Back on track in Cambodia
Back on track in Cambodia
Passenger trains have returned to Cambodia, of sorts. The service is pretty limited and pretty sporadic but for train enthusiasts it's a good thing. Resident anorak Iain Donnelly road-tested / track-tested the train to Kampot. Front page article here:
http://www.khmer440.com/k/2016/11/back- ... -cambodia/
For me, the sight that most encapsulated the rebirth of passenger services in Cambodia was the two young children, travelling on a train for the very first time, accompanied by their grandfather or great-grandfather. The looks of awe and excitement on their faces make all the hard work of the team at Royal Railway more than worthwhile.
But then again, that awe and excitement was also on the faces of many of the adult Khmers too. Once we had boarded the train at Phnom Penh , including my scooter in the freight car, my partner, at 37, had that same ‘Xmas morning’ look as those two young children.
http://www.khmer440.com/k/2016/11/back- ... -cambodia/
For me, the sight that most encapsulated the rebirth of passenger services in Cambodia was the two young children, travelling on a train for the very first time, accompanied by their grandfather or great-grandfather. The looks of awe and excitement on their faces make all the hard work of the team at Royal Railway more than worthwhile.
But then again, that awe and excitement was also on the faces of many of the adult Khmers too. Once we had boarded the train at Phnom Penh , including my scooter in the freight car, my partner, at 37, had that same ‘Xmas morning’ look as those two young children.
That link is just to the photo.
"The final straw actually involved my mortal enemy vladimir, who you may or may not know is an insufferable, overposting asshat."
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I'm really keen to try it out, the scenery would be great and it would be relaxing to know that if anyone is stupid enough to get in the way I'll be safe enough. I'd take it just to avoid traveling by road.
Here's some trains from the yards in the city 5 years or more ago:
Here's some trains from the yards in the city 5 years or more ago:
Last edited by Lucky Lucan on Fri Nov 11, 2016 10:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
They also have a working steam locomotive.
Currently trying to see if they will do some special runs
Currently trying to see if they will do some special runs
“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”
scobienz wrote:What is the fare down to Kampot and how regularly do they run?
$6 to Kampot from PP. Still only Fri-Sun and holidays just now. They are not being very forthcoming as to whether there will be a high season schedule. (if there's not then they are damn stupid)
“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”
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Everything you want to know is on the FB page, Train Cambodia. Run by Iain Donnelly.
"We want our country to develop step by step. But that is such a long way off . . . as far away as the stars."
Jobless father in documentary Cambodia: Country of Scars.
Jobless father in documentary Cambodia: Country of Scars.
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This is the only one I know of that is still running.Stramash wrote:They also have a working steam locomotive.
Currently trying to see if they will do some special runs
It has this as an engine, like check this crazy shit out:
This is Sihanouk's carriage. Inside it's just a really long bar inside with a large bedroom and en-suite bathroom. Nothing very fancy but probably a nice way to get around the provinces back then. Must have hosted some decent parties in its time.
I'm not sure where it's from, a nearby train that is way out of service has this badge:
There were loads more derelict trains in the sheds too, might post those pictures another time.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
Awesome photos, LL!
Cool stuff.
That reads "French-Belgian Railroad Supplies Company - 1912 n°19(8?)73 Raismes-près-Valenciennes, France North 1912"I'm not sure where it's from, a nearby train that is way out of service has this badge:
Cool stuff.
The railways are sitting on a potetnial goldmine with this - well-heeled international tourists pay top dollar to go on tours with these things in India and other places.Joon wrote:Awesome photos, LL!
That reads "French-Belgian Railroad Supplies Company - 1912 n°19(8?)73 Raismes-près-Valenciennes, France North 1912"I'm not sure where it's from, a nearby train that is way out of service has this badge:
Cool stuff.
Wow, looks like distortion from extreme heat. Is that even possible?Lucky Lucan wrote:...It has this as an engine, like check this crazy shit out:
"Not my circus, not my monkeys" - KiR
Fantastic pictures LL!
Could you post them on the FB page? (or send them to me?)
They are currently outfitting a new 'King's Carriage' for a journey sometime in the next 8 weeks - His Majesty and HS are taking a jaunt to the seaside.
Could you post them on the FB page? (or send them to me?)
They are currently outfitting a new 'King's Carriage' for a journey sometime in the next 8 weeks - His Majesty and HS are taking a jaunt to the seaside.
“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”
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