Saemaul-ho

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Saemaul-ho
Saemaul DHC-PP DMU with new Korail CI colour.
Saemaul DHC-PP DMU with new Korail CI colour.
Korean name
Hangul 새마을호
Hanja none
Revised Romanization Saemaulho
McCune-Reischauer Saemaŭlho

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.

[edit] Rolling stocks

inside of Saemaul DHC-PP DMU
inside of Saemaul DHC-PP DMU
  • 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

[edit] On service

Destination Panel for Saemaeul-ho
Destination Panel for Saemaeul-ho
  • Gyeongbu Line; 경부선, by DHC : Seoul-Busan/Haeundae; 서울-부산/해운대, Seoul-Masan; 서울-마산, Seoul-Bujeon; 서울-부전
  • Janghang Line; 장항선, by DHC, Diesel Locomotive : Yongsan-Iksan; 용산-익산
  • Honam Line; 호남선, by DHC : Yongsan-Gwangju/Mokpo; 용산-광주/목포
  • Jeolla Line; 전라선, by DHC : Yongsan-Yeosu; 용산-여수
  • Jinhae Line; 진해선, by DHC : Daegu-Jinhae; 대구-진해
  • Gyeongui Line; 경의선, by DHC : Seoul-Dorasan, Imjingang-Dorasan; 서울-도라산, 임진강-도라산

cf. There has been no more service on Jungang, Yeongdong and Taebaek Line(Cheongnyangni-Andong/Gangneung) since November 2006. These lines are served by Mugunghwa trains which stops at very few stations.

[edit] See also