There are gaps in my findings that readers may want to throw some light, for example, we do know that steel girders on the Gemas - Gua Musang railway line was stripped for the Death Railway project but it is uncertain when was this undertaken or to which specific line this iron was used. Or, how was the DR steam engine transported to be restored and displayed in the Yushukan War Museum in Tokyo.
This initial list was prepared
by Train Enthusiasts writing on the forum of www.angkor.com/2bangkok. I am thankful for their effort.
16
September 1942
· Start of works on the Burma Line (AKA Death
Railway) (Nong Pladuk-Kanchanaburi-Three Pagodas Pass-Thanbyuzayat) by POWs.
February 1943
· Wooden bridge across the River Kwai
completed.
April 1943
· Steel/concrete bridge across the
River Kwai completed.
June 1943
· Start on works for another Japanese
military line from Chumphon to Kraburi and La-Un (Ranong) (standard gauge).
November 1943
· Chumphon-La-Un Line completed.
25 December 1943
· Burma Line opened (for Japanese
military use only).
09 February 1945
· Rama VI Bridge destroyed in allied
air raid.
13 February 1945
· Central spans of River Kwai Bridge
destroyed in allied air raid.
05 March 1945
· Thonburi Station destroyed in allied
air raid.
19 March 1945
· Parts of Chumphon-La-Un Line damaged
in allied air raid. Other railway infrastructure damaged or destroyed during
WWII: Makkasan Railway Plant, Railway Department HQ, Chiang Mai Station,
Uttaradit Station, Chulachomklao Bridge across Tapi River at Surat Thani,
Paramen Bridge across Nan River at Ban Dara.
1945 (before end of WWII)
· River Kwai Bridge restored and
re-opened.
June 1945
· Chumphon-La-Un Line partially
dismantled (km 28-30) by the Japanese.
14 August 1945
· Mahachai and Maeklong Railways
nationalized.
after August 1945
· Chumphon-La-Un Line completely
dismantled by the British military.
1947-1958
· Nam Tok-Three Pagodas Pass section
of Burma Railway dismantled.
24 June 1949
· Nong Pladuk-Kanchanaburi section [53
km] of Burma Railway re-opened after track rehabilitation.
01 April 1952
· Kanchanaburi-Wang Pho section [61
km] of Burma Railway re-opened.
01 July 1958
· Wang Pho-Nam Tok section of Burma
Railway re-opened.
16 June 1963
· Nong Pladuk-Suphanburi branch line
[78 km] opened (from leftovers of the Death Railway; originally intended to
reach Lopburi, but never completed).
2003 / e2004
· Short extension of the Burma Line:
section between Nam Tok and Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi [1.4 km] re-opened. (for tourism
purposes)
