I wonder if the track can be used for faster trains in the future? I mean they might not need higher speed trains now until the trains are connected to Thailand and all the way to Singapore in the future.
Railway design spec can be variable section by section such as from Bangkok to Don Muang will be 160kph Don Muang to Korat is 250kph. Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi is also 160kph
The Vientiane to Kunming line is a standard gauge track which means the train can go to 250 km/hr. Currently the track on the Thai side is a meter gauge and the best you can manage is around 140km/hr. There has been talk of laying a new standard gauge track connecting Vientianne to Nong Khair to Bangkok. This project has been held hostage to geopolitics. The Lao stretch, Vientiane - Boten is single track so it means freight and passenger traffic have to share the track. The Lao - China government's have agreed to double track this section which will increase capacity significantly and allow for faster train movement. The trains being used can do higher speeds. Hope the above helps.
I wonder if the track can be used for faster trains in the future? I mean they might not need higher speed trains now until the trains are connected to Thailand and all the way to Singapore in the future.
Railway design spec can be variable section by section such as from Bangkok to Don Muang will be 160kph Don Muang to Korat is 250kph. Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi is also 160kph
The Vientiane to Kunming line is a standard gauge track which means the train can go to 250 km/hr.
Currently the track on the Thai side is a meter gauge and the best you can manage is around 140km/hr. There has been talk of laying a new standard gauge track connecting Vientianne to Nong Khair to Bangkok. This project has been held hostage to geopolitics.
The Lao stretch, Vientiane - Boten is single track so it means freight and passenger traffic have to share the track.
The Lao - China government's have agreed to double track this section which will increase capacity significantly and allow for faster train movement. The trains being used can do higher speeds.
Hope the above helps.
How to book tickets from Kunming to Luang Prabang?
lovely train ride