V-Train (Korail)
{{Short description|Tourist train in South Korea}}
{{Infobox rail line
|name = V-Train aka Baekdudaegan Canyon train
|color =
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|image = Front of V-train.JPG
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|type = Regional rail
|system = Korail
|start = Cheoram Station
|end = Buncheon Station
|stations =
|routes = Yeongdong Line
|open = April 12, 2013 - present
|close =
|owner = Korail
|operator = Korail
|character =
|stock =
|linelength =
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}}
V-Train (aka Baekdudaegan Canyon train) ({{ko-hhrm|백두대간협곡열차}}) is a South Korean sightseeing train operated by Korail. The train began operations in 2013 and transports tourists through the valleys of Baekdu-daegan.{{cite web|last=Bae|first=Hyun-jung|title=It's the journey that matters|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130419000798&mod=skb|date=April 19, 2013|publisher=The Korea Herald|access-date=February 25, 2015}}{{cite web|title=[영한기사대역] Tourist trains showcase beauty of rural Korea|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130429000192|date=April 29, 2013|publisher=The Korea Herald|access-date=February 25, 2015}}
Overview
The train began running on April 12, 2013, passes through the valleys of Baekdudaegan, along the gorge of the Nakdong River{{cite web|last=Park|first=Joon Gyu|script-title=ko:[LET´s/조성하의 철도 힐링투어]<1>백두대간 협곡열차|url=http://news.donga.com/List/Series_70070000000980/3/70070000000980/20130321/53863904/1#|date=March 22, 2013|publisher=The Dong-a Ilbo|language=ko|access-date=February 26, 2015}} and shuttles the 27.7 kilometers back and forth from Cheoram in Gangwon-do, to Buncheon in Gyeongsangbuk-do.{{cite web|last=Sohn|first=Ji-ae|title=New trains to enrich your journey |url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Travel/view?articleId=106756|date=April 1, 2013|publisher=Korea.net|access-date=February 25, 2015}}
The train has three cars which are retro in style, with a charcoal stove,{{cite web|last=Yun|first=Suh-young|title=A heart-thumping ride on a retro tour train |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2014/05/617_132912.html|publisher=The Korea Times|access-date=February 27, 2015|date=2013-03-28}} incandescent lamps,{{cite web|title=Exploring South Korea via train|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/exploring-south-korea-via-train/|date=November 3, 2013|publisher=Manila Bulletin|access-date=February 25, 2015}} and large windows; and along with the whistle stops, it has an older feel.{{cite web|last=Herman|first=Steve|title=S. Korea's Newest Trains Take Tracks Less Traveled|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/s-koreas-newest-trains-take-the-tracks-less-traveled/1659953.html|date=May 13, 2013|publisher=Voice of America|access-date=February 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227093201/http://www.voanews.com/content/s-koreas-newest-trains-take-the-tracks-less-traveled/1659953.html|archive-date=February 27, 2015|url-status=live}} It travels at an average speed of 30 kilometers per hour in most sections and stops every now and then at photogenic spots.{{cite web|last=Limb|first=Jae-un|title=O-train, V-train lead to hidden inland wonders|url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Travel/view?articleId=107949|date=May 16, 2013|publisher=Korea.net|access-date=February 25, 2015}}
The letter "V" in the name stems from the V-shaped gorge and the word "valley".{{cite web|last=Kim|first=H.|title=Off the beaten track, a train into Korea's heart|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2975874|date=August 10, 2013|publisher=JoongAng Ilbo|access-date=February 25, 2015}}
The train is a subset of the larger O-Train of Korail's, which connects Seoul Station with Jecheon station then loops around to the V-Train stops, where passengers can switch over.{{cite web|last=Jackson|first=Julie|title=[Weekender] Sightseeing trains make hard to reach more convenient|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140718000942|date=July 18, 2014|publisher=The Korea Herald|access-date=February 25, 2015}}
File:Bidong station 20140418 133829.jpg
The train's Buncheon Station sits on a railway line which first opened in 1955 and was busy with coal transports, until the industry slowed. The two tourist trains, stopping at the station, had 400,000 passengers between April 1 and December 31, 2013, and the sudden influx of tourists boosted the local economy.{{cite web|last=Briginshaw|first=David|title=Korail hails new tourist services|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/asia/korail-hails-new-tourist-services.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150227073057/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/asia/korail-hails-new-tourist-services.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 27, 2015|date=February 4, 2014|publisher=International Railway Journal|access-date=February 26, 2015}}
During the holidays, the train was given the name "Baekdudaegan Snow Train Bound for the Santa Village."{{cite web|last=Sohn|first=JiAe|title=Christmas train takes revelers to Santa Village|url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Travel/view?articleId=124138|date=December 24, 2014|publisher=Korea.net|access-date=February 25, 2015}}
Operations
Connections
The V-Train connected with the O-Train to and from Seoul Station until it ceased operations in August 2020. The O-Train was succeeded by the Donghae Santa Train which runs from Gangneung to Buncheon via Cheoram. The V-Train is complemented by Korail Mugunghwa-ho trains on the route which provide connections to Donghae and Yeongju.{{Cite web|title=V-Train {{!}} Korail Scenic Train from Buncheon to Cheoram {{!}} TrainReview|url=https://trainreview.com/train/v-train|access-date=2020-10-28|website=trainreview.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|V-Train (Korail)}}
- [https://www.letskorail.com/ebizprd/EbizPrdTrainOtrainIntro_vW_htm54120.do V-Train at Korail] {{in lang|ko}}
{{Korail passenger train services}}
{{Korail Tourist train Services}}