'Exclusive Travel Experience with Myanmar Tourism Services'

Myanmar Mines railway in Namtu  |  An expedition in Steam

Tour Code        : MTS-SLT-081
Tour Duration : 08 days / 07 nights
Route                : Yangon – Mandalay – Namtu – Bawtwin – Namtu
                             – Lashio – Mandalay- Yangon
Vacation Type : Steam Locomotive

 The steam locomotive in Myanmar is historic and interesting to the visitors who are eager in locos. The railways of Myanmar remain during the WW II after 1940s. The Japanese occupied in 1942 and the finally recapture of the country by the Allies in 1944-45 so that resulted many damages to the truck and locomotives as well as the railways throughout the country. In the Japanese reining a number of 3ft 6in gauge engines from Japan were modified to serve for as part of transportation in Myanmar, in the period 1944-46 the allied forces brought in additional stock. After the WWII, large orders were placed with British manufacturers, those types being in fact standard pre-war designs. From 1957 to the present, only diesel locomotives were ordered. Therefore, steams Locomotives are getting extinct in the world today.

But in Myanmar, more than 20 steam locos are in service for mankind everyday. This is an opportunity to see them in their action for international steam enthusiasts. It is believed that this opportunity will not last forever. Steam Locos (YB/YC/YD) are converted to oil firing started around 1962.

This program is special for those who are interested in Myanmar Steam locomotive history. Starting from Yangon – the garden city and the main gate way to Myanmar to Mandalay the culture canter, Lashio - a small town of Shan State , Namtu – home for loco shed and Bawtwin – the mining area by diesel engine.

Along the way from Lashio to Namtu, we pass the Gokteik Viaduct which was built in 1901 by an American company the Pennsylvania and Maryland Bridge Construction and completed in 1913. It is a structure of steel trestle construction for railway line to Lashio and it was 2260 feet long and was built 320 feet high above a deep valley connected with two edges. The both side of the cliffs are 550 feet high above the small river that flows under the rock. Although the viaduct was bombed in the WWII, Myanma railway repaired the bridge. Due to its technical and natural condition it was considered as a magnificent of the world standard. Mr. Paul Theroux said his book "The Great Railway Bizarre" called the viaduct" a monster of silver geometry in all the ragged rock and jungle…its presence was bizarre". It is the most important viaduct in Mandalay Lashio rail-road section and the second highest viaduct in the world.

Transportation between Yangon and Mandalay by domestic flight on Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways or Air Bagan (F-100 or ATR-72/42) can be done. From October to April is recommended.

Detailed Tour Program

Day 01: Arrival Yangon
Arrive Yangon international airport, welcome by tour guide. Transfer to the hotel for check in. After that start City tour in Yangon, includes Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city, Chauktatgyi Pagoda, one of the biggest colossal reclining Buddha image in Myanmar. Special evening visit to the massive Shwedagon Pagoda – famous worldwide – its golden stupa is the ‘ Heart ’ of Buddhism Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. Overnight at hotel in Yangon.

Day 02: Yangon Mandalay
After breakfast at the hotel, sightseeing would be conducted around Yangon. Sightseeing inclusive of Sule pagoda, independent monument, city hall and busy downtown and continues to Chaukhtattkyi huge reclining Buddha Image. Early afternoon, transfer to airport for flight to Mandalay. Proceed to hotel and overnight stay in Mandalay.

Day 03: Mandalay - Lashio - Namtu
After breakfast, drive to Namtu through Lashio by private tour coach approximately 10 hours driving. Upon arrival Namtu, check in at the Railway guesthouse. Overnight stay at Railways guesthouse. On the way stops at Gokteik view point and lunch stop at Hsipaw, a small town .

Day 04: Namtu - Bawtwin - Namtu (by narrow gauge loco)
Nowadays, visit Loco shed at Namtu, Kerr Stuart 0-4-2T No. 13 (2384/1914) and Bagnall 2-6-2 No. 42 (2238/1927) would be able to see which the only run-able steam locomotives. There are several numbers of 42 saddle tanks were dumped in the upper yard and in the bushes were more boilers and various other junks. Observe engine No 13 starting up. First, depart by narrow gauge to Tiger camp. Our destination is Bawdwin, but initially we were heading for Tiger Camp 7 miles and 800 ft higher up than Namtu. Almost immediately we left the main river and started to climb up a narrow valley Lunch at the camp and proceed to Bawtwin mining area by diesel engine. There is small electric loco at work to view at Tiger Camp. The main line from Bawdwin reached Lashio in March 1903 and the Burma Mines, Railway and Smelting Co Ltd was promoted in March 1906. The Tiger Camp mining area was reached at the end of 1908 and three North British 0-6-0s took over the main line haulage. Namtu became the railway headquarters, 38.4 miles from the Lashio line. Return to Namtu by diesel. Dinner and overnight stay at Myanma Railways Guesthouse.

Day 05: Namtu - Lashio
Depart by locomotive approximately 2 miles to the old Japanese mill site afterward by diesel to Nammyo station where you can take more photos of Bagnall 2-6-2 No. 42. Lunch at Nammyo and diesel back about 13 mile to Nasaing level crossing with motor road where the tour coach will welcome you and proceed to Lashio about 2 hour. Overnight at the hotel in Lashio.

Day 06: Lashio - Mandalay (coach)
After breakfast at hotel, depart for Mandalay approximately 8 hours by tour coach. There is an option that you will be able return to Mandalay by passenger train crossing over famous Gokehtaik viaduct by 32 Down 05:30 - 19:50. Enjoy activities of passenger along the route at villages as train passes by slow down.

Day 07: Mandalay Yangon (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight back to Yangon. On the way to the hotel, visit Kabar Aye (the World Peace pagoda) and Maha Pasana (the great cave for Buddhist synod) and check in at the hotel. After lunch, shopping at Bogyoke Market (Scott’s Market) of hundreds of shops where you can find local products such as Gems & Jewelry , slippers, cloth, and so on. Evening stroll along the China Town and study the ways of living of Yangon citizens (which can observe the tradition and modern costume). Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 08: Departure Yangon (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Leisure till the flight time. Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight to conclude this unique experience.

 An expedition in Steam Loco photography – 001

 

Tour code        : MTS-SLT-101 Tour Duration : 10 days / 09 nights Route                : Yangon – Bago – Kyaikhtiyo – Mawlamyine                              – Bago–Nyaunglaybin– Pyinmana – Yangon Vacation Type : Steam Locomotive

The steam locomotive in Myanmar is historic and interesting to the visitors who are eager in locos. The railways of Myanmar remain during the WW II after 1940s. The Japanese occupied in 1942 and the finally recapture of the country by the Allies in 1944-45 so that resulted many damage to the truck and locomotives as well as the railways throughout the country. In the Japanese reining a number of 3ft 6in gauge engines from Japan were modified to serve for as part of transportation in Myanmar, in the period 1944-46 the allied forces brought in additional stock. After the WWII, large orders were placed with British manufacturers, those types being in fact standard pre-war designs. From 1957 to the present, only diesel locomotives were ordered. Therefore, steams Locomotives are getting extinct in the world today. But in Myanmar, more than 20 steam locos are in service for mankind everyday. This is an opportunity to see them in their action for international steam enthusiasts. It is believed that this opportunity will not last forever. Steam Locos (YB/YC/YD) are converted to oil firing started around 1962.

This program is special for those who interested in Myanmar Steam locomotive history. Starting from Yangon – the garden city and the main gate way to Myanmar to Bago – the ancient Mon Capital, Kyaikhtiyo – famous as the Golden Rock, Mawlamyine - an important trading town on the south and also a capital of Mon State and Nyaunglaybin – a typical town on the rail route of Yangon – Mandalay and Pyinmanar – the new capital of the country.

Along the way you can observe not only the local trains but also the ways of rural villages. You will find the local peoples and landscape beyond your imagination.
 

Detailed Tour Program

Day 01: Arrival Yangon
Arrive Yangon international airport, welcome by tour guide. Transfer to the hotel for check in. After that start City tour in Yangon, includes Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city, Chauktatgyi Pagoda, one of the biggest colossal reclining Buddha image in Myanmar. Special evening visit to the massive Shwedagon Pagoda – famous worldwide – its golden stupa is the ‘ Heart ’ of Buddhism Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. Overnight at hotel in Yangon.

Day 02: Yangon - Bago
First we will visit Insein Loco Shed (only shed for general overhaul). In the afternoon, drive to Bago (the best steam center of The Country) that will take about an hour and half. We will need to go to Bago train Station to get last information of Locos on the line, especially for stone train. This evening, we will try for locos, which are coming to Bago because operation of Locos is unpredictable. Overnight in Bago.

Day 03: Bago - Kyaikhto
Today, we will track to passenger train between Bago and Nyaungkhashe, the distance is 38km. Train departs at 10:30 to Nyaungkhashe with Chimney first. First of tracking is to wait at Kali level- crossing and next Waw station, the third is Abya station where we need to drive off road about 2 miles. Next step to track for stone train along the line between Bago and the last quarry of Zingyaik and we will have to follow in accordance with their location. Stop overnight at Kyaikhto. Kyaikhto is situated in the middle between Bago and Zingyaik quarry.

Day 04: Around Kyaikhto
Today again tracking for stone train for another opportunity or we may visit Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock) at Kyaikhto. Overnight at Kyaikhto.

Day 05: Kyaikhto - Mawlamyine
First we will visit Kyaikhto station and drive to Moktama, which is the end rail. There is salt train running between our ways today. Visit Moktama shed and cross to Moulmein. Overnight in Mawlamyine.

Day 06: Mawlamyine - Bago
This morning visit around the town. Afternoon return to Moktama and drive back to Bago. Overnight in Bago.

Day 07: Bago - Nyaunglaybin
This morning, drive to Pyuntasa; return way to Bago and heading north. Driving time take about 5 hours. There is regular passenger loco between 26 km of Pyuntasa - Nyaunglaybin - Madauk. Arrive Pyuntasa and wait for afternoon passenger train departing at 2 PM from Pyuntasa along the line to Madauk but times vary report to report, so exact time is unpredictable. If you would like for riding that we will ride when tender first. Overnight in Nyaunglaybin.

Day 08: Nyaunglaybin - Pyinmana
Today we will drive heading north again up to Taungoo, 267 km north of Yangon along the main line between Yangon and Mandalay. We may see Steam activity along the way depend on sugar cane harvest. Proceed to Pyinmana-it is another steam centre, although all activity depend on the sugar harvest (sugarcane harvest is supposed to be from January to March). Diesel hauls are used for sugarcane as well. Sometime Steam trains terminate and a diesel takes all loads on one train. Overnight at Pyinmana.

Day 09: Pyinmana - Yangon
Return to Yangon, along the way stops at stations to track down sugar trains.Overnight in Yangon.

Day 10: Yangon Departure
Depend on your flight departure time; you will have time to go around Yangon. Transfer to Airport.

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