Saemaul-ho

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Saemaul-ho
Saemaul PP inside.JPG
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl:
새마을호
McCune-Reischauer:Saemaŭlho
Revised Romanization:Saemaulho

|s |south |rok |sk | #default =

The Saemaul-ho or Saemaul is a class of train operated by Korail, the national railroad of South Korea. Saemaeul trains are distinguished from Mugunghwa trains by their larger seats and absence of standees. Before the introduction of the KTX express trains, Saemaeul were the fastest and longest 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 length; a typical Saemaeul consists of two eight-car trains joined together. These are two separate trains, each with a locomotive at each end, so that the total train is powered by four locomotives. Occasionally these trains are separated from one another. 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.

Trains

  • Diesel Hydraulic Car (also known as Push-Pull)
  • Long-length Saemaul-ho Passenger Car with locomotive
  • Streamlined Saemaul-ho Passenger Car with locomotive (not on service)

On Service

Destination Panel for Saemaeul-ho
  • Gyeongbu Line; 경부선, by DHC : Seoul-Busan/Haeundae; 서울-부산/해운대, Seoul-Masan/Jinju; 서울-마산/진주, Seoul-Ulsan/Pohang; 서울-울산/포항
  • Janghang Line; 장항선, by Diesel Locomotive : Yongsan-Janghang; 용산-장항
  • 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
  • Gyeongeui Line; 경의선, by DHC : Seoul-Imjingang; 서울-임진강

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

See also

ko:새마을호 ja:セマウル号