PUBLISHED: 2 Apr 2025 at 06: 03
The State Railway of Thailand ( SRT ) will deploy 20 second-hand Japanese KiHa diesel trains for suburban passenger services.
The move may start with a systems check in June before the KiHa 40 and KiHa 48 railways are refurbished for residential service. Six railways are expected to be ready for company this time.
SRT government Veeris Ammarapala said the diesel trains were donated by JR EAST from Japan.
JR West and JR Hokkaido have donated coach carriages to Thailand five times since 1997. However, this is the first moment the SRT has received trains from JR EAST.
The carriages ‘ undercarriages may be modified to fit Thailand’s one-metre regular gauge road tracks. When completed, they will be sent to Laem Chabang train to be refitted with the taxi.
The trains will then be returned to Makkasan for renovation, which will be followed by an examination of all components, including the chassis, power and transfer, and braking system, as well as a last engine maintenance, which may take around 60 days to complete.
The trains may have performance tests to check their motion, braking distance, tracking system, electrical vibrations and air conditioning before the exteriors are repainted and restrooms renovated.
The railways will be used to offer additional services for the residential feed rail system between Bangkok and its opposite provinces.
The 65-seat KiHa 40 railways consist of double-cab vehicle divisions and facilities on both stops. The various 11 railways are the 82-seat KiHa 48 with a single-cab vehicle area.