| Box Width: | 300px |
| Northern Line | |
| Status: | Operational |
| Locale: | Northern and Central Thailand |
| Start: | Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) (ordinary and commuter services) Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) (long distance services) |
| End: | Chiang Mai Sawankhalok |
| Owner: | Government of Thailand |
| Operator: | State Railway of Thailand |
| Linelength Km: | 1,238.56 |
| Tracks: | 2–1 |
| Map State: | collapsed |
The Northern Line (th|ทางรถไฟสายเหนือ) is a railway line in Thailand, running between the capital Bangkok (at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal) and the northern city of Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai railway station). It is the second longest railway line in Thailand at long, has 130 operational stations and halts, and is operated by the State Railway of Thailand. The line first opened in 1896. Major cities served by the line include Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Lampang, and Chiang Mai.
The line's operations were severely affected during World War II.
Since January 2023, long-distance (Special Express, Express and Rapid) trains terminated at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok replacing Hua Lamphong station.
A new 323 kilometer-long branch line, from Den Chai to the Lao border at Chiang Khong, is under construction and is expected to open in 2028.[1]
| No. | Segment | Year opened[3] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 March 1896 | ||
| 2 | 1 November 1897 | ||
| 3 | 1 April 1901 | ||
| 4 | 1 November 1905 | ||
| 5 | 24 January 1908 | ||
| 6 | 11 November 1908 | ||
| 7 | 15 August 1909 | ||
| 8 | Pang Ton Phueng–Mae Phuak | 1 June 1911 | |
| 9 | 15 November 1911 | ||
| 10 | Pak Pan–Huai Mae Ta | 1 May 1912 | |
| 11 | 15 June 1913 | ||
| 12 | Ban Pin–Pha Kho | 1 May 1914 | |
| 13 | 15 December 1915 | ||
| 14 | 1 April 1916 | ||
| 15 | Nakhon Lampang–Pang Hua Phong | 20 December 1916 | |
| 16 | Pang Hua Phong–Pang Yang | 1 July 1918 | |
| 17 | 1 January 1922 |
| Name | Old name[4] | Year changed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krung Kao | 1917 | ||
| Nong Pling | 1956 | ||
| Ban Krab Phuang | |||
| Wang Hin | |||
| Pa Yang Loeng | 1961 |
The Northern Line is entirely single track, except at stations. Track gauge is meter gauge. As the train frequency increases, it is becoming increasingly challenging to operate trains running both direction on the single-line track. Double-tracking has commenced between Lop Buri and Pak Nam Pho, and is planned for the rest of the line.
The Northern Line is not electrified. Regular services run on diesel power. The current maximum operating speed on the line is 100km/h.
See main article: List of Northern Line (Thailand) stations.
| Tunnel | Image | Length | Location | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khun Tan Tunnel | 1352.15m (4,436.19feet) | Lampang and Lamphun Province | The longest tunnel in Thailand. | ||
| Khao Phlueng Tunnel | 362.44m (1,189.11feet) | Uttaradit and Phrae Province | |||
| Huai Mae Lan Tunnel | 130.2m (427.2feet) | Phrae Province | |||
| Pang Tub Khob Tunnel | 120.09m (394feet) | Uttaradit Province | The shortest railway tunnel in Thailand. |