Train in Myanmar

Main trains schedules and fares in Myanmar Burma.

Myanma Railways

1. Introduction: The transport services in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar consists of four modes, i.e. Railways, Road, Water and Air transport. Railways transport service is monopolized by state-owned transport enterprise, Myanma Railways.

2. Brief History & Chronology.

Railway line in Myanmar, between Yangon and Pyay, 161 miles apart, was opened on the 1st of May 1877, by the Irrawaddy State Railway. But in 1896, Irrawaddy State Railway gave way to Burma Railways Co. Ltd. operating on a commercial basis and when the company's lease was ended on the 31st of December 1928, Burma Railways was placed under the Indian Railway Board.

Myanmar and India were separated in 1937 and the Government of Myanmar formed the Burma Railway Board to look after the at-fairs of the Myanmar Railways. In 1942 the British Governor took over the powers and functions of the Burma Railway Board and re-delegated these power to a body of persons with the Chief Railway Commissioner as ex-officio president. This Railway Board continued to function until the 31st of December 1947.

On the 4th of January 1948, Myanmar gained independence, and a new Railway Board was instituted with Financial Commissioner, Lands and Rural Development, as Chairman. On the 1st of December 1951, the Union of Burma Railway Board Act was enacted under which a full-time permanent Chairman was appointed, who was also to be the Chief Executive Officer.

The Union of Burma Railway was again reorganized in 1972 and the power and the functions of the Union of the Burma Railway Board were entrusted into the hands of the management committee with the Managing Director who also was to be the Chief Executives as Chairman and the name, Union of Burma Railways was changed to the Burma Railways Corporation

The State Law and Order Restoration Council took over state power on 18th September 1988 and following the change of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma to the Union of Myanmar. The name Burma Railways Corporation was changed to Myanmar railways on 1st April, 1989. (Hereinafter referred to as “MR"). The name Union of Myanmar was changed to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on 30th March 2011, the name of Myanmar Railways was not changed.

Quality of the rail tracks is improving, but it is still very bumpy, the Mandalay Yangon is currently the best and it is often very late......

• During rainy season, especially at the end of the monsoon, train can be delayed by flooding or heavy rain.
• Night train (with small bed) have very small blancket... could be a problem in winter as it is quite cold at night.
• There is no part of the train dedicated for food (restaurant) but you can easily buy food, drinks, local alcohol, water on board, but, unless
• you are very used to local food, we do not recommend to eat the food they sell on board.
• It is very very local, not clean and everybody is touching the food before you (and most of the food - salad- is prepare by bare hands in front of you by the same guys who are carrying the food all day long in the train...)
• It is better to bring along your own food, for water or beer, it is ok on board.
• We recommend that you take the first class or sleeper. First class seats are very comfortable, try to avoid the ordinary class with wood seats, after 12 hours, it hurts a little....
• Buses (day or night) are much faster and reliable than train (and economical)

Phone number of the train station in Yangon: 202 175.
Update July 2013