Saemaul-ho
| Saemaul-ho | |
 Saemaul DHC-PP DMU with new Korail CI colour. | |
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 새마을호 |
| Hanja | 새마을號 |
| Revised Romanization | Saemaeulho |
| McCune–Reischauer | Saemaŭlho |
The Saemaul-ho, Saemaeul-ho, Saemaul, or Saemaeul are 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, the 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.
The Saemaeul are also distinguished from the Mugunghwa trains by their colour; typical Saemaeul train passenger cars are painted with green, blue, and yellow. The length of Saemaeul 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.
The Saemaeul-ho class will be replaced with the ITX-Saemaeul in 2015.
Rolling stock numbers
- 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 (retired) - #38–39, #10031–10033, #10051–10059
On service
- 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 and Loco : Yongsan-Gwangju/Mokpo; 용산-광주/목포
- Jeolla Line; 전라선, by DHC : Yongsan-Yeosu; 용산-여수
- Jinhae Line; 진해선, by DHC : Daegu-Jinhae; 대구-진해
Ceased Operation
- Gyeongui Line; 경의선, by DHC : Seoul-Dorasan, Imjingang-Dorasan; 서울-도라산, 임진강-도라산, ceased on June 31, 2009.
- Jungang, Yeongdong and Taebaek Line : Cheongnyangni-Andong/Gangneung, ceased on November 2006.
See also
- Korail
- Railroads in South Korea
- Transportation in South Korea