| Local Weather NOW |
A regular rail route runs from Bangkok to the Laos border at Nongkhai.
Rail travel is a large friendly party with local people, many of whom just travel a few stops, but share many laughs in that time.
The train crews on the big expresses and hawkers on the local trains provide food and drink. The meals cooked by the SRT chef in the dining car are excellent, both in taste and in value. It is simple to order from the attendant, and in a few minutes a hot meal is brought to you in your seat.
The hawkers too provide good (hygenic) food at good prices - eat and enjoy.
After Khorat (Gateway to Isaans) there is mainly single line working, so often you must wait in a station for the train going in the opposite direction to arrive. For the 'rail anoraks' out there the "Token Passing System" is used in conjunction with both semaphore signals and two-aspect lights. The "Token" is the loop that can be seen on the post in the lower left hand picture
Unlike "post-Beeching" British railways even small villages are served by the main line expresses.
Some stations are no more than a UK 'garden shed' BUT a service is provided. A pity that UK cannot upgrade to such a good service, it would keep the roads clearer!