The long-awaited modification of 20 decommissioned Kiha 40 and Kiha 48 diesel railcars is set to begin between March 17 and 19, 2025. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will oversee the removal of the train bogies at Laem Chabang station before resizing the wheelbase from 1.067 meters to 1 meter. This process follows a nine-month period in which the trains have been left exposed to the elements since their arrival from Japan in June 2024. The SRT aims to refurbish and deploy six of these trains by the end of the year to enhance passenger services.
A meeting on March 13, 2025, between the SRT and Green Generation Worldwide (GGW), the company contracted for the relocation and modification, confirmed that no additional oversight committee would be required for the bogie removal. This decision aligns with the project’s terms of reference, which stipulate that an engineer certified by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) must supervise the process. SRT personnel will also participate in the inspection.
GGW has prepared a team of 10 workers, one JR East-trained engineer, and two 80-ton mobile cranes for the bogie removal, ensuring completion by March 19, 2025. Once detached, the bogies will be transported to SRT’s Makkasan factory, where the wheelbase adjustment is expected to take around 25 days. Afterward, GGW will reassemble the trains before handing them over to the SRT for further refurbishment.
If the timeline proceeds as planned, the SRT anticipates commencing the interior and mechanical upgrades by late April 2025, with a target of completing six refurbished trains within the year. These diesel railcars, originally retired by JR East in early 2023, remain in relatively good condition compared to previous imports such as the Kiha 183 series. Built approximately 40 years ago, the Kiha 40 and Kiha 48 models can still operate for another 10–15 years with proper maintenance.
The Kiha 40 features dual driver cabins, allowing independent operation, while the Kiha 48 has a single driver’s cabin. Both models have a maximum speed of approximately 95 km/h and are equipped with 30,000 Kcal (119,100 BTU) air-conditioning systems, sufficient for Thailand’s climate. Seating capacities differ, with the Kiha 40 accommodating 68 passengers and the Kiha 48 holding 82, excluding standing passengers. However, the fixed upright seating, non-reclining design, and squat-style closed-system toilets may require modifications to meet modern passenger expectations.
The 20 railcars were transported from Niigata Port, Japan, at a cost of 48.6 million baht and arrived at Laem Chabang Port, Chonburi, on June 2, 2024. Since then, they have remained at Laem Chabang Railway Station, awaiting modification. While discussions on potential penalties for project delays have yet to take place, SRT officials are focused on completing the refurbishments before deploying the trains into service.
