| Gyeongbuk Line | |
|---|---|
Southbound freight on the Gyeongbuk Line, south of Jeomchon Station |
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| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 경북선 |
| Hanja | 慶北線 |
| Revised Romanization | Gyeongbukseon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kyŏngbuksŏn |
The Gyeongbuk Line (Gyeongbukseon) is a railway line serving North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. The line runs from Gimcheon on the Gyeongbu Line via Sangju, Yeomchon (junction with the Mungyeong Line), and Yecheon to Yeongju on the Jungang Line.
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The first section of the line was opened on October 1, 1924, between Gimcheon and Jeomchon.[1] Still under Japanese occupation, the line was extended to Andong in October 1937, but that section was dismantled to use the material elsewhere as Japan's military faced material shortages during World War II.[2]
Following the 1961 coup, the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction started South Korea's first five-year plan, which included a construction program to complete the railway network, to foster economic growth.[2] Under the program, the Gyeongbuk Line was extended to Yeongju, to create a connection both with the Jungang Line and the Yeongdong Line, allowing the transport of coal from the latter.[2] Work began in May 1962, the 28.9 km (18.0 mi) from Jeomchon to Yecheon was opened in January 1966, the 29.7 km (18.5 mi) from Yecheon to Yeongju was opened on October 10, 1966.[2] The complete line is 115.2 km (71.6 mi) long, and remains single-tracked and unelectrified.[1]
A 22.3 km (13.9 mi) long branch from Jeomchon to Mungyeong, the Mungyeong Line, was opened on May 10, 1969.[1]
As of 2010, the line is served by both passenger and freight trains along its entire length, as is the Mungyeong branch.[1] As of November 2010, the line is served by Mugunghwa cross-country trains from Busan and Dongdaegu, which travel in 2 hours 12 minutes from Gimcheon to Yeongju.[3]
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