Railroading, Korean Style

[Eastern Railfan]

I've started scanning a few photos from when I was stationed in Korea back in 2003. I wish I had checked out KORAIL (Korean National Railroad) a little more often while I was there. All of the shots in this thread were taken in Seoul. These were also really quick scans so the quality is less then stellar.

Daewoo/Hyundai built diesel-hydraulic locomotives.

Here a DHC idles next to GT26CW #7308.

GT26CW are equipped a turbocharged 645 prime mover and sound just like SD40-2s.

GT18B-M #4416

FT36HCW #7002

 

[bcp]

Big changes! When I was there they were still using steam engines, and as many people rode on the outside of the trains as on the inside.

Bruce

 

[Eastern Railfan]

Big changes! When I was there they were still using steam engines, and as many people rode on the outside of the trains as on the inside.

Bruce

There have been quite a few changes since 2003. Most of the green and yellow is gone, replaced by red, white and blue. They've added the KTX high-speed electric lines and have also added 8200 class electrics (made by Siemens; similar to the ALP44s in the states).

 

[Sinamox]

Do you know what the nose herald/logo is supposed to represent? It kind of reminds me of Amtrak's three sheets to the wind logo that I don't understand either.

 

[Pat]

Like the GT26CW. I bet they suck to work on with everything packed inside the low hood.

I got one train ride during my visits to Korea. We were working south of Daegu and spent 2+ hours each way getting to the plant and back. One day there is no car to drive us back to town. We end up on the train and in less than an hour we’re at the hotel. I asked our host if we could ride the train every day. He gasped that is a second class train and he was “business man”.

 

[RailroadJeep]

They've added the KTX high-speed electric lines and have also added 8200 class electrics (made by Siemens; similar to the ALP44s in the states).

The ALP46 would be a bit more accurate comparison to the Korail 8200. Both looks and technology wise, they have alot more in common than a ALP44.

 

[Eastern Railfan]

The ALP46 would be a bit more accurate comparison to the Korail 8200. Both looks and technology wise, they have alot more in common than a ALP44.

You're absolutely right. I had a brain fart.

 

[eja]

Anyone else struck by the similarity between the logo on these trains (pictures 4-7) and the current Amtrak logo ?

 

[ecofreak]

Those gte-26 engines look squatty. Is the gauge wider in South Korea?

 

[Jon Bentz]

Nope - it's standard gauge. After the Korean Conflict US railroads sent equipment over to help out. I remember seeing a photo somewhere of an Erie K3 4-6-2 in full Erie paint and lettering working a Korean passenger train. Pretty weird. I often wondered if any of that equipment survived.

 

[Eastern Railfan]

At one time there were quite a few American diesel locomotives over there as well. SWs, GPs and SDs.

 

[NM_RailNut]

Those gte-26 engines look squatty. Is the gauge wider in South Korea?

The track is standard gauge, but their loading gauge is lower (no doublestacks or Plate C cars there!).