The Bamboo Train: A Cambodian Legend Reimagined

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Location (New)

Base of Phnom Banan

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Cost

~$5.00 USD per person

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Ride Duration

30-45 Minutes (Round Trip)

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Fun Fact

"Norry" comes from "Lorry" (Truck)

The Battambang Bamboo Train, or "Norry" as it is known locally, is one of Cambodia's most iconic inventions. While the famous original track near the city center was closed in 2017 to rehabilitate the national railway, the spirit of the Norry lives on at a new location near Banan Temple.

A Piece of History & The Experience Today

The Original Norry

Born out of necessity in the 1980s, locals built small, bamboo platforms powered by boat engines to transport people and goods along abandoned tracks. It was a vital lifeline for villagers and a symbol of Khmer resourcefulness. These photos serve as a memory of that unique era.

The Experience Today

To preserve this heritage for visitors, a new track was established near Phnom Banan. You sit on a bamboo mat, the engine roars to life, and you zip through rice paddies with the wind in your hair. It is noisy, bumpy, and incredibly fun.

The "Norry" Dance

What happens when two trains meet on a single track? The rule is simple: the train with the lighter load must yield. In seconds, the drivers dismantle the lighter train—lifting the platform and wheels off the tracks—to let the other pass. They then reassemble it just as quickly. Watching this teamwork is often the highlight of the trip!

Map: The New Location (Banan)