This is my third reportage on Yangon’s “circle line” or “ring train”. The Yangon Circle line circumnavigates Myanmar’s largest city, on a 46 Kilometer, 39 station route that connects Yangon’s satellite towns. The system is heavily utilized by the local populace, selling about 150,000 tickets daily, providing cheap transportation for Burmese and an interesting and engaging cultural immersion for the few intrepid adventurers who hop aboard. The ring train is also a unique opportunity for those interested in “visual story telling”. It costs just one US dollar for foreign nationals and 200 Kyats (about 23 cents) for locals.
Several times a day, the ring train departs from Yangon’s central railway station and slowly proceeds along its three-hour circle route of Yangon, stopping frequently to pick up and deposit passengers on its many stops.
While it’s neither a comfortable journey nor easy subject matter to photograph, the ring train offers a photographic challenge and a travel experience that shouldn’t be missed if you have about 4 hours to spare while in Yangon.
The photographs that I will share here are from a 3 hour journey on the train, and an additional 30 minutes “working” train cars that were stationary and waiting to depart the Yangon station.
If you wish to view my previous two photo stories about the “Circle line” (one including a multimedia piece the other just photos) and a more comprehensive blog post about the journey, wonderfully crafted by Ursula Wall, just click the appropriate link and enjoy.
Fabulous set, Karl – the black and white really makes the images shine.
Thanks so much for your kind mention. 🙂
Awesome!
Hello Karl,
in my humble opinion, these sre your best black and white. the lighting is great allowing for thses to “shine”
Ruti
Beautiful. Perfect in b&w. Such pathos in this set.
Well done in black and white my friend!
Awesome awesome photos Karl. Thank you for sharing these.
Very happy that we found extra time that day to catch this train. If only I had the foresight to capture you buying a drink over the train tracks. Hehe!
The waiting train at Yangon station was sooo worthwhile.
Safe travels
Creating this series in B&W was perfect. Inspiring as always.
Michelle, I’m glad had the time and made the effort too…yes, it was hot, uncomfortable and photographically difficult, but it seems that some of the best images come out of challenging circumstances.
Hi Karl,
Fantastic photos!!! Love it so much!
I am Sharon from Singapore and wanna going to Yangon from 25 to 29 Oct.
Would like to explore the circle train, should go on morning or afternoon? Thanks so much!
Cheers!
Sharon