reader Posted July 27, 2019 Posted July 27, 2019 I believe that Christianpfc may have posted about this site on his blog a few years back. From the Bangkok Post The Makkasan train depot in downtown Bangkok used to be the country's main centre for locomotive maintenance. It means more than a final resting place for old locomotives and carriages as it has preserved the architectural integrity and beauty of a bygone era and united the spirit of the railway staff. (Photos by Patipat Janthong) The idea of an adventure walk through a run-down train yard overgrown with tall trees may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, under the partially obscuring canopy lies what once was the country's main train maintenance hub. Indeed, the 497-rai Makkasan depot has retained its significance even today, albeit for quite a different reason. Peeling off the depot's rusty facade reveals its charming architectural designs inherent in the old maintenance building while the sheer size of the place that has fallen into neglect and been taken over by trees makes its one of the city's largest green spots. However, a blueprint is on the State Railway of Thailand's drawing board to commercially develop the area. The plan could very easily spell doom for the depot's architectural charm, its green existence as well as the communities living there. To avert doom, the rail worker unions and architectural experts have agreed that developments do not always have to equate to the destruction of what came before and should be preserved. Having marked the 109th anniversary of its establishment late last month, the depot is being integrated into the 220-billion-baht high-speed train project linking three gateway airports -- Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao. The Makkasan depot is eyed as a hub for the high-speed train scheme. Earmarked for development is Zone A, which is home to the maintenance operations. Most of buildings at the depot showcase striking architectural beauty with the oldest building, the Ror For Por 2465, having served as the maintenance centre for steam locomotives in the bygone era and for the diesel engines today. Old maintenance tools are kept at the buildings while two nearby warehouses store many types of hard and precious woods, including teak, phayung (Thai rosewood), shorea, and hopea, which were formerly used in railway construction. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/1719855/back-to-the-railway-future- vinapu 1 Quote
