Now open!! New railway section between Map Kabao and Muak Lek, trains running through 2 tunnels, greatly reducing travel time
ข่าวรถไฟ Thai Rail News
July 28, 2024
Now open!! New railway section between Map Kabao and Muak Lek, trains running through 2 tunnels, greatly reducing travel time
As shown in the clip, this is the return trip, taking 16 minutes of travel time, compared to the usual 30-40 minutes.
Dust Cleaning in "Phasadet-Hinlap Tunnel" Completed! Test Runs for Smoke/Odor Before Service Reopening
Daily News, August 5, 2024 6:17 PM
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has finished cleaning the Phasadet-Hinlap Tunnel. The SRT and the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) are set to conduct a simulated train run through the tunnel to test for smoke and odors on August 8, 2024, before resuming service on August 12, 2024. On the first day of service, July 28, 2024, dust filled the train carriages.
The "Daily News Transport Innovation Team" reported that the SRTs Special Projects and Construction Division, the Civil Engineering Division, and contractors have carried out heavy cleaning by spraying water and using air blowers to remove dust from areas within the Phasadet and Hinlap tunnels where washing was not effective.
On August 8, 2024, the SRT, in cooperation with the DRT, will conduct a simulated train run through the tunnels to check for readiness, potential issues, and safety before reopening on August 12, 2024.
The test plan for the simulated run includes:
1. A locomotive:
- Outbound (uphill): Continuous run at a speed of 90 km/h.
- Return (downhill): Stop in the tunnel for 20 minutes to test for smoke and odors, with a speed of 55-60 km/h.
2. A diesel railcar (ATR):
- Outbound (downhill): Continuous run at a speed of 105 km/h.
- Return (uphill): Stop in the tunnel for 20 minutes to test for smoke and odors, with a speed of 55-60 km/h.
The Phasadet and Hinlap tunnels are part of the Northeastern Double Track Railway Project, from Map Kabao to Chira Road Junction. The Phasadet Tunnel is the longest tunnel in Thailand, with a length of 5.4 km.
The SRT initially opened the tunnel for service on July 28, 2024. However, when the train entered the tunnel, dust filled the third-class fan-cooled carriages, affecting passengers.
Dust and smoke still exceed standards! Postpone opening of train service through "Pha Sadeung-Hin Lap" tunnels
Daily News, August 11, 2024 7:00 AM
This August 12, trains still can't enter the Pha Sadeung-Hin Lap tunnels! Dust is gone, but train exhaust smoke still lingers, exceeding standards and affecting passengers. Opening postponed to September, allowing only 4 air-conditioned trains to enter. Fan-cooled trains will use the old route.
The "Daily News Transportation Innovation Team" reports that the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) jointly conducted a simulated train run inside the Pha Sadeung and Hin Lap tunnels to test smoke/odor levels, as well as check readiness, potential issues, and safety before reopening for service on August 12, 2024. Results showed that while dust from cement inside the tunnels is gone, dust and exhaust smoke from train engines still remain and exceed standards that could affect passengers, causing eye irritation and sore throats. Therefore, on August 12, trains cannot yet use the tunnel service and must use the old route.
The report further states that the switches on both sides, which are points for changing train directions, are not yet in proper condition, which is related to safety. Within 1-2 weeks, these issues must be resolved completely to ensure safe travel. Mr. Surapong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, emphasized to the DRT and SRT that if they're not certain, they must not open. It must be as safe as possible, and the service opening should not receive criticism from passengers. He also ordered multiple passenger evacuation drills inside the tunnel to ensure readiness before opening.
The report adds that initially, it's expected that around September 2024, train services can resume using the tunnels, but only for air-conditioned trains, which include 4 services: Special Express trains 21/22 Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok and Special Express Isan Watana trains 23/24 Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok. Fan-cooled trains will continue to use the old route for now. The best solution to prevent exhaust smoke inside the tunnels is to use air-conditioned trains. Currently, the SRT has begun gradually upgrading fan-cooled carriages to air-conditioned ones. This process must be done gradually, as doing it all at once would leave no trains available for public service. It's expected that all trains will be upgraded to air-conditioned within 2 years.
The report also mentions that the Pha Sadeung and Hin Lap tunnels are part of the double-track railway construction project for the Northeastern (Isan) route, between Map Kabao and Thanon Chira Junction. The Pha Sadeung tunnel is the longest in Thailand, stretching 5.4 km. The SRT first opened it for train service on July 28, 2024, but when trains entered the tunnel, dust billowed into the third-class fan-cooled carriages, affecting passengers.
State Railway of Thailand postpones train operations through Pha Sadet and Hin Lap tunnels to September
Bangkok Business, August 12, 2024, 4:16 PM
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has extended the testing period for train operations through Pha Sadet and Hin Lap tunnels, postponing the resumption of service from August 12th to September.
Mr. Ekrarat Sriarayanpong, Head of the Governor's Office of the State Railway of Thailand, revealed that the SRT had temporarily closed Pha Sadet and Hin Lap tunnels for cleaning and maintenance to address dust accumulation issues. On August 8, 2023, test runs were conducted through the tunnels.
Although no construction dust was detected during the tests, the presence of exhaust fumes persisted, preventing the immediate resumption of train services. Consequently, the SRT needs to extend the remediation period.
It is anticipated that the necessary improvements will be completed, and services will resume in September 2023. In the meantime, 14 passenger trains on the Ubon Ratchathani route will continue to use the existing route via Map Ka Bao - Pha Sadet - Hin Lap - Muak Lek stations. The SRT apologizes for any inconvenience caused.
The SRT prioritizes passenger safety, convenience, and service quality, ensuring swift, safe, and comfortable travel for everyone. For further inquiries, please contact the Customer Relations Center at 1690 or visit the Facebook fan page: PR Team, State Railway of Thailand.
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