post about trains and rail lines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar_Railways

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Myanmar_Railways%27_network_map.jpg
Myanmar rail route map

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Myanmar-Yangon-Main_train_station.jpg

Yangon train station

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/51/Mandalay_Central_Station.JPG

Mandalay Train Station

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma_Railway

http://www.myanmarailways.com/

http://www.myanmarailways.com/images/Historical_train_station.jpg

http://www.myanmarailways.com/images/Historic_Indian_Head.jpg

http://www.myanmarventure.com/train/index.html

Here is the actual Myanmar Trains:
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll8/Mongwin/Burma-Army-tracks-across-Shan-State-English_Page_1.jpg
http://www.shanwomen.org/files/Burma-Army-tracks-across-Shan-State-English.pdf

Kyaing Tong (Kengtung) station - opened along Kengtung-Wenkaung line which was opened on 20 Dec 2010

DIesel Railcar [railbus] on Kengtung-Wenkaung line can be seen here
http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs09/NLM2010-12-21.pdf
http://portal.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=37&start=340

Map of the 105 km proposed railway line (revived railway line) from Thanbyusayat to Hpayarthonesu (Three pagoda Pass on Burmese side)

http://www.themimu.info/docs/MIMU863v01_120523_SDC_Railroad_A3.pdf

ค้นเจอใน Google ทางรถไฟสายพม่า ครับ

ป.ล. ขออภัยที่ไม่ได้คัดลอกคนนำโพสไว้นะครับ หาไม่เจอแล้วหลังจากโพสเสร็จ

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http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/4209/2543085.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/2543085.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)..

Ministry of Railways (Burma) going to revive the Death Railway from Thanbyuzayat to Hpayarthonesu (Burmese side of Three Pagoda Pass)

Burma Confirms Plans to Resurrect Death Railway (http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/8361)
By LAWI WENG / THE IRRAWADDY| July 4, 2012 |


Burma’s Railways Minister Aung Min has confirmed plans to begin construction later this year of a railway linking Rangoon and Bangkok along the route of the notorious “Death Railway” built by Japanese-held prisoners of war during the Second World War.

Aung Min, who also acts as a government negotiator in talks with Burma’s ethnic armed groups, said during a press conference in Naypyidaw on July 1 that survey work on the project has already begun, and construction will commence at the end of the rainy season.

He added that the 415-km railway (Actually, ONLY 112 km is in Burma side while 303 km is on Thai side) would benefit local people in Mon State, through which it will run, and will also facilitate closer trade ties with Thailand.

In 1943, thousands of Allied POWs and Asian laborers worked under the Imperial Japanese Army to build the Burma Railway, which later came to be known as the Death Railway because of the number of lives lost during the construction process. Many of the 1,740 people who died while working on the project are buried at the nearby war cemetery in Kanchanaburi.

The railway was abandoned more than six decades ago due to fighting between Burma’s armed forces and the Karen National Uni0n (KNU). However, local motorists continue to use the route to travel from Three Pagodas Pass to Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State, or Kyar Inn Seik Gyi Township, Karen State.

Once hostilities between Naypyidaw and the KNU came to an end with the signing of a ceasefire agreement earlier this year, Burma expressed a strong interest in reviving the long-disused railway. The KNU also appears to support the project, although it has not made any public statement about it.

Another ethnic armed group that controls territory along the railway’s route, the New Mon State Party, has also given its tacit support.

During the press conference on Sunday, Aung Min said that Naypyidaw plans to launch a multilateral conference including all ethnic people in Burma—a longstanding demand of many of the country’s ethnic armed groups.

http://www.themimu.info/docs/MIMU863v01_120523_SDC_Railroad_A3.pdf

Reviving the Death railway with the length of 105 km from Thanbyusayat to Pyathongsu (Three Pagoda pass - Burmese side) with the following price tag:

150 families ordered to move from Three Pagoda Pass (http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/7505-150-families-ordered-to-move-from-three-pagoda-pass.html)
Thursday, 12 July 2012 12:50 Kun Chan

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – About 150 Burmese families who have lived on army land with permission in the Three Pagoda Pass area will be forced to move from their homes by Nov. 1, according to residents.


Three Pagodas Pass, a border checkpoint between Thailand and Burma Photo: joaquinuy / flickr On July 7, residents living on land owned by Light Infantry Unit No. 283 in Ward No. 2 and Ward No. 3 of Three Pagoda Pass were summoned to a meeting at Rose Yeiktha in Takkon and told to leave within a month, but after negotiations the date was extended to Nov. 1.

An estimated 800 people who are ex-servicemen, family members of civil servants or families of deceased servicemen are now living on the land, said residents.

The ward administrative office said that it would relocate the families to land at the foot of “Kyauktaung” hill [west of the Myopat Road], but the families must buy the land with prices ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 baht. Most families say they cannot afford to buy the land.

“All the people living there are poor, so it’s impossible that they can buy land plots at other places,” said a civil servant living in the township.

A woman said, “We don’t even have 1,000 baht. So, how can we buy land? Will we have to stay at a refugee camp?”

Authorities did not explain the order to move from the land.

However, residents said the order could be related to an industrial zone that will be set up in Three Pagoda Pass and the rebuilding of the “Death Railway” from World War II, which is scheduled to be upgraded to attract tourists to the area. Because of these projects, real estate prices in Three Pagoda Pass have sharply increased, residents said.

Meanwhile, the regional development group and local authorities have jointly bought land plots in strategic areas, according to local sources.

Earlier, the price of a land plot 40 feet x 60 feet on the outskirts of the town ranged from 70,000 to 100,000 baht. But, since the Union government agreed to a cease-fire with the New Mon State Party and the Karen National Union, the prices have ranged from 300,000 to 400,000 baht.

On July 1, Railway Minister Aung Min told the media in Naypyitaw that surveys would be started in order to start work on rebuilding the “Death Railway” after the monsoon.

Yangon Circle Line train line - To see the real Myanmar (http://www.travbuddy.com/Yangon-Circle-Line-train-line-v755754)
By sepilokf…
Jul 20, 2012

The Yangon Circle Line train ride costs USD1. From the Yangon Railway Station, the train makes a big circular loop around Yangon. In around 4hrs, the train will take you back to where it started.

This ride might give you a shock in your life. But it is the real Myanmar, the Myanmar that trapped in the time capsule of 60 years ago and never progress! It is difficult to see after you visited the Big4 because tourist area is always nicer presented. It is not about the things that have been done by the people nor the government, but it is about the things had not been done!

There is a reason why the capital is move to another place which is nicely built with beautiful building and modern highway. When you take this train ride, you will find out the reason as any foreign dignitaries will not see these pictures as they are going to the new capital now.

Yangon Circle Line train line - To see the real Myanmar (http://www.travbuddy.com/Yangon-Circle-Line-train-line-v755754)
By sepilokf…
Jul 20, 2012

The Yangon Circle Line train ride costs USD1. From the Yangon Railway Station, the train makes a big circular loop around Yangon. In around 4hrs, the train will take you back to where it started.

This ride might give you a shock in your life. But it is the real Myanmar, the Myanmar that trapped in the time capsule of 60 years ago and never progress! It is difficult to see after you visited the Big4 because tourist area is always nicer presented. It is not about the things that have been done by the people nor the government, but it is about the things had not been done!

There is a reason why the capital is move to another place which is nicely built with beautiful building and modern highway. When you take this train ride, you will find out the reason as any foreign dignitaries will not see these pictures as they are going to the new capital now.

Myanmar Rail Map

http://www.seacitymaps.com/myanmar/myanmar_rail_map_1.htm

http://www.seacitymaps.com/myanmar/myanmar_rail_map_thumbnail.gif

Look nice indeed! Let's see how they going to revive the Dead railway from Thanbyusayat to Pyatongsoo (Three pagoda pass on Burmese side)

^^
Good map! Beautiful and up-to-date, Khun boy8293 :D

Thank You Krab!!

^^^
Next of the line is to crack the Burmese scripts to get the names of stations & stops along with the miles and furlongs as Yangon is Mile Zero of Burmese Railway Networks

Khun Wisarut, Please post your MR railway network map here. Thank you.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/yangon_division.jpg
Yangon Circular Line - the golden lines are BS 75 rails while the black lines are BS 60 rails

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/ywa_htaung.jpg
Railway Networks around Yangon - with Mile Zero at Yangon station

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/mandalay.jpg
Railway Networks around Mandalay - the golden lines are BS 75 rails while the green lines are BS 60 rails and azure line for BS 50 rails

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/bagan.jpg
Railway networks around Bagan - the golden lines are BS 75 rails while the black lines are BS 60 rails

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/kalaw.jpg
Railway networks around Kalaw in Shan State - the golden lines are BS 75 rails while the green lines are BS 60 rails

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/pakkokku.jpg
Railway networks around Pakkoku and Nepyitaw - the golden lines are BS 75 rails

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/hinthada.jpg
Railway networks around Hinthada - the green lines are BS 60 rails and Azure line is for BS 50 rails - this network is desperate for BS75 rails

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/myitkyina.jpg
Railway networks around Myitkyina in Kachin state - the golden lines are BS 75 rails while the black lines are BS 60 rails

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/taungoo.jpg
Railway networks around Taungoo - the golden lines are BS 75 rails while the black lines are BS 60 rails

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/yangon.jpg
Railway networks around Pyinmana - the golden lines are BS 75 rails while the black lines are BS 60 rails

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/mawlamyaing.jpg
Railway networks around mawlamyaing with the line to Dawei the golden lines are BS 75 rails while the black lines are BS 60 rails

Myanmar Rail Map

http://www.seacitymaps.com/myanmar/myanmar_rail_map_1.htm

http://www.seacitymaps.com/myanmar/myanmar_rail_map_thumbnail.gif

Do you see a possibility of Myanmar Railway's expansion into the Chinese, Indian, Bangladesh and Thai borders in the future?

Seems the country has a well-developed railway network...

^^^^

Burma making a clear point that the first connection to Thailand via the old Death Railway to Three Pagoda Pass MUST BE RESTORED at all cost!

Thank you very much Khun Wisarut for the official railway network map. From now I will translate them to Roman scripts. Although some station names are too small to read. I hope that MR will make larger map online in the future.

Myanmar to rebuild WW2 railway (http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120818_18.html)
NHK World Aug. 18, 2012 - Updated 16:34 UTC (01:34 JST)

i1P4jQPax18

Myanmar plans to rebuild a railway line linking it with Thailand that was constructed during World War Two.

Myanmar's President Thein Sein and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra confirmed the railway project in a meeting in Bangkok last month.

The original railway was completed in 1943 during World War Two. The Japanese Imperial Army used Asian workers and prisoners of war to build it. Thousands died under the harsh conditions.

It is often referred to as the "Death Railway" and the story was depicted in the 1957 film "The Bridge on the River Kwai".

Myanmar plans to begin a survey for the route this year, and to restore the currently abandoned pathway. Thailand also plans to study reviving some sections where the railway has been ripped up.

If completed, the railway will link Myanmar's largest city Yangon directly with the Thai capital.

By reviving the railway, Myanmar's government aims to revitalize its economy by promoting the transportation of people and goods by rail.

^^^^

Burma making a clear point that the first connection to Thailand via the old Death Railway to Three Pagoda Pass MUST BE RESTORED at all cost!

I do see a potential for Thailand's Chiang Mai which can be connected as well to the northern provinces of Myanmar...

^^^
That Mountain zone between Chiang Mai to Burmese Border has increased the cost per km for the construction of railway line 6 times compared to the route from Denchai to Chiang Khong via Phrae and Chiang Rai - not to mention about the cost for track maintenance

A0ic6FhtuIw
New Life along the proposed Thai - Burma project by reviving the Death Railway by NHK

Latest map of Myanmar Railways - June 2012
http://www.themimu.info/docs/MIMU539v06_120604_Myanmar%20Topo-Map_6ft-3ft.pdf

List of Railway Stations from Mawlamyine to Ye, Myanmar

http://biochem.flas.kps.ku.ac.th/rft/mawlamyaing/Mawlamyine_Ye_Stations.gif

I'm glad the "death railway" is being rebuilt, I think it ill be good to see another route opened between Myanmar and Thailand. Just a question though, how are the other railways in Myanmar? Are they in a good condition? because some parts like the rail station in Mandalay looks quite modern.

^^ the train are still veyr old but soon theyll be replaced because now foreign investment is increasing rapidly

I'm glad the "death railway" is being rebuilt, I think it ill be good to see another route opened between Myanmar and Thailand. Just a question though, how are the other railways in Myanmar? Are they in a good condition? because some parts like the rail station in Mandalay looks quite modern.

Here is the traveling tale of Thai female (Aunty Foo) from Phitsanuloke whotravel by train from Bagan to Mandalay - Paying 12 US Dollars instead of the official price of 10 Dollars per person

http://www.pantip.com/cafe/blueplanet/topic/E9745074/E9745074.html
http://www.pantip.com/cafe/blueplanet/topic/E9745768/E9745768.html
http://www.pantip.com/cafe/blueplanet/topic/E9748248/E9748248.html

List of railway station in Myanmar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_railway_stations_in_Myanmar

Myanmar to enjoy rides on Indian engines (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-15/jaipur/34471483_1_engines-broad-gauge-metre-gauge)
Kishitiz Gaur, TNN Oct 15, 2012, 03.16AM IST

AJMER: The Loco Workshop of Ajmer has renovated age-old shunting engines and is exporting them to Myanmar. Three engines have already been dispatched and two others are ready for export. With advancement in rail transportation, the shunting engines, which ran on metre gauge till a decade back, were rendered useless. These engines cannot be used in our country since the metre gauge has been replaced by broad gauge. These heavy machines had to be loaded on to truck trolleys to be sent to Myanmar.

The Loco Workshop here is trying to incorporate the latest technology into these engines.

The Loco Workshop has charged Rs 80 lakhs per engine for this consignment from Rail India Techno Economical Service Ltd (RITES) - a major PSU of railways dealing with exporting technology out of the department. "Three diesel engines were renovated by the workshop as shunting engines at a cost of nearly Rs 2 crores each and one more is underway," an official said. Two out of the four engines were sold to private companies and one to DRDO (Defence Research Development Organization).

Transport Reforms Can Pave Way for Myanmar's Sustainable Growth (http://www.adb.org/news/transport-reforms-can-pave-way-myanmars-sustainable-growth?ref=countries/myanmar/news)

25 October 2012
CountriesMyanmar
SubjectsTransport and ICT
NAY PYI TAW, MYANMAR – Myanmar’s fragmented and under-resourced transport sector needs a top-to-bottom overhaul to meet an expected boom in demand for quality roads, railways, airports and transport services in coming years, says a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) study.

“For the benefits of Myanmar’s anticipated growth to truly reach people in all corners of the country, its network of roads, railways, inland waterways and airports will need a coordinated path to improvement,” said James Lynch, Director of the Transport and Communications Division in the Southeast Asia Department at ADB. “This is vital not only for the country’s development, from the cities to the remote rural areas, but also to transform the country into a land bridge linking Southeast Asia and South Asia.”

Amongst the country’s many pressing development concerns, transport remains a top priority since building and upgrading roads ― especially in rural communities and isolated border areas where 70% of the population live ― will lay the foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The study shows that while Myanmar has managed to keep its core network of roads in reasonable condition, less than half of the country’s main roads are paved for all-weather conditions. Outside main urban centers, less than 10% of secondary roads are all-weather, posing a serious barrier to accessing essential services, markets and economic opportunities.

The railway sector also faces significant challenges, with over a quarter of the country’s fleet of 400 locomotives more than 40 years old. Consequently, the 375 km trip between the economic capital of Yangon and the political capital of Nay Pyi Taw takes almost twice as long by rail – nine hours – as by road.

The study recommends restructuring the complex and overlapping institutional structure that impedes effective transport sector management, stepping up targeted investments in roads, railways, and ports, bringing tariffs for government-controlled transport services closer to commercial levels, and gradually reducing the state’s very dominant role in the sector.

The study also calls for the government to carry out full cost benefit analyses on potential transport projects to determine which will bring the most immediate and lasting benefits for the nation as a whole. ADB, which ceased operations in Myanmar in the 1980s, is now working with government to provide analytical studies, policy advisory services and capacity building support to strengthen the role of transport in contributing to the country’s economic and social development.

Railways Museum in Thanbyuzayat (http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs14/NLM2012-10-28.pdf)
The New Light of Myanmar 28 Oct 2012 p.7

Thanbyuzayat, 27 Oct—In accord with the Head of Mon State, Thanbyuzayat Railways Museum was located in six acres of land beside Ye-Dawei railroad at the exit of Thanbyuzayat in 1995.

The museum displayed documentary photos on construction of Myanmar-Thai railroad during the World War Two, plaster statues, and so on including one steam locomotive used by Japan in the compound of the museum.

As the Commonwealth War Cemetery for the troops of allied forces who were posthumous in the Second World War in Thanbyuzayat, the foreigners visited not only the war cemetery but also the railways museum all the year round.

The museum has lack of museum characteristics. Buildings of the museum are damaged and bushes cover many parts of the area for many years.

Foreign tourists and those of foreign news agencies took photos at the museum. In this case, the image of the museum is worse than that
of Commonwealth War Cemetery.

In the open season, the Thanbyuzayat Railways Museum should be renovated to be able to earn foreign exchange from their visits while the Thanbyuzayat-Thai railroad construction project will be implemented. Myanma Alinn

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll8/Mongwin/thanbyuzayatmuseum.jpg

ADB reviews Myanma Railways' needs (http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/adb-reviews-myanma-railways-needs/archiv/2012/oktober.html)
Railway Gazette International 30 October 2012

MYANMAR: As part of its re-engagement with Myanmar after ceasing operations there in the 1980s, the Asian Development Bank has published a report recommending a restructuring of the 'complex and overlapping institutional structure' which it believes is impeding effective management of rail, road water and air transport.

ADB says Myanma Railways is 'a relatively robust state enterprise' which has managed to keep operating 'with reasonable levels of service under very difficult circumstances'. Three decades of international isolation cut off access to global expertise, but MR has managed to keep operating a disparate fleet of 400 locomotives, more than a quarter of which are more than 40 years old.

The rail network has almost doubled from 1,976 km to 3,516 km since the late 1980s. However the report says many of the new lines offer limited revenue potential. Freight traffic has increased by just 50% to 3 million tonnes, with much of this being carried on the older parts of the network.

The new lines were often built through difficult terrain, with the number of bridges doubling to more than 11,000 and the number of tunnels increasing from none to 12. Meanwhile, little funding has been available for the operation and maintenance of the more economically important existing network.

The ADB report recommends institutional reform to clarify responsibility for transport, along with a reduction in the state's dominance of transport and bringing tariffs on government-controlled services closer to commercial levels.

It says investment should initially be targeted at projects which offer quick and visible benefits, and provide training and hands-on experience for implementing agencies.

Myanmar-China railroad link underway (http://elevenmyanmar.com/national/1130-myanmar-shipyards-is-considering-a-joint-venture-with-a-company-from-either-japan-or-vietnam-sources-said)
Eleven Myanmar
Thursday, 01 November 2012 17:28

http://elevenmyanmar.com/images/offshore.jpg
Kyaukphyu seaport (photo - Aung Ramma/EMG)

A railroad linking a Myanmar seaport to China will be built as part of the country’s special economic zone project, an official said.

Director-general Aung Naing Oo of the Department of Investment and Companies Administration said the railroad will run from the western seaport Kyaukphyu all the way to China’s Yunnan province to boost the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project.

"The memorandum of understanding for the railroad project was signed in April 2011,” U Tin Thit, an official of Green Land Mandalay, said.

Feasibility studies are being carried out for areas that will be affected during the railroad construction. About 1,500 to 2,000 acres are being eyed in Zinchaung, Kinmyauk, Kyaukphyu villages and 3,000 to 5,000 acres in Aung Hlarabyin and Kyaukngaga villages.
U Tin Thit added that the Myanmar-China gas pipeline monitoring committee has been set up. He said some locals have yet to receive compensation for their land, which were taken to make way for the gas pipeline project.

“Farmlands were damaged when the implementation of the project started. Chinese officials met with peasants on October 19, saying that projects would move ahead only if the peasants agreed to them,” he said.

http://www.mizzima.com/images/NewsPhotos/MAY12/Myanma-Railways-demolishes-illegal-houses-1.jpg
Myanma Railways demolishes more squatter houses (http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/7677-myanma-railways-demolishes-more-squatter-houses.html)

By Lin Ko Ko Htet
Mizzima
Friday, 03 August 2012 13:35

Rangoon (Mizzima) – Myanma Railways has ordered more squatters to destroy their shops and living quarters on railroad property in Mayangon Township in Rangoon.

Railroad authorities sent notices to 10 squatters on Lower Baho Road in Quarter No. 2, ordering them to demolish the structures by August 1.

Illegal squatter homes and shops in Rangoon demolished on the order of the Myanma Railways. Photo: Mizzima Illegal squatter homes and shops in Rangoon demolished on the order of the Myanma Railways. Photo: Mizzima
Railroad official Thein Naing said the railroad would demolish other illegal homes and shops along the Rangoon intra-city railroad in order to build restrooms for passengers and other buildings related to Myanma Railways.

Tensions were high on the day of the destruction.

Kyaw Moe, who ran a small shop in which he also lived, said there was not enough notice given before the deadline.

“I lived there for more than 50 years,” he said. “We requested them to give us more time for our children’s education, elderly people’s health situation and our business situations, but they turned down our request.”

Another resident said, “They told us to demolish our structures by ourselves, otherwise they would tear them down. If they demolished them, the wood and zinc would be totally lost. So we had to tear down the property ourselves.”

Railroad official Thein Naing told Mizzima: “We told them to move. Myanma Railways did not destroy the property. We ordered them to move via their own plan.”

On July 30, the railroad demolished 13 squatter homes near Pazundaung railway station in Rangoon.

http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/7677-myanma-railways-demolishes-more-squatter-houses.html

Trains, stations, railroads upgraded for passengers of rail transportation
The New Light of Myanmar 25 Nov 2012 p.2

Yangon, 24 Nov— With a view to ensuring convenience of passengers, Myanma Railways upgrade coaches and railroads, said an official of Myanma Railways.



After raising the price of tickets, Myanma Railways focuses on upgrading of the circular railroads and rail tracks, and maintenance of railway stations, said Assistant Manager U Kyaw Myint of Division 7 of Myanma Railways.

“Myanma Railways is earmarked to install 75 fibre seats at the coaches of circular trains and has completed installation of 54 seats. Moreover, a total of 54 coaches have been renewed in painting. The industry has completed six of 20 coaches in major repairing and 17 of 24 locomotives in painting,” he continued.

Myanma Railways is undertaking maintenance not only of coaches but also railway stations for travelling convenience of passengers daily.

“There are 38 railway stations along 29.5 miles long Yangon circular railroad. The railway stations and rail tracks became damaged and decay with the passage of time. Thus, a total of 33 of 38 railway stations have been completed in renovation. We expected to complete maintenance of those facilities at the end of November,” said Assistant Manager (Civil) U Tin Win.

With respect to maintenance of railroads, concrete sleepers have been laid along the circular railroads except the section between Yangon Railway Station and Kyimyindine Station. All the people are to join hands with the MR in sanitation and maintenance of railway stations and rail tracks.

In Yangon, about 85,000 people rely on rail transportation daily. Thus, Myanma Railways runs 200 plies with the use of 21 coaches. Myanma Alinn

May 2012 Photo by Michael Newman

Yangon is expanding it's urban rail network. Here they are embedding dual gauge track into the pavement.

http://www.songkhlaline.com/image/IMG_6319.JPG
Source: http://buadhai.blogspot.com/2012/05/burma-2012-back-to-yangon.html

New railway along ‘Death Railway’ (http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/1792-new-railway-along-death-railway)
ELEVEN Tuesday, 18 December 2012 20:32

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/images/stories/dec12/bi/death-railway.st.jpg
A feasibility survey being conducted to build new tracks from Thanbyuzayat in Mon State to Three Pagoda Pass of Kayin State near Myanmar-Thai border area. (Photo-EMG)

The Myanmar government has initiated a process to build new rail tracks along the 105-kilometre stretch of the infamous Thai-Burma “Death Railway” built by the Japanese during the Second World War, according to officials.

A feasibility survey to build new tracks from Thanbyuzayat in Mon State to Three Pagoda Pass of Kayin State near Myanmar-Thai border area began on Friday, an official of the Civil Engineering Department of Myanmar Railways said.

The survey team will measure the embankment of the former railway and analyse photos taken from satellites, said leader of the survey team.

While trying to complete a supply route to their troops in Burma during the Second World War, the Japanese forces forced 177,000 Myanmar labourers and thousands of allied prisoners of war to build the 415km railway between 1942 and 1943.

Total 12,000 prisoners of war and 80,000 Asian labourers died at camps in the Thai and Burmese jungle.

As the railway lay unused for years, rubber trees and other fruit trees have grown on the rail tracks.

“We are considering building new railway at a close distance, to the villages, without affecting the locals who are living near the alignment area,” the team leader said, adding that there is a strong possibility of building the tracks close to the motorway.

The survey team will calculate the cost and assess environmental impact. It will later seek foreign assistance to test the grounds and make measurements using Global Positioning System.

On completion of the survey, the team will submit its report to the ministry of rail transportation, which will later forward it to the parliament seeking permission for the project.

Myanmar to improve old railways, fragile carriages (http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/1838-myanmar-to-improve-old-railways-fragile-carriages)
ELEVEN Sunday, 23 December 2012 05:24

Old railways and fragile carriages will be improved in five years, Thein Swe, director-general at the Ministry of Rail Transportation, said.

During a meeting with the ministers of regions and state governments, they asked mainly for the regular schedules of railway transportation, prevention for derailment and improvement of rails.

The director-general said that the ministry will upgrade the Yangon-Mandalay railroad, the Mandalay-Myitkyina railroad and the Bago-Mawlamyaing railroad in five years as a priority.

The ministry has estimated that the new railroads will be needed only after 2017.

The country has 1,210 miles of railway networks, 12 units of more than 600-feet-long bridges, 40 units of between 180- and 600-feet-long bridges, 4,534 units of under-180-feet-long bridges and 325 railways stations from 1988 to January, 2009.

The under-construction railroads are Bago-Hantawaddy (airport) railroad, Oatshitpin-Pakokku railroad, Katha-Banmaw railroad, Kengtong-Nansang railroad, Pyawbwe-Natmauk-Magway railroad, Dawei-Myeik railroad and Sittwe-Ann-Minbu railroad.

Thai-Burma Railway to be restored (http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2013-01/01/content_16074395.htm)
China Daily 1 January 2013 - 13:43

By Junichi Fukasawa (asianewsnet)

The Myanmar government has announced plans to complete a railroad and highway to promote economic development in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities on the route of the Thailand-Burma Railway built by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

The rail link was built to transport military supplies from Thailand to Burma (now Myanmar). The section in eastern Burma was largely abandoned after the war since the area was controlled by armed insurgents associated with ethnic minority groups, such as the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Karen National Union (KNU).

However, restoration of the route became possible this year after the Myanmar government signed armistice agreements with both the NMSP and KNU.
Aung Min, minister of the President's Office of Myanmar, who is in charge of peace talks with the two groups, said the railroad and highway would traverse a 100-kilometre stretch of the old railway, starting from Thanbyuzayat, the old railway's terminus on the Burmese side, to Three Pagodas Pass on its border with Thailand.

The Myanmar government began field surveys on the route in mid-December, and Myanmar President Thein Sein has recently endorsed funds to cover surveying of the highway portion.

The Imperial Japanese Army began construction of the railway in July 1942 to connect Thanbyuzayat with Nong Pladuk, Thailand. The 415-kilometre link was completed in October 1943, and was built by British prisoners of war, Asian labourers and others.

Due to oppressive working conditions and constant epidemics, more than 70,000 workers are said to have died during the construction. An iron bridge of the railway, dubbed the Death Railway, in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, was the setting for the 1957 movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai."

Myanmar has announced plans for several special economic zones along the Thai border to aid economic development in areas heavily populated by ethnic minorities, including one in the Three Pagodas Pass area, according to Aung Min.

On the Thai side, a highway has already been built from Bangkok to near Three Pagodas Pass.

In addition to plans to connect with this highway, the government plans to discuss with the Thai side the possibility of reviving the defunct section of the old railway between Myanmar and Namtok, Thailand. It hopes to attract foreign manufacturers through infrastructure improvements in the special economic zones, Aung Min said.
With plans to develop a port near Mawlamyine, capital of Myanmar's Mon State, a new railroad and highway could become a trade artery connecting India and Europe with Thailand and Vietnam, where many Japanese companies have factories.

While Aung Min said his government welcomes foreign funds in the construction, indicating that overseas development aid would be accepted, he added that Myanmar would also fund the project.

Yangon circular railways to be extended (http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/1956-japan-to-build-yangon-circular-railway-s-extension-up-to-sez)
ELEVEN Monday, 31 December 2012 23:02

http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/images/stories/jan13/we/Japanst.jpg
The photo shows a disused track and coach near Thilawa Port. (Photo-EMG)

Yangon circular railways will be extended to Thilawa Special Economic Zone under the management of Japan, according to the Yangon circular train system renovation and upgrading project.

The extension of railways is expected to be completed by 2015. The circular trains go around the city 21 times a day.

The project will be divided into several stages, and the construction will start next month.

For the first phase, about 450 hectares of land in Thilawa Special Economic zone will be developed by Myanmar and Japanese companies.

“We will extend the railways through heavily populated area to Thialawa Special Economic Zone…the project will create more job opportunities,” said head officer Win Naung of the Myanmar Railways.

About 45,000 job opportunities will be created according to the master plan.

Japan is financing the current and future railway projects of Myanmar with low interest rate.

The New Light of Myanmar 2 Jan 2013 p.8

Opening of Ayeyawady Bridge (Pakokku) Myanmar’s longest Ayeyawady Bridge (Pakokku) was commis-sioned into service on 31 December. Its main structure is 11431 feet long, its motor road, 13,537 feet long and railroad, 20597 feet long. It links eastern bank of Ayeyawady River in Mandalay Region and western bank of Ayeyawady River in Magway Region. It is located on India-MyanmarThailand Tripartite Highway.

Planned Updates to Southeast Asia’s Rail Network (http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/01/01/world/asia/Planned-Updates-To-Southeast-Asias-Rail-Network.html)
New York Times
January 1, 2013

Here is the progress report:

Laos has fewer than two miles of rail, linking the area of Vientiane, the capital, to Thailand, operated by the Thai government. Construction of a line that would link Vientiane to Kunming, China, are under consideration.

Vietnam its nearly 2,000 miles of track are mostly functional, but outdated. Cargo trains run on average at about 30 miles per hour, according to a report by the Institute of Developing Economies, a research institute financed by Japan. Because of the slow speeds, much freight is delivered on trucks.

Cambodia began rehabilitation of its two rail lines in 2009 after decades of neglect and plans to finish it by 2014. But delays, cost overruns and resettlement issues have put that deadline at risk. About 4,000 families who live on the currently unused tracks will have to be moved.

Myanmar has been expanding its 3,300-mile rail network in recent years, but still has no links to its neighbors. A project to develop a deep-sea port in Dawei would eventually include a rail link to Bangkok, creating a shortcut between the region and Europe.

Thailand has more than 2,500 miles of usable track and has recently announced plans to build four high-speed rail lines, including one to Nong Khai, near the Laotian border. Construction of a high-speed line from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is scheduled to start this year, using Chinese technology, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.

I'm glad Myanmar is starting to make good use of it's railways. I think many countries seem to overlook the benifits that railways can have, and instead leave them to decay. Rebuilding and rehabilitating them is a good idea as it can have a great number of economic benifits. Good on you Myanmar! :)

^^^
At least, upgrading from Military railways which have been hastily built

Two MG diesel locos exported to Myanmar (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/two-mg-diesel-locos-exported-to-myanmar/article4278711.ece)
The Hindu, January 6, 2013

Two metre gauge diesel engines, out of an export order of four locos, were dispatched to Myanmar from Golden Rock Railway Workshop here on Saturday.

The locos have a number of additional features, including ergonomically designed sleek type control stands, LED type reading and classification lamps, roof mounted cab fan, and twin beam headlights for better luminosity to suit the working environment of Myanmar railways.

The RITES Ltd, a Government of India enterprise under the aegis of Indian Railways, had given the order to Golden Rock Railway Workshop to export four diesel engines to Myanmar. The workshop had crossed another milestone by rolling out the locos to Myanmar.

It has exported 135 diesel locos to various countries, including Malaysia, Sudan, Senegal, Benin and Myanmar since 1994, a press release here said.

//--------------------------------

Clearly refurbished YDM4 Diesel electric locos

Feasibility study to rebuild ‘Death Railway’ nears completion (http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/8780-feasibility-study-to-rebuild-death-railway-nears-completion.html)
Mizzima Wednesday, 23 January 2013 17:31 Kun Chan

The results of a feasibility study to rebuild the Thanbyuzayat-Three Pagoda Pass section of the Thailand-Burma Railway will be announced at the end of January, officials at Myanmar Railways have told Mizzima.

A trestle bridge on the Burma–Thailand Railway built by Allied prisoners of war and conscripted Asian labourers, near Hintok, in Thailand. (Photo: Australian War Memorial)

Also known as the Death Railway, the track was originally built by the Japanese between 1942 and 1943 as they attempted to create a supply route from Thailand to Burma. Under the horrific conditions the Japanese troops enforced, nearly 100,000 people, including 80,000 Burmese, died while building the infamous 280 km stretch, which was largely destroyed following World War II.

The ordeal of the prisoners of war and Asian forced laborers, who had to break down mountains and battle malnutrition, malaria and cholera, would go on to form the basis of the French novel, and subsequent movie, The Bridge On the River Kwai.

But rebuilding this important rail section is not without its obstacles—more than 14 km of the track passes through Karen lands, while another 92 km are in Mon lands.

“The survey has begun, but some of the lands are controlled by a ceasefire group. We dare not enter in to their land without agreement,” said Tin Myint, the Chief Civil engineer of Myanmar Railways Division No. 8.

The government has already negotiated with the Mon State government and the New Mon State Party; currently, the government is in talks with the Karen State government about the project.

Tin Myint, the engineer of Myanmar Railways Division 8, said, “Government officials held discussions with Karen State government officials at their office. The Karen State government office will now negotiate with the two Karen groups.”

Railway Minister Aung Min said that the Thanbyuzayat-Three Pagoda Pass Road will be rebuilt and that an economic zone will be established in Three Pagoda Pass.

On December 15 last year, President Thein Sein told political parties in Moulmein in Mon State that the government will rebuild the railroad and the road, and open a border trade center on the Thai-Burmese border.

The new railway will be based on the existing old railway and images from satellite maps, said a spokesperson for the Engineering Department under Myanmar Railways. They will then use the information to plan the new railway along the most viable route.

Once the feasibility study has been carried out, the findings will be submitted to the Rail Transportation Ministry to review and then given to the Burmese parliament to make the final decision on how the project will be implemented.

Local business people have said that the plan to rebuild the “Death Railway” is part of the Kalegauk deep-sea port project in Ye Township in Mon State. Kalegauk is one of four deep-sea ports that will be built along the Burmese coastline.

Ongoing developments in the region have pushed property prices up: previously, the price of a 40 foot x 60 foot piece of land on the outskirts of Three Pagodas Pass ranged from US $2,300 to $3,200. But following the agreements of ceasefires with the New Mon State Party and the Karen National Union, the price increased to the range of $10,000 to more than $14,000.

Yangon-Pathein Railway Link nearing completion.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll8/Mongwin/nlm31jan2013_zps9efbcce8.jpg
The New Light of Myanmar 31 Jan 2013 p.1

Compensation planned for land lost to railway (http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/3978-compensation-planned-for-land-lost-to-railway.html)
The Myanmar Times By Soe Than Lynn | Monday, 04 February 2013

The government will not return land acquired for a mostly disused railway between Hpa-an and Mon State but plans to pay compensation to the original landowners, the deputy railways minister told parliament last week.

The state acquired farmland to build the railroad between the Kayin State capital and Thaton in 1994. However, use of the railroad declined after 1997, when the Thanlwin Bridge was completed. Because of a lack of passengers, services ceased from 2009 and the line is only used for some freight trains running between Myainggalay, west of Hpa-an, and Thaton.

Daw Nan Say Awa, the Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Hpa-an, asked whether the land would be given back to the original owners. In his reply, Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation U Chan Maung said the ministry would compensate the land owners instead, as state-run Myanmar Railways plans to resume services on the route.

“Myanmar Railways acquired some farmland in the past. We compensated the owners for some of it but found that we haven’t given any compensation for this railroad. We are going to arrange to give compensation to them after conducting negotiations with other relevant departments,” U Chan Maung said on January 24.

Daw Nan Say Awa then demanded compensation be paid at the market rate if the farmland is not to be given back, to which U Chan Maung replied that they would endeavour to do so after negotiating the compensation rate with other departments.

Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann praised the deputy minister for his “clear” response but said a deadline should be set to hand over the compensation.

“Because the ministry will proceed with the issue, farmers and other people will be happy. However, … it is more acceptable if it can be done within a given timeframe. You don’t need to reply now. After making the negotiations, we would like an answer on when compensation will be given,” Thura U Shwe Mann said.

Translated by Thit Lwin

Sagaing track shifted after accident (http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/mandalay-upper-myanmar/3972-sagaing-track-shifted-after-accident.html)
The Myanmar Times By Si Thu Lwin | Monday, 04 February 2013

http://www.mmtimes.com/images/mte/2013/664/chat-gyi-railroad.jpg
Workers help to move a section of railway line in Kanbalu township, Sagaing Region. (Si Thu Lwin/The Myanmar Times)

A stretch of railway track where a train crash and explosion in November 2012 left at least 25 people dead is being re-laid to improve safety.

A 1-mile (1.6-kilometre) section near Chat Gyi train station in Kanbalu township, Sagaing Region, is being moved to a flatter locale, said U Aung Aung Tun, deputy engineer of Myanmar Railways’ Region 2.

The track will be moved about 30 metres west of the existing track, he said.

“We started in late January and estimate it will be finished this financial year,” said U Tun Aung Thin, Myanma Railways’ general manager for upper Myanmar.

He said the schedules would not change when the new track opens, adding that it would improve safety around Chat Gyi station.

Three petrol wagons derailed at Chat Gyi train station on November 9 and many people were killed when petrol they were taking from the derailed wagons caught fire.

Translated by Zar Zar Soe

Myanmar’s deadly railways claim more than 200 lives in 2 years (http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/national/crime/2384-myanmar-s-deadly-railways-claim-more-than-200-lives-in-2-years)
Eleven Myanmar
Thursday, 07 February 2013 17:45

The number of people killed in train accidents fell last year to 90 from 111 the year before due to increased policing of trains and stations, officials said.
Senior railway police officer Hla Moe said more officers had been deployed to ensure security at train stations nationwide after the number of accidents, injuries and deaths rose two years ago.
Most deaths occurred on the Yangon Circular Railway and the express railway linking Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay, figures from the Myanmar Railway Police Department show.
Although more than two hundred people were killed in train accidents over the past two years, the decline last year shows that safety measures are having an effect, Hla Moe said.
“More officers have been deployed in areas with a high number of accidents,” he added.
In 2011 train accidents killed 99 males and 12 females, according to the Myanmar Railway Police Department. The accidents also injured 48 males and nine females, the department said.
Last year saw a decline in deaths but not injuries, which totaled 58. Most of the deaths continued to be male, 83 of the 90, figures from the department show.
A major cause of accidents is drivers not waiting for incoming trains to pass at intersections, the figures show.
Myanmar’s railway network spans almost 5,870 kilometres and has 926 stations. It is operated by the state-run agency Myanmar Railways, which also operates the Yangon Circular Railway line, a commuter rail network.

Death Railway Reconstruction (http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs14/MF2013-01-op.pdf)
The Mon Forum
November 2012 - January 2013

On May 15 last year, then-Railway Minister U Aung Min announced at a KNU opening ceremony that the Death Railway would be reconstructed. Within three or four years, he said, the new line would
allow residents of TPP to quickly access Rangoon, while Burmese citizens could travel easily to Bangkok. In addition to the train track, he described a new motorway that would replace the current
road as part of the Asia Highway network and a larger effort to create a regional industrial zone jointly led by ministers from Karen and Mon States.

Built by Japan during World War II, approximately 100,000 Asian laborers and allied POWs were killed laboring to construct the “Death Railway.” The track was later ripped apart as the Japanese army
began its retreat across mainland Southeast Asia, but the route continued to be used as the primary motorway connecting Three Pagodas Pass to Thanbyuzayat in central Mon State.

In October, members of the (USDP) Union Solidarity and Development Party met with various political representatives and businessmen to discuss the railway’s reconstruction and upgrades to key
infrastructure in the TPP area. Unlike the Kyainnseikyi road repair, the rail project represents a massive development venture with high-profile status and involvement by the central government.

On November 11, a land survey group, reportedly including three foreign engineers, came to Three Pagodas Pass ostensibly to assess the impending construction site. Accompanied by General Lin Oo,
the Anang Kwin Village Tactical Commander No. 1 from the government security detail assigned to the evaluation, the team conducted surveys through villages, near homes and businesses, and across
plantation, leaving residents and observers unsure about whether their land might now be selected for demolition. A former member of the New Mon State Party and TPP resident said he was informed
that the government planned to undertake the track and motorway construction at the same time, and depending on its location, land impacted by the new motorway, which is anticipated to be 60 feet
wide, would be compensated by the appropriate Karen or Mon ethnic groups.

Testimonies collected in the area demonstrated that residents do not yet know when the railway reconstruction and motorway projects will begin, whose land will be affected, or what companies will
be responsible. Although some members of the business community reported hearing that 15 companies are currently vying for construction contracts, including domestic Burmese and foreign
enterprises, there have been no official statements specifying the relevant dates or parties involved.

Interviews revealed fears that homes would be bulldozed, requiring residents to find new houses, jobs, or plantations to work on. Some villagers worried that their children would no longer be able to
attend school due to potential food and livelihood.

“The project, as supported by the government, is a valuable thing. It's enables improvements to transportation, traveling, and trading, as well as decreasing the overall cost of these activities,” said a
member of the KNU. “However, [if the company] cannot observe our requests, sections of the villages and plantations will be damaged, and villagers will have to rebuild new houses. For any losses caused
by the road construction, we have four conditions to be met including replacing damaged buildings or land, compensating any destruction, financial assistance with local education and native linguistic
programs, and infrastructure relating to water and electricity.”