Norry Driver
Photo By Jonathan Ellis

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Photographer: Jonathan Ellis

Photo Details

Title: Norry Driver
State/Province/Region:
Country: Cambodia
Nearest Town: Battambang
Description: Driver of a "Norry" or a Bamboo train near Battambang, Cambodia. Norries are cheap, frequent and relatively fast, so they are popular despite their rudimentary design, lack of brakes, and the poor state of the rails. Constructed simply and of light weight they can be removed from the track – if two meet on the line, the one with the lighter load is unloaded, lifted and carried round the other, and at the end of the line the vehicle is lifted and turned. Norry construction is a cottage industry conducted in trackside villages. It takes around four days to construct one of the vehicles, which have a steel frame overlaid with bamboo slats resting on wheels taken from abandoned tanks. Originally propelled by hand using punt poles, power is now provided by small motorcycle or tractor engines with belt drive direct to the rear axle, delivering top speeds of 40 km/h or more. These flat-bedded vehicles will carry any load that will fit, including people, livestock, motorcycles and rice.
Best Season: Summer
Gear: Pentax K-x, SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL

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