Matthew Woodward

Behind the Scenes at the Makkasan Rail Depot

When Hua Lamphong was the station for the privately run Paknam line, the railway workshops were mainly located close by, just across the canal. However, when work began on the current Bangko…

The 171 Rapid Train to Hua Hin (and onward to Su-Ngai Kolok)

Train 171 is neither a modern long distance train or a local one. It’s somewhere in between – a train with older carriages on an overnight route. In fact it is currently the longest …

Behind the Scenes at Bangkok Railway Station

Many of you will know that this is going to be a big year for the railway in Thailand. Bang Sue Grand station will finally take over as the Bangkok rail hub for all long distance trains. A m…

Train 31 – The Special Express to Hat Yai

It’s the usual procedure at Hua Lamphong, or as I’ve now been reminded by several people to more correctly call it, Bangkok Railway Station (that’s going to really confuse people later…

Train 9 – The Special Express to Chiang Mai

I’ve always loved the atmosphere at Hua Lamphong. It never seems to overwhelm, just a nice feel of passengers waiting to travel and anticipating their adventures. No one seems in a rush he…

The 998 Rapid from Pattaya to Bangkok

I’ve had a pretty dismal weekend in Pattaya, even though I had pretty low expectations.. More of the story in the book! I’m keen to escape and I have secured a ticket back from the seasi…

The Maeklong Market Train

One rather unusual train ride has been growing in popularity with travellers here in Bangkok for a few years now. It is not actually one train, but two and with a river crossing thrown in to…

Train 25 – the Special Express to Nong Khai

Bangkok Railway Station – known to most people as Hua Lamphong – is cool and calm in the early evening after a sweltering day in Bangkok. There is no queuing, red tape or any of …

Train 257 to Nam Tok

I’m going to be writing shorter blog posts whilst on this journey. I’m sorry about that, but as I’m discovering it’s hard to take notes for the book at the same time …

Back On The Rails

Before I write anything else, I’d like to apologise for the distinct lack of posts here during the COVID pandemic. I just didn’t want to water down the DNA of my blog, which is…

Silver Streak Q&A

The day is finally here and Silver Streak has been published. I really hope that you like it. Written in lockdown, it has kept me occupied whilst being a prisoner in my own Engine Shed. It t…

Cover reveal: Silver Streak

After what feels like an eternity of writing whilst living in lockdown here at the Engine Shed, things are starting to get really busy. Now that the book is with the publishing team, it̵…