THE Myanma Railways reports that the railway tracks and bridges along the Pyinmana-Toungoo section of the Yangon-Mandalay railway are being upgraded to allow high-speed trains to run.
It is reported that the upgrading of the railway tracks to allow high-speed trains to operate has already begun, with the improvement of the rails and bridges within the 59-mile stretch of the Pyinmana-Toungoo railway section.
An official from Myanma Railways stated, “Within the 59- mile section of the railway line from Pyinmana to Toungoo on the Yangon-Mandalay route, we are upgrading the tracks and bridges to allow trains to run at higher speeds. In doing so, we are replacing intersections and level-crossings where trains must reduce speed. This upgrade is aimed at ensuring safer train crossings, minimizing risks, and improving overall efficiency with new, reliable junctions and crossings that allow for faster travel”.
Currently, efforts are underway to improve the speed of trains by filling gravels along the route. Moreover, new concrete slippers and steel rails are being installed to replace the old ones. On the section between Toungoo and Thaungtainggon stations, as well as on the Khapaung Bridge, new concrete slippers are being installed to replace the old wooden ones to allow trains to pass at higher speeds. Moreover, the old 75-pound steel rails are being replaced with new 100-pound steel rails, making the Khapaung Bridge more robust and resilient. — ASH/ TTA
