Bamboo Train Battambang

Battambang, Cambodia

---

The Bamboo Train in Battambang, Cambodia, locally known as the "norry," is a unique and improvised mode of transportation that originated in the 1980s after the country's railway system was severely damaged during years of war and Khmer Rouge rule.

It consists of a lightweight bamboo platform mounted on two sets of wheels and powered by a small motor, capable of reaching speeds up to 40 km/h. The train was initially built by locals using scrap materials such as leftover tank parts and truck engines to transport people, goods, and farmers between villages along damaged rail tracks. The clever design allows the trains to be quickly dismantled and reassembled to let opposing trains pass.

While modern rail infrastructure now diminishes its practical use, the bamboo train remains a popular tourist attraction, offering a scenic and historically significant ride through Cambodia’s countryside near Battambang. It symbolizes the resilience and ingenuity of the Cambodian people in overcoming the aftermath of conflict.