Thailand’s railways hold a rich history, and for railway enthusiasts, locomotive turntables are a fascinating reminder of their complex operations. These massive circular platforms were once crucial in turning locomotives, especially the older steam engines that were designed for optimal forward operation. In bustling rail yards, turntables allowed locomotives to be efficiently manoeuvred onto different tracks or directed into storage sheds. If you’re exploring Thailand’s railway heritage, keep an eye out for these relics of a bygone era – they offer a glimpse into the ingenuity and mechanics that kept Thailand’s rail network running smoothly.

MAP OF LOCOMOTIVE TURNTABLES IN THAILAND

Click here for Google Map List of Railway Turntables in Thailand

The following picture shows the locomotive turntable at Chiang Mai Railway Station in 2023. It looks like it is still in working order.

The following two old photos show the original turntable in Chiang Mai and so you can clearly see that what we have today is a modern version. The original turntable was made in Germany in 1922 by Joseph Vögele in Mannheim. Theses black and white photos were taken by Boonserm Satrabhaya in the 1950’s.

The following photo is of the observation car from the Eastern & Oriental Express being turned around on the turntable at Chiang Mai Railway Station. Photo by Robert von Hirschhorn in 2006. As you can see, it is still the original turntable.