Cambodia

The bamboo train, called “Norry” in Khmer, is an original form of rail transport that can be seen on the railway that crosses through Cambodia. A norry consists of a bamboo tray about 2.5 x 4 meters assembled with two axles similar to heavy weights and powered by a small engine. He runs on the Cambodian railway.

The platform is large enough to allow the transport of fifteen people or one and a half tones of merchandises. The journey is made in a series of jolts, bumps … but with a speed up to 50km/h! So the brake system consists of people putting the feet on the wheels.

A norry in the cambodian countryside

Assembling and dismentling of a norry

Norry’s engine

The norry history:

Initially, Norry were used by engineers for maintaining the tracks. Their use dates back from the 1970s. At that time, Norry were not equipped with engines and in order to move their platform along the track, passengers used long bamboo sticks in the manner of an oar.

During the Cambodian civil war in the 80s, the railway crossing Cambodia allowed troops to be transported quickly to conflict areas. At this time the villagers also began to “tinker” their own norry. It is from abandoned tanks that the axles were built. The last major Norry evolution is more recent: the human energy has been replaced by small boat engines.

The cambodian railway track

Encounter on the track

Traffic rules:

For a special transport mean, special traffic rules are needed. There is only one railway in Cambodia and this one is 630 km long. This single track is used on more than 270km by Norry, that use it in both direction. When two norry meet, the less loaded has to keep the rail clear. They also need to disassemble the norry to avoid a collision with the freight trains. Freight trains do not run faster than 20km/h, so users can dismantle their vehicle and lay it along the railway in less than two minutes!

Norry driver

What is the future of bamboo train:

Since 2009, the suspension of the rail way between Phnom Penh and Battambang has increased the use of bamboo trains. In addition, this train is now a tourist attraction. However, an agreement plans to renovate and modernize the railway system, allowing trains to run at “high speed”. Sharing the road with Norry will be soon compromised. However, the Norry keep serving the people and delighting the tourists.

All aboard!