Trams in Lopburi
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| Lopburi tramway system | |
|---|---|
| รถรางลพบุรี | |
| Operation | |
| Locale | Lopburi, Thailand |
| Open | 31 January 1955 |
| Close | 1 December 1962 |
| Status | Closed |
| Lines | 1 |
| Owner(s) | Bangkok Electric Works |
| Infrastructure | |
| Track gauge | 1,000mm metre gauge |
| Statistics | |
| Route length | 6.5 km |
The Lopburi tram system (Thai: รถรางลพบุรี) was a transport system in Mueang Lopburi district, Lopburi province, Thailand. It was the only provincial tramway system located outside Bangkok and was operated with electric trams.[1]
Decline
The Lopburi tramway system was built following the plans of then prime minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram to expand Lopburi into a "military city" and develop the local transportation infrastructure. Further plans to develop tramway systems in other major cities such as Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla were also studied, but none were ever constructed.[1] The system was inaugurated by Phibunsongkhram on 31 January 1955, and consisted of a single line running from San Phra Kan to Erawan Intersection, near the present-day King Narai Hospital. Rolling stock used were disused electric trams from Bangkok's tramway. The opening of the line saw significant usage in its early days, and was extended west to Tha Pho Market in the old town area.[2]
By 1960, increased bus services in the area, also serving Tha Pho Market and overlapping the tram route meant passenger volumes started to decrease. The scarcity of oil after World War II, meant tram services occasionally had to be suspended, as was the case with some tram lines in Bangkok. This, coupled with the increase in private car ownership in Lopburi meant using trams were slower than going by road, in some cases obstructing traffic as well. After repeated financial losses, the short-lived Lopburi tramway system operated its final services on 1 December 1962.[2][3]
At present, the only tracks in Lopburi remaining are in the U Rotrang Kao (Former Tram Depot) community, located near Erawan Intersection.[4][5]
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