The Royal Cambodian Railway (CFC) comprises two single-track main lines of metre gauge which carry passenger and freight traffic. There are also some special- purpose sidings and small branches for freight or serving ballast quarries.

The Northern or "Old" line runs from Phnom Penh for 385 km to the Thai border at Poipet. The last 48 km from Sisophon to the Thai border has been disused since the early 1970s. Also, since 1961, there has been a gap of 15 km between Poipet station and the Thai station of Aranyaprathet. The rail distance from Phnom Penh to Bangkok was 655 km.

The Southern or "New" line takes off at a bifurcation 9.4 km- from Phnom Penh station, and continues for 254 km- to the port of Sihanoukville at Km 263 from Phnom Penh. The line was built between 1960 and 1969.

Constructed from 1929 to 1943, the, Northern fine was intended to be part of a through route linking Bangkok with Saigon. Although plans were prepared, the Cambodia part of the Phnom Penh-Saigon section was never started. In Vietnam, an embankment was constructed on the section between Saigon (Cholon) and Tay Ninh, km 92 from Saigon. This is reported still to be in good condition. Completion of the remaining 154 km to Phnom Penh would have required a 1.1 km, bridge over the Mekong and a 0.5 km bridge over the Tonle Sap.

NORTHERN LINE

As built, the track on the Northern -Line was laid with 30 kg/m rails on steel sleepers, and except where damage repairs have been carried out, the original track remains. The line has never been renewed and is designed for an axle load limit of only 10 tons. Most of the track is 60 years old or more, with the last 56 - at the western end being some 50 years old. There are 167 bridges on the line, of which 46 have suffered mine or other war damage, and received temporary repairs. The speeds are restricted to 5-10 km/h at 30 bridge sites.

SOUTHERN LINE

The Southern Line was built with 43 kg/m rails on untreated wooden sleepers. Due to only light traffic on the line since it was built, and the weight of the rails, the rails themselves are in very good condition. There are 94 bridges, of which 15 are badly damaged. These have received temporary repairs. The line was built to accommodate axle loads up to 20 tons,, but in present conditions a limit of 15 tons is applied in practice.

OTHER LINES AND FACILITIES

There is a 6 km branch line from Phnom Penh, close to the station,. to a port on the River Sap. It was intended for river-rail transhipment but this function has now ceased.

The branch line' is still used by occasional freight trains that serve the CKC oil terminal at Km 4.5 and the warehouses by the river at Km 6. These warehouses now belong to the Ministry of Commerce, which has sub-let some of them.

STATIONS

Stations are classified into three main types

(a) 14 gares" (main: stations), equipped with passing loops for the crossing of trains, and with sidings and/or other facilities for the handling of goods;

(b) 19 stations, with facilities for goods but no longer used for the crossing of trains;

(c) 3 halts, four of which are staffed. The halts are for passengers and luggage only.


ROLLING STOCK

(i) LOCOMOTIVES

CFC has a total of 12 main line diesel locomotives, 10 steam engines and four diesel shunting locomotives. CFC had an option for two more 1200 hp main line diesel locomotives from CKD (Czech), together with two 350 hp shunting locomotives. These weredue for 1994 delivery but the order was never funded.

With the present restricted train service and the lack of track maintenance and renewal activity, the diesel fleet should be just sufficient once the repairs to the French locomotives are complete.


(ii) COACHES AND WAGONS

Until recently there were 12 passenger coaches in use, all old and due for replacement, although repairs are possible. There are also 11 passenger trailers delivered in 1969 as part of a small fleet of diesel- electric multiple units.


TRAFFIC

(i) SERVICE PATTERN

Three mixed -trains are scheduled every day: one on the northern line between Phnom Penh and Battambang one on the southern line between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, and one shuttle train between Battambang and Sisophon. The trains on the northern and southern lines are both due to leave Phnom Penh on the same day and return on the next. This procedure avoids crossing of trains on the lines.

Gross train weights are limited to 850 tonnes, with the trailing weight of the train normally limited to 700 tonnes. Maximum speed is 35 km/h, the average speed being around 20 km/h.


(ii) VOLUMES AND TRENDS

Because of the various factors which reduce standards of service and security,, including a problem of theft of goods in transit, present traffic figures cannot be considered to reflect the railway's potential role in the transport market. Present market share is very low.