Thailand to refurbish Japanese diesel trains for suburban service

From The Thaiger

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to introduce 20 second-hand Japanese KiHa diesel trains for suburban passenger services. A systems test is set for June, before the refurbishment of the KiHa 40 and KiHa 48 trains, with six trains expected to be operational by the end of the year.

SRT chief Veeris Ammarapala mentioned that these diesel trains were donated by JR EAST from Japan. While JR West and JR Hokkaido have previously donated train carriages to Thailand on five occasions since 1997, this marks the first donation from JR EAST.

Modifications will be made to the trains’ undercarriages to fit Thailand’s 1-metre standard gauge rail tracks. Following these adjustments, the trains will be sent to Laem Chabang station to have their cabs refitted.

Subsequently, the trains will be transported to Makkasan for refurbishment. This process includes a comprehensive inspection covering all components such as the undercarriage, power and transmission systems, and brakes, followed by final engine maintenance, which is anticipated to take about 60 days.

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/transport/thailand-to-refurbish-japanese-diesel-trains-for-suburban-services