The Northern Line (Thai: ทางรถไฟสายเหนือ) is a railway line in Thailand, running between the capital Bangkok (at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal) and the northern city of Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai railway station). It is the second longest railway line in Thailand at 751 kilometres (467 mi) long, has 130 operational stations and halts, and is operated by the State Railway of Thailand. The line first opened in 1896. Major cities served by the line include Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Lampang, and Chiang Mai.
The line's operations were severely affected during World War II.
Since January 2023, long-distance (Special Express, Express and Rapid) trains terminated at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok replacing Hua Lamphong station.
A new 323 kilometer-long branch line, from Den Chai to the Lao border at Chiang Khong, is under construction and is expected to open in 2028.[1][2]
History
Timeline[3]
| No. | Segment | Year opened[4] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangkok–Ayutthaya | 26 March 1896 |
| 2 | Ayutthaya–Ban Phachi | 1 November 1897 |
| 3 | Ban Phachi–Lopburi | 1 April 1901 |
| 4 | Lopburi–Pak Nam Pho | 1 November 1905 |
| 5 | Pak Nam Pho–Phitsanulok | 24 January 1908 |
| 6 | Phitsanulok–Ban Dara Junction | 11 November 1908 |
| 7 | Ban Dara Junction–Pang Ton Phueng | 15 August 1909 |
| 8 | Pang Ton Phueng–Mae Phuak | 1 June 1911 |
| 9 | Mae Phuak–Pak Pan | 15 November 1911 |
| 10 | Pak Pan–Huai Mae Ta | 1 May 1912 |
| 11 | Huai Mae Ta–Ban Pin | 15 June 1913 |
| 12 | Ban Pin–Pha Kho | 1 May 1914 |
| 13 | Pha Kho–Mae Chang | 15 December 1915 |
| 14 | Mae Chang–Nakhon Lampang | 1 April 1916 |
| 15 | Nakhon Lampang–Pang Hua Phong | 20 December 1916 |
| 16 | Pang Hua Phong–Pang Yang | 1 July 1918 |
| 17 | Pang Yang–Chiang Mai | 1 January 1922 |
Name changes
| Name | Old name[5] | Year changed |
|---|---|---|
| Ayutthaya | Krung Kao | 1917 |
| Nakhon Sawan | Nong Pling | 1956 |
| Phrom Phiram | Ban Krab Phuang | — |
| Tron | Wang Hin | — |
| Saraphi | Pa Yang Loeng | 1961 |
Infrastructure
The Northern Line is entirely single track, except at stations. Track gauge is 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) meter gauge. As the train frequency increases, it is becoming increasingly challenging to operate trains running both direction on the single-line track. Double-tracking has commenced between Lop Buri and Pak Nam Pho, and is planned for the rest of the line. [citation needed]
The Northern Line is not electrified. Regular services run on diesel power. The current maximum operating speed on the line is 100 km/h (62 mph).
Stations
Tunnels
| Tunnel | Image | Length | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khun Tan Tunnel | 
|
1,352.15 m (4,436.2 ft) | Lampang and Lamphun Province | The longest tunnel in Thailand. |
| Khao Phlueng Tunnel | 
|
362.44 m (1,189.1 ft) | Uttaradit and Phrae Province | |
| Huai Mae Lan Tunnel | 
|
130.20 m (427.2 ft) | Phrae Province | |
| Pang Tub Khob Tunnel | 
|
120.09 m (394.0 ft) | Uttaradit Province | The shortest railway tunnel in Thailand. |
See also
- Rail transport in Thailand
- Lopburi Line: railway line of the Greater Bangkok commuter rail
- Northeastern Line (Thailand)
- Eastern Line (Thailand)
- Southern Line (Thailand)
References
- ^ The History of Den Chai–Chiang Khong Dual-Track Railway Project, 1 March 2023
- ^ "Excavation Begin on 6.2-Kilometer Railway Tunnel in Chiang Rai". Chiang Rai Times. 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
- ^ 100 ปี รถไฟไทย, การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย, 2540
- ^ ตำนานแห่งรถไฟไทย
- ^ Rotfaithai.Com
