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The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:14 am
by suwon fish
These pics have no particular artisic merit but some of you might find them interesting.

This is the train station in Sihanoukville. The place is utterly deserted, it has a constant drip, drip, drip like a rain forest...

Sadly, I got no pics from the rest of that day. I followed the train tracks on foot for maybe 10 K's following the coast towards Thailand. All the rolling stock and railway buildings along the track had been cobbled into makeshift accommodation. A half finised railway bridge stood undisturbed since 1975. Indeed, as far as I am aware no train has rolled since 1975. Hun Sen only really runs PP, with Snookyville, Poipet, Angor, Koh Kong etc under control of their own warlords. This split of intrerests is at least 50% of why nothing works in Cambodia. But you know, nothing works there in a really elegant way ^^

One of my more interesting days out in Cambodia.



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Re: The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:09 am
by Royal
Gerat stuff. Post more if you have them.

Re: The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:33 am
by rickshaw92
Royal wrote:Gerat stuff. Post more if you have them.



Please do. Some rolling stock would be nice.

Re: The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:53 am
by suwon fish
Sadly, I'm the kind of dumbass who thinks of taking pics long after the opportunity has passed :( I didn't get any pics of the railway line but it is a fascinating walk for anyone who fancies it. Most of my pics are of scuba diving or of ladies who work in the, err, entertainment industry ^^

That said, even after the great fire of matrimony I still have about a billion random pics of SE Asia and Asis Pacific. I will sort throught them and post any I think you guys might like.

Take it easy

Re: The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:24 pm
by coldharvest
suwon fish wrote:Most of my pics are of scuba diving or of ladies who work in the, err, entertainment industry

start throwin'em up

Re: The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:00 am
by suwon fish
coldharvest wrote:
suwon fish wrote:Most of my pics are of scuba diving or of ladies who work in the, err, entertainment industry

start throwin'em up


Working girls and scuba diving??? Challenge accepted! Give me a day or two to get it rolling ^^

Re: The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:43 am
by Hitoru
Btt.
Let's see some more.

Re: The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 2:40 am
by suwon fish
It looks like I was a little premature...

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Steam Train Runs Again in Cambodia.

Cambodia - Temples, Books, Films and ruminations...by Andy Brouwer
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Steam Special
All aboard the Steam Special this morning at Phnom Penh railway station. Pic Mike Pass
Mike Pass, who lives in Thailand but has been in Cambodia this week tracking down steam railway engines, sent me this article on this morning's Steam Special:

Sunday saw the first steam train to run on Cambodian rails for many years, courtesy Toll Royal Cambodian Railways. A special 'Family Train Ride' had been organised by the Australian Women's Connection & the station was packed with enthusiastic mums & dads with their awe-struck children, who had never seen a steam engine before. The French built locomotive had been restored by Toll Railways to full operating condition, having been withdrawn from service about 10 years ago, as it was in need of substantial repair.

Looking resplendent in her black livery, Franco-Belge Pacific 4-6-2 loco N°231.501 pulled gently into Phnom Penh's main platform, having spent 2 hours or so being fired-up outside the workshops about a kilometre up the line. The usual tranquil calm of the normally deserted Phnom Penh station was shattered by the shrill whistle of the loco, admist cheers from the waiting crowd, especially from the excited children. The current furore about Toll Railways rumoured pull out of Cambodia was all forgotten for today, as Toll Railways CEO David Kerr & COO John Guiry welcomed some 120 passengers, eager to begin their 42km one & half hour trip to Sras Sre, towards Takeo, on the newly refurbished Southern line. The 6-member locomotive crew had spent many hours lovingly cleaning, checking & oiling up the loco outside the main workshops, before holding a special Buddhist prayer ceremony for a safe journey today. They were all very proud to be associated with this historic loco & welcomed many children on board to operate the very loud & shrill steam-whistle, much to the delight of the assembled crowd. Last photos taken, picnics loaded on board & kids not forgotten, the train departed just after 9am, as scheduled, on what must be a truly memorable & proud day for all those participating, especially for Toll Royal Cambodian Railways & their dedicated loco crew. I watched in envy as the train pulled out of the platform - I had a plane to catch.


posted by Andy Brouwer at 6:21 PM

Re: The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:32 am
by flipflop
Good work fella

Cheers

The train from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh

PostPosted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 7:15 pm
by russlits
The modern building with the slender tower: was that the city hall?