ABOUT THE CACHE
The cache is a black micro - please bring your own pen. You do not need to enter private property to find this cache – beware of curious muggles!
LOCATION & HISTORY
Train to nowhere….
This cache is located along the southern end of the picturesque Samoeng Loop. You will find many tourist attractions, scenic vistas and fun geocaches on the Samoeng loop which runs around large parts of the Doi-Suthep – Doi-Pui National Park via routes 1096 & 1269.
One of the most unexpected things you’ll come across is the “Train to nowhere”. Found over 25km away from the nearest train line this beautiful steam locomotive has a dark and mysterious past and a currently uncertain future.
Locomotive 744 (ex JNR C56.53) was constructed by the Kawasaki Corporation of Japan in 1936. During WWII It was used on the infamous Death Railway in Kanchanaburi to transport troops and supplies from Thailand to the front in Burma. After the war it stayed in service with the State Railway of Thailand for another 25 years before being retired. Little is known of its whereabouts from then on. In 1992/93 it was seen near Ban Mae Jo (Route 1001 north of Chiang Mai) only to disappear again until 2012. By then it was in a rundown state and discovered by a passing motorbike rider close to its current location - much to the delight of steam train enthusiasts in Thailand and further afield! The locomotive and several carriages have been lovingly restored by the current owner, they are located on private property so please only admire them from the public road side.