Thailand's Kiha 183 series conducted a trial run with a 6-car train. This trial run will be carried out in conjunction with the confirmation of the arrival of tourist trains to Chuk Samet Station, scheduled for this weekend from May 11th to 12th. It was a hybrid formation that combined three cars from the 1st formation and three cars from the 2nd formation.
Regarding the organization, departing from Makkasan:
(撮影機材 equipment)
Camera: Olympus OMD-EM5Mark2
Movie: 1080pFHD, 30fps, Fain, PAL
Lens:OLYMPUS M. ZUIKO DIGITAL ED14-150mm F/4.0-5.6 II
Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro
A KiHa 183 train (train number 1039), in a 6-car formation, underwent platform clearance testing at Chuk Samet Station as part of preparations to launch a new tourist water route.
Intensive Tutoring for Employees! Preparing to Serve the "SRT Royal Blossom" Train
Daily News 15 May 2024, 8:44 p.m.
Transportation Innovation
SRT launches personnel training in preparation to launch the "SRT Royal Blossom" train, which consists of 5 cars, in the middle of this year. The marketing plan is being finalized, and the cars are almost ready, with only 168 seats left to be numbered for ticket sales. Efforts are ongoing to improve the last 5 remaining second-hand "Hamanasu" trains from Japan, expected to be completed this year and ready for service next year as tourist trains.
The "Daily News Transportation Innovation News Team" reports that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has completed testing of the first set of 5 SRT Royal Blossom trains and their various systems. Currently, personnel are being trained in various areas, including maintenance and service staff, especially those serving food and drinks. This includes learning to use coffee-making equipment and other drink machines to provide excellent service to passengers. Training is expected to be completed by May 2024. The SRT plans to open the train service in mid-2024, but specific times and routes are still being discussed by the passenger service department.
Regarding the train itself, it is ready to provide service, with only the task of numbering each seat remaining. This depends on the results of the passenger service department's meeting to ensure seat numbers correspond with the designed layout for ticket sales. It is expected that a conclusion will be reached soon, and it will not take long to attach the seat numbers. The SRT Royal Blossom train has 5 cars: 1 group car, which is a private group cabin with 4 rooms, 3 passenger cars with shared cabins, and 1 leisure car serving food and drinks. There are approximately 168 seats in total, with various seating arrangements such as window-facing seats to admire the scenery or seats that can be adjusted to face each other.
The SRT Royal Blossom train is a "Hamanasu" train delivered from JR Hokkaido, Japan, since the end of 2016. It consists of 10 cars, divided into 5 OHA cars with 48 and 72 seats, and 5 SUHAFU cars with 64 seats. Previously, Mr. Nirut Maneephan, former governor of the SRT, mentioned that these 5 cars would initially be used for popular short-distance routes, such as Chachoengsao, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Pa Sak Dam in Lopburi Province. The fare will be accessible to everyone, with prices based on distance. This train will serve as a tourist train for all citizens, similar to the KIHA 183 train, not just for charter.
Currently, the SRT is accelerating the modification and improvement of the second set of 5 remaining "Hamanasu" train cars. This involves seven areas of work: 1. Car body structure, 2. Interior and exterior painting, 3. Interior decoration and installation of convenience equipment, 4. Electrical system and lighting, 5. Bathroom modification (closed system), 6. Engineering improvements, and 7. Air conditioning system improvements. The SRT aims to develop these into tourist trains for public and tourist use, similar to the SRT Royal Blossom train.
The design details of the final 5 cars, including whether they will be the same color as the SRT Royal Blossom train, are yet to be finalized. It is expected that the operation will be completed around the end of 2024, with service starting in 2025. These modifications will help promote domestic tourism, generate income for the SRT, and provide new travel experiences for both Thai and foreign tourists. This initiative will enhance the country's tourism image and distribute income to local communities.
Retro Japanese Train KIHA 183 Set 3 to Debut in Thailand Next Year
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is working to complete the refurbishment of the third set of KIHA 183 diesel trains, received from Japan's Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). This four-car set is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024 and enter service in 2025.
This is the third of 17 cars gifted to Thailand in late 2021. The first two sets, comprising eight cars, are already in service as tourist trains.
The exterior of the third set has been restored and repainted in the original crimson and cream colors of Japan National Railway (JNR), differentiating it from the first two sets' purple and green JR Hokkaido livery. Engine testing and interior refurbishment are currently underway.
The interior of the third set will also reflect a vintage Japanese aesthetic, with both Japanese and Thai elements. Like its predecessors, this set will also serve as a tourist train.
Five KIHA 183 cars remain, including the final four-car set and one spare car. Refurbishment is expected to start in 2025. The cost of refurbishing each car is roughly 200,000 baht, a fraction of the 80-100 million baht it would cost to purchase a new passenger car. These refurbished trains are expected to have a lifespan of 15-20 years.
The SRT also has plans for more extensive upgrades to the KIHA 183 trains, including changes to wheels and engines to enable longer-distance travel. Currently, these trains are limited to round trips of no more than 400 kilometers.
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