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The bamboo train (often called Norry locally) provides one of Cambodia's most unique and fun experiences. This simple yet ingenious rail system has transformed into a famous attraction for visitors when arriving in Battambang. Let’s find out what is so unique and attractive about this train!
The bamboo train is not like any of the commercial trains you used to know nowadays. In short, the train consists of a simple bamboo platform mounted on two sets of wheels, powered by a small gasoline engine. The train is the main transportation of goods and people around the countryside in Battambang due to the lack of traffic facilities in the area.
The bamboo train’s structure is fairly simple (Source: Siem Reaper)
Operation
The bamboo train has a small motor attached to the lightweight platform. The train along the tracks at speeds of up to 40 km/h. The train provides a 20-minute ride each way on the 7km railroad. This unique experience costs about 5$ per person (both going and returning cost 10$ for each passenger).
A bamboo train can accommodate about four passengers, not including the driver. There are no departure schedules, you buy a ticket and off you go. Sometimes, you may get tagged along by some locals who board along the way at any time.
The bamboo train operates by a small engine attached behind (Source: Out and About)
Single-track railway
The tracks used by the bamboo train are single-lane rail tracks. This feature is linked to the train portability which is important because when two trains meet going in opposite directions, one must be disassembled to let the other pass. Typically, the train with the least amount of passengers or weight is required to temporarily remove itself, allowing the other train to continue its journey.
Bamboo train uses single-lane rail tracks (Source: Horizon Unknown)
Portability
One of the most distinctive features is the train's portability which comes into play when two trains meet head-on. The train's flat platform is light enough to be lifted on and off the tracks by two people. Before, this unique characteristic was a crucial adaptability in Cambodia’s rural areas where rail infrastructure was underdeveloped.
The bamboo train can be taken apart and reassembled in a matter of minutes (Source: Merry Adventures)
In tourism
Today, the train has become a popular tourist attraction drawing tourists to Battambang and surrounding regions. The bamboo train industry also generates income for local communities. Operators, vendors, and other service providers involved in the bamboo train tourism benefit financially, supporting their livelihoods.
In daily practices
The bamboo train is still a vital part of everyday life. It is significant for farmers and traders who need to move goods, as well as for local people who use it for personal transportation.
The bamboo train plays an important role in both local tourism and daily practices (Source: Backpackers Wanderlust)
The bamboo train is an improvised method of transportation that was developed as a solution to the lack of proper road infrastructure in rural areas of Cambodia. It came around the 1980s, after Cambodia's Civil War and the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime which heavily damaged the country's infrastructure, including the railway system.
The bamboo train served as the transport of goods and people after the time of the Khmer Rouge (Source: Cambodia Tours)
In Battambang, there are many tracks linking towns, but they were left broken and essentially unusable. That is when the villagers decided to use available materials to construct a simple vehicle creating the first bamboo trains for transportation and carrying goods. Initially, these trains were manually powered using poles, but they eventually evolved to use small engines for speed and efficiency.
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Although the bamboo train is accessible all year round, the best time to experience the train is during the country’s dry season, which typically runs from November to early May. During these months, you're likely to enjoy clear skies, moderate temperatures, and minimal rainfall which ensures the tracks are less likely to be slippery or muddy, therefore offering a smoother and safer ride.
Open-air scenic views
As you ride along the old and narrow railway tracks, you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful countryside, rice paddies, and local villages. The open-air nature of the ride offers unobstructed views with refreshing outdoor breezes.
Take a chance to sightseeing in this open train (Source: Wamtour Cambodia)
Unexpected bumps
Some sections of the track may not be in their best condition. Along the ride, you’ll come across a few bumpy and shaky parts, but the jolts and bumps will only add to the fun, bringing plenty of smiles and laughter.
Be ready for any unexpected bumps (Source: TakeMeTour )
Track sharing with the opposite trains
The bamboo train rides on a single-lane track, therefore head-on meetings with opposite trains are expected. If this is your first experience, you might be amazed when seeing people dismantle and reassemble the whole train promptly in order to make way for the opposite.
The sight drivers dismantle and reassemble the train is thrilling (Source: Rove.me)
Cultural interactions
Beyond the ride, the journey gives you a glimpse into Battambang's rustic rural life as the bamboo train was originally a local solution for transport in remote areas. Passengers can also get a chance to engage with the local community during stopovers in villages.
Interact with the locals at any train stopovers (Source: VOA Cambodia)
A short tour at the end of the track
You might find some souvenir shops at the end of the track. You can buy snacks and drinks or get yourself a Bamboo Train T-shirt. There is nowhere to go beyond that except for a brick factory which you can pay a visit to.
The most important thing about the ride is the experience (Source:Wix.com)
In many provinces and cities, the restoration of rail services made by Cambodia's governance has ended the use of traditional bamboo trains in the areas, however, a modernized version of the train has since been rebuilt for tourism purposes.
Many children and families experience this bamboo boat because it brings excitement and a new feeling to visitors. One of the rural areas that uses bamboo trains a lot is Battambang, where visitors can both experience bamboo trains and admire the typical rural landscape of Cambodia.
There are both good things and bad things about the improved bamboo train (Source: journeyofanomadicfamily.com)
The ride itself is highly modernized, with fancy-looking concrete train tracks, and carefully groomed landscapes and the whole operation was more professionally run. On the contrary to its lavish outside appearance, the ride may not receive many positive attitudes from visitors. This kind of ride is certainly not the authentic experience that many travelers hope for like the old train when returning to Battambang’s countryside.
Many agree that the experience on the old train is superior (Source: Act of Traveling)
Remember the tips for an extra fun experience (Source: Pelago)
Riding the Battambang Bamboo Train is not only a fun ride but also a true journey into rural Cambodian life and a tribute to the country’s ingenuity and history. It is a precious relic of the past that continues to fascinate visitors with its enduring appeal and historical significance. So take a ride on the bamboo platform over the ancient tracks and explore the hidden charm of Battambang’s breathtaking views.
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