Gyeongbuk Line
Encyclopedia
The Gyeongbuk Line 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
.
in October 1937, but that section was dismantled to use the material elsewhere as Japan's military faced material shortages during World War II
.
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. 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. Work began in May 1962, the 28.9 km (18 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. The complete line is 115.2 km (71.6 mi) long, and remains single-tracked and unelectrified.
A 22.3 km (13.9 mi) long branch from Jeomchon to Mungyeong, the Mungyeong Line, was opened on May 10, 1969.
cross-country trains from Busan
and Dongdaegu
, which travel in 2 hours 12 minutes from Gimcheon to Yeongju.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. The line runs from Gimcheon
Gimcheon Station
Gimcheon Station is a railway station on Gyeongbu Line and Gyeongbuk Line....
on the Gyeongbu Line
Gyeongbu Line
The Gyeongbu Line is the most important railway line in South Korea and one of the oldest. It was constructed by Japan in 1905, connecting Seoul to Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, and Busan. The Gyeongbu Line is by far the most heavily travelled rail line in South Korea...
via Sangju
Sangju Station
Sangju Station is a railway station on Gyeongbuk Line....
, Yeomchon
Jeomchon Station
Jeomchon Station is a railway station on Gyeongbuk Line....
(junction with the Mungyeong Line), and Yecheon
Yecheon Station
Yecheon Station is a railway station on Gyeongbuk Line....
to Yeongju
Yeongju Station
Yeongju Station is a railway station on Gyeongbuk Line....
on the Jungang Line
Jungang Line
The Jungang Line is a railway line connecting Cheongnyangni in Seoul to Gyeongju in South Korea, traversing central South Korea from the northwest to the southeast.-History:...
.
History
The first section of the line was opened on October 1, 1924, between Gimcheon and Jeomchon. Still under Japanese occupation, the line was extended to AndongAndong Station
Andong Station is a railway station on Jungang Line and formerly Gyeongbuk Line....
in October 1937, but that section was dismantled to use the material elsewhere as Japan's military faced material shortages during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Following the 1961 coup, the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction
Supreme Council for National Reconstruction
The Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, initially named the Revolutionary Committee, was a military junta that oversaw the government of South Korea from May 16, 1961 until the inauguration of the Third Republic of South Korea in 1963...
started South Korea's first five-year plan, which included a construction program to complete the railway network, to foster economic growth. Under the program, the Gyeongbuk Line was extended to Yeongju, to create a connection both with the Jungang Line and the Yeongdong Line
Yeongdong Line
The Yeongdong Line is a line of Korail. It connects Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province with Gangneung in Gangwon Province. From Yeongju, it crosses the Taebaek Mountains and reaches the Sea of Japan at Donghae, thence proceeding north to Gangneung.At Yeongju, the line connects with the...
, allowing the transport of coal from the latter. Work began in May 1962, the 28.9 km (18 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. The complete line is 115.2 km (71.6 mi) long, and remains single-tracked and unelectrified.
A 22.3 km (13.9 mi) long branch from Jeomchon to Mungyeong, the Mungyeong Line, was opened on May 10, 1969.
Operation
As of 2010, the line is served by both passenger and freight trains along its entire length, as is the Mungyeong branch. As of November 2010, the line is served by MugunghwaMugunghwa-ho
The Mugunghwa-ho or Mugunghwa is a class of train operated by Korail, the national railroad of South Korea. Mugunghwa trains are the cheapest class of trains to operate cross-country. Prior to the introduction of the KTX in 2004, they were the most common passenger train along most railroad lines...
cross-country trains from Busan
Busan Station
- External links :* * *...
and Dongdaegu
Dongdaegu Station
Dongdaegu Station, meaning "East Daegu Station", is a railway station in Daegu, South Korea. It is on the national high-speed KTX railway network, 282 km south of Seoul Station.-History:...
, which travel in 2 hours 12 minutes from Gimcheon to Yeongju.