Scenic Bridge On the River Kwai - Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok, Thailand
N 14° 02.561 E 099° 30.313
47P E 554549 N 1552505
I know, in the movie they blew it up. But it's really there.
Waymark Code: WM3D8V
Location: Thailand
Date Posted: 03/18/2008
Views: 64
For all the movie buffs I apologize since I know there was a great finishing image of the bridge being blown and the train dropping off into the river below. Sorry, but that bridge was built just for the movie - in another country - and the destruction staged for the cameras. The real bridge was bombed during the war, but it was rebuilt and has been used by the Thai State Railroads since the war. There are daily runs to Nam Tok - where the railway ends - and back again to Bangkok. Some people do leave from the main depot in Bangkok, but the actual historic ride begins at the River Kwai Bridge Depot (which is where I took these coords) and moves slowly across the bridge at a mandated 10kph while tourists who moments before were walking on the bridge now stand to the side and let the train pass. Once on the other side the train speeds up as it passes through small villages stopping here and there at very small whistle stops along the way. The most impressive part of the trip to Nam Tok (about 50 kilometers up the line) is crossing the Wampo Viaduct which seemed to cling precariously to the side of the mountain while you look out the window to see the long drop to the river below. The original railway line continued up into Burma covering a distance of more than 400 kilometers. Today the line ends at Nam Tok. Here you can deboard and visit a nearby waterfall or travel on by car to Hellfire Pass. Or reboard and ride back to town.
Engine Type: Diesel
Gauge of Railway: Standard Gage
Approximate Adult Fare: 100.00 (listed in local currency)
Approximate Child Fare: 100.00 (listed in local currency)
Type: Spur (out and back)
Length of Route: 31 miles
Dates of Operation: From: 01/01/2008 To: 12/31/2008
Key Attractions:
Bridge on the River Kwai
Wampo Viaduct
Listening to the creak & groan of the tracks laid by POWs over 60 years ago
Riding on wooden seats with the windows open to let in the air
local vendors in the aisles selling Thai treats and souvenirs
Railroad Website: [Web Link]
Frequency of departures: Not listed
Does this Scenic Railroad Provide: Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Trains?: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:Provide a picture of something with the train. Possible photos include the entertainment on board the train, the train itself at any location along the route, a picture of the scenery with part of the train in view, the kids borrowing the engineer’s hat. Show us you had a good time visiting the train. If the train isn't running when you visit get a photo of one of the many railway related items that can be found in locations like this.