DMZ Train

DMZ Train aka Peace Train
Overview
Other name(s) Peace Train
Type Regional rail
System Korail
Termini Seoul Station
Dorasan Station
Baengmagoji Station
Services Gyeongui Line
Gyeongwon Line
Operation
Opened May 4, 2014 - present

DMZ Train (aka Peace Train Hangul: 평화열차) is a South Korean tourist train operated by Korail. The train began operations in 2014 and transports tourists from Seoul to train terminals closest to the Korean Demilitarized Zone.[1][2]

Overview

The first train opened on May 4, 2014, and travels on the Gyeongui Line, in South Korea's northwest, running from Seoul Station to Dorasan Station.[3][4] The train crosses the Imjingang Railroad Bridge on the Imjin River and arrives in Paju, Gyeonggi, close to the DMZ, and across from the North Korean city of Gaeseong.[5] At the Imjingang Station passengers must debark for an identification check and head count because Dorasan is the only train station located within the civilian-restricted area.[1] Some tourist activities at the final stop are bus and walking tours to the Dorasan Peace Park, the Third Tunnel and the Dora Observatory.[1][2][6]

The second route opened on August 1, 2014, on the Gyeongwon Line, and travels northeast from Seoul Station to Baengmagoji Station, in Cheorwon County, Gangwon-do,[7] along the Hantan River. Some off-train tour visits are the White Horse Hill, and Woljeong-ri Station.[4][8]

DMZ Train interior
Imjingang Railroad Bridge

The train has three themed cars: "Peace Car" with a rusty steam train motif symbolizing the separation of the Korean peninsula, "Harmony Car", with paintings of red and blue figurines holding hands, and "Love Car" with paintings of adults and children from across the globe, also, holding hands. Inside the cars, ceilings are covered with pinwheels, and walls display photographs of the DMZ, with themes of war, trains and ecology.[2][6]

Operations

Western - Gyeongui Line

Eastern - Gyeongwon Line

References

  1. 1 2 3 Yun, Suh-young (September 17, 2014). "Train ride to the DMZ". The Korea Times. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 “통일위해 달린다” 평화열차 DMZ트레인 타보니… (in Korean). The Dong-a Ilbo. May 13, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  3. ↑ Song, In-geol (June 11, 2014). "Peace Train goes to DMZ, but can’t take Koreans home". The Hankyoreh. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  4. 1 2 경의선 평화열차 DMZ-트레인 연계관광 확대 (in Korean). Yonhap/Reuters. October 20, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  5. ↑ Crawford, Matthew C. (August 8, 2014). "Craving peace on the DMZ train". The Korea Herald. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Lee, Seung-ah (May 26, 2014). "DMZ Train takes you to the border". Korea.net. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  7. ↑ "S. Korea puts 'peace train' to Cherwon in service". Yonhap. July 31, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  8. ↑ Yoon, Sojung (July 28, 2014). "New train line to North Korea". Korea.net. Retrieved February 24, 2015.

External links

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