Rail transport in North Korea
Rail transport in North Korea is provided by Korean State Railway (조선 민주주의 인민 공화국 철도성, Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Ch'ŏldosŏng) which is the only rail operator in North Korea. It has a network of over 6000 km of track, of which the vast majority is standard gauge; there is, however, nearly 400 km of narrow-gauge lines (762 mm) in various locations around the country.[1]
Routes
In many cases, the name of the line is a combination of the names of the original termini. This is analogous to the Bakerloo line (Baker Street to Waterloo) in England. However, because of the division of Korea, some lines now terminate short of their original destinations. The following lists the main standard-gauge trunk lines:
- Hambuk Line: Ch'ŏngjin Ch'ŏngnyŏn - Rajin, 331.1 km, 1435 mm
- Kangwŏn Line: Kowŏn - P'yŏnggang, 145.8 km, 1435 mm
- Manp'o Line: Sunch'ŏn - Manp'o, 299.9 km, 1435 mm
- Paektusan Ch'ŏngnyŏn Line: Kilchu Ch'ŏngnyŏn - Hyesan Ch'ŏngnyŏn, 141.7 km, 1435 mm
- P'yŏngbu Line: P'yŏngyang - Kaesŏng (-> Dorasan, ROK), 187.3 km, 1435 mm
- P'yŏngdŏk Line: P'yŏngyang - Kusang Ch'ŏngnyŏn, 192.3 km, 1435 mm
- P'yŏngnam Line: P'yŏngyang - Namp'o, 55.2 km, 1435 mm
- P'yŏngra Line: P'yŏngyang - Rajin (and on to Khasan, Russia), 819.0 km, 1435 mm
- P'yŏngŭi Line: P'yŏngyang - Sinŭiju (and on to Dandong, China), 225.1 km, 1435 mm
Stations
Pyongyang Metro
The Pyongyang Metro operates the only known underground mass transit in North Korea, offering extensive network of underground services within Pyongyang. Metro services are also supplemented with above-ground tram services in both Pyongyang and a number of secondary cities.
International services
China
The primary rail gateway to North Korea is via the Sino-Korea Friendship Bridge from Dandong, China to Sinuiju, North Korea. Passenger trains are taken as far as Dandong by the China National Railway at which point the domestic Chinese carriages are uncoupled and North Korean carriages and locomotive are attached. Chungjin also has connections to the Chinese system.
Russia
Rajin has a rail link to the Russian system over the Tumen River.
South Korea
In 2000, a freight service was inaugurated, between South Korea and the industrial park at Kaesong; however, usage has been very low and most trains carry no freight.[2]
Rolling stock
Presidential trains
The nation's former leader Kim Jong Il was known to use the country's railway network extensively, travelling to his palaces and for out-of-town appointments in one of his presidential trains, as did his father Kim Il Sung. Both Kims took their trains to foreign trips as well.[3][4]
Future plans
A Trans-Korean Main Line is planned, spanning North Korea and allowing South Korean rail freight access to Russian Railways.[5] So far, a cross-border rail link has been built between Khasan, Tumangan, and a Russian-owned port in Rasŏn.[6]
Gallery
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Locomotive in DPR Korea -
Pyongyang Metro, DPR Korea -
Crossing into North Korea on the Sino-Korea Friendship Bridge -
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Railway electrification -
Maintenance works -
Sinanju station building -
Pyongyang station at night
History
Much of the rail network in Korea was built during the period of Japanese rule, which ended in 1945. There were 1,735 miles of railway in 1925.[7]
See also
References
- ^ Hayato, Kokubu, 将軍様の鉄道 (Shōgun-sama no Tetsudō), ISBN 978-4-10-303731-6
- ^ Spencer, Richard (2010-10-30). "Korean detente railway becomes ghost train - Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
- ^ "Profile: Kim Jong-il", BBC News, 31 July 2003.
- ^ Fear of flying forces Kim Jong Il to use fleet of private trains Times Online, November 10, 2009.
- ^ "Trans-Korean Main Line - Investment in the Future". 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2010-10-30.
{{cite web}}: Text "Russian Transport Daily Report" ignored (help) - ^ "Railway Gazette: Rajin port accord". Retrieved 2010-10-30.
- ^ Everyman's Encyclopaedia, 1931, volume 8, pp 217-218
