THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAE                  1993 Sep 08

Yes, that's the way it's spelled in Thai. You pronounce it like
something a frog could've said.

The concrete pier and steel arches bridge itself is rather
unremarkable. Some spans are replaced after the bombing, and are
not to the original style. Of the trestle a bit further north, I
could see no trace. The track gauge is 1067 mm as closely as I
can determine, which goes for the rest of Thailand as well.

It is still in use, but the line only continues some 70 km west
to Ban Nam Toke, which is close to the Burmese border, but more
than 100 km from the Three Pagodas Pass were the line used to
cross into Burma.

On display next to the bridge are two Japanese steam engines from
the 1940's and one lorry converted for rail use; front axle
replaced by a two axle bogie and railroad wheels on the two rear
powered axles. Connected to it are some work cars, it looks like.

Not very interesting from a railroading standpoint, the main
attractions are the PoW museum and the cemetaries.


SCIENCE MUSEUM, BANGKOK

This place really isn't worth visiting, unless you want to see
the trains and planes on display, as it mainly seems to be used
to educate school children. (= no English text on the displays)

Railroad equipment on display outdoors:

#556, diesel engine, 2'Do2'. Made by Frichs in Aarhus, Denmark in
1931. Manufacturer's plate says its c/n is 98. Basically it's a
box, with cabs at either end with small noses. One side is cut
open to reveal the engines, two straight 6-cylinder diesels
each giving 500 hp at 600 rpm. Frichs built six of these locomotives
for the Royal Railways of Siam and one 1600 hp, which at that time
was Frich's only export.
Couplers are of the centre buffer type, with drop down hook. Single
headlight mounted high.

#263, steam engine 2'C1' with 4-axle tender. In service 1928-1968
(if I've converted the Buddhist era 2471-2511 correctly). Knuckle
couplers of American style. The tender has a sheet of metal to
the rear that seems to extend to the maximum loading gauge,
except for the sides were there is enough clearance to see past
it. High on it, a single headlight, just like the front of the
engine. It's clear that you're not supposed to load the coal to
the top of that plate, as the side railings aren't that high.
Also one side cut open to reveal the workings.

#226, 2'C1', Baldwin No 58670, made in Philadelphia Sept 1925. In
service 1925-1954. Knuckle couplers, headlights and tender rear
plate like #263.

MRC #2, a B1' steam engine made by Lokomotivfabrik Krauss & Co in
Munchen & Linz in 1903, with No. 5012. It's got a centre buffer,
with a hook on the left side of it, and three links on the right
side (seen from the top in the direction of motion). In service
1903-1965.

A 2-axle streetcar in service 1895-1968.

A 3:rc class coach, maybe sleeper, with knuckle couplers.

#738, a 1'C steam engine with a 3-axle tender. Centre buffer with
drop down hook. Looks like it was made in Germany, but no maker's
plates, except that some equipment (air pump?) was made by
Templeton & Kendley.

Last modified 2003 Nov 18 by Urban Fredriksson