Bamboo Railway - Cambodia

November 2006
Enterprising locals in Battambang, Cambodia, have developed a unique railway. It's made from recycled tank wheels, small motorcycle engines and lashings of bamboo.

Cambodia's main train service only runs four times a month and derailments are common. Little wonder locals prefer a different option. 'Norries' are little more than bamboo slabs with wheels and run on the state-built track. With a top speed of 50 km per hour, the norry network is far superior to the train. As one driver explains; "People like these because they're fast and on time".

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

• Category

  News & Politics

[bluemoondiadochi]

they'd best!

i admire their ingenuity and how they have the freedom to practice it!

they're lucky they can have norries and drive "just so", here we can't even drive a bicycle without a helmet, our government's turning us into idiots!

may they roll for a long time!

[misterallan1]

the only reason im here is because i looked up Bamboo on Wheels after i saw the t-mobile commercial

[Benivator2]

"Hay harbor freight has predator engines now! FUCK WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE OLD GRAYHOUND ENGINES???"

[saknk1]

i love that way of using the tracks !

[ec97531]

Go kiss a jap's ass. Moron.

[nactan]

think i'll exclusively mind YOUR business if you mind it so much. tell me what your business is so i can mind it for you.

[sjtom57]

Nice to know the human spirit is still alive in some corners of the world. Great video.

[ec97531]

Mind you own business, Moron.

[nactan]

what are THEY producing? not the tracks, not the engines, not even the wheels. only the bamboo frameworks. oh well, better than sitting around doing nothing, i suppose.

[Bukhaari Farah]

i need one of those

[dextersxxxxlab]

That is so true. Also here in the Netherlands you cannot do anything yourself. Build yourself an electric kart that will travel 15 km\h and some idiot policeman will give you a ticket and take away your fun stuff. hello i can travel 50km/h on my bicicle and no one will say a word. strange insn't it?

[StandingRedPanda]

Don't get so excited about this. I wonder how many accidents happen on the railways. Cambodians are lovely people but complete idiots on the road. They won't even slow down if you're crossing the road. I prefer if TGV, ICE or Shinkansen with high safety standards are handed to me on a plate.