Express 71: The Last Long Distance Train From Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station

Express 71 is a daytime express train from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani formed of Tokyu NKF, THN, and ATR railcars. On 19 January 2023, Express 71 had the honour of being the very last long distance train to depart from Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station. While it isn’t exactly a prestigious train with no first class, no restaurant car, no sleeper coaches, and mainly no air-conditioning, it was certainly historical to be the very last long distance train to depart from the classic downtown station of Bangkok, putting a new milestone to the 106 years old station.

This is a picture-intensive blog post. Please be aware if you are using mobile data.

Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station

The façade of Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station.

Heading in to Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station.

I had originally wanted to just visit Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station for the sake of visiting it, but I saw that the Express 71 was delayed. As such, I used it as a mode of transport to get to Bang Sue Junction Railway Station to access Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

I headed to the ticket counter to purchase my ticket to Bang Sue Junction.

Walking through the pathway to the platforms.

My ticket for the Express 71 from Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue Junction.

The grand central platforms at Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station.

There was nothing grand about the departure of Express 71 though, being given Platform 11 at the side as the departure of the very last long distance train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station.

Express 71 was formed of 3 NKF railcars for 3rd Class and 1 ATR railcar for 2nd Class.

The Express 71 departed from Bangkok Hua Lamphong for the last time at 10.15am – 10 minutes late. This marks the end of Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station’s role for long distance trains after 106 years.

Looking back at Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station from the last-ever long distance train out.

Trainspotters were around the monument commemorating the first railway in Thailand between Bangkok and Ayutthaya to film this historical train.

Passing by Hua Lamphong Railcar Depot.

Passing by the Headquarters of the State Railway of Thailand.

Passing under Rama I Road.

Crossing Khlong Saen Saeb.

Passing through Yommarat Railway Halt.

Waiting for the signal to cross Si Ayutthaya Road.

Crossing Si Ayutthaya Road.

Passing through Chitralada Royal Railway Station.

Passing through Ramathibodi Hospital Railway Halt.

Crossing Ratchawithi Road.

Crossing Nakhon Chaisi Road.

Sam Sen Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Sam Sen Railway Station.

Departing from Sam Sen Railway Station.

Sam Sen platform vendors board the Express 71 selling food and drinks. I guess this is the end of Sam Sen food for long distance trains.

Approaching where the Red Line descends onto ground level and underground in the next extension through the city.

Passing under the current Red Line turnback sidings.

Crossing Pradiphat Road.

The Red Line tracks turn away towards Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

Passing over Khlong Prapa.

Entering Bang Sue Junction Railway Station.

The Express 71 passes by outside Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal for the last time. From the next trip onwards, the Express 71 will use Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

Passing by the Hua Lamphong-Krung Thep Aphiwat Free Shuttle Bus, most likely heading to its first duty.

Arriving at Bang Sue Junction Railway Station.

Bang Sue Junction Railway Station

My Express 71 arrived at Bang Sue Junction Railway Station at 10.33am – 8 minutes late.

Alighting from the Express 71 with a lot of other railway fans.

The destination sign of the Express 71 saying Bangkok for the last time.

The Express 71 at Bang Sue Junction Railway Station for the last time.

The Express 71 departed from Bang Sue Junction Railway Station at 10.40am – 15 minutes late.

Despite the delay, the train departed with fanfare from staff and railway fans alike documenting this last ever long distance train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong.

On hindsight, I should have went ahead to Rangsit and then come back by Red Line as this would also be the very last northbound train serving the ground level tracks from Bang Sue Junction to Rangsit, as all  passenger trains will move up to the Red Line tracks, all trains serving only Don Mueang and Rangsit on this suburban sector.

Lots of railway fans still on board Express 71 capturing this historic moment.

With the departure of Express 71, it’s goodbye to all outbound long distance trains at Bang Sue Junction Railway Station.

Over my shoulder is the future of long distance trains in just 2 and a half hours.

A final look at the timetable featuring long distance trains to and from Hua Lamphong using Bang Sue Junction Railway Station. Services would be halved in 2 and a half hours time.

Conclusion

The journey on Express 71 was exceptionally memorable for me as this was a very last-minute decision to buy a ticket on the delayed historic train, 3 minutes after scheduled departure in fact, and I tripped on a metal bar on a loose wagon and fell on the platform just before boarding, leaving a few souvenir marks on my shin. Thankfully they seem to be all external injuries and I have no problems with walking and running for connecting trains in the afternoon. Perhaps it’s the adrenaline from the injury and excitement on this historic day that saved me much pain.

It was also great to see many individual railway fans figuring out the exact same joyriding timetable for this historical moving day, making small talk with each other throughout the day.

More joyriding articles coming up.