At present, the 320km rail journey takes up to 10 hours. Myo Zaw Tu is an engineer at Myanma Railways and he told local media sources upgrades between Bago and Taungsun had already been completed. Additional sections between Yangon and Bago, and Taungsun and Yinnyein are due to be finished off next year.
The home run from Yinnyein to Mawlamyine will be finished in 2019. The sleepers on the tracks are being replaced with ones produced at the Mottama Sleeper Factory. The track refurbishments are being carried out with the help of funds provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The 12GO ASIA travel team explains that Mawlamyine, or Moulmein as it was once known, is the gateway to Myanmar’s southern beaches. Attractions like Kyaik Than Lan Pagoda, the Mon State Cultural Museum and Bilu Island ensure Mawlamyine is a worthwhile stopover too.
Track improvements to slash Yangon to Mawlamyine train travel time
News in Asia
An engineer with Myanmar’s national railway company says track improvements will reduce travel time between two of the nation’s biggest cities. Travelling between Yangon and Mawlamyine will take just six hours in two years’ time.