Maeklong Railway

Maeklong Railway
A train passes through Talat Rom Hup
Overview
Other name(s)Mae Klong Railway
StatusOperational
OwnerGovernment of Thailand
LocaleCentral Thailand
Termini
Connecting lines
  • Mahachai Line
  • Ban Laem Line
Stations35
Service
TypeCommuter rail
Services2
Operator(s)State Railway of Thailand
Depot(s)Mahachai
Rolling stockSRT NKF class
History
Opened1901
Technical
Line length66.9 km (41.6 mi)
Number of tracks1
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge
Electrification600 V DC overhead line (1926–1955)
Operating speed31 km/h (19 mph)
Route map

Pak Khlong San
Wongwian Yai
Talat Phlu
Wutthakat
Khlong Ton Sai
Chom Thong
Wat Sai
Wat Sing
Bang Bon
Khan Keha
Rang Sakae
Rang Pho
Sam Yaek
Phrom Daen
Thung Si Thong
Bang Nam Chuet
Khok Khwai
Ban Khom
Khlong Chak
Mahachai
Tha Chin River
Ban Laem
Tha Chalom City Hospital
Tha Chalom
Ban Chi Phakhao
Khlong Noklek
Bang Sikhot
Bang Krachao
Ban Bo
Bang Thorat
Ban Kalong
Ban Na Khwang
Ban Na Khok
Ked Mueang
Lad Yai
Bang Krabun
Maeklong

The Maeklong Railway (also known as the Mae Klong Railway) is a 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge railway that runs for nearly 65 kilometres (40 mi) between Wongwian Yai, Bangkok, and Samut Songkhram in central Thailand.[1]

The railway became famous for its route through the Maeklong Railway Market, nicknamed (Thai: ตลาดร่มหุบ; RTGSTalat Rom Hup), meaning the "umbrella pulldown market".[2] It is one of the largest fresh seafood markets in Thailand, and is centred on the Maeklong Railway's track.[3] Whenever a train approaches, the awnings and shop fronts are moved back from the rails, to be replaced once the train has passed.[4]

  1. ^ Annual Report 2020 (PDF) (Report). State Railway of Thailand. 2021. p. 242. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Maeklong Railway Market: Marketplace With a Railway Track Through it". Amusing Planet. Retrieved 12 Mar 2013.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference thailandbytrain was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cunningham, Susan. "The Market Where a Train Runs Through". Southeast Asia Traveler. Retrieved 12 Mar 2013.