Hellfire Pass and Death Railway Tour

The jungle never sleeps.  Strange animal noises woke us up periodically during the night.  Nocturnal animal sounds receded as the sun began to rise but were replaced by the sounds of other creatures waking.  Like the early risers, we were at breakfast shortly after the sun began to shine.  The highlights of the day were a visit to Hellfire Pass and a ride on the Death Railway.  Hellfire Pass is a deep railroad cut through solid rock.  It gets its name because work on the cut continued without stop around the clock.  Torches and bonfires were used for lighting while the emaciated men hammered away at the rock.  As a result, the work-site was in appearance and reality a scene from Hell.  Many men died in this pass during its construction.   The Australian and Thai governments maintain a memorial in Hellfire Pass and the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum commemorates the sacrifices of the ANZAC POWs who worked on the railroad's construction.  It was very moving and clearly demonstrated why Hellfire Pass is so named.  The railway constructed during the war was called the Death Railway since as many as 100,000 or even more men died during its construction.  Parts of the railway are still in use.  We were able to ride a portion of the route built during the war.

Brian Next to a Tree Growing in Hellfire Pass

Hellfire Pass

Memorial to the POWs Who Worked In Hellfire Pass

Steam Engine From World War II - Death Railway

Thai Train Running on the Route of the Death Railway

Thai Railroad Passenger Car

Wooden Trestle Along River Kwai

Saiyoknoi Waterfall

Our Transportation To And From Our Hotel