Saemaeul-ho
Encyclopedia
The Saemaul-ho or Saemaul is a class of train operated by Korail
, the national railroad of South Korea. Saemaeul trains are distinguished from the more basic Mugunghwa
trains by their larger and comfortable seats and absence of standing passengers. Before the introduction of the KTX express trains, Saemaeul were the fastest class of trains in South Korea, making the journey from Seoul to Busan in less than 5 hours. Saemaeul trains operate only on selected lines, such as the Gyeongbu Line
.
Saemaeul are also distinguished from the Mugunghwa trains by their colour; typical Saemaul train passenger cars are painted with green, blue, and yellow. The length of Saemaul train varies from 5 cars to 12 cars. Certain Saemaeul running from Seoul to Busan separate at Gupo Station
, with one half travelling along the Bujeon Line
and Donghae Nambu Line
to Haeundae, while the other proceeds down the main Gyeongbu Line to Busan
.
The Saemaeul-ho takes its name from the Saemaeul Undong
, a movement for rural revitalization spearheaded by Park Chunghee in the 1970s.
Korail
Korea Railroad Corporation , promoted as Korail , is the national railroad operator in South Korea.Korail operates passenger and freight trains throughout South Korea...
, the national railroad of South Korea. Saemaeul trains are distinguished from the more basic Mugunghwa
Mugunghwa-ho
The Mugunghwa-ho or Mugunghwa is a class of train operated by Korail, the national railroad of South Korea. Mugunghwa trains are the cheapest class of trains to operate cross-country. Prior to the introduction of the KTX in 2004, they were the most common passenger train along most railroad lines...
trains by their larger and comfortable seats and absence of standing passengers. Before the introduction of the KTX express trains, Saemaeul were the fastest class of trains in South Korea, making the journey from Seoul to Busan in less than 5 hours. Saemaeul trains operate only on selected lines, such as the Gyeongbu Line
Gyeongbu Line
The Gyeongbu Line is the most important railway line in South Korea and one of the oldest. It was constructed by Japan in 1905, connecting Seoul to Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan. The Gyeongbu Line is by far the most heavily travelled rail line in South Korea...
.
Saemaeul are also distinguished from the Mugunghwa trains by their colour; typical Saemaul train passenger cars are painted with green, blue, and yellow. The length of Saemaul train varies from 5 cars to 12 cars. Certain Saemaeul running from Seoul to Busan separate at Gupo Station
Gupo Station
Gupo Station is the name of a Line 3 station of the Busan Subway network....
, with one half travelling along the Bujeon Line
Bujeon Line
The Bujeon Line is a short railway line serving Busan, South Korea. The line connects Gaya on the Gaya Line to Bujeon on the Donghae Nambu Line, without intermediary stops. It is roughly 2.2 kilometers in length....
and Donghae Nambu Line
Donghae Nambu Line
The Donghae Nambu Line is a railway line connecting Busan to Pohang in South Korea.The line runs along South Korea's east coast.-History:...
to Haeundae, while the other proceeds down the main Gyeongbu Line to Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
.
The Saemaeul-ho takes its name from the Saemaeul Undong
New Community Movement
The New Community Movement, also known as the New Village Movement or Saemaeul Movement, was a political initiative launched on April 22, 1970 by South Korean president Park Chung Hee to modernize the rural South Korean economy...
, a movement for rural revitalization spearheaded by Park Chunghee in the 1970s.
Rolling stocks
- Diesel Hydraulic Car (also known as Push-Pull) - #101~216, #251~262, #301~446, #501~513, #521~585, #611~649, #701~715, #751~755, #781~787
- Long-length Saemaul-ho Passenger Car - #41~50, #10041~10047, #10086, #11084~11101
- Streamlined Saemaul-ho Passenger Car (not on service) - #38~39, #10031~10033, #10051~10059
On service
- Gyeongbu LineGyeongbu LineThe Gyeongbu Line is the most important railway line in South Korea and one of the oldest. It was constructed by Japan in 1905, connecting Seoul to Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan. The Gyeongbu Line is by far the most heavily travelled rail line in South Korea...
; 경부선, by DHC : Seoul-Busan/Haeundae; 서울-부산/해운대, Seoul-Masan; 서울-마산, Seoul-Bujeon; 서울-부전 - Janghang LineJanghang LineThe Janghang Line is a railway line serving South Chungcheong Province in South Korea. The line connects Cheonan to the railway junction city of Iksan. The Janghang Line is served by frequent Saemaul-ho and Mugunghwa passenger train services between Seoul and Iksan...
; 장항선, by DHC, Diesel Locomotive : Yongsan-Iksan; 용산-익산 - Honam LineHonam LineThe Honam Line is a major railway line serving the Honam region in South Korea. The line is served by frequent passenger trains from Seoul to Gwangju and Mokpo.-History:...
; 호남선, by DHC and Loco : Yongsan-Gwangju/Mokpo; 용산-광주/목포 - Jeolla LineJeolla LineThe Jeolla Line is a railway line in North and South Jeolla Provinces in South Korea. The line is served by frequent passenger trains from Seoul to Yeosu...
; 전라선, by DHC : Yongsan-Yeosu; 용산-여수 - Jinhae Line; 진해선, by DHC : Daegu-Jinhae; 대구-진해
Ceased Operation
- Gyeongui LineGyeongui LineThe Gyeongui Line is one of the oldest railway lines in Korea. When opened in 1906 it linked Seoul in what is now South Korea to P'yŏngyang and Sinŭiju in what is now North Korea...
; 경의선, by DHC : Seoul-Dorasan, Imjingang-Dorasan; 서울-도라산, 임진강-도라산, ceased on June 31, 2009. - JungangJungang LineThe Jungang Line is a railway line connecting Cheongnyangni in Seoul to Gyeongju in South Korea, traversing central South Korea from the northwest to the southeast.-History:...
, YeongdongYeongdong LineThe Yeongdong Line is a line of Korail. It connects Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province with Gangneung in Gangwon Province. From Yeongju, it crosses the Taebaek Mountains and reaches the Sea of Japan at Donghae, thence proceeding north to Gangneung.At Yeongju, the line connects with the...
and Taebaek LineTaebaek LineTaebaek Line is a single-track electrified railway mainline connecting Jecheon Station to Baeksan Station in South Korea. At its two ends, the Taebaek Line connects to the Jungang Line and Yeongdong Line. The line was originally two spur lines, which were built across difficult mountainous terrain...
: Cheongnyangni-Andong/Gangneung, ceased on November 2006.
See also
- KorailKorailKorea Railroad Corporation , promoted as Korail , is the national railroad operator in South Korea.Korail operates passenger and freight trains throughout South Korea...
- Railroads in South Korea
- Transportation in South KoreaTransportation in South KoreaTransportation in South Korea is provided by extensive networks of railways, highways, bus routes, ferry services and air routes that criss-cross the country.-History:...