My first weekend in Thailand has arrived this time around and I'm rather shackled by a series of appointments, not least one expected for a visa for my wife to visit the UK. My thoughts this weekend are all about trains and I consider my first overnight trip selecting Cha-am. However, with nothing decided by Sunday morning, a decision is then made to head for Phetchaburi. This will give me my first view of the Royal Blossom luxury train, donated and substantially modified from Japanese obsolete coaching stock. Still, it's gone midday before we depart after an early lunch at Transmit Market.
Fortunately, the traffic is light negotiating the Bangkok tollways and we press on, arriving in Phetchaburi shortly after 2 pm. The principal reason for being here is to see Royal Blossom running, but I could not find a timetable for it, so I arrive at the station blind. I estimate departure for Bangkok between 4 and 5 pm so am quite surprised to see the board show 17.50. Well, at least that fixes the time for our own return to Bangkok. With so much time to spare now, it would be logical to visit some other attractions as is quite normal to balance a day but, to my surprise, my partner is reluctant to oblige on this rather hot day. For me, as long as she's happy, I'm happy too, hanging around the station. As services come and go, time ticks on as five services are captured on video and in the bag. Trains 40, 262, 251 and 912 as well as a mail train come and go as the Royal Blossom train waits on platform 1. It's time for Blossom to leave but at that moment a rapid service arrives at platform 3, as if by way of an encore.
It's right to mention here that Phetchaburi Railway Station has recently been upgraded as part of the Double Track Railway Project; Southern Line: Nakhon Pathom–Chumphon Route. As with all stations on this line, new buildings, raised platforms and footbridges have been constructed, a massive improvement after years of neglect. The upgrades were part of Contract 2 of the project. As a further observation, I note that the stations has no gates making access easy for trainspotting, but I fear that this might change as at other stations, Hua Hin for example.
I leave for Bangkok shortly after and wonder what the traffic will be like this evening. I needn't worry as traffic is flowing well with no major hold-ups and we arrive near the residence around 8.15 pm. To wrap up this productive day, I find a steak house near the Thanommit Market which is certainly different.

Source: Visit