A-Train (Korail)

A-Train aka Jeongseon Arirang A-Train (Korean: 정선아리랑열차) is a South Korean tourist train operated by Korail. The train began operations in 2015 and transports tourists through Jeongseon County in central Gangwon-do.[1][2]

A-Train aka Jeongseon Arirang Train
Overview
OwnerKorail
Termini
Service
TypeRegional rail
SystemKorail
ServicesJungang Line
Taebaek Line
Trim Line
Operator(s)Korail
History
Opened(Prior) November 27, 2002 - December 31, 2007, Jeongseon Arirang excursion trains,
(Current) January 22, 2015 - present

Overview

The train opened on January 22, 2015, from Cheongnyangni Station in northeastern Seoul and passes through several stations in Gangwon-do, including Mindungsan and Jeongseon, which hosts the "Jeongseon Five-day Market",[3] and arriving at Auraji Station.[4][5]

The "A" in the train's name comes from "Arirang" (a Korean folk song), and the words "amazement" and "adventure". The song has many variations, and the Jeongseon Arirang is a regional one.[6] The song is listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and sometimes regarded as an unofficial anthem of Korea.[2]

The train has four themed cars with large windows and glass walls; one is a sky room, one a tea room, and two of the cars are decorated in regional colors of red, yellow, blue and purple[7] representing Jeongseon's geographical features such as the Dong River and the mountain ridges.[1] The train's exterior includes a purple color for the pulsatilla, Jeongseon's official flower,[5] and is decorated with curves that symbolize the Arirang melody.[1][8] Activities on the train include storytelling, music, magic shows and quiz games.[7]

The new line to Jeongseon is the first train to be named after a Korean town, and generated additional local interest due to the proximity of the scheduled 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, a nearby town.[2]

A-Train en route Jeongseon-gum, Gangwon-do.

Operations
  • Started running: January 22, 2015
  • Stations: Cheongnyangni station - Mindungsan station - Byeoreogok station - Sonpyong station - Jeongseon station - Najeon station - Auraji station[5]
  • Approximate travel time: 3 Hours

References
  1. Kim, Rahn (January 22, 2015). "A-train to Jeongseon runs to 'Arirang' tune". The Korea Times. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  2. Lee, Sun-Min (January 24, 2015). "An active weekend begins on the new A-Train". JoongAng Ilbo. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  3. Lee, Seung-ah (January 23, 2015). "Explore the mountain village of Jeongseon". Korea.net. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  4. 청량리발 ‘정선 아리랑 열차’ 15일 개통 (in Korean). The Hankyoreh. January 14, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  5. Lee, Seung-ah (January 22, 2015). "A-Train takes you to birthplace of 'Arirang'". Korea.net. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  6. Yun, Suh-young (February 11, 2015). "Head off on newly launched trains". The Korea Times. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  7. 코레일 야심작 ‘정선아리랑열차’ 타고 5일장 체험 (in Korean). YTN. February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  8. "아라리 아라리요~" 정선아리랑열차 22일부터 운행 (in Korean). Yonhap. January 5, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
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