S-Train (Korail)

S-Train (aka Namdo Sea Sightseeing Train (Korean: 남도해양관광열차)) is a South Korean tourist train operated by Korail. The train began operations in 2013 and transports tourists through southern South Korea.[1][2]

S-Train
Overview
Service typeRegional rail
StatusOperational
First serviceSeptember 27, 2013
Current operator(s)Korail
Route
StartBusan Station
Yeosu Expo Station
EndGwangju Station
Masan Station
Line(s) usedGyeongbu Line
Gyeongjeon Line
Honam Line
Jeolla Line

Overview

The train began running on September 27, 2013, and travels two routes, one from Busan to Yeosu in South Jeolla Province and another from Gwangju in South Jeolla Province to Masan in South Gyeongsang Province.[2][3] The double routes operate at the same time from different directions and meet at the Hadong Station in South Gyeongsang Province where passengers can transfer to the other train.[4] One of the stops is Suncheon, with nearby Suncheon Bay, hosts of the 2013 Suncheon Garden Expo Korea.[5]

The letter "S" in the name stems from "south", the "S" shaped route along the curvy shape of the South Sea of Korea,[2]"slow", "sea" and "sightseeing".[6] The train is distinguished with its slow travel pace.[7][4]

Boseong tea field

The train has five cars set up for different functions, including family occasions, tea drinking,[8] party events, sports and leisure.[4][6] Small spaces between cars are storage for bicycle riders. The traditional Korean tea ceremonies include a talk, and the tea served comes from the regions of Boseong and Hadong, which are among the train stops.[4][9]

The exteriors are coloured in blue and pink, representing the ocean and the pink camellia flowers of the southern regions. The turtle-themed train,[2] with the nose of the train painted like the head of a turtle, is a tribute to 16th century naval commander Yi Sun-shin, famous for his deploying of turtle-shaped warships.[4]

In April 2014, the train was used by the pop duo TVXQ, for a fan trip, to celebrate both their ten-year anniversary and that of Korail's KTX rail system.[10][11][12]

Operations
  • Seoul to S-Train stations: Seoul Station - Suwon Station - Cheonan Station - Seodaejeon Station - Daejeon Station - Iksan Station - Jeonju Station - Namwon Station - Suncheon Station - Yeosu Expo Station
  • S-Train (from the west) stations: Gwangju Station - Nampyeong Station - Deungnyang Station - Boseong Station - Beolgyo Station - Suncheon Station - Hadong Station - Bukcheon Station - Jinju Station - Masan Station[2]
  • Approximate travel time: 4 hours.[5]
  • S-Train (from the east) stations: Busan Station - Gupo Station - Jinyeong Station - Changwonjungang Station - Masan Station - Jinju Station - Bukcheon Station - Hadong Station - Suncheon Station - Yeocheon Station - Yeosu Expo Station[2]
  • Approximate travel time: 5 hours 30 minutes.[5]
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References
  1. Lee, Hyo-sik (November 27, 2013). "KORAIL runs new route for S-train". The Korea Times. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  2. Jeon Han, Yoon Sojung (August 12, 2013). "S-train adds more fun to southern region". Korea.net. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  3. Kim, Tae Sung (September 27, 2013). 남도해양관광열차(S트레인) 27일 본격 운행 (in Korean). News 1. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  4. Yun, Suh-young (September 26, 2013). "S-train, a 'slow' addition to the south". The Korea Times. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  5. Jackson, Julie (September 27, 2013). "Experience the southern coast with ease on the S-train". The Korea Herald. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  6. Jackson, Julie (July 18, 2014). "[Weekender] Sightseeing trains make hard to reach more convenient". The Korea Herald. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  7. [조성하의 철도 힐링투어]<5>남도해양관광열차 ‘S트레인’ 27일 개통 (in Korean). Dong-A Ilbo. September 26, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  8. "Exploring South Korea via train". Manila Bulletin. November 3, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  9. [박준규의 칙칙폭폭] ② S- 트레인 남도해양관광열차 (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. October 31, 2013. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  10. "Pop duo TVXQ hosts fan train trip". Korea.net. April 2, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  11. Choi, Jin-sil (March 25, 2014). 동방신기, 팬들과 함께한 기차여행 엿보니…동방신기 특별 열차까지 (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  12. 한류 열차…동방신기와, 기차 타고~ 칙칙폭폭~ (in Korean). Korea Economic Daily. March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
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