The Bamboo Train in Battambang
Part of the Battambang travel guide — see every topic in All Battambang Guides.
The bamboo train, called norry in Khmer, is Battambang's most famous ride. It is a flat bamboo platform on two sets of rail wheels, pushed along by a small engine. Villagers first built these simple machines to move people and goods on the old railway. The original line closed in 2017, when the national railway was rebuilt. Since 2018, a new version runs on a short track built for visitors. This guide explains the ride today and how to plan a visit.
How the norry works
A norry is very simple. Two sets of steel wheels on axles sit on the rails. A wooden frame covered with bamboo slats rests on top, with a mat or cushions for passengers. A small petrol engine at the back drives one axle with a rubber belt. The driver starts the engine, pulls a lever, and the platform rolls forward. Nothing is fixed together, so the parts can be lifted off the rails in a few minutes. The ride is noisy and close to the ground, and it feels fast even at moderate speed. Hold on, keep your hands and feet inside, and take photos when the driver slows down.
The old line and the new track
For many years, the bamboo train ran on the old national railway near Battambang. The tracks were in poor condition, and villagers used the norry as cheap local transport. Later, it became a popular ride for visitors. In 2017 the railway was repaired for regular trains again, and the old bamboo train stopped. In January 2018, a new bamboo train opened on a separate track of about 4 km, built just for visitors, in the countryside outside the city. Some visitors miss the old line, but the new ride still shows how the norry works, and it passes rice fields and village scenes.
Passing on one track
The most fun part of the ride is meeting another platform on the single track. The two drivers stop face to face. The platform with fewer passengers, or the lighter load, gives way. Passengers step off, and the drivers lift the bamboo deck and the two axles off the rails. The other platform rolls past. Then the drivers put everything back on the rails, and you continue. The whole job takes only a few minutes. On the new track, the ride lasts about 10 minutes each way, with a stop at a rest point where you can buy drinks, snacks and souvenirs before you return.
Planning your ride
The new track is outside the city, and most tuk-tuk drivers know the way. Many visitors include the bamboo train in a half-day or full-day countryside trip by tuk-tuk, together with villages and the bat cave at dusk. The ride runs during the day. Prices are set per person, with a higher price if you ride alone, so it helps to share a platform. Check locally that it is running, as hours can change and rides may stop in heavy rain. Bring a hat, sun cream and water, as there is little shade on the platform. A cushion helps, as the bamboo is hard.
The Bamboo Train at a glance
| Getting there | Outside the city on a new tourist track; by tuk-tuk, often part of a countryside tour |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daytime; check locally that it is running |
| Cost | Set price per person; more if you ride alone |
| Best time | Morning or late afternoon, in the dry season from about November to April |
| Ride length | About 10 minutes each way, with a stop at a rest point |