O-Train (Korail)

O-Train (aka Jungbu Naeryuk Circular Train Korean: 중부내륙순환열차) is a South Korean sightseeing train operated by Korail. The train began operations in 2013 and transports tourists from Seoul, in a circular route, through South Korea's central inland region and back to Seoul.[1]

O-Train
Overview
Service typeRegional rail
StatusActive
LocaleSouth Korea
PredecessorTokyo Metropolitan Expressway Snow Flower Train
First serviceApril 12, 2013
Current operator(s)Korail
Route
StartSeoul Station
Stops17
Line(s) usedGyeongbu Line
Gyeongwon Line
Jungang Line
Taebaek Line
Yeongdong Line
On-board services
Seating arrangementsCar No.1: Eco seats (56 seats): Two-person seats / four-person seats / free viewing seats / etc.
Car No. 2: Reserved seats for people with disabilities, café room (37 seats): two-person seats / four-person seats / one-person seat / café room, table seats
Car No.3: Family seats (56 seats) – Family seats / couple room / family room / etc.
Car No.4: Eco seats (56) – Two-person seats / four-person seats / free viewing seats
Catering facilitiesOn-board café
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Overview

The train began operations on April 12, 2013, and is a shuttle train which loops around attractions in the central inland region of Korea, with stops, including Taebaeksan Mountain in Gangwon-do, Yeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Jecheon in Chungcheongbuk-do[1][2] It follows the same route as the older Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway central circular Snow Flower Train (Hangul:환상선 눈꽃순환열차).[3]

The "O" name refers to the train's circular route, and "One", as the three provinces it travels through.[1] The train has four cars,[4][5] observatory rooms, and sightseeing monitors,[6] and departs from Seoul Station, Cheonan Station, and Osong Station daily.[7][8] One of the stops is at Chujeon Station in Gangwon-do, located at an altitude of 855 meters, the highest altitude for any train stop in Korea, for sightseeing and photos.[2]

A sister Korail train, the V-Train, opened on the same day, and travels through the mountainous areas of the provinces of Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do.[5] O-Train passengers can transfer to the V-train at Cheoram, Seungbu and Buncheon Stations.[8]

O-Train interior

The train's opening increased tourist interest in Gangwon's coal mining history.[9] Buncheon Station in Gyeongsangbuk-do, where a coal line once ran, showed increased visits in 2013, from both the O-Train and V-Trains, from approximately 10 passengers a day to 1000.[10]

Operations
  • Started running: April 12, 2013
  • Stations en route to and from "circle": Seoul Station - Cheongnyangni Station - Suwon Station - Cheonan Station - Osong Station[7][11]
  • Stations on "circle" route: Jecheon Station - Wonju Station - Yeongwol Station - Mindungsan Station– Gohan Station– Chujeon - Taebaek Station - Cheoram Station - Seungbu Station - Buncheon Station - Chunyang Station – Bonghwa Station – Yeongju Station - Punggi Station - Danyang Station
  • Approximate travel time: 5 hours.

References
  1. Choi, In-jeong (April 19, 2013). "Traveling down memory lane". The Korea Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  2. Sohn, Ji-ae (April 1, 2013). "New trains to enrich your journey". Korea.net. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  3. Park, Joon Gyu (March 22, 2013). [LET´s/조성하의 철도 힐링투어]<1>백두대간 협곡열차 (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  4. Herman, Steve (May 13, 2013). "S. Korea's Newest Trains Take Tracks Less Traveled". Voice of America. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  5. "Exploring South Korea via train". Manila Bulletin. November 3, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  6. Mohn, Tanya (May 2, 2013). "Riding the Rail, Countryside". The New York Times. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  7. "KORAIL's mountain trains depart from Suwon, Cheonan and Osong". The Korea Herald. May 16, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  8. Limb, Jae-un (May 16, 2013). "O-train, V-train lead to hidden inland wonders". Korea.net. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  9. Lee, In-Mo (April 14, 2014). 강원 태백시 철암동 방문객 북적… 협곡열차-탄광역사촌 관심 늘어 (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  10. Briginshaw, David (February 4, 2014). "Korail hails new tourist services". International Railway Journal. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  11. "KORAIL mountain train tickets on sale". The Korea Herald. April 5, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
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