Bamboo Train - status update?
Replies: 10 - Last Post: Oct 14, 2012 10:41 AM Last Post By: montyman
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Bamboo Train - status update?
Hi there!We last travelled to Cambodia in 2001 and one of the highlights was the "bamboo train" in Battambang. I've heard it's soon to cease with upgrades to the railways. However, seems like the date keeps slipping - a lot - and people seem to have been travelling on it at least through early 2012 (after which I can't find any further reports).
Anyone been there recently/live there and can give a status update? We're going back in December and would love to have another ride.
1
I did it earlier this year and as I understand it, despite the new railway line running through they intend to keep a section of the original railway line as a tourist attraction running parrallel to the new line, I did it from Asia hotel on a motorbike day trip that included a winery and a mountain temple heres my videos and photosphotos battambang
clcik here video
2
I did it earlier this year and as I understand it, despite the new railway line running through they intend to keep a section of the original railway line as a tourist attraction running parrallel to the new lineAre you sure they are actually building any new line? As far as I know they are just refurbishing the old track.
3
Thanks for the info. Yes, I understood it was to be a refurbishment, too, though I don't say that on much authority. Good to hear of plans to keep something running for us tourists, however they organise it. Won't be quite the same without the locals travelling with and towards you but life marches on!4
I was told by Henningessel that the tracks were worn so they intended where possible to turn them around and re-lay them and if not replace them. Interesting project but I've seen the bamboo "carriages" running on old lines down towards Sihanoukville.I was sorry to see the lake go and having finally experienced the tourist section at Battambang, I hope it remains a tourist attraction. The Police there carefully control what goes on and ticket sales (obviously on a commission basis Ha! Ha! ;-)) )
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Well, I last went about 3 weeks ago; the track is still there and don't forget that the Aussie company tasked with building the new railway line pulled out because of corruption issues (now there is a surprise).They did pull out briefly but that's old news, they are back on board already. It wasn't because of corruption, it was because the ADB who were funding much of it had issues with the relocation of some people who had built houses on the track route. http://www.tollroyalrailway.com/
I also heard that the Chinese company that filled in the lake has also gone bust.
I'd be interested in seeing a source for that because I follow Cambodian news, as you do when you live here, and I haven't heard anything about it. It isn't a Chinese company anyway, it's a Cambodian company ( Shukaku Inc) owned by a senator's wife.
