to Thailand a few times, mainly Bangkok, though in 2003 I travelled from Hat Yai to Sungai Kolok.

When I was in Bangkok at the end of last year His Majestys Royal Train was on display at Hua Lamphong station. I was wondering whether anyone can tell me when it was built and who was the builder.

I also noticed that several of the GE UM12C Shovelnoses have been repainted and there seemed to be more of them in service than on my previous visits. Have some them been overhauled? Also how many are still in service and do they regularly work passenger trains?

Many thanks for any information

Clive Haines

[Wisarut]

the Airconditioned Royal Carriages you have seen has been built in 1967 to replace the non aircon royal carriages built in 1917 and 1926 though.

GEK locos have been overhauled trice during the 50-year in services but they are about to be retirement ...

[bzmotman]

Thank you that it is interesting.

Do you know how long it will be before all the GE 40xx are retired? I have regularly seen 2 or 3 of them shunting empty passenger coaches at Hua Lamphong but do they still regularly haul passenger trains? Is it on the Southern line.

Has SRT ordered new locomotives to replace them?

Thanks for your help.

Clive

[Wisarut]

GEK locos have been used to help the newer loco to climb the hill section up north though. The bidding process for 50 New Locos of 16 ton axle load to replace GEK locos at 5.75 billion Baht started in April 2014 - with a hope to deliver all by the end of 2017
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=813881118625955&set=a.109195855761155.16402.100000122231436&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=813882561959144&set=p.813882561959144&type=1

[bzmotman]

Thank you for the information.
Hopefully I will be able to see and photograph them again before they are retired.
I would be interested to know which locos are still in service if anyone knows.